Newbie from Perth starting to research going to London via Singapore and Dubai

[Maxpp]

I signed up almost 4 years ago but never got around to introducing myself or posting anything.

I'm looking to take my family to London in June/July 2016, going via Singapore and Dubai (unless a better option presents itself). I've got ~300k QFF points and am trying to work out the best way to use them.

Lots of reading ahead!

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF Maxpp . Yes, indeed, lots of reading for you. Do come back and asked questions, but we always appreciate if an effort is made to understand the issues just a little bit rather than ask for everything to be explained.

Getting award flights for the family 'only' 5 months out is not a lot of time; don't dawdle.

 

[Cynicor]

Isn't that school holidays time? I think you will have almost 0 chance in premium cabins, and very little in economy. If you want to book with QFF then get a move on, or think about next year!

As an initial thought, without knowing family size and preferences etc. I would book awards for kids and paid seats for the rest so you get some points and SC out of it. This is probably going to work out better than chasing, say, 4 award seats to DXB and then paying for 4 DXB return LHR flights etc.

 

[Maxpp]

Welcome to AFF Maxpp . Yes, indeed, lots of reading for you. Do come back and asked questions, but we always appreciate if an effort is made to understand the issues just a little bit rather than ask for everything to be explained.

Getting award flights for the family 'only' 5 months out is not a lot of time; don't dawdle.

It's been one of those trips where we're still not 100% sure that we're going. But I've been told that we're approaching 80% certainty which seems enough to start looking properly at the flight options.

Isn't that school holidays time? I think you will have almost 0 chance in premium cabins, and very little in economy. If you want to book with QFF then get a move on, or think about next year!

As an initial thought, without knowing family size and preferences etc. I would book awards for kids and paid seats for the rest so you get some points and SC out of it. This is probably going to work out better than chasing, say, 4 award seats to DXB and then paying for 4 DXB return LHR flights etc.

Perth school holidays, yes. We may be able to push off a few days early but I'm not sure it will make enough difference.

We're in a slightly unusual situation in that parents-in-law may be paying for our airfares. Ideally I'd like to use points to upgrade but I've read that you can only do that on true Qantas flights. Living in Perth, that really doesn't help very much since Qantas all but abandoned us.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

We're in a slightly unusual situation in that parents-in-law may be paying for our airfares. Ideally I'd like to use points to upgrade but I've read that you can only do that on true Qantas flights. Living in Perth, that really doesn't help very much since Qantas all but abandoned us.

If you don't have Qantas FF status, then the chances of upgrading (I assume you mean to business) will not be good, sorry. Award and up-grade seats are limited and are usually snaffled up by Qantas FF Platinums and Plat 1s. You can only try. BUT you have to consider this equation:

The cheapest seats on Qantas aren't up-gradable. If you pay more to get seats that are up-gradable, that's the cost of entry to the upgrade lottery. You may not get upgraded and you won't know one way or the other until almost the flight time.

But I know you aren't necessarily restricting yourself to Qantas, so get looking at the forum threads

 

[Steady]

Welcome to active AFF membership Maxpp, now you have made a few posts don't stop. You have a lot of research in front of you.

 

[kermatu]

Welcome to AFF and good luck with the research.

 

[JohnK]

Belated welcome to AFF Maxpp!

 

[Dr Ralph]

A very belated welcome to AFF Maxpp

 

[BettyB]

Welcome

 

[Mattg]

If you're flying via Singapore and Dubai, you can get to London using QF aircraft on 2 out of 3 legs (PER-SIN and DXB-LHR). That could help you if you want to upgrade using Qantas points.

(Even if you go via Dubai, you can still try to take QF onwards to London and request an upgrade)

 

[coco50]

I signed up almost 4 years ago but never got around to introducing myself or posting anything.

I'm looking to take my family to London in June/July 2016, going via Singapore and Dubai (unless a better option presents itself). I've got ~300k QFF points and am trying to work out the best way to use them.

Lots of reading ahead!

You might find getting award flights this close to departure difficult unless you want to travel in Y class. Remember that bookings usually open 355 days before departure on QF.

 

[Maxpp]

Following up on this, after much reading, I've just created a post with my current plan: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....usiness-awards-through-74161.html#post1399279

I'd really appreciate any advice people may have.