The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[SYD]

What comprises the "birthday package"?

Anything less than an upgrade* is unacceptable!

*I’ve received these twice - albeit flying domestic.

 

[bussyboy]

Feeling like a n00b but where's the uber link in the Qantas app for airport rides now?? (At destination)

 

[Flyfrequently]

What comprises the "birthday package"?

Dumb question- but how do they know it's a birthday?

 

[DejaBrew]

Dumb question- but how do they know it's a birthday?

I'm assuming from APIS? Examples given seem to be int'l flights.

 

[exceladdict]

Feeling like a n00b but where's the uber link in the Qantas app for airport rides now?? (At destination)

using the link in the app is not required in order to earn points

 

[elanshin]

I'm assuming from APIS? Examples given seem to be int'l flights.

Likely. Our first flight was AKL - BNE, although our BNE - MEL flight the CSM also congratulated my partner, just didn't provide anything. I imagine it's flagged on notes or something with their iPads along with other Pax status (OW E, P1 etc).

Friend was obviously going to SIN with the finair plane.

 

[RSVKanga]

As of 2024 what are some of the best uses of 50,000 Qantas points when it comes to booking return flights (preferably international from Sydney)?

I know there are heaps of articles on 'best uses' but most of those articles were written 5-10 years ago with the year in their title updated annually, and Qantas points are quite devalued to the point where the same amount of points that would get you an F return ticket to London can now only get you a Y one-way ticket to Dubai.

 

[SYD]

As of 2024 what are some of the best uses of 50,000 Qantas points when it comes to booking return flights (preferably international from Sydney)?

I know there are heaps of articles on 'best uses' but most of those articles were written 5-10 years ago with the year in their title updated annually, and Qantas points are quite devalued to the point where the same amount of points that would get you an F return ticket to London can now only get you a Y one-way ticket to Dubai.

Points for Classic Rewards haven't devalued that much although the co-payment surcharges have gone up quite a bit.

This article is pretty recent:

The best way to use Qantas Points

Check out the best uses of Qantas Points, partners, upgrades & redemptions here in this guide from Point Hacks.

www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[elanshin]

As of 2024 what are some of the best uses of 50,000 Qantas points when it comes to booking return flights (preferably international from Sydney)?

I know there are heaps of articles on 'best uses' but most of those articles were written 5-10 years ago with the year in their title updated annually, and Qantas points are quite devalued to the point where the same amount of points that would get you an F return ticket to London can now only get you a Y one-way ticket to Dubai.

Return to South east asia.
Return to NZ.
Business return domestically.

Return to north Asia costs a little more. (Just over 60k).

All these in economy.

 

[RSVKanga]

Return to South east asia.
Return to NZ.
Business return domestically.

Return to north Asia costs a little more. (Just over 60k).

All these in economy.

In what months is 50k enough to suffice for South East Asia? I keep seeing at least 80k whether it be during peak travel periods or months or times when tickets are typically cheaper.

 

[SYD]

In what months is 50k enough to suffice for South East Asia? I keep seeing at least 80k whether it be during peak travel periods or months or times when tickets are typically cheaper.

You need to click on "Reward Seats only" to hide the "Any Seats Awards" - which are the ridiculously high points you are seeing. They are just cash fares converted to points (and will vary accordingly).

"Classic Rewards" are a fixed number of points regardless of date/month - but are in short supply on many routes.

eg SYD-CGK (return) on 4 Sep / 11 Sep is 40,600 pts + $225 in Economy (Classic Reward)

If you select Business for the return o/n flight it'll be about 77k points + $
Business return on those dates is 114k + $.

 

[RichardMEL]

In what months is 50k enough to suffice for South East Asia? I keep seeing at least 80k whether it be during peak travel periods or months or times when tickets are typically cheaper.

I imagine you are confusing points+pay rates with classic reward seats - a common problem which leads to the incorrect assertion regarding massive devalue of points.

However as example, here is a 25k CR seat in Y for SYD-SIN via MEL on March 16. Check the filter on "reward seats"

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

STD is Santo Domingo, in South America, no?
You mean SYD.

 

[RichardMEL]

STD is Santo Domingo, in South America, no?
You mean SYD.

Thanks for pointing the totally obvious typo.

 

[RSVKanga]

As of 2024 what are some of the best uses of 50,000 Qantas points when it comes to booking return flights (preferably international from Sydney)?

I know there are heaps of articles on 'best uses' but most of those articles were written 5-10 years ago with the year in their title updated annually, and Qantas points are quite devalued to the point where the same amount of points that would get you an F return ticket to London can now only get you a Y one-way ticket to Dubai.

And with that something involving as much flights/stops as possible as I want to plan more of a "journey rather than destination" itinerary this time.

 

[Drakecula]

First time looking to book Qantas flights with points. I've sussed out what I want, on the days I want. However, when I try to do a multi-city booking, the flight I know exists (a Fiji Airways one) doesn't come up as an option. Is it better to just book each leg separately or is it worth calling up to get it all on the same itinerary?

Trying to do:
SYD-HND (via NAN)
HND-NAN
NAN-CBR

It's the SYD-HND leg that doesn't show the Fiji Airways option. Only Japan Airlines or a China Airlines via Taipei.

Appreciate any tips and advice the more seasoned Qantas travellers have for me.

 

[RichardMEL]

@Drakecula - do you want to stop in Nadi on the way to Tokyo? If not, is there a reason to prefer the indirect route vs JL direct?

 

[AIRwin]

SYD-HND (via NAN)

SYD-NAN-NRT?

 

[Drakecula]

@Drakecula - do you want to stop in Nadi on the way to Tokyo? If not, is there a reason to prefer the indirect route vs JL direct?

As far as I can tell when I do the multi city search, the JL option only has premium economy. I'm trying for just Y. So sure I'd prefer a direct flight, but the only classic rewards in Y I'm seeing is the Fiji Airways option (but not when I search using the multi city page).

SYD-NAN-NRT?

Yes, that's my bad. I searched HND but yes the flight goes to NRT.

 

[Rich]

Is it better to just book each leg separately or is it worth calling up to get it all on the same itinerary?

If you mean separate bookings then no. If everything is the one booking and a flight is delayed causing you to miss the next flight, they will put you on another flight. But if it is a separate booking you will be stranded if you miss a flight.
If you believe you should be able to book a flight but it doesn't come up, you can try calling. They should waive the booking fee in that case. Sometimes though a flight combination is not available and they can't help. E.g. I have had a problem before getting the flight I wanted from SYD to MEL after an international flight, because they only allowed certain flights to be part of the booking, even though there were flights every 30 minutes with reward availability. Others may be able to explain that better than me.