Salt Lake City on points

[russ]

Hi

I thought I take the family in Utah in the next month or so on points. I'd prefer business class seats for two adults and one infant. I'd like advice on two issues:

1. I can select "SLC" on the normal (paid) booking screen, but I can't select it on the points redemption booking screen. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong?

2. There's plenty of availability for business class seats on the way over, but none on the way back. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks!

 

[Mal]

Both are normal.

Qantas doesn't allow all possible destinations to be selected as FF redemption destinations online - you have to call up and get the FF Service centre staffer to make the booking instead. This will normally be subject to an "Assisted Award Booking fee" of 2500 points/passenger - but this is sometimes waived if you can show you couldn't have booked it online.

Availability of J class seats Australia-U.S and vv is limited, so availability can come and go.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I would have a look at the best price you can get for purchasing the fare ex SFO or LAX to SLC. DL have quite a few flights LAX/SLC, WN also fly that sector albeit less often.

There appears to be more carriers who fly SFO/SLC namely DL/UA/US/WN so the more airlines flying that route the more likely you are to get a cheaper fare on one of them. Middle of the day is good as early am & late pm in either direction will be a busy time for corporate travellers.

We recently flew SEA/LAS via SLC on Sat 31 Oct which was booked a few days before via the DL website and the airfare was USD59.00 per person whereas early morning the fare was about USD600.00.

Then compare a FF redemption ex Aust to eg SFO or LAX with buying the ticket on DL versus a redemption all the way to SLC. It's then up to you to ascertain if using more points going through to SLC is the way to go. I guess it depends the monetary value placed on a frequent flyer point.

Cheers

Oz

 

[russ]

Thanks Mal and Oz!