Family of 5, are points and rewards still worth pursuing? particularly if using platforms like pay.com.au?

[trippin_the_rift]

Appreciate that

Not sure we value business class that much yet, hell of a lot to pay for a kid as well!!! The principle of a kid at front of plane doesn't sit well with us...

Premium economy I would certainly see a case for, cash or points, a touch more comfortable is all we really need atm, will change as we age!

I wouldn't be doing the redeem 3 pay for 2 to get better value, more to improve the flexibility of redemption and not being so 'pot committed' - can easily use that level of points for a range of trips, beyond that and it'll be more difficult

A couple of observations as someone who travels in biz with the wife/kids.

- If you were never going to buy a biz/first class ticket for cash then there is no saving to be had. You were going to fly economy and are now paying more for biz.... therefore you're still spending more = not a saving.

- Look for airlines that offer generous cash+miles (eg: not the ones where 1mile=1cent. MH and EY and EK are one where miles can be worth up to 5cents each on cash ticket redemptions). The benefit is that you're buying cash tickets and offsetting costs disproportionately via miles. Added bonus of family pooling of points that you will earn. Pool EY flights into Velocity and pickup the status credits too.

I've done a lot of flying with my kids in business class, and personally, I find it makes the entire trip easier as things start off and end on the right foot. Obviously, things get expensive when kids are involved... but... you signed up for it

 

[Forg]

Of course, the very best way to travel as parents would be in J, then send the kids down the back for the Y pax & staff to deal with - bingo/bango, perfick flight!

 

[random111]

A couple of observations as someone who travels in biz with the wife/kids.

- If you were never going to buy a biz/first class ticket for cash then there is no saving to be had. You were going to fly economy and are now paying more for biz.... therefore you're still spending more = not a saving.

- Look for airlines that offer generous cash+miles (eg: not the ones where 1mile=1cent. MH and EY and EK are one where miles can be worth up to 5cents each on cash ticket redemptions). The benefit is that you're buying cash tickets and offsetting costs disproportionately via miles. Added bonus of family pooling of points that you will earn. Pool EY flights into Velocity and pickup the status credits too.

I've done a lot of flying with my kids in business class, and personally, I find it makes the entire trip easier as things start off and end on the right foot. Obviously, things get expensive when kids are involved... but... you signed up for it

Thank you!!

Completely understand it is not a net saving, fully aligned that more cash is outflowing by pursuing points through processors.

It's more that I can see value vs. the cash I would outlay for premium economy, per my example $18k post tax for end to end business class via points vs premium economy in cash.

Hadn't considered the cash + miles, will look into that asap

I don't discount everyone will travel very comfortable and start / end journey on a high. While we can afford the luxury, I'd currently prefer to go on an extra holiday for the difference!! For $10k can travel to Bali, Fiji or SEA for a week or so all inclusive, a weeks worth of holidaying!

Anywho, as mentioned earlier, we'll try it on for size and see if we can get value, I particularly like the idea of redeem 3 and pay for 2 and like the sound of the cash + miles suggestion!

Post automatically merged: Aug 11, 2024

Of course, the very best way to travel as parents would be in J, then send the kids down the back for the Y pax & staff to deal with - bingo/bango, perfick flight!

Haha, i hear you, they're too young atm but feel very comfortable doing that when they hit their teens!

 

[Bell21]

I'm late to this thread, so just a few observations / thoughts - all YMMV of course!

1) 1.5 points / $ pre-tax for buying airline points is probably line-ball whether it's worth buying points - I could make an argument either-way, but on balance, I probably would.

2) 3M airline points is a decent amount of points to earn pa - I'd only pay for the amount of airline points I'm looking to earn pa and not beyond that - obviously, look closely into the best payment platform for your situation (I find sniip works best for me on AMEX Plat)

3) I've travelled a bit with my large family (6) - they're all young adults now - I found with diligence you used to be able to find enough seats, esp if you're willing to fly Premium, but you do have to be flex on dates and flight path - I did once fly Business whilst they were in Economy, and that didn't work too well, but honestly, they don't really value Business, so I've become a little less generous now in that regards!

4) You might like to consider one the groups that charge you a fee to find reward flights (I believe AFF has 1 that is part of the company?)

5) I know it's hard with a young family, but splitting up across flights might be necessary, on occasion (depending on how young the kids are!) and as mentioned, a mix of reward seats and cash fares might work too.

 

[random111]

1) 1.5 points / $ pre-tax for buying airline points is probably line-ball whether it's worth buying points - I could make an argument either-way, but on balance, I probably would.

Thanks

How do you buy 1.5 airline points / $ pre tax, particularly using sniip with amex as referenced in your note

e.g. $10,000 invoice on amex through sniip

= 22,500 MR points or 11,250 QFF points

Cost is $1,990 pre-tax

cost per QFF point is 1.8 cents per point pre-tax...

Using the nab qantas signature card, the above examples works out to be 1.5 cents per QFF point, is that what you mean?