Excess Points

[VPS]

Are you guys talking about flights in/from Australia? or somewhere else? I just put some fake dates into the QF web site and the costs are more than double what they used to be. Or are you using other airlines? Looking for some opportunities just in case they let us travel sometime in the second half of next year.

They are both overseas (not like us)

 

[Flashback]

Are you guys talking about flights in/from Australia? or somewhere else? I just put some fake dates into the QF web site and the costs are more than double what they used to be. Or are you using other airlines? Looking for some opportunities just in case they let us travel sometime in the second half of next year.

Europe

 

[Flashback]

In fact, I just received notification one of my GUF2 vouchers is about to expire. It would be such a waste to use it to upgrade a <2 hour flight from UK to Europe from Y to fake J but alas there may not be a much better option.

Although....... I could book the cheapest Y fare available, use the GUF2 to upgrade to J and then cancel the booking using BA's Book With Confidence policy to have it wrapped up into a FTV (Future Travel Voucher) until April 2022. Hm.....

 

[Chicken]

If the domestic borders open up come December and I can find a better place to be in another state for a good deal, I will cancel the classic reward and refundable hotel at no loss.

So using classic rewards are insurance for changing border scenarios can be a safe bet right now.

Has anyone booked international travel for next year on points ?

I cannot bring myself to book anything at the moment. Trying to cancel a booking even if it is a 100% refundable is still a pain with any airline at the moment, trying to get blood from a rock. I just don't need to buy myself that stress.

 

[Lynda2475]

I cannot bring myself to book anything at the moment. Trying to cancel a booking even if it is a 100% refundable is still a pain with any airline at the moment, trying to get blood from a rock. I just don't need to buy myself that stress.

Classic Reward bookings are fully refundable and can be cancelled online no need to wait on the phone, so happy to do that, also because domestic not taht many points so I can wait if i need to, sitting on plenty atm. If booking involved any real $ then i wouldnt make it atm.

 

[Chicken]

Classic Reward bookings are fully refundable and can be cancelled online no need to wait on the phone, so happy to do that, also because domestic not taht many points so I can wait if i need to, sitting on plenty atm. If booking involved any real $ then i wouldnt make it atm.

But you still need to fuel fine taxes with cold hard cash?

 

[Toula92122]

Are you guys talking about flights in/from Australia? or somewhere else? I just put some fake dates into the QF web site and the costs are more than double what they used to be. Or are you using other airlines? Looking for some opportunities just in case they let us travel sometime in the second half of next year.

I booked my flights on Alaskan, flying SAN to SFO. Have to really monitor costs as first day I was looking first class was $449 and economy was $179. Two days later when I booked First Class was down to $149 and Economy was $99. I couldn't book fast enough as I was trying to convince myself that it is ok to fly economy.

 

[Toula92122]

Also should add my flights were booked within a week of travel, not game to go any further out. Those of us outside Oz are a bit fortunate in having more freedom. One reason we are not returning to Oz at this time is we don't want to be locked up by ScoMo.

 

[p--and--t]

I have been trying to fathom the title of this thread

What exactly is "excess points"?

If anyone is struggling to handle the size of their points balance, pm me and I'll send my account number, happy to relieve you of all that stress

 

[Lynda2475]

But you still need to fuel fine taxes with cold hard cash?

Nope not for domestic flights with Qantas. I could have paid 12000 points plus $57 cash or 20,000 points no cash. I went for the later, not something id do in non covid times, but i liked the cashless aspect now.

 

[Flashback]

Nope not for domestic flights with Qantas. I could have paid 12000 points plus $57 cash or 20,000 points no cash. I went for the later, not something id do in non covid times, but i liked the cashless aspect now.

I guess that's why all 3 major US programs are backing off huge loans against the loyalty programs!

 

[mbeder]

Our personal circumstances mean we won't be travelling for quite some time; I managed to empty my velocity account into JB gift cards just before they put a stop to it and have subsequently drawn down on my QF balance too. Definitely not the "best value" but there are earning opportunities aplenty for when the time comes to travel again.

I did the same back in late April just before they closed the store. Cashed out 500k+ points for a weber BBQ, Dyson Vacuum cleaner, mini iPad, Westfield/Rebel vouchers and boxes of wine. It was hard to do at the time, but the fear of losing the points was greater. Velocity has always been a secondary FF account behind Qantas. I have no regrets and I'm concentrating on adding to my bank of QFF points (>1Mill) + FlyBuys (FWIW?).
Yes, travel as we knew it will return, but in the meanwhile the Dyson has revolutionised vacuuming in my home, we're loving the Weber and we 've enjoyed the wine.

 

[ramboflyer]

I could never have too many points. I'm still hopeful of a US trip in 2022 which was to be 2021 except for Covid. I have enough Qantas points for 2 in J one way but struggling to get enough Krisflyer miles for the other half so now have enough time to get those points and start booking a year from now.
I will only ever use my points for shopping as a last resort. I would rather use them (and give them to family) for domestic flying before shopping.