Buying FF points - General discussion

[djkelly69]

I've noticed there are a few different threads discussing the ins and outs of buying points for specific airline FF programs (Aeroplan, Lifemiles, etc), but I can't see a discussion actually comparing them to determine which ones are the best and in which circumstances.

So if you buy FF points to be used for flight redemptions, which program/s do you target and why? Do you use a specific program for a specific type of redemption or destination?

My current personal interest is for a planned family trip in J to the East coast of the US around Xmas 2025 (but not trying to limit discussion at all). After spending about 1.8m QFF points on redemptions over the last 18 months or so, my balance is not likely to recover in time to book at the end of this year and obviously I want to avoid going in Y, so buying points looks like the next best option.

(Obviously this is about legitimate point purchases, not ones which can have your account banned for breaching T&Cs.)

 

[jase05]

As others have suggested in other posts it’s ultimately up to your own financial situation.
Some swear by only buying points when you see the flights you want and others are happy to buy points on sale and sit on the points for however long.
I fall into the second category and will generally buy points when sales or bonus options arise and am happy to have the points sitting in my account idle until the need arises.
I purchased a heap of Air Canada points when they had their big bonus and I sat on them for some time until something came up that I wanted. I also purchased a stack of Virgin Atlantic points with their big bonus and have found those points very useful even if the program is a bit patchy when trying to find awards flights. Hopefully the whole SkyTeam system is integrated soon which will make a noticeable improvement.

 

[levelnine]

The problem you face in your scenario is that it is going to be extraordinarily difficult to get award seats for more than 2 people (I assume that's what you mean by a 'family') to the US in a peak travel period (Christmas).

Therefore, you are taking a big gamble because you'll have to buy a lot of points for return J travel to the US for 3+ people and might not be able to use them for your trip. Then you're faced with the headache of redeeming them before they're devalued.

Buying points is best suited to individuals or couples with oodles of flexibility in terms of both destinations and dates.

If you are truly deadset on trying, the optimal play in your situation is to buy Air Canada points on sale and look for last minute United award seat availability with a backup plan in case the seats never materialise.

 

[cove]

We do buy AA Miles on special during the Thanksgiving offering. You just open an AA account at AA.com and wait.
Using them with Qatar has been made more difficult due to Qatar not getting approval for additional flights.

 

[luxury-lizard]

I've purchased points/miles for many years - got on the band wagon back when US Airways was selling miles, then AA when they merged with US Air, then the in the heyday of LifeMiles - these options are pretty much dead due to cost of miles (AA) and LM has become totally hopeless. In more recent times I do buy Air Canada points but you must wait for a promotion which AC only seem to offer a 2-3 times per year and even then they are not "cheap" - IMO AC is the only useful program (for those who purchase miles).

Others have found 'value' buying Alaska Air, BA, and Virgin Atlantic - but I have avoided these. And of course - there are credit card sign-up bonuses - I have also avoided these offers until last week when I signed up for the AmEx Velocity Platinum card but have no intention of becoming a "churner".

These days the biggest issue is lack of award space - particularly to North America. So for the OP, getting a family to the east coast of the US at Christmas is almost definitely not going to happen - in fact the window has already closed on the opportunity to snag award seats the day bookings open.

 

[djkelly69]

The problem you face in your scenario is that it is going to be extraordinarily difficult to get award seats for more than 2 people (I assume that's what you mean by a 'family') to the US in a peak travel period (Christmas).

I do understand this - we did an OWA for 3 in J over Dec22-Jan23, although my wife had QF Gold then so that helped to get us out of the country on QF metal. Looking to leave late Nov/very early Dec and come back maybe mid-Jan to try and maximise chances, but alas QF gold will have dropped to silver by then.

in fact the window has already closed on the opportunity to snag award seats the day bookings open.

We are looking at Xmas 2025, just trying to start planning now for what may be booking at the end of this year or early next year.

These days the biggest issue is lack of award space

I guess this is part of the discussion - which programs have what availability?

 

[levelnine]

which programs have what availability?

There are really only two options for flying to the US on points unless you want to route through Asia: Qantas and United. Aeroplan is probably the most accessible way of attaining United award seats by purchasing miles.

 

[cove]

Just had my son and partner book via Singapore to get to Narita and then Los Angeles. Sure it is a bit of a long cut but Singapore Air is a good way using Kris Miles.

 

[masco131]

I've noticed there are a few different threads discussing the ins and outs of buying points for specific airline FF programs (Aeroplan, Lifemiles, etc), but I can't see a discussion actually comparing them to determine which ones are the best and in which circumstances.

So if you buy FF points to be used for flight redemptions, which program/s do you target and why? Do you use a specific program for a specific type of redemption or destination?

My current personal interest is for a planned family trip in J to the East coast of the US around Xmas 2025 (but not trying to limit discussion at all). After spending about 1.8m QFF points on redemptions over the last 18 months or so, my balance is not likely to recover in time to book at the end of this year and obviously I want to avoid going in Y, so buying points looks like the next best option.

(Obviously this is about legitimate point purchases, not ones which can have your account banned for breaching T&Cs.)

I personally buy points when i see an award seat i want to redeem and do the calculations if it is worth it. Recently purchased some AA miles to redeem for a F JAL flight redemption. And currently doing the Avios subscription as i am planning to use Qatar for some trip in 2025 to Africa
For your personal situation, I would look at maybe a one world partner like American airlines as you can use them for qantas or Fiji airways. American airlines also use region for point pricing.
I would also look into maybe buying some Aeroplan points too, just to have some flexibility as you might not be lucky to get 3 J seats in one program.

 

[NoName]

We booked for Xmas 24/Jan 25 recently and had success through Asia. We were going to SIN for a few days anyway so were happy to go that way. Got 2x J-Advantage award on SQ SYD-SIN-JFK + 1x J-Saver award SYD-SIN on SQ + 1x SIN-HND-JFK on JL in Y+/F. Both itineraries arriving JFK 23 December. We could have got the other 2 on the JL flight in J but chose to use the SQ miles instead.

On the way back we were able to get 3x J-Savers SEA-SIN-BNE. Have also booked 2xJ awards out of LAX on FJ as backups. We will decide which to actually fly closer to the time.

 

[CaptJCool]

These days the biggest issue is lack of award space - particularly to North America. So for the OP, getting a family to the east coast of the US at Christmas is almost definitely not going to happen - in fact the window has already closed on the opportunity to snag award seats the day bookings open.

Somewhat agreeable
However I would suggest it depends on through which program you wish to redeem.
So the American programs are easier to find flights ex Australia to Europe because there’s less Americans flying that route

I guess this is part of the discussion - which programs have what availability?

My industry friend mentioned the difficulty he had “Getting a QF reward flight” out of Australia - eventually did jump on something ‘left field’ just to make it work and every other leg was easy as because it didn’t involve high demand Australians competing for the “limited” seats (now there’s 15 million QFF members, May have noticed it’s a bit like housing. Stack more people and no more extra seats offered up