Using points for Y flights

[Grrr]

Just after a sanity check here...

I'm looking at flying the family (4 all adult fares) to NZ. Short flight so I don't need J

Paying cash for my dates is $4230 return (EK then VA)

Using MR I can send points to the respective programs (and already have some ready to go)
So I can use ~200k points and $736
Or ~150k points and $1300

Am I 'wasting' these points on economy class ? Should I save them for some hypothetical Y flights next year (nothing remotely planned yet) ? Or is this a good deal ?

 

[sudoer]

200k MR to save $3500 is good enough in my book.

 

[Bell21]

Do you mean 200K MR points - ie, 100K QFF (EK codeshare) / VFF points?

I wouldn't hestiate to use 200K MR points to save $3,500 --- it's a strong use of points (I work on the is it 2c/points or more, especially when booking for eg, 4, as the overall $ value you're saving is significant too)

 

[Grrr]

Do you mean 200K MR points - ie, 100K QFF (EK codeshare) / VFF points?

200k of airline points, so a bit more in MR (messy conversions as I have overseas Amex too)

Thanks all for the sanity check, I’ll go ahead (assuming seats are still there !!)

 

[Bell21]

That's a bit more marginal --- circa 1.75c / point - it's a bit of a toss up - probably depends how much you're likely to use those points for J flights in future VS how much you want to save the $3500 - YMMV

IMO (for my purposes), I'd probably go with the 150,000 points option, as it looks better value overall on the numbers you've provided

For clarity, I'm working on Australian MR conversion to airlines - obviously, the value might change with different conversions potentially.

 

[Grrr]

That's a bit more marginal --- circa 1.75c / point - it's a bit of a toss up

Bugger just realised I dumped most of my overseas MR points in another airline scheme a month ago anticipating a different trip which didn't eventuate... and the Aus MR to EK conversion is quite cough (3:1)

So current calculation is 100k airline points to save $1600 - as you say line ball

 

[Bell21]

Bugger just realised I dumped most of my overseas MR points in another airline scheme a month ago anticipating a different trip which didn't eventuate... and the Aus MR to EK conversion is quite cough (3:1)

So current calculation is 100k airline points to save $1600 - as you say line ball

Ouch - I don't love it, but sometimes, it's also about the overall $ you're saving too and timing of doing that.

The Aus MR to EK conversion is not great when you also combine it with their surcharges...

Maybe consider lower points option?

 

[Grrr]

Maybe consider lower points option?

50k airline points + $600 vs $1600 outright…

 

[Bell21]

if I understand what you mean correctly, you're saying you can use an extra 50,000 airline points to save an extra $1,000 - that's worth it potentially, albeit the whole use of points on the flights appears, as we've discussed, a bit line-ball.

 

[Grrr]

if I understand what you mean correctly, you're saying you can use an extra 50,000 airline points to save an extra $1,000 - that's worth it potentially

Yep, it’s 50k airline points + $600, or 100k points alone

Flight is $1600 cash

I was considering using the 100k points, as I’m also background worried about points devaluation if I don’t use them…

 

[Bell21]

That's fair - it also depends if you think you think you'll really use them for other J flights in the near future.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I'm looking at flying the family (4 all adult fares) to NZ. Short flight so I don't need J
Paying cash for my dates is $4230 return (EK then VA)

Using MR I can send points to the respective programs (and already have some ready to go)
So I can use ~200k points and $736
Or ~150k points and $1300

Am I 'wasting' these points on economy class ? Should I save them for some hypothetical Y flights next year (nothing remotely planned yet) ? Or is this a good deal ?

What route AU to NZ?
What has VA to do with this trip? How linked to EK (not a ff partner)?
Looking to transfer MR to EK ffp and book an EK award SYD-CHC or a QF trans Tasman flight as a EK award?
No need to book as a return. At times better to book as one way, including different airlines

Your $4230 for 4 pax return is a nominal $529 per flight per pax. That is on the high side for AU east cost to NZ.
On my trips to AU<-->NZ have about AU$142 (AU-->NZ) and NZ$68 (NZ-->AU) in govt taxes and fees. For awards those need to be paid, together with a carrier charge if applicable.

Airlines that fly trans Tasman routes Australia (CNS* MCY* BNE OOL SYD HBA MEL ADL PER) to/from New Zealand (AKL WLG CHC ZQN*) (not from all airports to all airports, * seasonal with some airlines). Pre CV19 were flight to/from NTL, CBR & DUD.
May not be up to date.

• Air New Zealand NZ [Star Alliance] Code shares on QF for AU domestic tag on flights. AKL-HBA service suspended April 2024 to Nov 2024
• Emirates EK SYD–CHC. Codeshares with QF
• China Airlines CI BNE-AKL Oct to Dec. MEL–AKL from 3 Dec 2024. [Skyteam Alliance & QF ff partner]
• China Eastern MU SYD–AKL. 2 times a week. [Skyteam alliance]
• Jetstar JQ (low cost carrier owned by QF).
• LAN LA SYD-AKL Stops 26 Oct 2025
• Qantas QF Codeshares trans Tasman with EK and others. Codeshare on Air NZ for NZ domestic tag on flights[Oneworld Alliance]
• Virgin Australia VA BNE SYD MEL–ZQN. (UA, QR & AC** partner) Codeshare on Air NZ for AU< > NZ (some routes)

 

[Grrr]

What route AU to NZ?
What has VA to do with this trip? How linked to EK (not a ff partner)?

I booked EK one way for SYD CHC. Paid with Amex to trigger their insurance coverage

I used 100k AC points for return with VA for ZQN SYD. Aeroplan are good - covered all fees etc via points

 

[Mwenenzi]

I booked EK one way for SYD CHC. Paid with Amex to trigger their insurance coverage
I used 100k AC points for return with VA for ZQN SYD. Aeroplan are good - covered all fees etc via points

OK. Good you got it sorted
How does to compare to cash prices (which earn a few ff miles/points/avios)?