22 March - What are you going to do?

[kcoulson]

As a relative newcomer to the world of FF points, I have been collecting Qantas, Velocity, KF points - and have purchased Alaskan and AAdvantage points. My focus has always been at the accumulation part - have never actually redeemed anything (in the too hard basket at the moment - since it is obvious that it requires research and knowledge). So I find myself with (at the the yearly purchase limit) of 206k in AAdvantage points (between 2 people), which I could buy more of come January 1.

Now I'm trying to work out what I should do with those (paid for) AAdvantage points. Should I save them for a family trip to China and buy more points in 2016 (I have no idea whether this is a feasible idea - I was open to the idea of flying 2 people on one day, and try to find availability for 2 people the day after). Asia 2 zone, has increased, but still looks attractive.

Otherwise, should I try to use up my points for a trip for 2 to Spain in Nov/Dec 2016. (I understand that I would need to wait to January and buy more points to make it feasible). Truthfully, I feel like I have been caught on the hop (since I don't know what I am doing) - is this an unrealistic target? I had a look at the AAdvantage site, and there were lots of seats to Barcelona.... but with lots of long legs that were economy ().

 

[JohnK]

Stop using Aadvantage.

In my opinion purchasing AA miles was cost effective when the AUD was at parity with USD. With the severe drop in AUD and imminent changes to AAdvantage there is no value in purchasing miles.

Quite happy to travel in economy.

 

[drron]

Asia still represents good value just not the excellent value it was.
As to whether using them for the Asia trip or Europe it will depend on what it costs to buy the tickets.Then work out which gives you the best value.
If though you plan to use another FF program for the second trip it will be whichever program is more likely to have the awards for that trip.

But I am not going to change my behaviour next March because I am quite happy to fly in the JAL F cabin from NRT-USA.And at 90000 miles + <$US10 it still represents value to me.

 

[incumbent]

I am quite happy to fly in the JAL F cabin from NRT-USA.And at 90000 miles + <$US10 it still represents value to me.

You should be even happier at 80,000 miles. As will I be.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As a relative newcomer to the world of FF points, I have been collecting Qantas, Velocity, KF points - and have purchased Alaskan and AAdvantage points. My focus has always been at the accumulation part - have never actually redeemed anything (in the too hard basket at the moment - since it is obvious that it requires research and knowledge). So I find myself with (at the the yearly purchase limit) of 206k in AAdvantage points (between 2 people), which I could buy more of come January 1.

Now I'm trying to work out what I should do with those (paid for) AAdvantage points. Should I save them for a family trip to China and buy more points in 2016 (I have no idea whether this is a feasible idea - I was open to the idea of flying 2 people on one day, and try to find availability for 2 people the day after). Asia 2 zone, has increased, but still looks attractive.

Otherwise, should I try to use up my points for a trip for 2 to Spain in Nov/Dec 2016. (I understand that I would need to wait to January and buy more points to make it feasible). Truthfully, I feel like I have been caught on the hop (since I don't know what I am doing) - is this an unrealistic target? I had a look at the AAdvantage site, and there were lots of seats to Barcelona.... but with lots of long legs that were economy ().

Booking to China is usually pretty ok! Cathay Pacific has reasonable award availability, especially if you are flexible. And you might even get more than 2 seats on the one plane. With three flights a day MEL-HKG, you should all be able to arrive on the same day even if you have to take separate flights.

Booking to Europe, again that would likely be on Cathay for best availability. But the key, as with China, is to 'get in early'.

Finding seats generally requires a mix of tools. The AA site for example doesn't show Cathay Pacific. You can still book it, but have to do so by phone. Same with Eithad space. Need to find it first, then book by phone.

The BA site is good for finding Cathay and Japan Airlines seats, but you have to be a member, and Australian addresses can't register.

For Cathay you can also use the Qantas booking tool... but you'll need to split your booking to find seats. Do one search MEL-HKG, then a separate search HKG-Europe.

There shouldn't be a reason, this far in advance, why you have to accept economy on any of the legs.

 

[baggyred]

When I first cottoned on to utilising points with USDM - I was snagging return Per-> East Coast flights for under $700. That cost will go up to about $1150 now.

Still pretty good value for J return, particularly with the new seats, though hard not to pine for the cost of only 18 months ago.

 

[kooky]

Is the new AA still the lowest points J to Europe from east-coast Aus at 85k? Or is there something better out there?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is the new AA still the lowest points J to Europe from east-coast Aus at 85k? Or is there something better out there?

Krisflyer is cheaper at 68K.

Lifemiles is also 85K, but much cheaper to buy than AA points.

 

[andye]

Krisflyer is cheaper at 68K.

Lifemiles is also 85K, but much cheaper to buy than AA points.

Those extra 17K points on AA are offset by the SQ surchages though. However much easier to accumulate KF points than AA with credit cards

 

[kooky]

Krisflyer is cheaper at 68K.

Lifemiles is also 85K, but much cheaper to buy than AA points.

Thanks .. So AA is still cheapest One World to Europe? (And including Emirates)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks .. So AA is still cheapest One World to Europe? (And including Emirates)

AA won't you seats on EK though. But otherwise yes. For programs in Australia, AA is good for OW.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

subscribed...I had enough AA miles for 2 x J class return tickets to Europe at 60K each way ..not ready to make a decision on a trip for next year as already have something else booked dilemma now is whether to top up the points required now for J seats and about 77K miles needed while promo is on or just leave it until next year and hopefully another offer comes along and our AU $ does not drop any further.

 

[kooky]

Yeah well it can be like buying something you don't need just because it's on sale - not wise.

 

[kcoulson]

Well, since trips to China will be lower points after March 22 - I am thinking of taking advantage of the current Aadvantage points sale (that finishes January 4 2016) to buy more points. This means that I will have wasted a lot of money if I can't find China availability when the time comes (probably 2018). No wonder they extended the sale date to January 4 (due to calendar year rules).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well, since trips to China will be lower points after March 22 - I am thinking of taking advantage of the current Aadvantage points sale (that finishes January 4 2016) to buy more points. This means that I will have wasted a lot of money if I can't find China availability when the time comes (probably 2018). No wonder they extended the sale date to January 4 (due to calendar year rules).

IIRC trips to China will be more expensive after 22 March - at least for business class. The rate will increase from 35K one way to 40K one way. Japan will be lowered from 45K to 40K.

 

[kcoulson]

Yes - you are absolutely right.

 

[Oxy]

Well, since trips to China will be lower points after March 22 - I am thinking of taking advantage of the current Aadvantage points sale (that finishes January 4 2016) to buy more points. This means that I will have wasted a lot of money if I can't find China availability when the time comes (probably 2018). No wonder they extended the sale date to January 4 (due to calendar year rules).

It all adds up to a lot of money sitting there for a long time, are yo sure you don't have a better use for it? Nothing's to stop them changing the tables again, or your personal circumstances might change also. I don't think that price in AUD is that great that they are worth hoarding.

 

[MFM3012]

I'll be buying more points on the current offer and booking some return trips with EY to AUH from Sydney or Brisbane. This is great value at 45k for business. It's a shame that we are not getting these deals in the future. Even with the exchange rate it makes good sense.

 

[kooky]

What's the best site to search EY sorry?

 

[froggerADL]

Be careful hoarding those KF points because they expire after three years from earn date.