Most cost effective way to get to Europe on points (3 x J tickets) in 6M

[philr2000]

Open question which I'm sure has a few ways in (and apologies if this is a similar thread elsewhere on here but I couldn't find).

I am coming from a standing start - ie little to no points across any of the major carriers/platforms. I have utilized all my QFF points over the past 12 months to Europe on Qatar in J, as well as all my Krisflyer to Singapore.

We have a wedding in Europe in about ~18 months and so I am starting to think about how best to accumulate enough points over the next ~6-8 months to be able to purchase 3 tickets in J.

I have been loyal to QFF over the years, but feel this has now reached the point where there really isn't the value anymore in trying. My initial thinking is via Singapore Krisflyer as they seem to have greater availability and more than 2 seats in J in most flights.

I am open to buying miles / acquiring credit cards / points transfers - just whatever would be the most effective strategy.

Interested in the collective wisdom of others here as I am sure I am not the first.

Many thanks!

 

[Human]

There are plenty of options and in your case buying points may be a good choice (possibly via Air Canada Aeroplan) but my strategy would be credit card sign-up bonuses. If you don’t already have an American Express card I’d strongly consider applying for a card which gives you Membership Rewards points (the Platinum card has a pretty good sign-up bonus at the moment). The St George/Bank of Melbourne/Bank SA Amplify Rewards ecosystem is also a potentially lucrative one, particularly for transfers to KrisFlyer.

If you and your partner could each take out 2 or more new credit cards with sign-up bonuses over the next 6-8 months, you’ll be very close to having enough points for 3 one-way business class tickets. Having enough points for return flights for 3 may be a bridge too far, depending on your income, and you may need to look at purchasing points.

 

[kpc]

I think your best for 3 seats to Europe in J are KrisFlyer so I'll be trying to accumulate as many as possible!
You could get an Amex Explorer card with current 70K MR points signup bonus (= 35K Kris Flyer miles)

AMEX EXPLORER- 110,000 bonus points w/$4k spend, $395 p/a, $400 travel credit

You will receive 110,000 Membership Rewards Points if you apply for an American Express® Explorer Credit Card with my link , are approved and spend $4,000 in the first 3 months of Card membership. (T&Cs apply). Highlights Earn up to 2 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Forg]

Is it actually possible to get enough points for 3x J tickets to Europe, between now & when you’d need to book the tickets for travel in 6 months from now? Even if you paid the money for one of those credit card deals that gets you 110k-ish points, that’s only one fare innit … and you’d have to then run ~$100k+ through the card by (say) March?

 

[Human]

Is it actually possible to get enough points for 3x J tickets to Europe, between now & when you’d need to book the tickets for travel in 6 months from now? Even if you paid the money for one of those credit card deals that gets you 110k-ish points, that’s only one fare innit … and you’d have to then run ~$100k+ through the card by (say) March?

It can be done, but a few stars need to align. First, you need a family member or members to help out — if each partner (and even an adult child, if one exists) can sign up for 2 or even 3 credit cards with sign-up bonuses, you’d just about have enough points. Also you can transfer Velocity points to KrisFlyer so the OP should do the grocery shopping from Coles and take advantage of FlyBuys’ generous bonus offers which could easily equate to, say, another 30,000 points or more in six months.

It also goes without saying that it helps to put every possible cent of spending on credit card.

But in the end it really depends on the size of the family and, in particular, the number of family members who are earning incomes. I agree that it would be almost impossible for one person.

 

[Forg]

^ It’s more like 3 months before you’d need to dive in to get available seats on points isn’t it?
And signing up for cards only works if you can run at least $3k/mo through each card for the first month or first two months, doesn’t it? You only get the points if you spend enough on the card, don’t you?

It feels like you could prolly get one fare, maybe two if you were really lucky; but by the time you’d bought all the exxy stuff & paid the sign-up fees, you wouldn’t necessarily save any money compared to keeping an eye out for cheap fares between now & then which isn’t tied into whichever scheme/airline you’ve decided-upon upfront … ?

 

[philr2000]

Thanks for the responses - and appreciate the various 'ways in' - is largely in planning mode as who knows where business class cash fares will be in 12-18 months time.

 

[Quickstatus]

Is it actually possible to get enough points for 3x J tickets to Europe

Thats circa 900k point in 18 months - circa 50k points per month.

Maybe mix of redemptions and revenue flights?