Flying cheap / in higher classes - sounds like too much work.

[JohnK]

Re: ...What we do is not normal....

Completely normal by my standards JK

Normal to us but not not the majority.

 

[Gold Member]

Don't waste your time - giggle inwardly and try to maintain concentration on any subject being discussed by 'non believers'

Oh praise the Lord! Oops, I meant Jeebus. Hallelujah and Kumbaya mah lord...

 

[wandering_fred]

I've pointed a couple of couples in the direction of saving money on their periodic trips to the USA and they have managed to save a great deal of money, but they have no interest in travel as a hobby. Plus as the Aus $ keeps heading further down, the intermediate point bargains become less attractive unless you want to get out of the Y cabin.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[AnnaB]

Same as most other replies here... Everyone at work now has the impression that "I am always on holidays", since I am travelling far more, farther and in better classes then most of my co workers. I have stopped trying to explain how it can be done unless they ask how, but most people zone out after 2 minutes and says it sounds like too much work. Others are fascinated how I can put so much work into points and then there are the ones that back off as soon as I mention the word Credit Card.

I got a few friends to sign up after they saw our travel plans for next year and I am trying to assist them in how to work it, but after these initial points, they seem to think that they have heaps and will use it for flights in Y to New Zealand. Each to their own... but if that means more availability to me, then I am happy

 

[craven morehead]

In many ways I think of ignorance as a stupidity tax, as those who have the information take advantage of it and those who don't get penalised for their ignorance.

Personally I'm not a fan of paying more for something than I need to but equally, if people don't want to know, that's their problem. Like most things economic, if everyone took advantage of this, the options would be eliminated. So happy to share but by no means evangelical, because I know if I was successful in converting too many others I'd be killing the golden goose.

Well said burmans !

 

[craven morehead]

Im the same as previous posts.

Ive had a few passive aggressive comments via social media about "another holiday" or how J "must be good for some" so now I make a point to say something about being thankful for points if I post a cabin photo online.

My point/status chase amuses my boss.

Ditto for me !

 

[kpc]

This year we have used points to fly to Japan, Budapest / Croatia, Kuala Lumpur / Bangkok, Lisbon and Cocos / Christmas Islands....apart form the last destination, all have been in J or F...as my +1's friends think I'm a multimillionaire (I wish ), her friends can no longer see posts that she is tagged in on FB as the envy that it generates is palpable. i have offered to help a few of her close friends but to no avail

 

[anat0l]

Another thing to keep in mind: Even with a great deal, some people don't want to spend the money or can't spend the money to take advantage.

For example, one could fly from Australia to Europe in J for about $3k or so return (rough numbers, just work with me here). Even with no reward points, most would agree that $3k is excellent value; you could barely find a J return in cash for that price or close (let's not consider the nesting tricks for now; most wouldn't travel that regularly to take advantage).

However, it is $3k. You can pick up a return Y fare for half that price, even less. Someone needs to "get used" to paying that much for a fare which they know is a good deal but still is more money than they would otherwise spend. Yes, you can sell the comfort, the lounges, the experience (and some may not have any personal experience or at best your recounted experience to go by), but money is money and let's not kid ourselves in thinking that $1500 or so is nothing as far as a price difference goes - that's still a decent amount of money to many people.

If it were simply an argument of flying J at Y prices (a hark back to the days with less enhancements and a parity USD), or for a fraction more (e.g. within $500 or so), there would be no contest, of course. (But you'll probably end up doing all the leg work finding the seats! Which leads to another reality: plan your holiday around the seat availability, not the other way around!)


As for earning points and so on to use towards flights (e.g. through credit card spend, or even travel if the person travels enough by air), that's a different thing.

 

[k_sheep]

I hate when people say "oh you got F to Europe for $1000, I want to go to the US which should be cheaper because it's closer, to this exact city, at this exact time".

Um no. You need to gather the points in advance. And book in advance. And not be picky with destinations or dates.

"Oh you're no help at all".

 

[Austman]

The great equaliser, that I can't dispute:

For the fare difference, I could buy a fabulous jacket.

Everyone likes J and F. Not everyone thinks it's good value. Not even me.

 

[drron]

But having just booked SQ F SIN-LAX for a total cost of 450SGD and ~91000 Amex points each ticket it is much cheaper than Y.I don't deliberately buy extra things apart from some loyalty points(less than 1% of my Amex spend) so those points used did not cost me anything extra above my normal spend.

 

[woodyren]

Long winded story but I will address the question....eventually.

Having been a fairly recent convert I will make the following observations. Prior to leaving full time work in 2013 while I enjoyed some travels I had only a little interest in travel research apart from checking out the location, finding the cheapest flight and hotel etc.

