How many points earn RTW/scamming upgrades/best card?

[jlou]

Hi

I am new here and have enjoyed reading through the threads. Sorry if this is a bit long - I have a few questions! :?

I have just booked a disc economy global explorer flight for my partner and we successfully upgraded his flights BNE-SIN-FRA then LAX-BNE.

I am purchasing the same itinerary business class (mine is about 40% tax deductible so I figure I'll pay the $9600 and get a few points to use for a non-deductible trip another time).

I am trying to calculate how many points and status credits I will accrue for the trip but the QFF site won't let me put in some of the flights as they are with partner airlines. Have tried BA, AA and oneworld without luck.

Does anyone know a quick way to work it out? Have been through all the rules on QFF site, but need to know the mileage to work it out.

This is my itinerary:

(QF) BNE-SIN-FRA

(BA) FRA-LGW-TUR (making our own way to Venice)
(BA) VCE- LGW- EDI - LHR - MIA
(AA) MIA- MSY - DAL- LAS
(QF) LAS - LAX - BNE

Also, because we can only upgrade QF flights, my partner has to travel economy LHR- MIA. Anyone have any tips on scamming an upgrade from BA so we can travel together? Is it worth paying the extra $600 for World Traveller Plus?

Neither of us have great backs so long haul in economy is a concern for us.

Also, what's the deal with paying Business RTW but because AA don't have one, they now downgrade you to economy instead of the old system of upgrading to first?

My last question (I promise) :roll:
I only have a blue ANZ FF visa and want to get max points when I pay for my $9600 ticket - if I change to a Gold I'll have $2500 dollar for dollar plus bonus points - does anyone have any suggestions for another card? Also, I am looking at getting another card and only using the ANZ for bonus partner purchases because we spend over the $2500. My income is about $75K so don't qualify for platinum. Approximate monthly spend between the two of us is about $8000.

That's all folks!!

 

[straitman]

I only have a blue ANZ FF visa and want to get max points when I pay for my $9600 ticket - if I change to a Gold I'll have $2500 dollar for dollar plus bonus points - does anyone have any suggestions for another card? Also, I am looking at getting another card and only using the ANZ for bonus partner purchases because we spend over the $2500. My income is about $75K so don't qualify for platinum. Approximate monthly spend between the two of us is about $8000.

There are people much more qualified than me to answer your other questions.
Two possible answers here :- :idea:
1. Look at the AMEX 1.5 point per $ spend if it's still available. (I don't use it myself so can't offer comment)
2. CBA Platinum may be available at your income level as they don't specify any limits in their advertising. (Maybe someone else has heard something)
Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[sully]

Jlou, in response to your question on working out distances I find that the attached site works well for me. For some strange reason it looks like a site dedicated to Bali but you can enter most major destinations and get an idea of the distances between them. You can then use the standard Qantas table to work out SCs.

http://www.indo.com/distance/

As for cards I have replaced my ANZ Blue with a Gold Amex. I agree with Straitman that this seems to be a much better option for the time being.

WT+ is a good compromise for travelling on BA. From experience if you are going to get an upgrade it will be from WT+ to J, never from Y. You may have seen posts from our mega posters who have Platinum status where they emphasise the importance of being at this level for the best chance in getting an upgrade. I don't think you scam for upgrades anymore, simply you need to benefit from the luck of the draw.

 

[hoverfly]

serious spending for serious points

The CBA Platinum Visa card seems to be the best one. It costs $250 but there's no cappping on points per year. The min credit limit is $12,000 and it has a high interest rate at 18.15% but if you pay it off each month, it shouldn't be a worry. The QF Frequent flyer Converstion rate is $1 for 1 QF ff point. Extra cards are $15 per year.

 

[QF WP]

jlou, welcome to AFF from a fellow BNE traveller.

I am trying to calculate how many points and status credits I will accrue for the trip

One way to find out mileage for all your flights is to use Check My Trip. Enter your reservation identifier (the 5 character code with numbers and letters used by your TA and airlines), surname and "chronological order" in answer to the last question.

Also, you might want to do the calc for your partner as well (based on discount economy) - the only thing you have to keep in mind is any QF rules for the discount economy flights on non-QF carriers. Seems like you are aware of the Section 9.3 QF T&C rules.

Using the mileage calculation, you should be able to ascertain the SC's earned from here.

Is it worth paying the extra $600 for World Traveller Plus?

IMHO, absolutely, I wouldn't even think twice about it - will also get rid of the problem of reduction in points earning in discount Y for your partner, as instead you get 110% points and full Y SC's. Having flown BA's WT+ cabin from SYD/SIN, SYD/BKK and MEL/SIN (and a lot of others here have as well), it is much easier on the back than Y.

What's the deal with paying Business RTW but because AA don't have one, they now downgrade you to economy instead of the old system of upgrading to first

Well, what do your expect from a third world airline like AA?? They have different rules...that's why I avoid them wherever possible...

Does anyone have any suggestions for another card

Without a shadow of a doubt, you'll never regret getting a CB Visa or Mastercard, whetherGold or Platinum. As a Plat cardholder, I have been extremely happy over the past two years...were you aware that the threshold earnings level for CB Plat was only $70,000 now?? (You will need Accountant verification of earning levels, though that'll just mean CB ringing your Accountant).

