making a points booking - by a novice

[Bindibuys]

Hi all,
I have never made an awards booking before, so trying to do my homework before getting on Qantas site.

After our next flight to LAX in November, we will have enough points to book another return trip to LAX October/November 2012.

My question, should I combine (family transfer) our points and try to make a booking for 2 pax.
or
should I keep the points seperate, and both be on computers at the same time and book individually for the same flights.

I am well aware that I need to book like - 12 months in advance to get direct flights using points, so intend to book the day points arrive into account from this years trip.
Actully wanted to use the points to upgrade to J, but being a lowly Bronze member, my chances of winning the $5.00 lottery are better.

Thank you for any assistance.

 

[harvyk]

I don't believe there is any points loss when doing a family transfer, so I'd suggest doing one and put both people under the one booking... Will make life a little easier when it comes to getting seats together... Does either person have status? If so transfer the points to that person for the booking, it'll give access to better seats for both pax.

 

[drewbles]

Keep in mind that you can only transfer 100,000 points via the family transfer option, once in every 12 month period.

If you can transfer and have enough points to do it that way, it's probably going to be a lot less painful for you as it'll put both pax onto the same PNR, so if 'proverbial happens', at least you'll both be up the same creek

As you mention, being a NB i'd put my money in the lottery as well, but then again, miracles do happen! Probably better off, IMHO, saving points for a premium redemption over the upgrade lottery.

And welcome to AFF!

 

[Bindibuys]

Thank you harvyk & drewbles,

do you know how long after a QF flight points hit your account?

and, if I can get premium economy seats on the flights we want, I will be short about 5,000 points, can I purchase the points towards the end of the transaction, or do I have to purchase the extra points, THEN go looking for flights.?
(have enough points for 2 economy seats)

 

[casanovawa]

I wouldn't go purchasing points from Qantas if i could help it as they are a total rip off.. Much better if you are a few thousand short to sign up for a credit card or look for some other offer to get several thousand points...

You will get them much cheaper than buying them off Qantas (ie 5,000 top up points is $182, and you could sign up for an ANZ credit card at the moment and get 16,000 and get the first years fee waived, but might have to pay $50 or so to sign up for QFF points etc)

 

[harvyk]

If you're short 5000 points you'd need to buy them first and then do a points booking. But as casanovawa mentions, it's a very expensive way of buying points so I'd avoid it if you can help it.