Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Debbiebillg on August 08, 2013, 01:58:51 pm
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Hi All,
We have been saving Qantas frequent flyer points as we would love to take our 3 kids to America for the ultimate holiday ! Before kids I used my frequent flyer points once for a trip to the UK and all it cost me was points. Nowadays though this is all so much different ! If you book a rewards flight, it can cost sooooo much in Airport taxes etc etc and in the end you can sometimes get a much better deal by paying for you flight ! Sooo what's the point !
I was speaking to my neighbour today, and they never use their frequent flyer points for air travel. They use it to pay for accommodation or car hire and they just pay for their flights and get the best deal ! So I wondered since there are many travellers on here, what do you all do to get the best value for your points ? We have quite a lot of points, and we're probably not looking at going until DS4 (nearly 5) is about 7 and we just want to work it that we get the best value after saving all these years !
There's got to be tricks to all of this, so I'm hoping you all have some good advice !
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i be watching this thread i have the same problem
i dont understand why the taxes are so much more when using points >:(
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i be watching this thread i have the same problem
i dont understand why the taxes are so much more when using points >:(
Yehh it's crazy ! I'm on a mission ..... I've just read a few articles that were saying using them for upgrades from economy to business / first is the best use. This is useless to me though ! I want to use them to make the overall cost of the holiday cheaper and pay for one of the larger costs hopefully !
I'll post my findings though !
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I have also found that using FF flights (particularly for overseas flights) is not really worth the hassle. Like you said, the taxes and charges still cost heaps, and there are restricted seats on restricted flights available to use FF point with. You are also restricted to one airline, when another one may have better offers or more convenient flight times with shorter stopovers etc .....I have found that it is best to shop around for the best possible deal at the time, irrespective of whatever airline that is. I tend to use my FF points for shopping vouchers (ie BigW, Coles, Woolworths) and use them to cut down my grocery costs and save money that way.
I will also be very interested in reading what other people do.
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Ohhhh also, my neighbour was telling me that when they were returning from Ireland I think it was, when they originally booked the flights they wanted business class but couldn't justify double the cost, anyhow when they checked in for their flight to Dubai they enquired at the counter about the cost of upgrading to business class. They had found out (due to some problems with their tickets) that the flight was overbooked. So normally the airline would have had to upgrade other economy passengers at no charge but the cost to them to upgrade for this sector was $700 for both of them .......... a hell of a lot cheaper than paying the upgrade at the time of booking.
Thought this might be of interest to others.
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Ohhhh also, my neighbour was telling me that when they were returning from Ireland I think it was, when they originally booked the flights they wanted business class but couldn't justify double the cost, anyhow when they checked in for their flight to Dubai they enquired at the counter about the cost of upgrading to business class. They had found out (due to some problems with their tickets) that the flight was overbooked. So normally the airline would have had to upgrade other economy passengers at no charge but the cost to them to upgrade for this sector was $700 for both of them .......... a hell of a lot cheaper than paying the upgrade at the time of booking.
Thought this might be of interest to others.
Our travel agent told me the same. But you can only ask for an upgrade from, say Melb as you book in. Thought I would ask for first class and see what happens. Told Ral, he just laughed.
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We use ours for upgrades.
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Research research research. If booking a QF /EY flight book it through Etihad too avoid some taxes. You can use your FF points on code share.
Join this web site for a lot of very good hints and great traveller tales http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/
Check all the code share with your airline of choice. It is often cheaper to book with the 'other one' . Be a smart shopper and always ask. Never pay booking fees. Be careful of bucket shops and travel agents who will book you on the airlines that gives them a kickback. But a good travel agent is worth their weight in gold. Make friends with them. Check everything three times. Check various routes. The long way may be the cheapest way. Check various website to learn which Airlines never to fly. You will be surprised.
If using your FF points book well in advance. Upgrades are usually done the night before the flights so ask at the last minute to use your points for an upgrade. With any luck you will bump the Captain's wife.
Make friends on the inside who have access to the airlines operating system.
When overseas check local airlines in person for a better deal. You may be able to cancel and get a refund of expensive flights in favour of a cheapie using your FF points.
