Reward Seats - when to book

[wendlle]

I'm looking at using a bunch of points on two Economy tickets to the USA in November.
Right now there is availability.
When do these typically sell out? I do not want to use an Any Seat amount of points - It's just way too many.

I'm not sure I'm quite ready to book but will if this is the time that I should be.

Dates are roughly Nov 10 - 20 (10 days)

We are planning on using Points + Pay for both tickets (1 Adult and 1 Child)

 

[Bagpuss]

Simple rule of thumb, if you see them book them.
Especially international.

 

[serfty]

...When do these typically sell out? I do not want to use an Any Seat amount of points - It's just way too many.
...
I'm not sure I'm quite ready to book but will if this is the time that I should be.
...
We are planning on using Points + Pay for both tickets (1 Adult and 1 Child)...

I am a little confused.

Points Plus Pay is as far as I am concerned "Any Seat".

Are you talking about "Classic Rewards"? If so, then book 'em. If you need to cancel it will only cost 6000 points per passenger.

FWIW, what are the points costs you are seeing?

 

[Bagpuss]

I am a little confused.

Points Plus Pay is as far as I am concerned "Any Seat".

Are you talking about "Classic Rewards"? If so, then book 'em. If you need to cancel it will only cost 6000 points per passenger.

FWIW, what are the points costs you are seeing?

To see the option to use points the toggle on the website is named "Points + Pay" on the first booking page.

I think @wendle is referencing "Classic Rewards" as the high use of points for "Any Seat" is referenced.

(Also remembering in the " Virgin logic", even with "Classic Rewards" you can pay for the taxes to save on points.)

 

[wendlle]

Yes, sorry I'm not quite up on all the "lingo"
It will cost 282,200 points for the two return tickets CAN - LAX
Or I can use 179,200 points and pay $622
Or I can pay for the tickets which would be around $2050
I plan to do the points plus pay and only fork out the $622 which will leave me around the same amount of points left for future travel.

 

[goldenhorn]

Using points to get economy award seats is generally a poor use of points, unless the tickets are very high due to seasonal influence (such as Xmas hols).

With economy tickets from AU to the US at the moment at an all-time low (I’ve seen about $700 return just today) it might be better to buy outright.

Then you could save your points for a business redemption in the future, which will be often worth many more thousands.

 

[serfty]

I plan to do the points plus pay and only fork out the $622 which will leave me around the same amount of points left for future travel.

Well, with Velocity there is a $60 per cancellation fee - so with that, I'm with @Bagpuss in post # 2.

(FWIW, +++ on a Qantas award is $497, so that'd be $99 for two PAX 5 with them - a few less points though).

 

[burmans]

Should be a bit easier these days to find a reward booking!

 

[wendlle]

Using points to get economy award seats is generally a poor use of points, unless the tickets are very high due to seasonal influence (such as Xmas hols).

With economy tickets from AU to the US at the moment at an all-time low (I’ve seen about $700 return just today) it might be better to buy outright.

Then you could save your points for a business redemption in the future, which will be often worth many more thousands.

I know they are a poor use of points, but I really want to take this trip and it is the only way I can afford to do so.
Where did you see $700 flights? I can't get anything for less than around $950 for my dates.

 

[get me outta here]

Not sure if this covers your dates, but keep an eye on this : Cheap Flights to the USA | Qantas AU

It would help to tell us yr routing.

 

[wendlle]

Thanks for the link. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

CAN - LAX return

Would prefer Virgin or Delta as I will hit gold by the time we go, would be nice to have lounge access.
Also not interested in "lite" fares. I need to be able to choose our seats, I have to make sure my Daughter has a window seat to use her Flytot.

 

[get me outta here]

Is that CBR as in Canberra?

 

[wendlle]

Is that CBR as in Canberra?

Yes

 

[get me outta here]

With a sale fare on QF you may save some and go into an airport cafe instead of going into the lounge.
Also, if you keep an eye on here sometimes people are kindly passing on lounge access passes.

 

[ja1]

Yes, sorry I'm not quite up on all the "lingo"
It will cost 282,200 points for the two return tickets CAN - LAX
Or I can use 179,200 points and pay $622
Or I can pay for the tickets which would be around $2050
I plan to do the points plus pay and only fork out the $622 which will leave me around the same amount of points left for future travel.

G'day,

As other people have noted, using points for 'any seat' isn't a great use of points.
Using points to pay for taxes is also not particularly efficient.

The best use for your points (where possible) is for a normal seat and pay the taxes and surcharges separately.

With all that said and with all the instability, you may have picked the best option by burning the points on a flight you otherwise couldn't afford.. and at least you got something out of them!

As others have noted - there's a bunch of sale fares going at the moment (united just announced ~700ish return from SYD to a number of US destinations?)

 

[Dr Ralph]

I'm looking at using a bunch of points on two Economy tickets to the USA

Don't use your points for economy!

 

[wendlle]

The best use for your points (where possible) is for a normal seat and pay the taxes and surcharges separately.

Yes that's what I was going to do with the 179,200 points and pay $622, the $622 are the taxes fees etc

I know that Economy aren't a good use of points, but I can't afford a Freedom fare to upgrade to business - oh how that would be AMAZING! Never flown business before and probably never will. So if I don't use them on economy seats, I'll never use them - rendering them useless.

 

[pauly7]

Don't use your points for economy!

But good luck finding any business class avails on VA anywhere internationally!

 

[wendlle]

So I just checked out the United offer, I can get return tickets Canberra - Los Angeles for $650 and they have seats available for only $40 extra behind the bulkhead (which I like)
So I can get two tickets for almost the same price as I would pay with Virgin for one.
This seems too good to be true!
It even appears it includes luggage and seat selection.
Think I better get booking.

 

[ja1]

Good job on checking and in finding an alternative. Hope the trip all goes well. I personally would avoid United and would fly VA (because status, and so on) but if you don't care then it's a great deal.

In terms of using points for economy travel - I'm not that much of a purist about it. Yes the 'best' value for points is if you can book business or PE but in reality if you can get a 'good' deal to fly Y then take it.. but some people sometimes forget that most people care much more about the destination than about how they get there, let alone how good the 'deal' is..

I really like aviation and the deal so it's a bit different for me..