Daughter on Exchange to Japan - how best to leverage 300,000+ points to get her there

[seancoady]

Daughter on Exchange to Japan - how best to leverage 300,000+ points to get her there (and maybe back too). Leave early Dec 2012 back late Jan 2013. Any ideas or insights? Just joined on advice from others - so thanks for any input! Sean

 

[TonyHancock]

Re: Daughter on Exchange to Japan - how best to leverage 300,000+ points to get her t

Daughter on Exchange to Japan - how best to leverage 300,000+ points to get her there (and maybe back too). Leave early Dec 2012 back late Jan 2013. Any ideas or insights? Just joined on advice from others - so thanks for any input! Sean

I'm not sure what the answer will be but you might want to confirm whether the points are Qantas (QF) or Virgin (VA/DJ) or American Express or something else. Do you want your daughter to fly in Business Class (J) or Economy (Y) or something else. You should get some excellent advice here on AFF.

Welcome!

 

[seancoady]

Re: Daughter on Exchange to Japan - how best to leverage 300,000+ points to get her t

Thanks Tony. Points are Virgin Velocity Program and Economy preferred. Dept date after 7th Dec and return around 19th Jan. Really appreciate your prompt response ;-)

 

[Fantic125]

Re: Daughter on Exchange to Japan - how best to leverage 300,000+ points to get her t

If it's a structured exchange (through AFS or equivalent) then you may not have a choice of airlines, flights or cost as these are usually package deals.
If it's through a school or other arrangements there may be more flexibility.

Might pay to check first.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Re: Daughter on Exchange to Japan - how best to leverage 300,000+ points to get her t

As above if it is part ofa group exchange you will just have to pay the package cost that they have, as they will want your daughter travelling wit the group and adult escorting it.
typically once in the host contry the kids are split up and billetted to host families...but the child has to go in the group at the start.

 

[seancoady]

Re: Daughter on Exchange to Japan - how best to leverage 300,000+ points to get her t

As above if it is part ofa group exchange you will just have to pay the package cost that they have, as they will want your daughter travelling wit the group and adult escorting it.
typically once in the host contry the kids are split up and billetted to host families...but the child has to go in the group at the start.

Thanks for all the responses. The solution has come from another parent whose child is also travelling on the exchange program. They found a business class return fare via Jetstar (Melb/Gold Coast/Osaka) return for $1500 8/12/12 to 12/1/13. I was still trying to go through the points redemption path and barely made first base. I guess I wouldn't be the first one to give up trying to find a point solutions when a purchased fare offer seemed good value... Thanks again. Sean