Using QFF Points for First Class

[Alanslegal]

Ok sorry to hijack this thread but on a similar issue to the OP's ... I have a very limited amount of SQ KF points ~57K and as I'll be in BKK very soon and somehow need to get home to SYD, I can do one of two things but I need some persuasion please on what to do.

I am willing to fly LCC to either SIN or HKG (or any other suggestions) but presently have found the following:-

i) SIN-SYD on SQ First (abeit a 747) for 52,750KF points or
ii) HKG-SIN-SYD on the SQ Business (773ER/A380 and A380) for 67500points

Now I'm willing pay for top-up points, time really isn't an issue, so if you were me, what would you do?

 

[Danger UXB]

Alanslegal
I think QF009 has stated in his TR that he prefers the 747 fcl seats and you wont have to buy extra points. Having said that the 777ER and 380 J seats are super wide just not quite as long as Fcl so if you are a short fat lard ars like me then they are great. Just ask for an extra blanket to pad the shoulder area
Cheers Danger UXB

 

[Optics]

Ok sorry to hijack this thread but on a similar issue to the OP's ... I have a very limited amount of SQ KF points ~57K and as I'll be in BKK very soon and somehow need to get home to SYD, I can do one of two things but I need some persuasion please on what to do.

I am willing to fly LCC to either SIN or HKG (or any other suggestions) but presently have found the following:-

i) SIN-SYD on SQ First (abeit a 747) for 52,750KF points or
ii) HKG-SIN-SYD on the SQ Business (773ER/A380 and A380) for 67500points

Now I'm willing pay for top-up points, time really isn't an issue, so if you were me, what would you do?

I'm not sure why your option ii) starts in HKG rather than SIN? Why not take the LCC straight to SIN, and therefore your comparison would be SIN-SYD in 747 F, or SIN-SYD in 380 J, with neither option requiring top-up points. It would then be a simple decision on whether 380 J, with a cheaper points req't, was better value than 747 F.

I have recently flown the 773ER in J, and the seat is very good, even for me at 186cm, and the IFE and service are also good. I have never flown SQ F, so can't really compare, but I am sure the service etc would be great. I have also never flown in a 380, so that may tempt me to take that option, but not sure of that.

 

[medhead]

Gee, this thread is really causing me problems. i'm considering blowing 192000 of J ADL-BNE return for the family. Reason being the cost of airfares for 2+2 during school holiday times, and SWMBO is a nervous flyer who might feel better not being jammed down the back (I'll leave that one alone). There is also that any of my solo flying has to be paid in order for me to maintain my mighty silver status. As I don't fly that much and I'm not going to waste any of my limited number of flights on non-SC earning award flights.

But the thread tells me there is better value out there compared to the nominal 4c/point ($8397/192000) that I'd get with the proposed fares. Oh well, might just do it anyway, the alternative is ~$12000 for train fares. :shock:

 

[Alanslegal]

I'm not sure why your option ii) starts in HKG rather than SIN? Why not take the LCC straight to SIN, and therefore your comparison would be SIN-SYD in 747 F, or SIN-SYD in 380 J, with neither option requiring top-up points. It would then be a simple decision on whether 380 J, with a cheaper points req't, was better value than 747 F.

Optics, the reason I prefer to start in HKG is that flying HKG-SIN-SYD in J cost exactly the same amount of points as SIN-SYD in J. [Both redemptions are standard business awards]. So I could fly twice on the A380, or even 773ER/A380 combination for the same as the SIN-SYD leg.

 

[Optics]

Optics, the reason I prefer to start in HKG is that flying HKG-SIN-SYD in J cost exactly the same amount of points as SIN-SYD in J. [Both redemptions are standard business awards]. So I could fly twice on the A380, or even 773ER/A380 combination for the same as the SIN-SYD leg.

Okay, that makes perfect sense. There is obviously some quirks to the SQ awards I am not aware of (not surprising, I have never tried to redeem any of my KF points). Obviously the option i) 747 F flight you listed is not the same points if you start in HK, or you would have listed that also, why the difference? Also, why is 747 F cheaper than 380 J, do they charge extra for the 380?

 

[Alanslegal]

Obviously the option i) 747 F flight you listed is not the same points if you start in HK, or you would have listed that also, why the difference? Also, why is 747 F cheaper than 380 J, do they charge extra for the 380?

As best as I can explain (from a very newbie SQ redeemer) SQ award redemptions have three different categories being Saver, Standard and Full. Saver requires the least amount of points but are awards are harder to find and A380's/773ERs are excluded, Standard is more points than Saver and Full is more points than Standard.

