Award booking joy and a Question

[Ozgirl]

I just thought I would share with everyone a trip I just booked for my parents using QFF. The criteria was SYD to Bangkok, anytime between 5th – 26th November (10 wks away) and only for 7days. I started on the website where there wasn’t much choice so I decided to call. Not expecting much, I got a surprisingly helpful lady (although buy the sounds of it she wasn’t much of a flyer and admitted to being a poor typer, how she got the job I do not know but I suppose that is irrelevant) she managed to get me a flights 7th – 17th. I was impressed. all but one of the criteria’s met. My mum is crushed at having to stay 3 extra days . My parents are going to meet with UK friends so it could have been worst ie the extra 3 days could have been before the 5th or after the 26th when their friends aren’t there.

I also tried to book a return flight using UA FF from SYD – Christchurch for next April. I am attending a wedding on the 16th. I tried the website and found nothing. I called and explained to the lady (who again was extremely helpful) I would like a return flight from SYD to Christchurch for any period as long as I am there for the 16th. She proceeded to tell me that there a seats on every flight (2 a day), every day in April. I haven’t yet booked because with all those choices I am trying to organise dates around other friends who are also flying in.

But I have a question, the next trip I am trying to organise is SYD to Jo burg (or Cape Town), I am flexible at what time of year. A South African who I work with has told me that he has been tying for years to use QF ff to fly home to no avail (also with huge flexibility). Any ideas??

Does anyone have any tips on booking this sector?

 

[NM]

Best advise is to get in as early as possible, say 330 days before you want to travel. Awards in economy are much easier to find than business class, and some people only want business class awards, so they may be telling you they can't get a flight, when what they really mean is that they can't get one in business class. If you are willing to travel in economy, and can avoid the busy periods such as school holidays, and can book early, you should be ok.

Another option is to try for Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong. Its longer and will cost more points, but may have some availability if you can't find anything on Qantas.

 

[Ozgirl]

Thanks for that. Will def remember to try via asia if I cant get what I want. I dont hoard my points anymore (after losing heaps with Ansett), I tend to have a goal in mind and save the towards that then book.

Do you know how many more points I would need to fly via asia. Need to know what my new goal will be

 

[NM]

Assuming SYD-HKG-JNB return, you will be traveling just under 22,500 miles. That puts you into zone 5, which is 125,000 for economy, 235,000 for business class, and 290,000 for First Class using Cathay Pacific.

Using QF for SYD-JNB return is 13,725 miles and hence zone 4 for 80,000, 160,000 or 200,000 on Qantas.