Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points or redemtion

[David.ONeill]

Hello AFQ, I am trying to sort my way through the endless FF options and came across your great site.

I am currently a Qantas FF flyer and a Skywards FF with fairly low points approx 35000 on each.

I am looking to book a trip to LA in 2011 for the whole family (x5) and am seeking advice on what is the best way to maximise use of these flights in terms of FF points (I am expecting I will have to purchase the flights outright ) for the trip or for the future.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Drowining in the FF mire

 

[markis10]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points ore redemt

Welcome to AFF, in simple terms the easiest way to maximise points is to go the long way round, for instance flights via BNE from Sydney are usually about the same $$$ and add points.

Another option is to have a look at taking the road less travelled, such as Air Pacific, which often has good fares, or Jetstar in starclass to HNL, then onward to LAX with AA etc. Another option is to look at ex NZ fares.

 

[David.ONeill]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points ore redemt

Thanks would you recommend paying for QFF membership for kids to get their points earned with the travel and transfer them to mine afterwards?

 

[drron]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points ore redemt

No need to pay for kids membership.Sign them all up for a Woollies Everyday Rewards card and then they can get free QFF membership.
QFF is probably the best scheme for you as QFF has free family transfers of miles so you can build up the points in 1 account and end up getting a more worthwhile award.
So is it just LAX you will visit and how much flying might there be in the future?

 

[David.ONeill]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points ore redemt

1 trip only at this stage

I think the best scenario may be sign W&K up on a FF program
Don’t use my QFF or Skywards points this time
Get all the points for the trip via the Woollies rewards
Transfer them all to my account
Take a another trip in the following year where I am likely to have enough points ?

What do you think ?


PS if I buy return Mel to LAX (that seams reasonably cheap with Qantas circa $1300 is it possible to do a Hawaii stop over

Or would the best bet $$ wise be to fly from LA to Hawaii then back on a local carrier

Thanks again for your advice.

 

[markis10]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points or redemti

Airfares vary by the hour and day, its hard to say what is best.

 

[straitman]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points ore redemt

PS if I buy return Mel to LAX (that seams reasonably cheap with Qantas circa $1300 is it possible to do a Hawaii stop over

Or would the best bet $$ wise be to fly from LA to Hawaii then back on a local carrier

Thanks again for your advice.

The MEL LAX flights are direct and do not stop at HNL.

Getting MEL-HNL can be expensive so the whole thing depends upon what you can find at the time.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points ore redemt

I think the best scenario may be sign W&K up on a FF program
Don’t use my QFF or Skywards points this time
Get all the points for the trip via the Woollies rewards
Transfer them all to my account
Take a another trip in the following year where I am likely to have enough points ?

What do you think ?

Enough points for the family after flying 1 trip? Not quite.

Just to put it all into context a paid SYD-LAX return on the cheapest airfare and without status on QF earns approximately 15,000 QFF points. You will need 96,000 QFF points (I hope I have that right) + taxes and surcharges for a return award trip SYD-LAX for 1 person.

 

[Gold Member]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points or redemti

If you want HNL and some extra points, look into the Jetstar Starclass promo for one of the legs. That will award you business cabin status credits and points (with biz cabin points multiplier of 0.5) as well as an extra 10,000 points per leg. Flying StarClass will also grant you access to the QantasPub so may mitigate the expense if this is a once-off trip.

 

[sheikeee]

Re: Best Option for FF for maximise use of flights in terms of FF points or redemti

Do what I did; I got a credit card that links to my FF program. So every dollar I spend on my credit card converts into ffp.