New to business travel - what are my best options to achieve my travel goals?

[RudiMeyer]

Hi All

For the first time in my life I am now a business traveller - living in Brisbane and working on a project in Adelaide. I will be travelling every week and staying for three nights, will probably do about 40 weeks a year.

I have done a lot of reading on the site and found out a lot of background information but with such a wealth of facts and figures and codes I'm finding it hard to get clear answers on the best way forward.

My holiday goals with rewards and points are in order of importance:

1. Take me, the wife and two kids for a ten day holiday in Fiji in 12 months time
2. Same group to Disneyland in 4 years time
3. Maybe a week long SE Asia holiday by myself every year

My travel goals are - in order of importance:

1. Lounge Access would be nice while I wait for planes.
2. Upgrades to better rooms
3. Executive Club access

With these goals in mind what would be my best choice between:

Hotels

Priority Club or HHounours - ADL has a Hilton, Intercontinental and Crowne which are my accommodation options. I have registered for both and have linked my QFF number to both.

If Priority Club - Would Intercontinental Ambassador Club be worth the $200 - I would have to pay for this myself

Planes

Virgin vs Qantas?

Having flown Qantas a few times already - and needing to book my travel a few weeks in advance through works Amex Travel page I am only get 15 Status Credits per flight. Would it be worth my while to travel for the extra hour and go via Melbourne or Sydney - at least until I get to Gold to get into the lounge? Will this in fact give me double credits?


Cards, Shopping etc

I already have a ANZ Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer Amex that gives me 2 point per dollar, a Woolworths Everyday Rewards card (I shop Aldi but BWS is close for booze). Have been thinking about the Velocity Credit Card for a balance transfer and the free flight it gives.

I currently have about 25000 QFF and 10000 Velocity points that I could put towards status runs etc - not that that would get me very far.

Thanks for all your help and I'll be buying if we ever run into each other.

 

[moa999]

Planes.
Definitely stick with one program.
Going via SYD/MEL will earn more on QF but not on DJ (who treat it as a single direct journey), but query if worth the extra time/ transfers
via either will get you 25 SCs (10+15) on QF.
Depending on prices may be worth your while to book the Flexi fares which earn double SCs (even if out of your own pocket)

Assume you dont have double SC offers from either program at this point?
To earn SCs may be worth a weekend cash and points Qantas JASA

 

[Mwenenzi]

Does your company / clients travel policy allow you to chose airline and/or hotel ?
Many have best fare of the day (BFOD) and/or pre negotiated rates with defined hotels and/or $$ limits of what you can spend.

Hotels
Priority Club or HHounours - ADL has a Hilton, Intercontinental and Crowne which are my accommodation options. I have registered for both and have linked my QFF number to both.

If Priority Club - Would Intercontinental Ambassador Club be worth the $200 - I would have to pay for this myself

For the hotels putting the hotel stays/points into the hotel program and NOT direct to am airline freq flyer program may be better value in the long run. Free rewards night in hotels can be very valuable

Some of the hotel loyalty programs are based on stays. So to maximize move to a new hotel every night.
May be worth doing until you get status in 1 or more chains. You will learn to travel light.

Priority Club has bonus points for a various stay combination. With planning (excel spreadsheet) you can maximize.

 

[DeKa]

1. Take me, the wife and two kids for a ten day holiday in Fiji in 12 months time
2. Same group to Disneyland in 4 years time
3. Maybe a week long SE Asia holiday by myself every year
Planes

Virgin vs Qantas?

Having flown Qantas a few times already - and needing to book my travel a few weeks in advance through works Amex Travel page I am only get 15 Status Credits per flight. Would it be worth my while to travel for the extra hour and go via Melbourne or Sydney - at least until I get to Gold to get into the lounge? Will this in fact give me double credits?

As your goals include international travel, I would be focussing on Qantas, and gaining either Gold or Platinum status so you can use the J or F Lounges as you depart Australia.
Qantas, being part of OneWorld Alliance provides a global network of lounges and benefits that Virgin does and cannot because they aren't part of an Alliance. With Virgin, you'll get access to some lounges and some benefits with their partners, but in my view it's not comparable to OneWorld when travelling internationally.

