1.5 million pts what to do?

[matc]

Hi all,

I have been hoarding points for a few years and I would like some suggestions about how to use them. This is where I'm at:

- QFF 610k
- Amex 746k
- Virgin 114k

I'm a Virgin silver member.

I plan on getting married soon so I want to do round the world J. I would be happy to pay for the Y tix and then do an upgrade on points. Also wondering whether I should try to get my SC up before I go? I have an Amex plat card which has priority pass access but the lounges are shocking (the ones I have seen at least)! Last year I had an Amex centurion card and that gave me QF lounge access which was good but not worth the $5K annual fee.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

 

[cove]

Matc can you transfer those warehoused points to Kris Flyer from Amex?
If you can then read up on Suites flights on SQ so you can spoil your partner from the start.
You cannot upgrade to Suites but your outright points redemption can get you Saver seats.

 

[matc]

Hi Cove, thanks for your response and suggestion! I can transfer to Krisflyer, so I'll definitely look up suites flights!

 

[Mwenenzi]

With 1.5M points/miles do not even consider booking Y and upgrading using miles/points. Especially with Qantas. Book a full award
Business & first awards are always a challenge. 2 people together is 4 times as hard

other threads on the same topic
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ram/frequent-flyer-cost-table-help-49298.html (see post 12)
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gram/using-ff-points-book-business-50222.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....t-ff-program-book-award-50278.html#post821145
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gram/using-ff-points-book-business-50222.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-program/advice-re-best-way-redeem-49973.html

 

[JohnK]

I plan on getting married soon so I want to do round the world J. I would be happy to pay for the Y tix and then do an upgrade on points.

It will be very difficult to upgrade flights from economy in any alliance. Oneworld FF programs do not allow upgrading partner flights and although *Alliance allows you to upgrade partner flights these are very expensive and not practical.

You do have enough for 2 x Qantas Oneworld awards in business class which cost 280,000 QFF points each plus taxes and fuel surcharges. You can travel up to 35,000 miles including 16 sectors and 5 stopovers.

Also wondering whether I should try to get my SC up before I go?

Not really necessary if you are travelling in business class.

 

[cove]

I book Suites out of Singapore as I am based in Perth. If you are in Melbourne or Sydney you can do more.

 

[bryanjones]

Definitely at least do the 2x280k oneworld J awards. They can be tricky to find availability (and only then if you were a WP would status help) - but perservere, be a little bit flexible and it can be done very well. Then you can save your amex/virgin points for a SIN suite on your 1 year anniversary. Also depends on how long you want to honeymoon for - if its only 2 weeks than the Oneworld award may not be as advantageous as if you had 3 months.

 

[cove]

Qantas points are really good for either Any Seat or upgrades on domestic flights to pick up status credits and status.
If all else fails Classic J points flights can work too if you are on a 5 hour flight.
By the way is your bride to be on board with frequent flyer points?
If not you could consider a pre-nup just to cover your points stash........naturally I am kidding!

 

[Ewing]

My long lost cousin! How are you?

:mrgreen:

(on a serious note, I'll agree with the previous posts about 2x Oneworld J awards)

 

[matc]

My long lost cousin! How are you?

:mrgreen:

(on a serious note, I'll agree with the previous posts about 2x Oneworld J awards)

It has been a while! We should catch-up! Ha ha

Thanks so much for the advice all. The oneworld J flights sound perfect. I am think long about 8 weeks away so it would work well. We are still a while out from the trip so we can be flexible and book early.


Thanks again for the advice, so quick and so valuable. Really appreciate it!


I better look into the prenup now...

 

[cove]

You could get your betrothed to join AFF and become a points collector prior to the ceremony.
Expect offers for you to adopt some of our points poor "relatives" in AFF.
The test for you will come when there is only one seat in the class you really, really want and who gets it.

 

[Hvr]

Y <snip>
The test for you will come when there is only one seat in the class you really. really want and who gets it.

I'd fail that test, my points/booking etc I sit in the higher class. I'd tell her about it though and take photos just to give her an incentive to chase points. Now, why am I still single?

 

[cove]

Mrscove has more QF FF points than me and this year she has more SCs.
We did use some of her points to go on BA in First as we enjoyed the LAX -LHR flight in First.
This is our 40th year of marriage so there is some give and take.
Now where did I put that pre.....?

 

[JohnK]

I'd fail that test, my points/booking etc I sit in the higher class. I'd tell her about it though and take photos just to give her an incentive to chase points. Now, why am I still single?

So would I!

 

[11sjw]

You do have enough for 2 x Qantas Oneworld awards in business class which cost 280,000 QFF points each plus taxes and fuel surcharges. You can travel up to 35,000 miles including 16 sectors and 5 stopovers.

Go with this option. J all the way in some nice airlines. Lounge access everywhere.

The AMEX points could go into a hotel program and be used for some room nights.

Leave the Virgin points to be used for some domestic hops.

or transfer some to your long lost cousin 11sjw

 

[Grooba]

I concur with the 280k award option.
The main thing about these J awards is to be flexible. The 140k Y awards are great if you're not very flexible as there's generally heaps of Y seats available across all airlines however snagging the J award seats can be quite difficult on some of the popular routes. Be flexible with both dates and locations, book 9+ months in advance, and you should be able to maximize your J segments.

If you do decide to go down this path make sure you have a good read through the dedicated thread to this subject.

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

Questions welcomed.