Basic SQ awards are also based on 'zones' rather than 'point to point' so a flight such as HKG-SIN-SYD would be the same zone as a single SIN-SYD leg, thus means equal points required. If there were any available First awards on the HKG-SIN leg, I would definitely have booked HKG-SIN-SYD rather than a simple SIN-SYD (given required points are the same).

In comparing why the 747 First was cheaper than the A380 Business, well the First fares are available under the Saver first category (being 70K points) ... whereas the Business seats are only available under the Standard business category (being 90K points) less 25% on all online redemptions thus 52.5K and 67.5k respectively.

 

[JohnK]

I have only flown First Class a couple of times (CX op-up) and whilst it is nice I would not spend that much money or points to fly it.

I madly try to accumulate FF points just so I can have the opportunity to do as many trips as possible. Travelling overseas with my father (for the first time since coming to Australia in 1972) is priceless. I have the opportunity to do that using QFF points for 2 Oneworld awards. For me a trip is all about the destination and not what cabin I am sitting on an aircraft although some seats within a cabin are more desirable.

And if I don't pay or use FF points to travel first class in the next 20 years I won't be regretting that decision. What I wiil regret though is if I don't play play golf in the UK, especially Scotland and Ireland, or the USA in that time. My next goal is to spend 4 weeks travelling through Scotland playing links golf courses and may end up doing this as early as next year on another QF WHY Oneworld award....

 

[Optics]

As best as I can explain (from a very newbie SQ redeemer) SQ award redemptions have three different categories being Saver, Standard and Full. Saver requires the least amount of points but are awards are harder to find and A380's/773ERs are excluded, Standard is more points than Saver and Full is more points than Standard.

Basic SQ awards are also based on 'zones' rather than 'point to point' so a flight such as HKG-SIN-SYD would be the same zone as a single SIN-SYD leg, thus means equal points required. If there were any available First awards on the HKG-SIN leg, I would definitely have booked HKG-SIN-SYD rather than a simple SIN-SYD (given required points are the same).

In comparing why the 747 First was cheaper than the A380 Business, well the First fares are available under the Saver first category (being 70K points) ... whereas the Business seats are only available under the Standard business category (being 90K points) less 25% on all online redemptions thus 52.5K and 67.5k respectively.

Thanks Alanslegal, very clear explanation. So which option have you decided on?

 

[Alanslegal]

Thanks Alanslegal, very clear explanation. So which option have you decided on?

I have booked a First redemption SIN-SYD.

I have just allocated Seat 3A and have Booked The Cook and chosen the Lobster Thermidor as my main course.

 

[anat0l]

I have booked a First redemption SIN-SYD.

I have just allocated Seat 3A and have Booked The Cook and chosen the Lobster Thermidor as my main course.

Hope you enjoy it! SIN/SYD is a mere 7h 30m - somewhat a bittersweet length to enjoy F, but here's to you!

I do say that BTC Lobster Thermidore is extremely popular....

 

[Optics]

I have booked a First redemption SIN-SYD.

I have just allocated Seat 3A and have Booked The Cook and chosen the Lobster Thermidor as my main course.

Good choice, I would have chosen the First option also. Enjoy the flight and the Lobster , I'm sure you will.

 

[RescuePilot]

Hi guys I am relatively new although have been a member for some time just a little nervous with posts!! Flying is easier than writing I have found

I am away quite a lot with work and would luv to take Mrs RescuePilot on some divorce prevention therapy and have just about pulled my hair out trying to get around the world business on points (am Plat OW and have round 980K points)

Can anyone help or point me in the right direction?:arrow:

Promise to really look after you with some nice Paramedics if given the chance - bout the only thing I can do in return!

 

[anat0l]

Hi guys I am relatively new although have been a member for some time just a little nervous with posts!! Flying is easier than writing I have found

I am away quite a lot with work and would luv to take Mrs RescuePilot on some divorce prevention therapy and have just about pulled my hair out trying to get around the world business on points (am Plat OW and have round 980K points)

Can anyone help or point me in the right direction?

Promise to really look after you with some nice Paramedics if given the chance - bout the only thing I can do in return!

You might want to consider a Zone 10 oneworld Classic Awards.

Basic rules (see QFF T&Cs sec 14.5):

• up to five free Stopovers are permitted (i.e. you can "visit" five places), and you can't purchase or add any more [Aside: "Stopover" means a place where you are there more than 24 hours between flights]
• only one Stopover is permitted in any one city in the Itinerary; and
• only two Transfers [i.e. stopping somewhere for less than 24 hours] may be taken at any one city in the Itinerary.
• for a Zone 10 award, the total mileage of the itinerary must be less than 35,000 miles.
• you must travel on at least two oneworld airlines other than Qantas; non-oneworld airline travel is not permitted (note that JQ is not part of oneworld)

Awards are available in Y, J and F - you pay the miles according to the highest class of service flown across all flights in your booking, e.g. if you fly even one sector in F but the rest in Y, you must pay the mileage for a F oneworld classic award.

