Thank you everyone

[nickfromeastryde]

Just like to thank all contributors to this panel. Four years ago after returning from a family holiday to Europe (flying cheapest Qantas Y ticket I could find) I knew nothing about status and nothing about how I could maximise my chances of flying up the pointy end of the plane. In fact I had never even thought about flying anything other than Y. I looked at the points I had, supplemented by a small number of business trips over the years and started thinking that Mrs Nick and myself might be able to do the trip again on points!!! In Y of course and at this stage I didn't even understand the fact that fees and taxes would have made my plan virtually worthless

Well then I found this site and has to be one of the best things I have ever done. Since then, have done a business trip in J to India via HKG to take advantage of a QFF double status offer, a JASA SYD to BRIS from the international terminal so Mrs Nick could experience the J lounge, a classic award in J to HKG, a J Companion Fare ticket to JFK upgrading to F one way to LAX, a couple of J trips across the Tasman and have been able to sample a number of lounges around this great country of ours. The F flight might not have the best idea as Mrs Nick is not so impressed with J anymore but still a fantastic experience. Not a conventional status run when in the states but I did however take advantage of Instant Upgrade tickets to maximise SC's and ended up getting myself to SG at the same time and maintaining that ever since

I've applied for many many credit cards to take advantage of points offers, buy all my wine from Epiqure (which is not such a bad thing) though I think my family don't quite understand why they had to join as well, have amassed over 200K in points through Everyday rewards and become far more aware of maximising the points I have accrued, Optus bill, credit cards etc all used to accrue points

This week I have managed to book (the first few flights anyway) of a J oneworld award. Early next year will be jetting off to Cape Town and enjoying Sth Africa for three weeks, enjoying a week in Doha before proceeding on to Paris for five or so weeks in Europe. Still to book flights across to and around USA and from there home. Not trying to maximise the award, just using the flights to get me where I want to go but I still can't believe that I am even doing it. Who would ever have thought four short years ago how far I could have come and really I owe it all to the people on this forum because before finding this site I was absolutely clueless

I'm basically a leisure traveller, only half way to LTS but you know what, because of what I have learnt I might even make it all the way to LTG providing it isn't "enhanced" out of existence. Mrs Nick and myself as I said are leisure travellers but we are in a position now to do a big trip every year. What I have learnt on this site (and I have much to learn still) will really allow us to maximise our options, our experiences and even the destinations we go and see. This site almost single handedly has changed the way we travel.

It has even changed my retirement planning, I've increased my target income because I never intend to fly Y long haul ever again​

So just to finish, I'm so grateful for the information you all so willingly share, your answers to questions I have posed on the site, I just wonder sometimes if people realise how much a community like this can change people lives, a little bit of knowledge changes the way you think and act and this site has certainly had that effect on me

I just hope this site continues on forever, it is truly a wonderful source of information and assistance.

 

[QF WP]

Most of us were similarly clueless nickfromeastryde until we happened across FF websites and the rest is history. Community spirit is alive and well here and I'm sure those that assisted you in the early days can now look back with pride in the monster they helped create .

Yes, once you show the wife (and kids) the pointy end of the plane, it's swimming against the tide forever - I share your experience .

 

[Hvr]

Glad to hear you're benefiting from AFF, it will last as long as people contribute and appropriately share information.

When I joined I was happy to make SG. Now I'm WP1 for a year and will attain LTG in June. All thanks to the information gained from AFF and I hope I contribute as much as I can either via posting or at AFF meetings and get togethers.

 

[sanne]

Just like to thank all contributors to this panel. Four years ago after returning from a family holiday to Europe (flying cheapest Qantas Y ticket I could find) I knew nothing about status and nothing about how I could maximise my chances of flying up the pointy end of the plane. In fact I had never even thought about flying anything other than Y. I looked at the points I had, supplemented by a small number of business trips over the years and started thinking that Mrs Nick and myself might be able to do the trip again on points!!! In Y of course and at this stage I didn't even understand the fact that fees and taxes would have made my plan virtually worthless

Well then I found this site and has to be one of the best things I have ever done. Since then, have done a business trip in J to India via HKG to take advantage of a QFF double status offer, a JASA SYD to BRIS from the international terminal so Mrs Nick could experience the J lounge, a classic award in J to HKG, a J Companion Fare ticket to JFK upgrading to F one way to LAX, a couple of J trips across the Tasman and have been able to sample a number of lounges around this great country of ours. The F flight might not have the best idea as Mrs Nick is not so impressed with J anymore but still a fantastic experience. Not a conventional status run when in the states but I did however take advantage of Instant Upgrade tickets to maximise SC's and ended up getting myself to SG at the same time and maintaining that ever since

I've applied for many many credit cards to take advantage of points offers, buy all my wine from Epiqure (which is not such a bad thing) though I think my family don't quite understand why they had to join as well, have amassed over 200K in points through Everyday rewards and become far more aware of maximising the points I have accrued, Optus bill, credit cards etc all used to accrue points

This week I have managed to book (the first few flights anyway) of a J oneworld award. Early next year will be jetting off to Cape Town and enjoying Sth Africa for three weeks, enjoying a week in Doha before proceeding on to Paris for five or so weeks in Europe. Still to book flights across to and around USA and from there home. Not trying to maximise the award, just using the flights to get me where I want to go but I still can't believe that I am even doing it. Who would ever have thought four short years ago how far I could have come and really I owe it all to the people on this forum because before finding this site I was absolutely clueless

I'm basically a leisure traveller, only half way to LTS but you know what, because of what I have learnt I might even make it all the way to LTG providing it isn't "enhanced" out of existence. Mrs Nick and myself as I said are leisure travellers but we are in a position now to do a big trip every year. What I have learnt on this site (and I have much to learn still) will really allow us to maximise our options, our experiences and even the destinations we go and see. This site almost single handedly has changed the way we travel.

