Points Use Advice/Suggestions

[OrangeRoughie]

Would be grateful for any advice on strategy I should pursue for J class flights to Europe from ADL in May next year for 3 pax all preferably on same flight. It is a bit of a 2 part question. Currently have 260k Velocity points and VA Gold, will be relatively flexible with travel dates. I can only see myself earning approx. 10k more points between now and when I assume I will need to use the points for best availability (June?) through flying and current cc spend.

At present I am thinking it is easiest and safest (as well as boring) to convert required Velocity points (almost all) to KrisFlyer and book 1 return J ticket and buy the other 2, this restricts me to flying SQ and paying whatever I can best get fares with them.

Alternatively, should I chase cc sign up bonuses hard over the next 4-5 months and try for something more creative or even just be more creative with the current points and money I will likely be spending ($10-12k) on the above strategy? Looking at the cc promotions page there doesn’t appear to be a lot of Velocity bonuses around at present though.

Appreciate 3 pax makes it difficult, however just looking to maximise value in how I use them.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

May next year? Best availability for booking J to a popular destination like Europe at just under a year out. Moreso when more than 1 pax. So you should check out your options now so that you are ready to pounce.

Alternatively, should I chase cc sign up bonuses hard : Not alternatively. This something that should be doing regardless. Chase points all the time, grabbing the best deals and opportunities both large and small so hat you have a war-chest to fly when, where and how you please.
---Who are the other 2 pax? Can they get credit cards bonii too? If your wife has low income remember that some cards can be applied for under Household rather than
---Family pooling can in some programs be done too

Unfortunately at least in my view most of the easy ways to gain points are to the QFF program. So it may be more feasiiIndividual income.ble to look to book one-way awards in one direction on Krislyer and then one-ways via QFF for the other direction.
--Also with this method one person can redeem for one direction and another for the other direction.
--Though if needed one persons points can also be just used for 1 pax.

With QFF though look at their partners and consider options such as J on Cathay between Hong Kong and Europe with paid Y tickets to/from Hong Kong.

 

[OrangeRoughie]

Thanks for prompt reply. Agreed re gaining points in QFF program and you're right i should be working harder on getting more cc bonuses, plus utilising the wife for this too. Last year we did similar to what you suggested, paid Y tickets to SIN then used points in J with SQ and return with EK. I have a 40k points base with QF so will explore that option again further given the amount of bonuses out there.

 

[andye]

There have been a lot of Amex offers which convert to VF but also KrisFlyer, Asia Miles (often good multiseat availability and well-priced for returns) and Malaysian (quite expensive points and taxes but good late multiseat availability)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Thanks for prompt reply. Agreed re gaining points in QFF program and you're right i should be working harder on getting more cc bonuses, plus utilising the wife for this too. Last year we did similar to what you suggested, paid Y tickets to SIN then used points in J with SQ and return with EK. I have a 40k points base with QF so will explore that option again further given the amount of bonuses out there.

Personally I get every point I can to Krisflyer as my preferred program. Luckily I gain enough that I mainly fly on it. However it so easy to earn QFF points that despite it being my third choice program at present a I still have a million QFF points there waiting to be used for when for whatever reason I cannot redeem in a satisfactory way through my other programs.