How would you book this?

[blackcat20]

A hypothetical at this point, but maybe a reality in 12-18 months.

I'd love to do a tour that runs from NYC to Chicago, which would mean flying from MEL to NYC, then Chicago to MEL. I have enough QFF points for MEL-LAX or LAX-MEL; unlikely that I would have enough for MEL-JFK by then.

So, how would I book it? My best guess is a points flight to LAX, then book a flight to JFK (but risk a misconnection?), then book Chicago to MEL. Or is there a better way?

 

[mannej]

A good travel agent?

 

[nlagalle]

A hypothetical at this point, but maybe a reality in 12-18 months.

I'd love to do a tour that runs from NYC to Chicago, which would mean flying from MEL to NYC, then Chicago to MEL. I have enough QFF points for MEL-LAX or LAX-MEL; unlikely that I would have enough for MEL-JFK by then.

So, how would I book it? My best guess is a points flight to LAX, then book a flight to JFK (but risk a misconnection?), then book Chicago to MEL. Or is there a better way?

You could purchase both then get the bookings linked. It should help out if you missed a connection. but if you gave yourself enough time in between you should be ok.

It's 32k points difference between going to LAX to NYC (return that is, 16k one way).

 

[mannej]

Do linked bookings protect in the case of misconnects?

 

[blackcat20]

It's 32k points difference between going to LAX to NYC (return that is, 16k one way).

I dont fly very often; its taken me two years to get 50k points!

The return flight isnt an issue, just getting to NYC. I assume I could just book LAX-NYC separately and hope for the best, and be willing to pay for another flight if it misconnects.

 

[nlagalle]

I dont fly very often; its taken me two years to get 50k points!

The return flight isnt an issue, just getting to NYC. I assume I could just book LAX-NYC separately and hope for the best, and be willing to pay for another flight if it misconnects.

you could also do the following:

• book using points plus pay.. not sure what the overall cost would be..
• depending on how short you were (on points!) you can top up points as well.
• got a family member that can lend you points?
• apply for a credit card when they have xx,xx_ points for signing up too.

 

[blackcat20]

you could also do the following:

• book using points plus pay.. not sure what the overall cost would be..
• depending on how short you were (on points!) you can top up points as well.
• got a family member that can lend you points?
• apply for a credit card when they have xx,xx_ points for signing up too.

The points seem to be worth a lot less using points plus pay than booking an award flight. Topping up is a definite option. I know my mum has a few 1000 points but not sure she'd share them credit card could work too, thanks.

Anyway, its still hypothetical at this point; need to see what Im doing in the way of work next year etc, and how the dates for the trip would match up with school holidays...

 

[nlagalle]

The points seem to be worth a lot less using points plus pay than booking an award flight. Topping up is a definite option. I know my mum has a few 1000 points but not sure she'd share them credit card could work too, thanks.

Anyway, its still hypothetical at this point; need to see what Im doing in the way of work next year etc, and how the dates for the trip would match up with school holidays...

Tell you Mum they are a loan!! and you'll pay her back! I'd probably look at credit cards, two from memory that would garner some good points are the Woolworths everyday rewards card - usually offering 14,000 or so (currently 8k) and the amex ultimate.

Keep an eye here as if a special comes on you can be sure to read about it here!

Nick

 

[TimB]

A hypothetical at this point, but maybe a reality in 12-18 months.

I'd love to do a tour that runs from NYC to Chicago, which would mean flying from MEL to NYC, then Chicago to MEL. I have enough QFF points for MEL-LAX or LAX-MEL; unlikely that I would have enough for MEL-JFK by then.

So, how would I book it? My best guess is a points flight to LAX, then book a flight to JFK (but risk a misconnection?), then book Chicago to MEL. Or is there a better way?

I presume you're interested in using your points to help save money. Unfortunately, due to the way airfares work, it can be quite hard to do that if it means doing one-way trips, because return trips are often cheaper than one-way trips (and I mean a single one-way trip, not two separate one-way bookings, one there and one back).

For example, in May next year, here are airfares on Qantas between MEL and LAX (not bothering with AU/US conversions since we're close to parity at the moment):

MEL-LAX: $2,265
MEL-LAX-MEL: $1,711
LAX-MEL: $1,190
LAX-MEL-LAX: $1,416

So, it would make no sense to buy MEL-LAX and use your points for LAX-MEL. And, given you'll still need to pay a fair amount for taxes with a Classic Award booking with points, it's unlikely you'll save much by using points for MEL-LAX and buying LAX-MEL.

