What to do with 150,000 QFF points?

[emirates777]

I have 150,000 QFF points – No status, just the lowest.

Anyway long story short. My wife and I are planning to visit Europe for a 4 week trip in August/September

I would like to fly business class some of the way if not all the way return (obviously don’t have enough points to do this)

What’s the most cost effective way to do this? I looked into doing the points + pay option on Qantas.com, but its still very expensive

Would buying a flexible economy ticket from Syd-Sin and then using points for a upgrade work? (I will then look for a cheap flight from SIN-Europe)

Or do I just forget about and just keep saving my points for that ultimate trip in the future?

Thanks

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have 150,000 QFF points – No status, just the lowest.

Anyway long story short. My wife and I are planning to visit Europe for a 4 week trip in August/September

I would like to fly business class some of the way if not all the way return (obviously don’t have enough points to do this)

What’s the most cost effective way to do this? I looked into doing the points + pay option on Qantas.com, but its still very expensive

Would buying a flexible economy ticket from Syd-Sin and then using points for a upgrade work? (I will then look for a cheap flight from SIN-Europe)

Or do I just forget about and just keep saving my points for that ultimate trip in the future?

Thanks

You can only use QF points for QF operated flights which are either QF1 SYD/xDXB/LHR or QF9 MEL/xDXB/LHR. Not all airfares can be used for points upgrades so you need to compare the cheapest (non-upgradeable airfare) with the airfare you would need to pay to be eligible to upgrade and weigh up whether you think it's worth taking the chance as you are never guaranteed the upgrade will come through.

Using the link below for the ITA/Matrix website the cheapest business class return fare ex BKK to LHR is on Finnair via HEL and is AUD3,000.00 return pp including the taxes.

Matrix - ITA Software by Google

Then you could just purchase a separate ticket ex Aust to BKK return. I don't know what city you're in however if flying ex MEL, JQ often have good prices for Star Class so you could always fly MEL/BKK on a cheap sale fare in whY as it's a day flight then fly Star Class on the return BKK/MEL which is an overnight flight.

It's probably a good idea to overnight in BKK each way as you're travelling on two separate tickets as it gives you more leeway in the event of a delay or a cancelled flight and the resulting knock on effects from that.

 

[Denali]

.....

As a reader, I just wanted to say thank you for your detailed posts - your time and effort in putting it together is appreciated.

 

[JohnK]

Or do I just forget about and just keep saving my points for that ultimate trip in the future?

This is what I would be doing but just be careful you don't get into my situation of having ~1.2 million QFF points and not being able to use them for the trips you want to do.

 

[roomer]

This is what I would be doing but just be careful you don't get into my situation of having ~1.2 million QFF points and not being able to use them for the trips you want to do.

I thought that a million points was the magic number in order for two to travel to Europe in business class. What is the situation you are describing please?

 

[RooFlyer]

I thought that a million points was the magic number in order for two to travel to Europe in business class. What is the situation you are describing please?

Can't speak for JohnK, but you have to watch for availability of Award seats. Its always tight, and those with status get first dibs. You may have a million points, but no opportunities to use them on the route / dates you want. Europe in J is the most sought after (although with a million F is definitely in the mix ).

QF are generating more points every day, including for people who never earn via flying. All competing for scarce 'points' flights.

 

[JohnK]

I thought that a million points was the magic number in order for two to travel to Europe in business class. What is the situation you are describing please?

SYD-BKK in business class but not booked the day award seats are released. Can't even ask for seat to be released as it has been refused each time.

SYD-HKG and then HKG-BKK is not much better as SYD-HKG is relatively busy and if you want to use non QF flights the cost is ~90,000 QFF points not the usual 60,000 QFF points.

 

[knasty]

Check the Sri lankan business class sale in a separate thread. QF or BA to Sin on your points then 2500 each for the rest of the way. Not 100% sure of the terms of the Sri lankan sale but Sin is a good starting point for a.lot of.cheap fares to.Europe.

 

[emirates777]

Thanks everyone for your help. Especially ozbeachbabe.

Unfortunately, looks like I am going to have to wait a few more years and keep dreaming

 

[bryanjones]

a.lot of.cheap fares to.Europe.

I feel like this is a hint that I am missing. Help!

 

[knasty]

S e Asian cities to Europe business class can be quite a bit less than 1/2 of what it is.from Australia. So cheap positioning flights ie. economy fare from Australia or business points redemption can yield a very cheap overall itinerary.

 

[roomer]

I thought that a million points was the magic number in order for two to travel to Europe in business class. What is the situation you are describing please?

So see below article from Aust Business Traveller today; is this gilding the lily re redeeming qff points? I get the impression from the AFF members that's its not that straightforward but this article seems to perpetuate the myth of how I had believed it to be before coming to this great site for guidance ( for the record I am still saving and hoping to do exactly this )



Finally, consider what for many is the ultimate trip – flying around the world in business class.

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This costs just 280,000 Qantas points (plus around $1000 in fees and taxes).The cash cost of this junket would be north of $10,000, so you're now clocking up close to a solid 4 cents per point.You’ll be able to fly in business class comfort right around the globe with Qantas and any of its Oneworld partner airlines in the Oneworld alliance, such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific (below), Japan Airlines, American Airlines and South America’s LAN/TAM.

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This jaunt is as ideal for a honeymoon as it is for celebrating your new-found ‘empty nest’ status or retirement.And with the right choice of credit cards to earn frequent flyer points on your spending, you’d be surprised how quickly those 280,000 points come within reach.Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

 

[robd]

The brains trust on this subject are here:-

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/oneworld-award-140k-280k-420k-8228.html

Read, read, read, ask questions, read...