Last Minute flight bookings!

[Schpeet]

Hi All! I've been lurking for a little while, and have managed to earn around 120k QFF points in the last 12 months!

I'm between jobs at the moment, and don't expect to find work before Christmas so am looking at going on a trip between now and early January (when the job search will resume).

Is there anyone who can give me a few tips on booking a last minute QFF classic award seat? Destination is flexible, although I only have 89,000 points in my account at the moment (with 50,000 from ANZ due sometime in the next month but thats no good to me now!). Being unemployed I am targeting cheaper locations and think Philippines, India, Nepal, Burma would be great options but really open to a large variety of places if the $$ is right. Not so keen on Thailand or New Zealand and I've already been to Vietnam and Cambodia. I'm only hoping to spend a max of around $4000-4500 for the entire trip. I will be travelling solo, and duration would probably be around 2 weeks or so depending on how soon I can leave!

I live in Sydney, and ideally would like to be in Brisbane around Christmas time for a few days (to visit family), but this is flexible.

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!!

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Welcome to the forum!

A quick search using the flexible dates can see you in Singapore leaving Wednesday 10th Dec flying BA16 in Premium economy from Sydney.

On the return you can leave Wednesday 24th Dec either on Emirates (land 00:30 Xmas day) or Qantas (land 6am Xmas day).

Total points required 82,500 and $480 taxes.

I am actually surprised there are award seats available this close to Xmas.....

Base yourself in Singapore and get a cheap flight somewhere. I loved Koh Samui, or head to KL/Penang....

The other alternative was a flight to Hong Kong via Dubai this weekend on Emirates then you could make your way down to singapore for the flight home to Brisbane.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

(Ignore the 17,000 points as that's my balance after)

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Forgot you need to get back to Sydney too....

You want to do a multi city booking award booking, tick dates are flexible and make sure the qantas award seat box is also ticked then search away

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

It's 90,500 points and $513 in taxes when adding that extra flight from Brisbane to Sydney.

 

[Schpeet]

Thanks for the suggestion! I ended up booking a business flight from Sydney to Singapore on the 11th and then an economy flight Singapore to Brisbane landing at 12.50am on Christmas day.

Just doing a little bit more research before booking flights from Singapore - it'll either be a diving holiday in Philippines or a trip through Burma/Myanmar. Just need to do a little more research on travelling through Burma, and visa requirements!

 

[dajop]

The other consideration for flights to Asia in economy is points plus pay, with the high surcharges it's often better value (although many would argue still bad value) to look at paid fares and reduce them using points.

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF Schpeet!

That was a quick decision. Good luck with your trip.

 

[power71]

Good luck! I hear that Visa's for Burma are such a painful process - particularly if you're travelling in 3 weeks time! Enjoy the holiday!

Thanks for the suggestion! I ended up booking a business flight from Sydney to Singapore on the 11th and then an economy flight Singapore to Brisbane landing at 12.50am on Christmas day.

Just doing a little bit more research before booking flights from Singapore - it'll either be a diving holiday in Philippines or a trip through Burma/Myanmar. Just need to do a little more research on travelling through Burma, and visa requirements!

 

[burmans]

Good luck! I hear that Visa's for Burma are such a painful process - particularly if you're travelling in 3 weeks time! Enjoy the holiday!

Actually you can get an evisa in about 3 days now, it's much improved.

 

[Schpeet]

Yes, I ended up deciding to go to the Philippines mostly due to the ease in getting into the country (no visa for < 30 day visit for Australians!)

The trip is pretty much all booked now, I am spending 4 days on a dive boat at Apo Reef, several days lounging at Coron Island and then flying back to Manila and heading on a 4 day hike through the terraced ride paddies to the north. Can't wait! Lucky I only have another week til I fly out ;-).

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Might need to check your Philippines trip after the weekend....

 

[Schpeet]

Thanks for the tip off, I didn't realise it was coming when I booked! Luckily all worked out OK and there was no damage to the areas where I am visting. I am currently in Coron, and am hopping on a boat for 5 days of diving tomorrow at lunchtime! Can't wait!

Here are a couple of pictures I took a little earlier today at sunset!