QFF to USA Aug-25 (500k points)

[MelbourneBoy]

Hi team

We're wanting to book a US return airfare flight for two adults and one child (2 years old) using 500k points. +15hr flight we're wanting business (or premium) given the duration and child's age

The best option I can see is flying on Fiji Airways (96k business) to LA, SFO or the new DFW.

We're also open to flying to USA via Europe.

Summary
Aiming Aug 2025
3 x Premium or Bizz Return
Points balance 500k QFF (however can lift to 650k)
Destination: LA, SFO, DFW.

 

[ChrisMars]

I am off topic, but I wonder if flying with a 2 years old in business works well. The seat is big, the kid needs to be strapped, is not necessarly within reach of parents. Wondering if it works. I read that finnair might move the kid and parent in Y if needed.

 

[Quickstatus]

3 x Premium or Bizz Return

You wont get far with 500k points unless you limit yourself to go via FJ Y/J or QF Y using Classic Awards only

Any higher cabin on QF will almost certainly require a Classic Plus ticket which will set you back over circa 1M points for 3 pax each way

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Very unlikely all 3 seats on the same flight in the same cabin whatever the permutation

What colour is your frequent flyer status?

Was thinking via NAN (I can see some options) or via Finnair.

Not sure if Qantas has extended classic reward seats to other oneworld partners ie Turkish air

Bronze

 

[SYD]

Was thinking via NAN (I can see some options) or via Finnair.

Not sure if Qantas has extended classic reward seats to other oneworld partners ie Turkish air

Bronze

Turkish is *A alliance.

But all OW partners are technically available for Classic Rewards. Finding them is another thing.

 

[Quickstatus]

Was thinking via NAN (I can see some options) or via Finnair.

With a 2 year old, your options are limited and I would not go galavanting around the world just to get that award flight.

One stop maybe but any more will be too much. Going west via Europe would be nuts IMO with a 2 year old unless you take your time and do stopovers at each intermediate stop. I cannot see how its easier to multistops in J compared to a nonstop in Y in this context.

If it were me + 2 with 500k points, I would go 1 adult on award (classic or classic plus) and 1 adult and 1 child paying cash for non stop in Y. Everyone travels in the same cabin together. Or higher cabin if you have the $

 

[henrus]

Unless you're looking at crazy routes then it's going to be a bit of a stretch.

There is zero award space on QF in J (as expected) and I couldn't see anything with more than 1 J seat on FJ. Finding 3x premium seats on the AU-US routes or even just 3x international long haul J reward seats is easier said then done, that being said it can be done but as you see below it starts to get crazy very quickly.

Interestingly something like MEL-TPE (on China Airlines, the Taipei based carrier) has 2x PE seats and 2x J seats on 10 Aug. Then I could see 3x J seats on AF from Shanghai PVG to Paris then onwards to LAX. You'd be looking at a cheap 2hr ~$250 flight to connect from Taipei to Shanghai.

Assuming you took the 2x J seats on China Airlines 1x PE seat and then the AF 3x J seats plus the cash fare between the two, just the oneway cost from MEL-LAX is 686,000 Qantas points and about $5742.93 taxes/fees (the AF seats have stupid high surcharges - even ignoring the roughly $1494 AF taxes pp it's still a lot of points).

I'd say that something more direct would be a lot better then use the points for other things including internal US flights. I'd also recommend Air New Zealand and their Skycouch option, for an extra $650 on top of the economy pricing you get 4 seats and the set of three turn into a flat space for sleeping that would allow the child to easily lie down and sleep.

 

[Quickstatus]

There is zero award space on QF in J

Yes zip in the classic award space.

Lots in the classic plus award space for 3pax same flight same cabin. But the problem is it would cost over 1M points each way

 

[henrus]

Lots in the classic plus award space for 3pax same flight same cabin. But the problem is it would cost over 1M points each way

I don't like to ever consider classic plus as actual award seats. They're just the new anyseat/points+pay equivalent.

 

[blackcat20]

I am off topic, but I wonder if flying with a 2 years old in business works well. The seat is big, the kid needs to be strapped, is not necessarly within reach of parents. Wondering if it works. I read that finnair might move the kid and parent in Y if needed.

It's not too bad from about 2.5, but you do need to be in a seat where you can get up easily to assist with meals, the screen etc. it's certainly not relaxing.

 

[Quickstatus]

s, the screen

Yes better with the previous open plan Skybed.
In 787, the only J seat combo that works well in this context is Even number row and seats EFK - no one gets window seat.

2 yr toddler also too heavy for 11kg wright limit basinnet as well unless less than the 15th percentile line (boy). About 50% 1 yr boys are even too heavy for bassinet.

 

[masco131]

The best option would be using velocity points for united as they release up to 4 seats about 1-2 weeks before travel.

AA are also notorious of releasing seat close to 1-2 weeks but not guaranteed.

My one cent would be to actually book like PE seat and hope you can get a last minute travel close to your travel dates.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Yes better with the previous open plan Skybed.
In 787, the only J seat combo that works well in this context is Even number row and seats EFK - no one gets window seat.

2 yr toddler also too heavy for 11kg wright limit basinnet as well unless less than the 15th percentile line (boy). About 50% 1 yr boys are even too heavy for bassinet.

She's already over the weight allowance. When we flew Qantas and Finnair last year, I thought the bassinet was quite tight (6 months old).

Bassinet is def not an option

 

[levelnine]

Once you need more than 2 J seats, you have to accept it is unlikely to happen on the most in-demand long-haul routes.

The only real exception in/out of Australia is Singapore Airlines, which reliably release 4+ J seats at the end of schedule.

Everyone else is a shot in the dark.

 

[Quickstatus]

@MelbourneBoy

Consider:

Y cabin - pay for 3 seats plus 1 classic award
1 child in seat A (window)
1 adult seat C (aisle)
1 classic reward adult seat D (across the aisle)
1 extra seat B (middle seat) - this seat does not have passenger related charges so its a little cheaper than standard seat price but comes with luggage allowance.