Virgin flights, Flight Centre Vouchers or upgrades

[TheRiddler]

I posted this query originally in the CommBank Awards thread but not getting much traffic over there so please excuse the double posting.

I have nearly 500,000 points accrued in my CBA Rewards account. Trying to fathom out the best way of utilising them to obtain flights to the UK for myself, the wife and our son who will be 3 at the time of travel next September.

Should I convert to a Flight Centre Voucher and then purchase flights through them - gives me the opportunity of selecting which carrier - and could then earn Virgin credits if I book with Etihad or Singapoore. Or should I convert to Virgin points and then book flights through them on Etihad or Singapore Airlines? Or should I purchase flights on Etihad/Singapore directly myself and then utilise Virgin points to try and secure upgrades? Is that even possible?

If I do go down the Virgin points route, I probably need to hold out until the next time they/CBA run one of their bonus conversion rate promos to maxmise the transfer value. Hopefully that will come around soon as I will probably need to book flights in the next month or two. Talking of which, how far in advance do Etihad and Singapore open up their inventory?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Intra]

Can't upgrade using VA points with EY/SQ, BUT you will soon be able to convert VA points to SQ points (Ratio of Conversion & when the system will all start is still TBC)

It's really just a maths question... How much does 500k of points get you in Flight Centre credit?

 

[TheRiddler]

I'm currently sat on 466k points that gives me $2,500 to spend at Flight Centre. With my Diamond conversion rate, it would provide 133,000 Virgin points.

 

[mooingchicken]

Well a one way (listed melb to london) is 62,500 points + $100 tax so 125000 + $200ish in taxes for a return (this is econ btw) so basically would use most of your points.
Now if this converts to $2500 FC voucher, this could be the better option as a return econ flight to london can be had for anywhere from 1400-2100 obviously depending on travel dates ect, and this will score points/SC ect. Also have to think about trying to find award availability if you need to travel fairly specific days, makes the option pretty obvious...

CBA have devalued there points a lot and Virgin did just release a transfer bonus for this month, however CBA are one of the only banks excluded, therefore very unlikley to be another offer in the next few months for CBA

 

[TheRiddler]

Ooops, my bad, I meant 233,000 Virgin points so that's almost two flights - which makes the choice a little harder again. If only CBA were part of the current 15% promotion, would make it a lot easier to decide!

 

[mooingchicken]

Thought that seemed low haha.

You really need enough points to cover the return, or you end up paying an inflated price for one way, when do you plan on travelling anyway? have you seen if there are reward seats currently available? as these are fairly limited, especially during peak times. I would do this first, unless its more than the 330/350 whatever days out before they have released the flights.

FYI Points are more valueable for bussniess class (double econ points) or upgrades whereas the $ price is normally 3+x the econ prices.