 

[drron]

For the hotels part I would split your stays between Hilton and Priority club.60 nights at Hilton gets you diamond status so then you would always have executive lounge access and you could use your points for part of that fiji holiday or in the States.
50 nights gets you platinum elite with Priority Club.Now I dont have experience with this but i do note you can send your points to Velocity and I am sure it wouldn't hurt your hotel experiences.

Airlines.Thats a hard one.But with QFF if you did 10 of your return trips via SYD and the other 30 direct BNE-ADL you would earn 1400 SCs per year so enough to get QFF Plat-or WP as we prefer to call it here.Subsequent years if you did only direct flights you would earn 1200 SCs so enough to retain WP.
Virgin-well I have to say I really do prefer them domestically.In my limited experience they are much better at delivering the status benefits such as preferred seating and priority baggage.I just dont think that as yet they are as good value in OS awards-though I am always going for premium cabins.
Even though you get the same SCs for direct flights and those via SYD/MEL you would easily qualify for platinum with velocity.The second year you could easily retain velocity plat and very nearly get to gold on QF.but with airlines and what you want to do it is best to concentrate on 1 program.

 

[serfty]

Both HHonors & IHG Priority club transfer to Velocity at 10,000 to 2,000 IIRC

IHG points are easier to earn but the guaranteed benefits of HH are better.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[yo yo ma]

Cards, Shopping etc

I already have a ANZ Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer Amex that gives me 2 point per dollar...

This card only gives 1.5 points per $

ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum - Apply now for ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum | ANZ
[TABLE="class: formatted"]
[TR="class: row1"]
[TH="colspan: 2"]"Points earn rate on eligible purchases (excluding cash equivalent transactions)
[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum American Express credit card
[/TD]
[TD]1.5 points = $1
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


If you select QF and you have the time, you could route via SYD/MEL for an extra 10 s/c each way in discount economy. I would personally do this as I use the motto:
"Why fly direct, when you can connect."

 

[newformula]

"If Priority Club - Would Intercontinental Ambassador Club be worth the $200 - I would have to pay for this myself"

Yes, if you're even staying 1/2 of the 40 weeks a year at the IC, the room upgrades alone for the extra space, plus welcome amenities like fruit and water etc, each time you stay would definitely be worth it in my book.

I stayed at the IC Adelaide in March as an Ambassador, the reservations team were excellent in confirming which room upgrade I'd receive based on what I booked, in advance, meaning no uncertainty that I'd get a suite for our 4 night stay on arrival.

For every 15 nights as an ICA, PC also offer 20,000 bonus points - be sure to register for the 'Ambassador Accelerator' offer. Sounds like you'd earn this every 5 weeks.

 

[markis10]

"If Priority Club - Would Intercontinental Ambassador Club be worth the $200 - I would have to pay for this myself"

Yes, if you're even staying 1/2 of the 40 weeks a year at the IC, the room upgrades alone for the extra space, plus welcome amenities like fruit and water etc, each time you stay would definitely be worth it in my book.

I stayed at the IC Adelaide in March as an Ambassador, the reservations team were excellent in confirming which room upgrade I'd receive based on what I booked, in advance, meaning no uncertainty that I'd get a suite for our 4 night stay on arrival.

For every 15 nights as an ICA, PC also offer 20,000 bonus points - be sure to register for the 'Ambassador Accelerator' offer. Sounds like you'd earn this every 5 weeks.

If you can get around 30 nights a year at ICs and have at least three different ICs in that year, along with 60 or so ICHG nights in total, Royal Ambassador should be attained, which has some nice benefits.

 

[beardoc]

I would give serious consideration to staying with Hilton in Adelaide, or splitting amongst two hotel programs. With 40 weeks x 3 nights/week, you could attain Priority Club Platinum Elite and Hilton Diamond. I personally like the guaranteed benefits of Hilton Diamond:

* upgrades subject to availability - and Hilton are generally pretty free with upgrades (although I haven't seen a lot of upgrades to suites at Hilton ADL)
* free internet
* guaranteed Executive lounge access
* free breakfast (at the Hilton ADL they offer you breakfast in the lounge or a full breakfast downstairs).
* 1000 bonus HHonors points

Although if you prefer hotels over the Hilton, of course - go with what you find most comfortable.

