Booking Qantas with BA or AmEx Points

[wilco]

As a non-Ozzie (I'm Dutch) I'm having a difficult time figuring out how to book a Qantas flight using points.

I have plenty of AmEx points, which I can convert into various airlines. Unfortunately, Qantas isn't one of them. Been looking at all possible options, and - based on my research - my best chance is to convert my points to British Airways, and book the Qantas flight there.

However... the Qantas flights don't show up there (I'm trying to book a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Sydney).

Based on this article, it seems that only Qantas flights that show up as "Classic Rewards" can be booked via BA (and the flight from Johannesburg doesn't show up as a classic reward flight).

Any other creative ideas how I could make this happen (or perhaps convert my points into Qantas)?

 

[ronlon]

You should be able to book QF JNB-SYD reward seats via the BA points program. If a particular flight does not show up with reward seats as you suggest that means in most circumstances that they have already been taken by someone else. JNB-SYD is a very sought after reward route.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome to AFF

As a non-Ozzie (I'm Dutch) I'm having a difficult time figuring out how to book a Qantas flight using points.

I have plenty of AmEx points, which I can convert into various airlines. Unfortunately, Qantas isn't one of them. Been looking at all possible options, and - based on my research - my best chance is to convert my points to British Airways, and book the Qantas flight there.

However... the Qantas flights don't show up there (I'm trying to book a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Sydney).

Based on this article, it seems that only Qantas flights that show up as "Classic Rewards" can be booked via BA (and the flight from Johannesburg doesn't show up as a classic reward flight).

Any other creative ideas how I could make this happen (or perhaps convert my points into Qantas)?

When do you want to travel and in what class?
As above if QF have no reward flights available (to any ffp) thats the way it is. Need to be flexible with date and route.

BA avios would be able to book a Qatar QR reward flight JNB-DOH-ADL/MEL/SYD/BNE *if there is availability*
SYD can be harder to get reward flights to than the other state capitals.

O. R. Tambo International Airport - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

www.gcmap.com

 

[MrJetset]

There’s an awful lot of partner blocking post Covid.

The advantage of AMEX is the multiple number of airline transfer partners. I find the availability with QF, EK, VA etc then transfer do they immediately.

 

[drron]

Welcome to AFF @wilco .
You will find it nearly impossible to get a saver award on QFF. With the pandemic many Aussies accumulated quite a stash of points on Qantas and it seems everyone wants to use them now. So basically only the higher status pax on QF will be able to snag saver awards in premium cabins as they get the seats released before those of lesser status.

However I have just searched JNB - SYD on AA. Economy awards most days except July and first half of August. basically via Doha on QR. Only a very occasional premium cabin award.
However JNB -ADL has good business cabin availability most days except July and August again. Yes not as good as the QF direct flight and a lot longer travel time. But AA awards are only 80K for business and 42.5K for economy and their taxes are much cheaper than QF or BA.
So if you can transfer your Amex points to AA it would be the way to go. If not BA should have the same availability but the taxes will be higher.

I also checked on SQ who have nearly every day economy saver awards JNB-SYD. The taxes when starting from JNB are pretty low too. There are some business class awards toSYD and the other SQ destinations in Australia but limited. So another possibility if you can transfer your Amex points to SQ ( Krisfler ).

 

[Dr Ralph]

I have plenty of AmEx points, which I can convert into various airlines. Unfortunately, Qantas isn't one of them.

This isn't correct. It can be done, but I don't recommend it. Go via Marriot first.

 

[wilco]

You should be able to book QF JNB-SYD reward seats via the BA points program. If a particular flight does not show up with reward seats as you suggest that means in most circumstances that they have already been taken by someone else. JNB-SYD is a very sought after reward route.

At first, I expected that "my dates are just taken" - but after checking approx 80-90 different dates (at different months throughout the year), I haven't been able to find a single flight. Seems odd.

When do you want to travel and in what class?
As above if QF have no reward flights available (to any ffp) thats the way it is. Need to be flexible with date and route.

Economy class is fine (but if it requires taking Business I'll do that). Preferred flight period is mid-Jan-Mid March 2024 (so obviously I can only check the first part of this period, the rest isn't released just yet).
I could book with another airline (like Singapore Airline) through Asia, which will take us ± 22hr or so. Since we're flying with 2 little ones (a 1yr + a 3yr old), flying direct is very much preferred

However I have just searched JNB - SYD on AA. Economy awards most days except July and first half of August. basically via Doha on QR. Only a very occasional premium cabin award.
However JNB -ADL has good business cabin availability most days except July and August again. Yes not as good as the QF direct flight and a lot longer travel time. But AA awards are only 80K for business and 42.5K for economy and their taxes are much cheaper than QF or BA.
So if you can transfer your Amex points to AA it would be the way to go. If not BA should have the same availability but the taxes will be higher.