It has even changed my retirement planning, I've increased my target income because I never intend to fly Y long haul ever again​

So just to finish, I'm so grateful for the information you all so willingly share, your answers to questions I have posed on the site, I just wonder sometimes if people realise how much a community like this can change people lives, a little bit of knowledge changes the way you think and act and this site has certainly had that effect on me

I just hope this site continues on forever, it is truly a wonderful source of information and assistance.

I could have written this myself!

I can't thank this forum enough and all the guys that have been so willing to share their expertise.

Thanks a million to all who have helped people like the OP and myself.

 

[boomy]

What a positive thread on QF forum, I love it!
Reading so much negative stuff lately, this is a sight for sore eyes!
Like you, nickfromeastryde, I'm grateful for finding AFF and although I was already P1 when I joined, I learned a lot here and the more I read, the more addictive it becomes Finally a place to share all the FF info instead of getting blank looks when trying to talk about it with family and friends...

 

[UP4014]

Good to read, although I knew plenty before finding this site, I still learn something here every week!

Matt

 

[serfty]

.. Finally a place to share all the FF info instead of getting blank looks when trying to talk about it with family and friends...

Describes the epiphany I had in November 2004 ...

I knew lots about status optimised travel when I came across AFF, especially Qantas Domestic and a little re NZ and had consigned myself to the ranks of Gold going forward ... a little ex CMB DONE4 11 months later fixed that ...

More importantly I had plenty to give back.

 

[umzinator]

I have just started on this website honestly i have spent several hours just reading up (even at work) how to best get points. This site is a treasure trove of knowledge.

 

[hopefulQFF]

Would like to add my thanks to everyone too - less than 11 months ago I was a NB and today I hit WP! I made best use of a DSC offer early on and have definitely used the 'why go direct when you can connect' where possible with business bookings! Have just returned from a Europe trip and will now be planning my next one to ensure I get to use a few Flounges on the way!

Thanks all - even with the 'enhancements' some of the status perks make flying so much easier.

 

[BensAdventures]

Agreed with the earlier comments, a pleasant thread is great to read. As for showing the family F, I had my 6 & 8 year olds on BA & EK F during a very specially priced fare out of RGN and now that keep asking will they get a little room next time they travel with me again (EK Suites)... But worth it and all thanks to AFF!

Four months from LTG, all in about 4-5 years, nice.

 

[Limewood]

Totally agree with OP, like most this is the school of FF learning, noting markis10 and serfty being just two of our resident experts always on hand to give best advise on all matters flying. Since I joined back in 2006 have achieved various status levels and Mrs Lime sure loves J seats and the lounges now, all brought about by the fantastic information given freely here at AFF.

 

[Paddy55]

Nick, could have written the same note myself!
Awesome knowledge on AFF... And awesome people!

 

[smit0847]

Totally agree with the OP!

2 years ago: I failed to maintain PS on VA, paid $2000 to fly Y to Europe 'because it seemed like a good deal', and dreamed of one day even once being able to fly 'in the big seats at the front of the plane' I would walk past on my way to Y.

Now: Flown J or F on 26 flights in the past year, haven't flown Y intl since, WP on VA, more VFF points than I know what to do with, at least 13 more intl flights in J and F this year alone, and a very, VERY happy and grateful partner who loves all the crazy experiences I'm able to organise for us and is constantly giggling about 'how the other half live' (on our last J flight which was VA A330 PER-MEL as he tucked into his main course he looked at me and said 'Im happier than a pig in cough').

I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without this wonderful site.

My friends all ask 'how do you do it?!?'

 

[OATEK]

T<Snip>

My friends all ask 'how do you do it?!?'

Yes I get a lot of that too. Flying J has become an obsession according to SWMBO, but one she is happy to embrace!

The advice and recommendations on this site have totally changed how I fly, with every flight since last September (taken or booked) at PE or higher, most of it in J. Before that, just one flight in 50+ years higher than Y.

Just finalising the 2015 European odyssey, and looking at all sorts of different options thanks to AFFers. Finnair currently looking very promising...

Thanks everyone.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I would just like to echo the positive attitude of the OP & many others in this thread.

This site has many " Golden Gems" of information & when utilised to their fullest potential, it's mind blowing to reflect upon how better one can travel.

Certainly some of the "Golden Gems" that I've come to utilise like Expedia.br & MASA 's are becoming either abolished or scarce to find, but on the hand other options are available ( ie AA Advantage/ US dividend miles)which I've yet to tap into .

And speaking for myself, without finding AFF & the open nature of sharing knowledge within its membership base I would never advanced beyond a QFF bronze I suspect .

 

[Mattg]

I wholeheartedly agree with everything that has been said on this thread. I would never have imagined that I would earn gold status with Qantas (as a 100% leisure flyer) before I found this site a few years ago. Now I'm planning my second RTW trip in a year, booked last weekend as a oneworld award... Without this site I wouldn't even have known they existed!

I haven't started flying J or F on a regular basis (yet), but I'm intentionally leaving that until I'm a bit older and have a little more money, because it could turn into a rather expensive habit! :shock:

 

[codash1099]

I knew nothing before I joined. I now know a little and it has increased my enjoyment (and my expenditure!) quite a lot. Still more to learn.