Best value JASAs

[Joshua]

36000 Points for 200 SC is not as good as the Hobart Express which provides the same for 32000, and I cannot find an option for less than 132K ex AKL which result in a $1000+ cash payment.

They are there still, but seemingly much rarer now - March 2nd for instance. I can only presume the availability on QF132 has been tightened since the domestic segments shouldn't be a problem. HBA CBR will always be the best but not the most interesting. Being WP does dampen the difference with the longer runs giving bigger milage status bonuses.

It really comes down to a balance of points, $$$, ancillary costs, initial positioning and if you want to do more than just sit on a plane - I'm still at the point of wanting to go somewhere not just the travel. Finally, at the risk of making AFF like Ozbargain, going to NZ you can do the tourist refund scheme.

Are there any JASA fares to Asia that can attract a similar ballpark of points spent vs. SC earned? Most I've tried either fail or end up on JQ ><

 

[markis10]

42K is reasonable value, and while I agree the HBA express is boring, its probably an easier and lower cost in terms of positioning for the run, unless your in NZ.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I'm having a good run next year, with two European trips with combo of JASA/FASA and a paid BA codeshare J ticket (QF A380 metal). I shall enjoy First on the A380 on a FASA back from Singapore on both occasions . The two trips should yield about 1400SCs - plenty to requalify and some nice premium cabins to boot.

I'd say any JASA/FASA at classic award levels is a good deal in my book especially when you consider they are eligible for SCs, usually semi-flexible and mostly upgradable.

 

[ozmille]

Considering the following for 128.000 miles and 520SC's and still getting 12580 miles as well

SYD-ADL-SYD-CBR-SYD-HBA-SYD-CBR-SYD-ADL-SYD

Still a lot of domestic J travel... and 3 nights hotel :shock:

 

[Lawlass]

42K is reasonable value, and while I agree the HBA express is boring, its probably an easier and lower cost in terms of positioning for the run, unless your in NZ.

The HBA express is brilliant - the one-way trip gets you not only 100 SCs but returns 2500 pts.

So...

CBR - HBA 16,000 = 100 SC
HBA - TSV 36,000 = 160 sc
TSV - DRW 24,000 = 140 SC

There's my 400 SCs for WP

76,000 pts - but you get 11,000 pts back, so 65,000 pts and around $400

Positioning in CBR shouldn't be a problem.
Now just to get a cheap flight back to Melbourne from Darwin... :mrgreen:

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Positioning in CBR shouldn't be a problem.
Now just to get a cheap flight back to Melbourne from Darwin... :mrgreen:

That shouldn't be too hard depending on what dates you're looking at with DJ/JQ/TT flying non-stop & QF too but not until May, otherwise for QF you can fly DRW/MEL via just about anywhere!

Markis10
On the AKL/BNE/LAX JASA are you allowed to stopover in BNE? It would be great to purchase a one way BNE/AKL say for a weekend, then use the first leg of the JASA AKL/BNE to fly back.

Then fly BNE/LAX as part of your next trip some time later so you're squeezing two trips out of it.

 

[markis10]

The HBA express is brilliant - the one-way trip gets you not only 100 SCs but returns 2500 pts.

So...

CBR - HBA 16,000 = 100 SC
HBA - TSV 36,000 = 160 sc
TSV - DRW 24,000 = 140 SC

There's my 400 SCs for WP

76,000 pts - but you get 11,000 pts back, so 65,000 pts and around $400

Positioning in CBR shouldn't be a problem.
Now just to get a cheap flight back to Melbourne from Darwin... :mrgreen:

Still not as good value despite the miles you earn:

Hobart express x 4
16000 points x 4 = 64000 points burned + $245
Less 2500 x 4 so real cost is 54000 + $245 to achieve what your achieving with 65000 + $400

 

[Lawlass]

Still not as good value despite the miles you earn:

Hobart express x 4
16000 points x 4 = 64000 points burned + $245
Less 2500 x 4 so real cost is 54000 + $245 to achieve what your achieving with 65000 + $400

Not nearly as much fun as buzzing around the top end though :mrgreen:

 

[docjames]

mrsdoc has JASA BNE-SYD-HBA @ 30100pts all inc (no $$ component) for 100SCs.

Not sure how that rates but seemed good value given "Classic" was virtually the same. Unfortunately the return for our dates didnt work and they wanted > 130,000 for the reverse routing (peak season I guess) and no classics available. Needless to say, we took HBA-MEL (paid Y) and got a classic J MEL-BNE.

 

[markis10]

Not nearly as much fun as buzzing around the top end though :mrgreen:

I do that every month, so if I had to I would probably do the Hobart run for something different, my boss still has not worked out why I like to go TSV-DRW

 

[Joshua]

On the AKL/BNE/LAX JASA are you allowed to stopover in BNE? It would be great to purchase a one way BNE/AKL say for a weekend, then use the first leg of the JASA AKL/BNE to fly back.

Then fly BNE/LAX as part of your next trip some time later so you're squeezing two trips out of it.

That's a good question. I can't seem to make a cheap 'multi-city' JASA booking. My initial thinking was book a regular multi-city on segments with known U availability then use pay with points. No go there. Even if it books in U, I've been told by reservations that it is essentially a regular rev. ticket. It's fare basis is UBPASROW in my experience. Could you book then call up to change segments (presuming U availability and limited change fees)? If the published fare rules say stop-over you would think it would work.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I do that every month, so if I had to I would probably do the Hobart run for something different, my boss still has not worked out why I like to go TSV-DRW

I guess that means you haven't told your boss about a certain website called AFF!

 

[Lawlass]

That shouldn't be too hard depending on what dates you're looking at with DJ/JQ/TT flying non-stop & QF too but not until May, otherwise for QF you can fly DRW/MEL via just about anywhere!

I'll definitely be looking into it. I have a lot of mates in Darwin, so it would be a good excuse to visit them and have a couple of quiet beers at the Humpty Doo Hotel.

On the downside, it will have to be Dec/Jan as my reset date is 31/01. I've only ever been up there in the middle of winter where every day was a 'chilly' 28 degrees or so. :shock:

 

[markis10]

I guess that means you haven't told your boss about a certain website called AFF!

I have, he still thinks I am crazy, but then again he flies a lot more than me and is SG, so you know who I think is crazy.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

That's a good question. I can't seem to make a cheap 'multi-city' JASA booking. My initial thinking was book a regular multi-city on segments with known U availability then use pay with points. No go there. Even if it books in U, I've been told by reservations that it is essentially a regular rev. ticket. It's fare basis is UBPASROW in my experience. Could you book then call up to change segments (presuming U availability and limited change fees)? If the published fare rules say stop-over you would think it would work.

I'ms sure I read in a JASA fare rule that you could have a stopover for $100.00 or $150.00 but I it doesn't appear to be something you can do from the outset which would be a good argument to not have to pay any phone assist fees when making the change.