When travelling with children get bulkhead seats.
If you need to pee often book aisle seats. The only time I would book as window seat is if it were a bulk hood seat as you can usually manage to climb over.
The seats in front of exit aisle seats do not as a rule recline on domestic flights.
If you are looking for an upgrade at check in Service Desk using your points, dress appropriately. It DOES matter. You will never find someone in J/F wearing cut off jeans and thongs unless they are rock stars. When trying to negotiate a better deal at check-in let one person do the deal and EVERYONE else back off and stand to the side quietly this includes agitated spous and children. The less carry on luggage the better when approaching the service desk. Hide it around the corner.
When travelling in the USA never mouth off at customs or immigration. Then have no sense of humour at all. You may find yourself in the airport lockup.
That bit is just a gratuitous bit of info. LOL!
Gert
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Thanks Gert, you are the travel guru
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LOL bedlam. Not by a long shot but I have done a fair amount of travel by air in my nearly 3 score years and 10 and both my husbands worked for airlines. I have had the good fortune to have had Intimate knowledge over the years with airlines and travel agents. The industry has changed and evolved rapidly in the past 20 years and not always in the best interest of the consumer.
More people are flying that ever would or could because it is a lot cheaper. It is cutthroat. The interest of shareholders is paramount these days.
It is a lot harder these days than it ever was to have a good experience.
It is much easier to use your FF points on domestic flights than International.
Always explore using all the FF points in one direction and paying for the return. Getting put of town with FF points may be easier than getting back.
Forget school hols and always check what events are taking place in your destination. Never plan to use FF points anywhere the World Cup is for any sport. Airlines are smarter than you and block these seats. However you may get lucky with an upgrade.
Never expect things to go smoothly as we have seen today with CC trying to get to Melbourne. We are at the mercy of the elements.
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Thank you Gretchen, you're a wealth of information !
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I am sure there are a few people on the Forum who work in the Industry who could give good advice on this subject and many more who could share their experiences.
Gert
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We use our FF points for Business Class travel and have done so several times now. Even paying the taxes it is still worth it as we would never pay for Business class seats.
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Great advice from Gert.
We use the points for international upgrades when we can as we think that's the best value for us. However our chances of getting upgrades have decreased as we now need 3 seats together plus preferably a bassinet seat...so we would look at other options.
Your status with the airline will also affect the likelihood of getting upgrades. My husband flies very frequently for work and has high status with the two major airlines operating here so they are pretty good at accommodating us where possible.
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The likelyhood of getting a bassinet using points would be about nil I should think but you never know if you book well in advance or just fluke it.
The whole frequent flyer thing is trickier and trickier. The real bummer is not knowing if you get an upgrade until you are nearly at the gate.
If you are travelling a long haul then it does pay to shop around if you want business class seats. There are often real bargains to be had . Not so much on domestic . We once got 2 J class seats on Vietnam Airlines from Ho Chi Minh to Sydney on a brand new Aircraft for $1500 just hours before take off. Lovely flight .
Gert
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Just been having a look at my Qantas frequent flyer account and what I can get in gift cards. Gift cards are for a dollar value and yet some gift cards even for the same dollar value, cost more points.
I have worked this out on $500 and some don't have a $500 option but I've calculated it out for the purpose of comparison. So ....,
A Caltex / woolworths fuel card would be 72,500 points
A Woolworths Wish card (for use at all Woolworths brands including Caltex/Woolworths) 72,500 points
Bunnings 72,500 points
BigW 67,500 points
Cruiseco 78,500 points
Harvey Norman 67,500 points
Qantas Holidays 67,500 points
Rydges Hotels 67,500 points
You're buying a dollar value ........... so why should the points be different ?
I was just also looking at a Samsung Galaxy S4. In the FF store it would cost 145,500 points to buy. Harvey Norman has them for $744 (which you could probably bargain down !) ........ so for $750 of Harvey Norman gift cards would be 101,250 points ! That's a huge difference !!
Hmm Pays to check these things huh.
