Newbie Questions for Award Booking to LAX-

[Spizz]

Hi everyone. Thought I would come here and check with the experts before booking a trip it took 8 years to accumulate points for. Don't want to make any mistakes here in booking this trip.

I am booking a trip for my mums 60th Birthday party and we are going to L.A. next year. Dates are Thursday April 29th leaving from ADL-MEL-LAX and return on May 17th from LAX-MEL-ADL.

I am using the Qantas Any Seat Option and I need for each of us (there are 3) a minimum of 192,000 points as we are all going Business Class (J Class?) and there is the option to pay for the outstanding amount which I will do.

Questions-

1) I am getting a family transfer of 35,000 points to make up the difference. Is the transfer instant? Does it have to be done in whole amount of points or can I be specific i.e 34,934?

2) I am probably going to ring up to book the trip to make sure it is done right. Since there are 3 of us going I assume it is either going to cost me 2500 points per person i.e 7500 points or I may pay $50 per person i.e $150? Is this correct?

3) The site is not specific in saying how many seats are available and just says there are a few left for a 2010 flight on those dates in business class. Is there anyway to find out how many seats are actually available to book throught the Awards program or will the Qantas person I make the booking with can? Also can I find out which seats are already taken/booked?

4) I have choosen flights both out and in that are on the A380. When I make the booking (probably this week) can I request specific seats in business class as I know where I would like for us to sit i.e upperdeck row 11,12,13?

5) Since this is a business class award booking do I get access to the Qantas Club lounge both locally in ADL & MEL and in LAX included?

I think that pretty much covers everything and I thank you all in advance.

Spero

 

[Dave Noble]

Questions-

1) I am getting a family transfer of 35,000 points to make up the difference. Is the transfer instant? Does it have to be done in whole amount of points or can I be specific i.e 34,934?

almost instantaneous

2) I am probably going to ring up to book the trip to make sure it is done right. Since there are 3 of us going I assume it is either going to cost me 2500 points per person i.e 7500 points or I may pay $50 per person i.e $150? Is this correct?

It will be that cost; I would say that there is no better chance to get it right than there is for you to do it online ; you can see exactly what you are booking before you hit send

3) The site is not specific in saying how many seats are available and just says there are a few left for a 2010 flight on those dates in business class. Is there anyway to find out how many seats are actually available to book throught the Awards program or will the Qantas person I make the booking with can? Also can I find out which seats are already taken/booked?

Easy way is to try booking for more people and seeing at which point it stops being available. If you want 3 seats on the same flight in business class for a specific time I would book now if it is available. If you are going for Anytime awards, be aware that they can get very expensive

There is currently 1 standard award seat on QF93 for the outbound
2 standard awards via Sydney or 3 standard awards via Auckland for the return

For the additional business class seats for MEL-LAX on 29th April, the oneway points cost for that day is 1,007,748 per passenger on the non stop or 127,000 via Brisbane

4) I have choosen flights both out and in that are on the A380. When I make the booking (probably this week) can I request specific seats in business class as I know where I would like for us to sit i.e upperdeck row 11,12,13?

Would bound to be upperdeck on the 380 . Once booked, you can phone and request the seats ( no charge for that )

5) Since this is a business class award booking do I get access to the Qantas Club lounge both locally in ADL & MEL and in LAX included?

Yes

Dave

 

[Spizz]

Dave thanks for the response. What is the likely hood more seats for Awards get released and I book 1 at a time?

 

[Dave Noble]

Dave thanks for the response. What is the likely hood more seats for Awards get released and I book 1 at a time?

That's a question that needs a crystal ball

I would book all that can be booked now ... the via brisbane anytime award outbound isnt too horrendously overpriced and I would suggest booking now and then checking later for regular awards and rebooking if available later

Dave

 

[cove]

Think with flexibility.
We have the tribe going 2 ex SYD,one ex Melb and 2 ex BNE on points in J and/or F.We all meet at Marriott West Century for the Hertz hire car.
Grab the long haul outwards now as the availability may not improve.
Be prepared to pay for a low cost domestic flight to your departure point.
My 2 who are going out of Brisbane are happy the flight time is a bit less.
For your return check LAX and SFO as departure points.

 

[cove]

Go classic.....I left that out

 

[Grooba]

1) I am getting a family transfer of 35,000 points to make up the difference. Is the transfer instant? Does it have to be done in whole amount of points or can I be specific i.e 34,934

Just to add to the reply of Dave Noble, you can choose how many points you want to transfer over, it's completely up to the person who has the points.