I have a flexible employment arrangement that allows me to have time off whenever I wish but I do need to work enough to pay the bills and save some more for retirement that will come sometime in the next 5 years. So my constraint to travel is cost not time. As a result while it is extremely uncomfortable for a 6ft 2in 60+ year old to travel in Y I can deal with it in order to stay away for a week or two more.

I found after I left full time work that we loved to cruise. Also started reading forums etc and found ways to minimise the costs of cruises. One of the ways was to book repositioning cruises and to string on some land travel before and/or after. Of course this always involves a one way or some open jaw flights which add to the cost. What I also found out was that I really enjoy the research, follow up etc that allows me to get the best prices.

So we are still at the best value holiday and cheapest Y flying toward the end of 2015 when I read on (whirlpool I think) a forum about Amex Velocity Platinum and the 100,000 bonus points. Heartrate increases dramatically and this and a few other forums are located. Within a few hours I have applied as it was just so much of a no brainer. If I need to meet minimum spend I just pay for my upcoming cruises or purchase on board credit for them (which at present can be purchased at $1 AUD - 0.77 USD and then cash in any leftover. Have used a few lounge passes and free flights etc which are cream on top.

It was such a good deal AND I WANTED REFERAL POINTS that I preached the ease of this and also the fact that there were a few traps and you needed to be flexible to friends and work mates. Many just looked at me as if it was some kind of scam but around 9 or so took up the offer.

By the end of this month I will have around 700K Velocity points and I have already paid points for July for what will our first J flight from Beijing to Sydney on Singapore Airlines. To the best of my knowledge everyone else has either still got their 110K points or used a few on local flights. They just had no interest in chasing more. Even when I told them about the NAB 75K for $150 Velocity offer.

I guess as others have said some just find it a bit hard while luckily enough it is my game of choice while they sit and play Candy Crush.

 

[Austman]

No doubt there are bargains out there.

But when it comes to the crunch, I know so many who will not pay even $500 more (by whatever means) to fly in J over Y from Australia to Europe. They don't see J as worth it! I might add, I am NOT of this opinion!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think many people are skeptical and it causes them to switch off. The 'if it's too good to be true' hurdle.

I explain up front that instead of airlines selling points to the bank for 1c each for credit card purchases, they worked out they can sell them direct to us for 2c. The airline wins, the passenger wins.

That gets over the hurdle and grounds the concept in reality. There's always nervousness for the first purchase and lead up to the first flight (remnants of the ('too good to be true').

 

[Genji88]

No doubt there are bargains out there.

But when it comes to the crunch, I know so many who will not pay even $500 more (by whatever means) to fly in J over Y from Australia to Europe. They don't see J as worth it! I might add, I am NOT of this opinion!

I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but $500 Extra for J is a no brainer

 

[Dr Ralph]

Im currently in the Emirates lounge in BKK waiting to board my very first F flight to SYD. Id be very happy if no one else ever found out how little I paid for the flight

 

[little brown dog]

I like all previous posts have come up against the same disbelief and disinterest that it can be done so easily.

I am far from mastering many of the strategies yet but have just booked our first leg from SIN - HEL Dec 2017 in J for a white Xmas for me and my +2 family.

And will continue my learning in this wonderful forum

 

[exceladdict]

There are several resistances (fallacies, if you will) <snip>

• Not having a good enough job <snip>

Well hold on there, Joe...

Just kidding - this is actually a limitation, the best sign up bonuses do generally have a high income requirement, which has held back some people I know (though I do know of fresh grads on low 50s managing to convince the big 4 to give them black CCs). Lower income = lower ability to game WWR and Flybuys, less flexible income to bring forward spend on cards, etc. Of course though there are ways (for example, ANZ's staggered bonuses at the moment with their QF CCs) to get into the game at a smaller scale, and everyone needs to start somewhere.

However, it is $3k. You can pick up a return Y fare for half that price, even less. Someone needs to "get used" to paying that much for a fare which they know is a good deal but still is more money than they would otherwise spend. Yes, you can sell the comfort, the lounges, the experience (and some may not have any personal experience or at best your recounted experience to go by), but money is money and let's not kid ourselves in thinking that $1500 or so is nothing as far as a price difference goes - that's still a decent amount of money to many people.

<snip> They don't see J as worth it! I might add, I am NOT of this opinion!

Regardless of affordability - the old USDM J redemptions on par with a standard Y+ price come to mind - I know people who simply can't see the value in flying business, or think it would be too opulent. I, personally, argue the other way - I don't see the value in cashing my points out for woolworths vouchers.

 

[codash1099]

I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but $500 Extra for J is a no brainer

The comment I usually get is "that's a pretty expensive meal" or similar. Those people don't deserve to fly J or F.

 

[browski]

People who have not done much flying are happy just to be on the plane. They genuinely are happy and excited.
Higher classes are for those souls when flying long haul has lost all its charms.