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We used our FF points to travel to Europe in December we upgraded one leg to business class and premium economy it is still a rip off with the taxes but cheaper than paying
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Good thing you are doing the research Deb. This is big business to the companies that deal with these FF rewards whch are not necessairly actually owned or run by the airlines. There are people all over the world and especially in the States that buy swap and sell points. The dollar value is not determined by the airline except in their setting of the points they require and that changes frequently and sometimes are on sale.
It is a complicated convoluted business. You will see some rewards requiring points plus cash which often mean you have just lost your points but paid twice the price for your toaster you could have bought on sale. And you pay for delivery There are no free gifts!
The programes are designed to confuse and befuddle and that is why so many people give up and let their points lapse. If you want to use your points for flights look for out of season, no holidays either end, no sporting events, places where no bugger wants to go and be persistent . Alternatively you can put it in print, concoct a delicious story and beg the airline to let you use your points for some special evet in your life. Worked for me once.
Your status level may have some favourable Influence but not necessarily. A lowly status can get just as lucky on the day.
If, when you get to the gate you find they want to change your desired seat or bump you down a class then stand your ground, as it is usually some big noting politician wanting your seat for his girlfriend , boyfriend, cousin twice removed or some big donation giver. Look around point your finger. I suggest your middle one. You work hard for these points don't give them up. Oh and keep your phone handy for the quick pic of the look of surprise when you suggest to the pollie they get stu##ed. Works a treat.
Gert
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We used our FF points to travel to Europe in December we upgraded one leg to business class and premium economy it is still a rip off with the taxes but cheaper than paying
The taxes are a killer. Sometimes as much or more on domestic flights as the fare. Be interested Yvette In Knowing what the Premium Economy was like.
And for others
Some airlines do not have these taxes so if it is a FF partner with QF say and you can only get out of Aust on QF see if you can book the rest of the trip on the partner airline . You may stil find yourself on a QF aircraft but a code share flight number or visa versa. You may save some money or points that way.
Gert
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You are right Gert. Status helps but isn't everything. My DH is platinum so mostly they are very helpful. But still hard to upgrade 3 seats at a time. We have had more luck with upgrading just him and having seats blocked out around DS1 and I. DH and I then swap during the flight. We have done that a few times now and both ended up with J meals.
On the other hand, DH was just a lowly bronze having just started flying for work more often...and he jagged an upgrade from business to a first suite on the A380 to LAX. He enjoyed the experience! His was the only upgrade to F on that flight, apparently it is normally very difficult to get one so the stars must have aligned in his favour!
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BB you can get lucky. Also if you are not fussy on sitting together it is easier to get an upgrade as most J class are two by two and often single pax So you can get lucky there, I always ask for an aisle . We often travel on opposite aisle seats and I have no problem sitting on any aisle seat or even a bulkhead/ exit window seat on my own and neither does DH. With a kindle in my face I have no need to engage with a fellow pax unless he is a cutie.
There are ways to work the system if you are flexible.
Gert
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BB also how your son got lucky could be that there was just one seat on the plane available and there was a staff pax needing the seat who was not entitled to first. The system would choose a single pax to move up so the staff or other pax could be seated. These upgrades are usually strictly controlled by the system but the system can be overridden in certain circumstances by some staff. Look the part smile nicely and good things can happen. I bet he is a cutie too.
Gert
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Gert
I can't seem to work out how you go about booking flights with One World. Do you know how to look at these ? I went on the One World's website but they refer you back to Qantas FF programme, but if you go on that website, it's only Qantas flights that show up in the searches ........... and if you get them to help in person, they charge you to do bookings for you. Is there another way you know of ???
I'm no where near wanting to book flights, but would like to have a play around and see what's there so I can get a feel for how it all works. It's sooooooooo frustrating, they make it so hard.
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I would go to the one world airline of choice and start there Say emirates and try a booking there. Play with that and then go back to plan an itinerary on QF . See what come up. Or see if you can phone the other airlines direct without paying.
They are gun a get ya one way or another. Ya gotta be clever to get around all this stuff eh?
I know there is no fuel charge on Emirates anyway.
Gert
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Thanks Gert will give it a go. Don't want to be charge for just doing some research !