 

[RudiMeyer]

Hi all

Well one week later I am now Gold on Priority thanks to a conference in town driving room rates at the Crowne up to about $500 per night - 17441 points for three nights!!!

Taking all your suggestions into account my initial plan is to do as many Qantas flights to and from ADL in two hops as I can book which if everything works out perfectly (and I don't get fed up with the extra travel time) should put me at Silver in June and Gold in August. I will re evaluate then and see if Platinum is still attractive.

I checked into the Hilton last night for the first time but potentially based on the two reservations I have already made totalling 7 days I got an upgrade. Looking at their points structure I will try the One night Hilton, one Intercon, one Hilton strategy for a few weeks (or until I get bored with moving every day). This should put me at Hilton Silver in June and Gold July with Platinum possible in September if I keep moving every week. Once I get to Gold I'll have a look at my options and decide then.

I will sign up for the Intercon Ambassador program from my first stay there and will make Royal Ambassador before the 12 months membership runs out.

I will put a lot of effort into this rewards program game but its Adelaide on a Monday and Tuesday night, there really isn't a lot going on so I might as well make it a new hobby to keep me busy when away from home.

I'll keep you updated and thank you again for the input.

Rudi

 

[docjames]

Having only just seen this thread I think this is the right plan. I would consider switching to direct flights once Gold is achieved.

Both the Hilton and IC Fiji are great and would be ideal for your family holiday - you should have plenty of points to use for the stay, or use you Ambassador cert for free night + points upgrade - a tip at IC was they let me use points to book a Garden room then pay a (nominal) $$ amount to upgrade to waterfront room.

You can speed your points (especially) IC if you sign onto the IHG bonus points - check the thread here at AFF or pointmaven.com for the latest offers.

Enjoy!! Or tolerate, as the case may be! You may also find you prefer one hotel chain over the other and move to an almost exclsive (doing just enough to "retain" staus with the second brand).

Once you have Gold you might also consider being Gold with both DJ and QF and ask DJ for a status match once your QF Gold is qualified.

Taking all your suggestions into account my initial plan is to do as many Qantas flights to and from ADL in two hops as I can book which if everything works out perfectly (and I don't get fed up with the extra travel time) should put me at Silver in June and Gold in August. I will re evaluate then and see if Platinum is still attractive.

I checked into the Hilton last night for the first time but potentially based on the two reservations I have already made totalling 7 days I got an upgrade. Looking at their points structure I will try the One night Hilton, one Intercon, one Hilton strategy for a few weeks (or until I get bored with moving every day). This should put me at Hilton Silver in June and Gold July with Platinum possible in September if I keep moving every week. Once I get to Gold I'll have a look at my options and decide then.

I will sign up for the Intercon Ambassador program from my first stay there and will make Royal Ambassador before the 12 months membership runs out.

I will put a lot of effort into this rewards program game but its Adelaide on a Monday and Tuesday night, there really isn't a lot going on so I might as well make it a new hobby to keep me busy when away from home.

I'll keep you updated and thank you again for the input.

Rudi

 

[Mwenenzi]

Its good it started out OK

... Looking at their points structure I will try the One night Hilton, one Intercon, one Hilton strategy for a few weeks (or until I get bored with moving every day).....Rudi

...You can speed your points (especially) IC if you sign onto the IHG bonus points - check the thread here at AFF or pointmaven.com for the latest offers.

As above you need to work the IHG bonus points, as in this thread: master priority club bonus thread

 

[RudiMeyer]

I also came across an Amex Corporate Card promo that makes you Silver with Hilton after two stays and Gold after four so it will be Gold in two or three weeks

However looking at the multi flight instead of single option the two leg flights come out more expensive? Is this just because I want to fly on a Sunday afternoon?

 

[beardoc]

Just another minor thing you might not know of - there's a "Double your HHonors" promotion with Hilton - double Hilton HHonors points or double airline miles: https://www.hiltonhhonors.com/Quart...leMiles.aspx?cid=OM,HN,12Q02,Specials&lang=EN

 

[RudiMeyer]

Hi, I have that one already but thank you for bringing it up. I have now also entered every bonus IC code I could find.

Has anyone worked out how to get a Qantas Double Status credit email yet? That would make life sooo much simpler