Note that there are maximum thresholds for point earning - it's been in the terms and conditions for a while, but it's hidden on the website. To see it, you need to login, go to Credit Card Rewards, then there's a link to some more conditions:

Citibank may at its complete discretion choose to limit the maximum number of Rewards points that may be awarded to each Cardholder in any one year, but will not limit such Rewards points to less than:

(1) Silver cardholder: 40,000 Rewards points
(2) Gold cardholder: 60,000 Rewards points
(3) Platinum cardholder: 120,000 Rewards points

AFAIK, they've never enforced it.

I'm happy to refer you as well. This will score us both 5,000 bonus points (Gold) or 10,000 (for Platinum), which translates to a nice start to your earnings!! After all this assistance, perhaps you'll help a poor struggling fellow QF FF like me :wink: (yes, I can hear the rest of you coughing and spluttering )

To apply through the CB website, go to box headed "online tools" middle RHS of screen, click on "Application Forms". Of course, you might want to contact me off-line for my details that need to get included on the form. The application goes straight to CB, I'll never know any of your details (so no privacy issues for either of us).

 

[jlou]

Thanks everyone for some great tips.

Have some good news which may help others - apparently if you buy Business Global Explorer RTW you are downgraded on AA but if you buy it as a Oneworld Explorer instead (virtually the same price) you are upgraded to First on AA. I found the people at Qantas Travel (ie: a human!) far more helpful than the folks on the phone and they were able to check whether upgrades were available and book them instantly, as we booked our flights. Also, the fare they gave us was cheaper than Qantas quoted on the phone and - bonus - no surcharge for credit card if bought from QTravel, given a direct email address and phone number for the agent who has assured me she will sort out any glitches :shock:

Still undecided on the new card - AMEX still has the Rewards Maximiser with 1.5 pp $1 but wondering what acceptance rates of AMEX at retailers is like these days - in Europe/US as well as Aus?

Lindsay - I may take you up on that offer of CB Platinum - just have to decide between the two...

 

[alien]

...were you aware that the threshold earnings level for CB Plat was only $70,000 now??

Still says 100k on the application form and through out the website

 

[Gerri]

REPLY RE AA 1ST CLASS - I WENT BOSTON, CHICAGO, SALT LAKE CITY, DALLAS TO BOSTON (VIRTUALLY AROUND THE USA) LAST YEAR ON 1ST CLASS WITH AA AND DO NOT RECOMMEND IT IF YOU HAVE A BAD BACK AS THE COMFY LEATHER SEATS ARE TOO LARGE TO BE COMFORTABLE. I NEEDED EXTRA CUSHIONS FOR PADDING AT MY BACK. IF YOU HAVE BIG BUTTS :wink: THEN I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. IT IS A GOOD AIRLINE, BUT ON THE SHORT HOPS THEY USE MIDGET 'PLANES BE WARNED. I HAVE FLOWN LAX TO BOSTON RETURN ON THEIR NORMAL ECN. AND THE SEATS ARE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE BACKWISE. THE SERVICE WAS A1, BUT THE SEATS NOT SO. SAVE YOUR MONEY, OR POINTS ON THIS IDEA, TO ECN. Gerri

Hi

I am new here and have enjoyed reading through the threads. Sorry if this is a bit long - I have a few questions! :?

I have just booked a disc economy global explorer flight for my partner and we successfully upgraded his flights BNE-SIN-FRA then LAX-BNE.

I am purchasing the same itinerary business class (mine is about 40% tax deductible so I figure I'll pay the $9600 and get a few points to use for a non-deductible trip another time).

I am trying to calculate how many points and status credits I will accrue for the trip but the QFF site won't let me put in some of the flights as they are with partner airlines. Have tried BA, AA and oneworld without luck.

Does anyone know a quick way to work it out? Have been through all the rules on QFF site, but need to know the mileage to work it out.

This is my itinerary:

(QF) BNE-SIN-FRA

(BA) FRA-LGW-TUR (making our own way to Venice)
(BA) VCE- LGW- EDI - LHR - MIA
(AA) MIA- MSY - DAL- LAS
(QF) LAS - LAX - BNE

Also, because we can only upgrade QF flights, my partner has to travel economy LHR- MIA. Anyone have any tips on scamming an upgrade from BA so we can travel together? Is it worth paying the extra $600 for World Traveller Plus?

Neither of us have great backs so long haul in economy is a concern for us.

Also, what's the deal with paying Business RTW but because AA don't have one, they now downgrade you to economy instead of the old system of upgrading to first?

My last question (I promise) :roll:
I only have a blue ANZ FF visa and want to get max points when I pay for my $9600 ticket - if I change to a Gold I'll have $2500 dollar for dollar plus bonus points - does anyone have any suggestions for another card? Also, I am looking at getting another card and only using the ANZ for bonus partner purchases because we spend over the $2500. My income is about $75K so don't qualify for platinum. Approximate monthly spend between the two of us is about $8000.

That's all folks!!