Not enough FF points -

[Flying Senior]

Hi - hope some one can help. Planning to fly Business Class to the U.K. in 2010. Will not have enough FF points so need to know is it better to buy the extra amount points needed or use the ones I have plus pay cash for the ticket.
Also - are a larger number of points needed if you have a stopover on the way?
Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[yo yo ma]

Another option would be to purchase an economy ticket and use the points to upgrade...

Which FF program are you in?

 

[Flying Senior]

Thanks for the reply - Qantas FF member.

 

[taswegian77]

Another option would be to purchase an economy ticket and use the points to upgrade...

Which FF program are you in?

There is no guarantee of getting the points upgrade though which could leave you disappointed when you miss out! I also think the only way you can use points plus cash is Qantas Any Seat Awards and they can cost an arm and a leg depending on when you are flying.

 

[simongr]

A couple of other options:

- Oneway ticket and buy the return portion on a cheaper carrier
- Return to interim point with points and paid return to the same point from the other end

 

[Flying Senior]

There is no guarantee of getting the points upgrade though which could leave you disappointed when you miss out! I also think the only way you can use points plus cash is Qantas Any Seat Awards and they can cost an arm and a leg depending on when you are flying.

Thanks for the reply. Still unsure of what to do - but do want to use the FF points as this will probably be our last U.K. trip

 

[Flying Senior]

A couple of other options:

- Oneway ticket and buy the return portion on a cheaper carrier
- Return to interim point with points and paid return to the same point from the other end

Thanks for the reply. Like the first option - one way ticket etc.

Sorry dont quite understand second option - could you please clarify for a Senior!!!!
Thanks a lot.

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the reply. Like the first option - one way ticket etc.

Sorry dont quite understand second option - could you please clarify for a Senior!!!!
Thanks a lot.

e.g. If you want to travel SYD-LHR, you may be able to book SYD-SIN using points, SIN-LHR-SIN return using $$$ and SIN-SYD using points.

 

[Flying Senior]

Thanks Serfty for the clarification. Much to think about.
Cheers.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Thanks for any help you can give.

How many points do you have?

If just short we may be able to suggest cost effective ways to obtain the points.

 

[Flying Senior]

Thanks for the reply. Estimating on this years points needed we may be 100000 short.
2010 could be more of course.
Any suggestions welcomed

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Thanks for the reply. Estimating on this years points needed we may be 100000 short.
2010 could be more of course.
Any suggestions welcomed

100K is probably a bridge too far...

However of you and your wife have sufficient income to qualify for a Ultimate Card (I am not sure what the rules on seniors are) you can get 32.5K each...though there is a card fee..but you also get a domestic flight each. Deal finishes March 31 though!!!

So that could be 65K.

If you are only earning at 1.0 per $ that card will earn at 1.5 per $ which would equal more points.

Woolworths joining QF this year will probably allow some extra points...

Borrow Some
If you have relative with points you may be able to borrow theirs by transfer....with you then paying them back later once you have earned some up.

 

[Flying Senior]

Thanks for the suggestions - much appreciated

 

[_kab_]

However of you and your wife have sufficient income to qualify for a Earth Plat Card (I am not sure what the rules on seniors are) you can get 32.5K each...though there is a card fee..but you also get a domestic flight each. Deal finishes March 31 though!!

Sorry to stick my nose in here but where was this deal advertised? I got the card under the earlier promo of 20K bonus points...not 32.5 and no domestic flight. I feel a bit ripped off

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Sorry to stick my nose in here but where was this deal advertised? I got the card under the earlier promo of 20K bonus points...not 32.5 and no domestic flight. I feel a bit ripped off

OoOps..sorry I meant the Ultimate Card...not Earth (note I have edited my post above).


Qantas have taken it off their splash pages now...and removed the links...but here it is anyway..

http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/earningPoints/QFAmexUltimate

 

[auriga]

Or someone could be kind enough to donate a tiny portion of their 3.3million points...

 

[straitman]

Or someone could be kind enough to donate a tiny portion of their 3.3million points...

... to their Uncle Flying Senior :!:

 

[Flying Senior]

Thanks for all the suggestions/answers - much appreciated - I wasn't looking for donations!

 

[nlagalle]

Thanks for all the suggestions/answers - much appreciated - I wasn't looking for donations!

It's not as silly as it sounds..

If you know someone who has the points you could "borrow" them from them using a family transfer in QFF. You could then transfer points back once you have accrued them later on.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

It's not as silly as it sounds..

If you know someone who has the points you could "borrow" them from them using a family transfer in QFF. You could then transfer points back once you have accrued them later on.

Not silly at all, which is why I suggested it above. Though I guess your "hint" is that you broaden who is a relative...

I would further add that one could possibly "help" a relative get some points...and then borrow them.