Best strategy for use of FF points overseas

[perthgirl1]

Hi - I am trying to afford to get my family of 3 to the US for Christmas next year. Trip is Perth - New York then Orlando to Perth (internal flights in US). I have enough for 1x return ticket if they allow it or 2 x one way. As I would be leaving Australia in early Dec (before peak season) I wondered if I would be better off waiting and trying to get 2x one way from Orlando? I am taking a risk as there may not be seats. What would you do?

 

[cove]

How many points do you have and with whom?
Also are the points ready in one account?
Do you have a preference as far as an exit point from Australia and are you thinking of stopping or going straight through to NYC?
Can you go on 2 planes on the same day or would that be a problem?

 

[docjames]

Notwithsanding the questions already asked by cove, it may be more cost effective to buy two of the tickets return, and use FF for one return. The trick would be to get the FF seat first (to be certain of flights), then match that with paid tickets.

Another alternative you might like to explore is using the points for internal US or Aus flights (say LAX-NYC and Orlando-LAX, or PER-SYD-PER if there's availability) for 2 or three of you, and just buying all three PER-LAX-PER (via SYD/MEL/BNE or Asia) or SYD-NYC-SYD etc. Again though, look for the FF seats first, then purchase the rest. It'll depend on how many points you have, who's name and which program(s) they are in as cove is asking.

You'll almost certianly pay more (read: more than 50% of the return price) for an international one-way ticket Orlando-Perth, so persoanlly i'd be mostly avoiding one way tickets for any of the itinerary.

 

[cove]

Yes docjames I agree with you on one way longhaul being too expensive when return fares can be so reasonable.

 

[perthgirl1]

Thanks for the thoughts - and so quickly! I have about 128,000 points in Qantas all in my name but I usually use the points for family and purchase for myself since I am the frequent traveller and therefore want the status credits. We are intending to go straight through to NYC, then take a train to Washington DC then get to Orlando somehow. We will then fly from Orlando home.

Based on what you've suggested I really need to get my skates on and think about travel dates so I can lock in 1x ticket as soon as it becomes available. I assume I should book the outbound flight as soon as that date is released (Dec 9 or 10) and then wait for the late Dec flights to be released and do a one way from Orlando? Can I do that?

by the way this is my first experience on this forum and I am much impressed at the quality and timing of responses. Thank you!

 

[cove]

We use the Australian Expedia site for US air fares and accommodation as you pay in Australian dollars.
Qantas run their points redemptions out 353 days.Do return tickets with your chosen longhaul carrier as one way is too expensive.
Personally we stop in Los Angeles or Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane as your trip involves going half way around the world.
Try a couple of sites like Travelocity and Expedia for this December for a guide into next year for Los Angeles to New York and Orlando to Los Angeles and the hotels in the places you are trying to do.
Read the travellers comments on the hotels you are considering but ignore anything that is older than 12 months.