Need advice on booking an efficient family trip

[SheikYerbouti]

Hi all, hoping someone can help this noob navigate all the options that I have to maximise use of points.

Summary:
- Want to book a family trip to UK/France/Holland (with a Singapore stopover both ways) in Sept-Oct 2018.
- There are 4 of us - 2 adults and 2 kids under 12.
- I'm Velocity Gold (with family pooling), about to re-qualify to Dec 2018.
- I have 260,000 Velocity points and 91,000 QFF points (assume another 20k VFF coming by 31 Dec)
- I also have 35,000 ANZ points awaiting conversion to Velocity or Krisflyer

Considerations:
- Book flights VA operated by SQ, or book directly with SQ?
- Using VFF points to try to upgrade a return leg to PE, either directly or first converting to Krisflyer miles?
- Or - use points to book Syd-Singapore and buy Singapore-London?
- Lounge access for VFF Gold, reciprocal with SQ - only for wife and I? Does SQ allow kids as well or can buy kids' access?
- Book 2 of us on SQ and 2 of us on QF for one Sydney-Singapore leg?
- Any/all other considerations that I haven't thought of?

Can anyone please give me some tips on maximising my current situation for upgrades/lounge/reward flights?
Thanks.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

I can't answer your main questions, but I will say to double-check the redemption rates before converting from ANZ Rewards to Krisflyer - I believe it actually works out better to convert to Velocity, and then from Velocity to Krisflyer when redeeming ANZ Rewards points. Right now with the 30% Velocity bonus promo it probably works out even better.

Also if you book a Singapore Airlines operated flight via Virgin you won't have any upgrade options available to you (using either Velocity or Krisflyer). I believe (please get confirmation) that the only way to use points for upgrades with Singapore Airlines is to book an upgradeable fare with Singapore Airlines directly, and use Krisflyer points (or I guess maybe* points from another Star Alliance partner? Not with Velocity points directly anyhow - you'd have to convert them).

 

[SheikYerbouti]

OK, maybe it's better to just use the points to end up with 4 of us flying 1 leg for free in economy. I'll see. Thanks

 

[clipped_wings]

Slightly OT but we approached the Etihad Lounge in LAX with our 2 kids and a very polite but firm "No" was the response to our request to bring the youngsters through. Unless you're flying J, I'm afraid the SQ Lounge may be a similar experience.

But, as is my motto: If the worst they can say is no, then ask away and the best of luck to you

 

[carls888]

Just check with the one way flights though...you might be better off to buy two flights return via points and two paid for. The cost of a one way flight is generally at last 75% of the return fare.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

Just check with the one way flights though...you might be better off to buy two flights return via points and two paid for. The cost of a one way flight is generally at last 75% of the return fare.

Good point.