Frequent Flyer Points Usage

[Willow25]

We currently have enough points for two RT flights from Melbourne to LAX. We are planning a trip next Christmas for us and our two toddlers. Should we use our points which still require you to pay $500 each in taxes and fees or should we buy our tickets given the prices are likely to remain fairly low and save our points for when prices go up again and hopefully by then we would have enough points for all four of us.

Thanks

 

[OzCath]

Willow25. I would keep an eye on fares for a little while and see what happens. Check airlines websites or webjet for any specials each week. If you have a local travel agent get friendly with them. Sometimes they get special fares direct from the airlines which are not advertised. I'm not sure how far ahead you would need to book your ff seats to make sure you get them as December is pretty busy for travel. Exciting year ahead for you.

 

[disneymum2201]

When I have enough points i use them and just buy the kids tickets which are cheaper anyway. My mum had a lot of ansett ff points when they stopped letting passengers use them. Who knows what the future holds for ff points with qantas when fuel costs and competition has increased and fares reduced so much.

 

[Willow25]

That is what my husband says as his parents lost a lot of Ansett points as well. Thanks for the advice.

 

[DizOz]

Willow we have a similar issue as you. The option we are looking at is using the points to upgrade us all to premium economy for the added comfort on the long haul flights. If you do taht you need to be careful what class of ticket you book.

 

[kylieh]

I lost so so so many points in the Ansett colapse. I was devistated.

Moving forward we use points as we accumulate them. For our upcoming trip I used points to purchase MILs ticket.

Don't forget that if you get them on separate booking numbers - which they will be if one is points and one is normal - to ring and get them joined together for seating etc.

 

[Willow25]

Thanks Kylieh I was thinking I would have to do something like that to ensure we are seated together.

DizOz what do you mean about class of ticket?? Like nonrefundable etc.

Thanks everyone

 

[DizOz]

Thanks Kylieh I was thinking I would have to do something like that to ensure we are seated together.

DizOz what do you mean about class of ticket?? Like nonrefundable etc.

Thanks everyone

Willow,

Yes there are many classes of tickets some non-refundable and others that are. Depending on the class it may cost you 12000 point to upgrade each way while others will cost you 24000 points.

Best to speak to the FF call centre and ask them direct just to amke sure.

Now days you never know if you are upgraded until at the earliest 24 hours prior to your flight. Sometimes it is when you get to the gate to check-in. So best to think you are not and if you do its a pleasant surprise. if not your not dispapponted and your points are there for your next trip.

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

With Qantas changing the rules recently regarding FF you should probably think long and hard about deferring using those points!!!!

 

[dollarmite]

With Qantas changing the rules recently regarding FF you should probably think long and hard about deferring using those points!!!!

What changes were these?

We should hopefully have enough FF points for 2 return tickets from Brisbane to LAX by next year. I'd like to use those as a springboard to get to Orlando next December. Is there a chance we won't be able to do that?

 

[kylieh]

What changes were these?

We should hopefully have enough FF points for 2 return tickets from Brisbane to LAX by next year. I'd like to use those as a springboard to get to Orlando next December. Is there a chance we won't be able to do that?

The change was 18 months without activity on the account. Used to be 3 years. Can't remember for sure if Woolworths/CC points etc count as activity, or if it has to be flights. DH seems to think it was any activity, but I would check with Qantas just in case.

 

[ehsmum]

We have just booked our flights to LAX using FF points for 2 tickets and paying for the other 3. My husband was hesitant as he's been accumulating these points for years and wanted to save up till we could get all 5 flights for free but I talked him into it. He would be devastated if they changed the rules and we lost the points. Might as well use them while we can.

 

[platypus67]

We have just booked our flights to LAX using FF points for 2 tickets and paying for the other 3. My husband was hesitant as he's been accumulating these points for years and wanted to save up till we could get all 5 flights for free but I talked him into it. He would be devastated if they changed the rules and we lost the points. Might as well use them while we can.

I agree. I very rarely let my points accumulate these days. We always use our points to pay for our flights within the States, as the difference in the taxes that we have to pay for these fights works out to a better savings overall for us.

 

[dollarmite]

The change was 18 months without activity on the account. Used to be 3 years. Can't remember for sure if Woolworths/CC points etc count as activity, or if it has to be flights. DH seems to think it was any activity, but I would check with Qantas just in case.

Thanks! I just went and checked the email acount the Qantas info gets sent to and found the updated info - that'll teach me to check that account more often.

My interpretation was that it was any activity, which I hope is correct. Linking the WW Everyday card to the account has been a greaty boon to our family's points. As a bonus we didn't have to pay the Qantas joining fee for the children as we joined via the Everyday card the first day that Qantas joined up. (and why do thay have a joining fee anyway? Most other airlines don't).

 

[platypus67]

Thanks! I just went and checked the email acount the Qantas info gets sent to and found the updated info - that'll teach me to check that account more often.

My interpretation was that it was any activity, which I hope is correct. Linking the WW Everyday card to the account has been a greaty boon to our family's points. As a bonus we didn't have to pay the Qantas joining fee for the children as we joined via the Everyday card the first day that Qantas joined up. (and why do thay have a joining fee anyway? Most other airlines don't).

The info I received in the post last week says it is only family transfers that won't count as activity. Credit card, Everyday Rewards and purchases from FF store appear to be considered activity.

 

[disneymum2201]

We have just booked our flights to LAX using FF points for 2 tickets and paying for the other 3. My husband was hesitant as he's been accumulating these points for years and wanted to save up till we could get all 5 flights for free but I talked him into it. He would be devastated if they changed the rules and we lost the points. Might as well use them while we can.

We have done this a couple of times. Booked the Adult fares with points then the childrens fares direct with Qantas. I had to phone though as otherwise there was no way on the net Qantas would recognise the kids as being accompanied. The kids fares are less than adult fares but points are the same.