AFFers like to call these RTW tickets, but they aren't strictly RTW in that you don't follow traditional RTW rules. However, people like to use them to travel around the world anyway.

I think you might be able to book those online, but some need to be booked over the phone (i.e. due to availability that may not be visible online). Best first step is to plan where you want to go, nut out a few routings, then get ready to try them online or jump on the phone.

Refer to these links:

• Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Qantas & Partner Classic Awards - Points Tables
• Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions (sec 14.5)

Apart from that, "divorce prevention therapy" seems a bit harsh. Think about what you have to offer besides money and premium travel :!: :mrgreen:

 

[RescuePilot]

Thanks Anat0l - much appreciated and yes shall also spend some quality time with MrsRP - the trip is needed as I have had to cancel last three trips due to pilot shortages!! My fault entirely

 

[Bundy Bear]

Bundy Bear has a sig (not sure whether here or on FT) which says something like "In twenty years time you'll regret the things you didn't do, rather than those you did".

And I think he's probably right.

Yep; I thought I should chime in here.

To the OP:

If you have the points and want to do it go right ahead and try and look for an F class award; they are very rare and hard to find, even F on a 747-400 would be nice.

Have a look for any seat award as the standard F award may not be available but the any seat award may be available for a few points more and the flights will include the taxes.

I will refer you to this recent thread.

Start looking; and try and secure that F class ticket so you don't die wondering; yes a few times you look and some things just don't work out and sometimes they do; as per my recent trip report.

F lounge is nice and I have gone flying just to enjoy the F class lounge, thanks Anat0l. I am sure F class is nice; just never had a chance to experience it myself.

You might want to consider a Zone 10 oneworld Classic Awards.

Basic rules (see QFF T&Cs sec 14.5):

• you must travel on at least two oneworld airlines other than Qantas; non-oneworld airline travel is not permitted (note that JQ is not part of oneworld)

Awards are available in Y, J and F - you pay the miles according to the highest class of service flown across all flights in your booking, e.g. if you fly even one sector in F but the rest in Y, you must pay the mileage for a F oneworld classic award.

I think you might be able to book those online, but some need to be booked over the phone (i.e. due to availability that may not be visible online). Best first step is to plan where you want to go, nut out a few routings, then get ready to try them online or jump on the phone.

Apart from that, "divorce prevention therapy" seems a bit harsh. Think about what you have to offer besides money and premium travel :!: :mrgreen:

On a Qantas RTW booked via the Qantas online booking engine then you can include a JQ flight that has a QF flight number. Yes I have done it read the trip report.

 

[kpc]

On a similar vein...Next year, I'm off to EZE....for those that know me, work ponies up for the fare, up to J class. I need to get my +1 there. Award options that are available on QF Syd-Eze return on my preferred dates are:
Y: 96K
Y+: 144K
J: 192K

I have already booked Y+ for her. J is now available...I will probably have enough pts shortly to upgrade the award to J class? Is J worth an additional 48K over Y+??:?::?: What would you do?

PS I will book myself in whatever class my +1 sits in:shock::mrgreen:.

 

[NM]

I am away quite a lot with work and would luv to take Mrs RescuePilot on some divorce prevention therapy and have just about pulled my hair out trying to get around the world business on points (am Plat OW and have round 980K points)

Can anyone help or point me in the right direction?:arrow:

Don't just rely on what the Qantas Web site tells you regarding availability. For example, Cathay Pacific award seats do not show up on the Qantas site and in my experience Cathay is more likely to have multiple awards seats on flights that Qantas.

I suggest joining Asia Miles (its free on their web site) and use that account to search for CX award seats on dates and routes that suite you. Then you will need to phone QF to make the booking and pay the 2500 points penalty for an assisted booking.

I have a similarly purposed trip coming up. We are flying a combination of business and first class awards with 4 CX flights and one each from BA and QF.

Remember that CX flies to USA via Hong Kong and to Europe. Then you have the choice of AA and BA for trans-Atlantic.

 

[cove]

Qantas First class was so nice we have booked SYD LAX return for three on 2 flights.Typically there are 2 classic seats per flight in First.
It is 288,000 points each passenger and a much reduced taxes figure today.

 

[Rae]

My upgrade from J to F came through last night so I'm very excited about my first A380 experience Sydney - London. I didn't think the J product looked all that much improved from the 747's but F definitely looks different. To get back to the topic, I think if you can blow some points for the experience you should definitely do so. You only live once and regardless of whether it's 'good value per point' it's a great experience. Hopefully my LAX-SYD upgrade comes through too. I think my chances are pretty good at the moment with the decline in sales etc