Hello Everyone, Help - have booked flights to US on Qantas FF

[400runner]

Anyway have booked two flights over Sydney- LA for july 2011 for myself and my daughter and i dont have enough points (yet ) for the return flights, for which the plan is to fly back from NY. I m a bit torn - do i change one of the flights over to a return for one of us and look for a full return flight deal for one person once specials become available? Im flying with my daughter so its important we be on the same flights..... Which is why I initially thought thats great, Ill have us both booked together going over (now im regretting that thought!) . Points to consider :
- return flight on its own from NY for one person is 1400 AUD.
- I will probably accumulate more points from now until say the end of the year so can probably do a part points-part payment for one or both of the return tickets. Is that worthwhile, Ive never done that before.
Dilemma for which i would be grateful for your advice :
Do I keep the status quo or cash in (minus 5000 points) one of the flights over and buy a fully fledged return for the other person?? Qantas did say they are special points tickets or something so maybe there are special conditions applicable. Thanks everyone !!

 

[JohnK]

Not an easy one.

If you are going to have enough points to book the return portion for both people then I would not worry about availability just yet. From my experience flights for August and September are still readily available around March.

When are you likely to have the points to book the return flights? When are you returning?

Your other option though has some merit. Cancel one of the points bookings to LA (yes I know there is a 5,000 point penalty) and then you can book the return flight for one person with those points.

Purchase a return airfare for the other person and link the PNR's by calling Qantas. Only problem here would be trying to get the same flights especially if you are going to wait for specials to be released.

 

[400runner]

John Thanks so much for your thoughts - i have only just got back onto all this trip planning. im still umming and aahing. i think will stick with the booked flights and try and part pay part points for one of the returns (64K points from NY to Syd) and possibly just pay for the other one way. I may end up on a business return flight to Europe before then anyhow (hope so) which would go a long way to earning some points... I hate the way you get stung for a one way fare... domestically its not the case, wish was the same internationally. i cant really risk not being on the same flight or stressing out being on standby or something when im travelling with my daughter. A bird in the hand being worth two in the bush...

my daughter has 20 K points so i can probably boost it up with those as well.

we will be travelling back say 24th of july ish so i guess that will still be quite busy and hope part points or all points will still be available later on.

Sorry took me a while to answer this.

all the best
Julie

 

[JohnK]

I hate the way you get stung for a one way fare... domestically its not the case, wish was the same internationally.

Qantas hinted they were going to do this but it has not eventuated.

my daughter has 20 K points so i can probably boost it up with those as well.

Well that is start. Do you shop at Woolworths?

we will be travelling back say 24th of july ish so i guess that will still be quite busy and hope part points or all points will still be available later on.

There is still availbility around those dates but that can change at anytime.

Instead of trying to purchase a one-way (totall rip-off) airfare have you considered topping up the QFF points you need for the award.

 

[400runner]

John, re woolworths, not really. have diners though. could do points and pay or top up or whatever you called it. im hopeful may only have to pay one of the two one way fares back from NY or can do top up on both the return flights. thanks again for your advice.

Cheers, Julie