QFF rewards conundrum

[chodo]

I would book flights to give you six weeks in BKK. Then, if VN opens up you can book a cheap cash flight from BKK-VN and back. Failing that, just do a visa run half way through the trip to anywhere that is open.

Considered this but due to all the Covid cough, doing a visa run mid holiday would mean we’d also have to do another night in a SHA+ hotel on arrival, a Covid test with medical certificate from somewhere in Vietnam 72 hours before departure, and another Thai special Covid insurance policy (on top of the first and on top of the real insurance policy we get in Oz)

 

[Matt_01]

...... 2 sets of travel insurance, that’s just a small fraction!

Just check insurance options, depending on how much you travel or plan to travel pre covid annual multi trip travel insurance worked out much cheaper.

 

[chodo]

Just check insurance options, depending on how much you travel or plan to travel pre covid annual multi trip travel insurance worked out much cheaper.

With Thailand test n go, you need a specific Thai Covid insurance policy. Looked at a few, and for example, AXA is approx $100 AUD for 30 days but it’s single entry. Pre Covid, hopping over to any other country for a visa run wouldn’t have been a problem, but now, with all the rigmarole, I’d rather avoid additional policies and sha+ hotels and tests and all the rest. I’m hoping that in the next few days they will drop most of these measures and just require full vax and a pre departure test. They’re frothing for tourist dollars and these obstacles aren’t helping.

 

[Mr H]

I’m hoping that in the next few days they will drop most of these measures and just require full vax and a pre departure test. They’re frothing for tourist dollars and these obstacles aren’t helping.

I'm hoping for something similar in a number of countries - but I have until August for it to happen.

 

[chodo]

I'm hoping for something similar in a number of countries - but I have until August for it to happen.

I can’t last til august!

 

[jase05]

The problem is at the moment, the only places in Asia (I think), that Qantas are flying into from the east coast are Bangkok and Singapore. HK is closed, Vietnam hasn’t reopened to jetstar rewards yet, Taiwan and Japan are still closed to tourists, which leaves us with KL but it’s an absolute last resort to transit through KL as It’s still closed to tourists anyway. I’m sure I’ve forgotten somewhere.

Philippines are open and often good availability on award seats to Manila with QF. Probably our favourite SEA destination

 

[chodo]

Philippines are open and often good availability on award seats to Manila with QF. Probably our favourite SEA destination

Thought about the Phils - I’ve only been to boracay. Only prob is that the logistics to move about previously required a fair bit of patience and planning due to the lay of the islands. Would love to revisit but might wait til things normalise a bit more.

 

[jase05]

Thought about the Phils - I’ve only been to boracay. Only prob is that the logistics to move about previously required a fair bit of patience and planning due to the lay of the islands. Would love to revisit but might wait til things normalise a bit more.

Have found it very easy to get around and domestic flights are dirt cheap, $20-30 for Y and under $250 in J on many routes. I’d be back there in a flash if I had a chunk of time up my sleeve between now and October

 

[chodo]

Have found it very easy to get around and domestic flights are dirt cheap, $20-30 for Y and under $250 in J on many routes. I’d be back there in a flash if I had a chunk of time up my sleeve between now and October

Jase, cheers for the idea. I had a look at Manila just now but all the award availabilities I see for March are via Dubai. Did you see any on Qantas metal?

 

[jase05]

Jase, cheers for the idea. I had a look at Manila just now but all the award availabilities I see for March are via Dubai. Did you see any on Qantas metal?

I haven’t looked. I just know in previous times it was always a pretty good route for award availability. In the current climate I don’t know if this is still the case

 

[chodo]

I haven’t looked. I just know in previous times it was always a pretty good route for award availability. In the current climate I don’t know if this is still the case

Looks like there’s slim pickings from the east coast. I’ve found a few J rewards all via dubai which costs a fortune in both points and taxes when you’re doubling back on yourself to get to Asia. Apart from that, economy to Bkk or Singapore, and if you’re really unlucky, jetstar!