Taking into account you actually want to fly to NYC (JFK) and return from CHI (ORD), booking that as MEL-JFK, ORD-MEL will cost $1,930 on QF. But if you booked MEL-JFK, LAX-MEL (and used points to go ORD-LAX), that'd be $1,821.

BTW, all these quotes are from Matrix - ITA Software.

I guess my conclusion is that it's often really hard to use points to save money on return international flights if you don't have enough points to go both ways.

 

[blackcat20]

I guess my conclusion is that it's often really hard to use points to save money on return international flights if you don't have enough points to go both ways.

Very true. I joked to my family that Id just go to the US and stay there I can keep dreaming...

Hopefully I can earn a lot more points between now and then, assuming I ever get to do this trip. being a teacher certainly puts a dampner on these kind of things...

 

[docjames]

I'd save the points for another trip and just book an open jaw fare MEl_JFK, ORD-MEL.

 

[richie9x]

For example, in May next year, here are airfares on Qantas between MEL and LAX (not bothering with AU/US conversions since we're close to parity at the moment):

MEL-LAX: $2,265
MEL-LAX-MEL: $1,711
LAX-MEL: $1,190
LAX-MEL-LAX: $1,416

So, it would make no sense to buy MEL-LAX and use your points for LAX-MEL. And, given you'll still need to pay a fair amount for taxes with a Classic Award booking with points, it's unlikely you'll save much by using points for MEL-LAX and buying LAX-MEL.

Taking into account you actually want to fly to NYC (JFK) and return from CHI (ORD), booking that as MEL-JFK, ORD-MEL will cost $1,930 on QF. But if you booked MEL-JFK, LAX-MEL (and used points to go ORD-LAX), that'd be $1,821.

BTW, all these quotes are from Matrix - ITA Software.

I guess my conclusion is that it's often really hard to use points to save money on return international flights if you don't have enough points to go both ways.

I agree with that totally. But it is actually at the moment it is more dramatic than you point out. You can book open jaw flights via Qantas' multi city tool on their website.

With the current 'Green and Gold' sale that ends tonight for a random date in February you can get MEL-xLAX-JFK and ORD-xLAX-MEL for $1617 total.
While one way is MEL-xLAX-JFK $2270.

The open jaw return ticket is over $600 cheaper than just a one way.

Either go return with points or with money.

Another option would be to go to HNL by a low cost carrier (Jetstar or Strategic). As their one way fares are usually not excessive. And then get a domestic ticket to JFK

 

[docjames]

Can you do points + pay on an open jaw? It may actually end up more effective than one-way flights and use up the points too.

I agree with that totally. But it is actually at the moment it is more dramatic than you point out. You can book open jaw flights via Qantas' multi city tool on their website.

With the current 'Green and Gold' sale that ends tonight for a random date in February you can get MEL-xLAX-JFK and ORD-xLAX-MEL for $1617 total.
While one way is MEL-xLAX-JFK $2270.

The open jaw return ticket is over $600 cheaper than just a one way.

Either go return with points or with money.

Another option would be to go to HNL by a low cost carrier (Jetstar or Strategic). As their one way fares are usually not excessive. And then get a domestic ticket to JFK

 

[blackcat20]

I agree with that totally. But it is actually at the moment it is more dramatic than you point out. You can book open jaw flights via Qantas' multi city tool on their website.

With the current 'Green and Gold' sale that ends tonight for a random date in February you can get MEL-xLAX-JFK and ORD-xLAX-MEL for $1617 total.
While one way is MEL-xLAX-JFK $2270.

The open jaw return ticket is over $600 cheaper than just a one way.

Either go return with points or with money.

Its ridiculous when you look at it like that. I'll either need to save a lot more points, or pay cash and put in for a points upgrade Thats assuming I actually get to do this trip, fingers crossed.

 

[richie9x]

Can you do points + pay on an open jaw? It may actually end up more effective than one-way flights and use up the points too.

Yes you can do point + pay.

For the example I gave before. I think the OP said they had about 50,000 points. With the current sale you could do for 50000 point plus $1,246.02. To me that is not good value for money for that many points, better to just pay in full if the OP can afford it.