Wanting to book flights to Europe. Points currently with Citibank. What should I do?

[beachandsnow]

Hi everyone,

New member here and first time looking to book rewards tickets!

I am interested to book 2 business class or economy premium tickets to Europe next year, Sydney to Belgrade/Athens/Istanbul (whichever is cheapest - or is there no real difference?).

I currently have a Citi premier card and I'm not sure if I should transfer my points to velocity or krisflyer.

For context, I currently have about 310k Citi rewards points. I also have about 22k velocity points.

If my conversions are correct, I would have:
- 155k velocity points (+22k of existing points) totalling to 177k velocity points
- 124k krisflyer points

With all of your amazing experience, can you please recommend me the better option in terms of value for points and likelihood of getting the rewards seats in business or premium economy?

Thank you so much.

 

[Deno]

Hi everyone,

New member here and first time looking to book rewards tickets!

I am interested to book 2 business class or economy premium tickets to Europe next year, Sydney to Belgrade/Athens/Istanbul (whichever is cheapest - or is there no real difference?).

I currently have a Citi premier card and I'm not sure if I should transfer my points to velocity or krisflyer.

For context, I currently have about 310k Citi rewards points. I also have about 22k velocity points.

If my conversions are correct, I would have:
- 155k velocity points (+22k of existing points) totalling to 177k velocity points
- 124k krisflyer points

With all of your amazing experience, can you please recommend me the better option in terms of value for points and likelihood of getting the rewards seats in business or premium economy?

Thank you so much.

Hi @beachandsnow. The availability of flights using points is pretty slim from Australia. What I usually do is pay for flights to Asia. Then I look for reward seats from Asia. There are usually more reward flights from Asia. You have options from HK, Singapore, Bangkok, KL & Japan.

 

[beachandsnow]

Hi @beachandsnow. The availability of flights using points is pretty slim from Australia. What I usually do is pay for flights to Asia. Then I look for reward seats from Asia. There are usually more reward flights from Asia. You have options from HK, Singapore, Bangkok, KL & Japan.

Thanks for your response @Deno ! So for example would I book a regular ticket to Singapore and then separately book the second leg from Singapore through krisflyer points?

 

[Deno]

Yes, that is what I have done before with success. You may find flights from Australia, but going from Asia gives you another option.

I am going to USA next year. Jetstar had a sale in the last few weeks, we got flights to Japan from Brisbane for $350, and then got reward seats from Japan to Seattle. Last year we did paid flights to Bangkok, then reward seats from Bangkok to London.

 

[beachandsnow]

Yes, that is what I have done before with success. You may find flights from Australia, but going from Asia gives you another option.

I am going to USA next year. Jetstar had a sale in the last few weeks, we got flights to Japan from Brisbane for $350, and then got reward seats from Japan to Seattle. Last year we did paid flights to Bangkok, then reward seats from Bangkok to London.

Was it difficult with checked baggage when you did this? As I understand you would need to collect it and recheck in again? Or did you do an overnight stay in Japan/Bangkok?

 

[trooper]

Always best to build in a good buffer when on separate tickets. Overnight has always worked for me (at least so far!) This "Y to Asia/J onwards" tactic is ALSO pretty good with two separately PAID tickets...far cheaper than OZ -Europe. Something to perhaps think about if Awards are not available.

 

[DC3]

Hi everyone,

New member here and first time looking to book rewards tickets!

And welcome to AFF

 

[beachandsnow]

Always best to build in a good buffer when on separate tickets. Overnight has always worked for me (at least so far!) This "Y to Asia/J onwards" tactic is ALSO pretty good with two separately PAID tickets...far cheaper than OZ -Europe. Something to perhaps think about if Awards are not available.

Sorry I'm a total newbie, what does "Y to Asia/J onwards" mean?

Did you have any issues when exiting the Asian country's airport at passport control given you were arriving in their country with a one way ticket so to speak?

Also do you think it's best to convert my Citi points to velocity or krisflyer? I would have more after conversion with velocity but if the krisflyer points for business/premium economy are lower than velocity and availability is better than I may as well go with krisflyer?

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And welcome to AFF

Thank you!

 

[Deno]

Was it difficult with checked baggage when you did this? As I understand you would need to collect it and recheck in again? Or did you do an overnight stay in Japan/Bangkok?

We stayed in Bangkok for 4 nights. We are on holidays, why rush ?