I also checked on SQ who have nearly every day economy saver awards JNB-SYD. The taxes when starting from JNB are pretty low too. There are some business class awards toSYD and the other SQ destinations in Australia but limited. So another possibility if you can transfer your Amex points to SQ ( Krisfler ).

I just searched on American Airlines as well, but I can't seem to find any tickets there (not even in July/Aug). Where exactly did you find those? Any idea why it wouldn't show up on my end (or what I could be doing wrong)?

 

[drron]

I just searched on American Airlines as well, but I can't seem to find any tickets there (not even in July/Aug). Where exactly did you find those? Any idea why it wouldn't show up on my end (or what I could be doing wrong)?

Because the AA awards are mainly with qatar. a couple with Royal Jordanian.. As I said-

However I have just searched JNB - SYD on AA. Economy awards most days except July and first half of August. basically via Doha on QR. Only a very occasional premium cabin award.

There are no QF awards and that I am afraid is the way it has been for the last 12 months and probably for the next year or two.
I was giving the alternatives if you really wanted award flights. If you want to fly Qantas it is cash only.

 

[Mwenenzi]

As a non-Ozzie (I'm Dutch) I'm having a difficult time figuring out how to book a Qantas flight using points.

I have plenty of AmEx points, which I can convert into various airlines. Unfortunately, Qantas isn't one of them. Been looking at all possible options, and - based on my research - my best chance is to convert my points to British Airways, and book the Qantas flight there.

Economy class is fine (but if it requires taking Business I'll do that). Preferred flight period is mid-Jan-Mid March 2024 (so obviously I can only check the first part of this period, the rest isn't released just yet).
I could book with another airline (like Singapore Airline) through Asia, which will take us ± 22hr or so. Since we're flying with 2 little ones (a 1yr + a 3yr old), flying direct is very much preferred

If you are looking for 4 awards on the same flight that makes it much harder.
Not 4 times as hard, but maybe 10-20 times harder (1+2+3+4=10). Is possible but not highly probable.
Or wanting a mixture of cash and award tickets on the same flight?
Or wanting to supplement the cash cost with ff points/mile/avios? [cash + points]
Is Sydney the final destination?
Can you use AMEX points as defacfo cash [x points = Y $]

My view is QR Qatar or SQ may be the best option, unless all cash on QF.

Air Mauritius fly JNB-MRU-PER. Another cash option. Is an EK Emirates ff partner.

List of Air Mauritius destinations - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Airlines that use SABRE GDS, like AA & AS, have flights from 330 days out (software limitation)
AA are doing away with saver awards (award chart) and moving to dynamic awards.

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

www.gcmap.com

 

[wilco]

Thanks, everyone!! Really appreciate the help.

Seems that it's impossible to book the Qantas flight from JNB-SYD with points. Bummer, as I've got millions of points (AmEx & KLM) lying around

Since we'll be traveling with littles ones (1 & 3yr old), I rather pay the full price than having to fly through Asia. Big difference between a 12hr & 22hr flight, haha

 

[Mwenenzi]

Just use the AMEX points as cash?
KLM/AF, BA and others are frequent flyer partners of QF.

Flying Blue

www.flyingblue.us

'To book reward flights on all other non-SkyTeam airlines, contact Flying Blue customer service.'

Have you signed up with the QF ffp, but no real need?
May help-->Qantas apparently to release 1000s of classic rewards seat in Y, PE, J, F on 24 Feb 2023 around 11am

 

[ronlon]

Thanks, everyone!! Really appreciate the help.

Seems that it's impossible to book the Qantas flight from JNB-SYD with points. Bummer, as I've got millions of points (AmEx & KLM) lying around

Since we'll be traveling with littles ones (1 & 3yr old), I rather pay the full price than having to fly through Asia. Big difference between a 12hr & 22hr flight, haha

If you have millions of points lying around then using them as points plus pay to offset the full cash fare whether in part or total is not necessarily a bad thing. Yes the value is not as good as a reward seat but it is not as abysmal as some make out.