Least QFF Point usage for Return from Sydney to Los Angeles ($ Chicago/ New York)

[eudalek]

Hi,

Could anyone please assist with the following:

Which route would expend the least number of pts from Sydney to Chicago? Would it be for instance using QFF pts from Sydney to LA and then just cash purchase ticket from LA to Chicago?

Asking same question for route from NY back to Sydney- cash purchase ticket from NY to LAX and then use QFF pts from LA back to Sydney?

Kind Regards,

 

[SYD]

The short answer is using points to just do SYD-LAX (or SFO) return will of course be less points if you tack on seperate paid fares on AA (or AS) across America.

The issue will be if you want to connect on the same day. If they’re seperate tickets, you’re not protected from a miss connect (ie inbound flight delayed and you can’t make your seperate onward connection).

If you’re planning on staying in LAX for a period, then that’s less of an issue. That’s also tipping in the favour of seperate bookings because a classic reward booking will price differently if you have a stopover greater than 24 hrs.

Personally, if you can see reward seats from SYD to/from your final destination, I’d book it.

 

[justinbrett]

Hi,

Could anyone please assist with the following:

Which route would expend the least number of pts from Sydney to Chicago? Would it be for instance using QFF pts from Sydney to LA and then just cash purchase ticket from LA to Chicago?

Asking same question for route from NY back to Sydney- cash purchase ticket from NY to LAX and then use QFF pts from LA back to Sydney?

Kind Regards,

If the flights are on QF or AA the rates are the same, so booking all the way to ORD and back from NY (probably LGA) will be about the same regardless of routing.

The question is what is going to be available, and what legs are better booking with cash.

SYD-DFW on points and then DFW-ORD will be a good mix, as DFW-ORD & LGA-DFW are cheap flights. On the other extreme, SYD-HNL will be the lowest number of points required, but the cash fare from HNL-ORD/NY will be expensive.

Just remember AA won't check bags through to separate bookings (even with cash/points mix) so you'll need to allow plenty of time for the return transfer. For QF to AA outbound, they will connect bags if there is a cash/points mix.

 

[SYD]

If the flights are on QF or AA the rates are the same, so booking all the way to ORD and back from NY (probably LGA) will be about the same regardless of routing.

Possibly cross purpose but that is not correct. As per OP, SYD-LAX (return) will be less points than SYD-LAX-ORD//JFK-LAX-SYD all on points (not to mention ORD-JKK in there somewhere).

The question is whether using extra points or buying LAX-ORD//JFK-LAX is better value? Which is a bit of “how long is a piece of string”.

My earlier point was highlighting the risk of seperate PNRs and misconnects. If not planning to stopover in LAX, I’d be looking for points all the way.

 

[justinbrett]

Possibly cross purpose but that is not correct. As per OP, SYD-LAX (return) will be less points than SYD-LAX-ORD//JFK-LAX-SYD all on points (not to mention ORD-JKK in there somewhere).

The question is whether using extra points or buying LAX-ORD//JFK-LAX is better value? Which is a bit of “how long is a piece of string”.

My earlier point was highlighting the risk of seperate PNRs and misconnects. If not planning to stopover in LAX, I’d be looking for points all the way.

That's not what I said.

booking all the way to ORD and back from NY will be able the same regardless of routing

If you are doing that it doesn't really matter which route you take (via LAX/SFO/DFW etc) as the differences in distances will be negligible so shouldn't jump up a tier in the redemptions table.

I wasn't saying it was fewer points than booking to LAX.

 

[SYD]

That's not what I said.

booking all the way to ORD and back from NY will be able the same regardless of routing

If you are doing that it doesn't really matter which route you take (via LAX/SFO/DFW etc) as the differences in distances will be negligible so shouldn't jump up a tier in the redemptions table.

I wasn't saying it was fewer points than booking to LAX.

The OP was asking specifically about least points used to go LAX and then paid or points all the way (and back). Obviously points only to LAX will be the least points expended. But there are pitfalls on seperate points / paid PNRs.

 

[justinbrett]

The OP was asking specifically about least points used to go LAX and then paid or points all the way (and back). Obviously points only to LAX will be the least points expended. But there are pitfalls on seperate points / paid PNRs.

The question was to Chicago.

The least amount of points is SYD to MEL and then a cash fare to ORD.

Within USA, points to HNL would be the lowest.

These are all useless statements.

 

[serfty]

The OP was asking specifically about least points used to go LAX

The question was to Chicago.

The thread title (Points to Chicago/new York) was inconsistent with post 1 (Pts to LAX, revenue ORD/NYC).

 

[SYD]

The thread title (Points to Chicago/new York) was inconsistent with post 1 (Pts to LAX, revenue ORD/NYC).

Yep, I was trying to answer the question asked. But I think we’re all in agreement on the pitfalls of seperate tickets. Yes, there are alternate itineraries that will be a different mix of points and $ but depending on the desired class of travel on the classic reward bit, there’s also the realistic expectation of finding those seats.

Another option is points one way and cash the other (all on one QF ticket). But i believe that only works for a simple return booking eg SYD-xx_-ORD (return) plus paid ORD-NYC (return). The later can be very cheap.

 

[justinbrett]

The question can't be answered unless we know what OP values points at. You can book it for zero points, or zero dollars, or anywhere in between.

It also depends on availability of award seats.