Beginner information

[howie_oz]

G'day everyone. I have recently become a FIFO worker and have accumulated 20k points with Qantas in the last few months. I haven't really been interested before but with the new found ability to fly more often I'm really excited about learning more. The problem I've found is the massive amount of quality information you guys provide is pretty overwhelming and I can't seem to find a beginner section if one exists...

Is there somewhere I can find the basics so I don't ask the same questions that have been previously answered? My wife and I are based in perth with travel planned at least yearly to Europe.

Cheers guys.

 

[Limewood]

Welcome aboard howie-oz.

Not really but some tips.

1. Using FF points book early like approx. 12 months out if you can for overseas trips.
2. If Qantas always go for any seat award YASA (economy) or JASA (bus. class), because you'll get status points and some FF points back.
3. The more status points you get from flying the higher up the ladder you will be and benefits increase, bronze, silver, gold, platinum.
4. From Gold status for instance on you get into the QF lounges plus you can take one guest plus better check in and additional luggage allowance.

 

[Inver]

Welcome aboard Howie_Oz.

Acronym meanings look at this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ions/abbreviations-and-explanations-5056.html

Some ideas of what is achievable I would start with this link which is one of my favourite.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....uable-information-youve-discovered-49937.html

What I would use the points for is for a business class (J) ASA (any seat award). Start accumulating those FF points

 

[howie_oz]

Cheers guys, pretty dumb of me to put my post in the everday rewards section... Very keen to use some points to upgrade classes, at 200cm with and bad knees sitting in the back can become an issue. Hence why I never fly jet star!!

 

[serfty]

Cheers guys, pretty dumb of me to put my post in the everday rewards section...

Welcome to AFF.

I have moved this to the introductions forum.

Also, see this thread for more: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....g/selected-aff-threads-new-members-43151.html

 

[RooFlyer]

Do follow the links others have given but also don't be backwards in coming forward with so-called "dumb questions". Even if asked before, there are plenty of new members and lurkers who will be very glad the question was asked, and hopefully answered! Best to put as much context and detail in any questions though. Most questions have a zillion permutations of answers and you'll get a better answer if you ask a well set out question.

 

[harvyk]

I'll also extend my welcome,

Some of the things I've learnt from this forum,

1. Why fly direct when you can connect (earns more points and SC's for often the same price)

2. Booking eccon on points is often a big waste of points as discounted fares often mean the actual "saving" after fuel fines and taxes is only a few $$$. With exception to 1 trip where it was use points or don't go, I'll always either book awards or get upgrades over booking eccon flights with points.

3. Don't book the higher flexi-fares and play the upgrade game. If you happen to book an upgradable ticket by all means put in for a points upgrade, but I would never pay potentially double the cost of the discount fare on the off chance that you may be able to secure an upgrade.

4. Points are nice, but SC's are the things which make lots of flights great, place value on getting the SC's than just simple points, as enough SC's will do things like getting you lounge access, getting priority baggage (for what ever that is worth) getting you priority boarding (again for dom, for what ever that is worth) and pushing you higher up on the upgrade queue.

5. Don't always book the "from point A->B->A" flights, sometimes being a little creative and devious can score you some really good deals where by you get massive discounts simply because you looked at outside the square options.

6. Do be careful of outside the square options, as sometimes they are outside of the square for a reason and the can bite, however that does lead nicely into point 7.

7. Feel free to ask any travel question you like, we usually don't bite, and even if you find a thread which has an answer to a question, there is no guarantee that the answer hasn't been "enhanced" at some point in recent history.

Happy flying...

 

[Hvr]

Welcome aboard howie_oz, you've got some great info here and hopefully in time you can return the favour. The site is addictive and very helpful. Enjoy.

 

[howie_oz]

Cheers for all the info guys I'm really enjoying learning all this and cant wait to start putting it all into action

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF howie_oz!

 

[straitman]

G'day everyone. I have recently become a FIFO worker and have accumulated 20k points with Qantas in the last few months. I haven't really been interested before but with the new found ability to fly more often I'm really excited about learning more. The problem I've found is the massive amount of quality information you guys provide is pretty overwhelming and I can't seem to find a beginner section if one exists...

Is there somewhere I can find the basics so I don't ask the same questions that have been previously answered? My wife and I are based in perth with travel planned at least yearly to Europe.

Cheers guys.

Hi howie_oz,

Welcome to AFF.

 

[muffy28]

Welcome to AFF. I'm new as well and learning heaps.

 

[howie_oz]

Thanks again guys. Now to start getting more points with cc/every day rewards, get the status runs going and we can hopefully start planning our next European holiday

 

[johnstra]

Hi guys, I am a looking for the easiest and best deal car parking at Melbourne airport. I have used Europecar and Busy Beaver. Has anyone had an experience with A1 car parking? I must say that Europcar was ok. Like all of us looking for the best "bang" for our buck. Thanks Ross

 

[johncitizen]

Thanks for the info guys

 

[JohnK]

Hi guys, I am a looking for the easiest and best deal car parking at Melbourne airport.

It may be best to start a new thread in either the Open Discussion or Your Questions sub-forums.