Keep accruing QFF or change-up for US redemption?

[rock86]

Hi all,

Long time looker, first time poster.
My wife and I are looking to travel to the US late January 2019 for a 5yr anniversary. We currently have 130K of QFF Points and are looking to travel business class both legs.
We have no issues with credit, we pay our current CC’s off monthly, have great mortgage history, have stable employment and earn relatively ok wages (both on ~$85k) and our free Equifax score is excellent. So in light of that, we’ve decided to apply for a few CC over the next 12 months to accrue sign-up bonuses to meet our goal of flying J both legs.
My conundrum is what FF program do I target when applying for sign-up bonuses, we have some QFF and there’s the possibility to quickly accrue them through some generous AMEX bonuses – but redemption are expensive (although I’ve seen the surcharge ‘loop-hole’ of originating flights from HKG).
Or, do I forgo our banked QFF and look at Asia Miles/Krisflyer where redemption’s are cheaper but we’re starting off from scratch.
So many options and possible outcomes – my head spinning!!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Hi all,

Long time looker, first time poster.
My wife and I are looking to travel to the US late January 2019 for a 5yr anniversary. We currently have 130K of QFF Points and are looking to travel business class both legs.
We have no issues with credit, we pay our current CC’s off monthly, have great mortgage history, have stable employment and earn relatively ok wages (both on ~$85k) and our free Equifax score is excellent. So in light of that, we’ve decided to apply for a few CC over the next 12 months to accrue sign-up bonuses to meet our goal of flying J both legs.
My conundrum is what FF program do I target when applying for sign-up bonuses, we have some QFF and there’s the possibility to quickly accrue them through some generous AMEX bonuses – but redemption are expensive (although I’ve seen the surcharge ‘loop-hole’ of originating flights from HKG).
Or, do I forgo our banked QFF and look at Asia Miles/Krisflyer where redemption’s are cheaper but we’re starting off from scratch.
So many options and possible outcomes – my head spinning!!

Given how many QFF points you already have I'd stick with that programme. But you have a long way to go to get the points you need in a very short period of time. You'll need to book those flights 12 months out to have any realistic chance of getting flights. Suggest you start signing up immediately and expect to churn at least 6 cards in the next 6 months.

 

[NoName]

For my next planned US trip in Aug next year I'm looking to fly there on QF to LAX and home on SQ out of JFK.

You could do the same or similar without too many problems. Sign up for an AMEX Explorer (using and AFF Referall link) and get the equivalent of 75k KF Miles as signup bonus. Then have your wife sign up using your own referral link for another 75k plus 22.5k referral bonus. You will be reasonably close to having enough KF Miles for both of you in J one way. Can't see why you wouldn't be able to make up the relatively small difference through general spend and other promotions between now and when you need to book.

Also sign up for the best bank issued sign up bonus for QF you can find. Currently Westpac Black for 80k sign up bonus. Add those to the 130k pts you already have and you'll have more than enough for both in J one way on QF.

 

[rock86]

Thanks for the reply Dr.

If we were going down the QFF route, I was thinking of getting us both an AMEX Qantas Ultimate Card with the 100K Bonus each through the partner links, so that should get us started.

Also, am I right in thinking that there is a lot better availability to the US through HKG/Cathay or DXB/Emirates? I've been looking at award flight availability for this coming January to get a gauge - and as you've pointed out, cannot fins a Qantas flight - but there's plenty of Cathay & Emirate award seats.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thanks for the reply Dr.

If we were going down the QFF route, I was thinking of getting us both an AMEX Qantas Ultimate Card with the 100K Bonus each through the partner links, so that should get us started.

Also, am I right in thinking that there is a lot better availability to the US through HKG/Cathay or DXB/Emirates? I've been looking at award flight availability for this coming January to get a gauge - and as you've pointed out, cannot fins a Qantas flight - but there's plenty of Cathay & Emirate award seats.

Cathay via Hong Kong is definitely the go. I've got multiple flights to the US this year on that route. You will definitely need to book 12 months out and be prepared to be flexible about travel dates and your destination in the US.

 

[rock86]

For my next planned US trip in Aug next year I'm looking to fly there on QF to LAX and home on SQ out of JFK.

You could do the same or similar without too many problems. Sign up for an AMEX Explorer (using and AFF Referall and get the equivalent of 75k KF Miles as signup bonus. Then have your wife sign up using your own referral link for another 75k plus 22.5k referral bonus. You will be reasonably close to having enough KF Miles for both of you in J one way. Can't see why you wouldn't be able to make up the relatively small difference through general spend and other promotions between now and when you need to book.

Also sign up for the best bank issued sign up bonus for QF you can find. Currently Westpac Black for 80k sign up bonus. Add those to the 130k pts you already have and you'll have more than enough for both in J one way on QF.

I was definitely looking at this also, but was struggling finding any J award seats when using SA search engine the other day - I'll delve into this a bit more as well.