By the end of the year I'll have just over 1M QFF points, so next year I'd like to take my wife on a first class trip to Europe, problem is I don't think I've got enough points.. I'm on the QFF site now, playing with bookings to gauge what it will cost and to my amazement 1M QFF points doesn't look to be enough - am I searching / reading it right? Booking dates are flexible but it seems you need a ton of points e.g. even 2x business class BNE to HKG return is 860000 pts. I wanted to try the pointy end to Europe as a surprise. How does everyone else do it or has my expectations been lead astray? Thanks in advance for any advice.
You need to search for CLASSIC award seats, not an any time award seat. On the QF website, ensure you are checking the box that is "Use points - Classic Flight Rewards only" As the "Use money, points or both" is an anytime award seat, meaning any seat on any flight is available, but the amount of points required is directly related to the dollar cost of the ticket, and every seat that is still for sale can be bought with points, however as you have noticed, it will cost you a bucketload of points.
Classic award seats are very limited, so book as soon as you find them!
Depending on which airline you fly (Qantas, Emirates or one of the other Oneworld airlines such as Cathay or Qatar), and on which Australian city you’re departing from, it should take about 800,000-ish points for you and your wife to get to Europe and back in first class. But be prepared for some frustration before you find Classic award seats. You might also like to consider an around-the-world trip, which you’ll also have enough points for. All the best!
Agree you do have enough points to go to EU in F rt x2. If I were you, I'd look at flying Emirates (EK) rather than Cathay (CX). EK is in the same award table as QF flights meaning that it is cheaper, it also allows you to mix with QF operated flights. Plus EK has more flights to Australia and has first class to all cities they fly compare with CX that only offer business class at best to Australia.
Be willing to reposition to other cities. In my experience, other than BNE, you can easily find first class classic award seats from all major cities. 777 is easier to find than A380. First class is about the same between the 2 aircrafts. 777 doesn't have onboard shower and bar, but it offers a smaller F cabin (and hence more private and personal service) and larger suite due to the fact that 777 is wider than A380's upper cabin.
Good advice from pab2025 , I made the mistake of hitting the “use points” button instead of classic rewards, lucky it was only a domestic fare and the sting was minor, won’t make that mistake again.
Good advice from pab2025 , I made the mistake of hitting the “use points” button instead of classic rewards, lucky it was only a domestic fare and the sting was minor, won’t make that mistake again.
It's extremely confusing and I'm sure many less experienced people have been caught out.
Good advice from pab2025 , I made the mistake of hitting the “use points” button instead of classic rewards, lucky it was only a domestic fare and the sting was minor, won’t make that mistake again.
It's extremely confusing and I'm sure many less experienced people have been caught out.
Very true, my Brother In Law booked a trip to Hawaii and got stung for 150000 points instead of 64000
Agree you do have enough points to go to EU in F rt x2. If I were you, I'd look at flying Emirates (EK) rather than Cathay (CX). EK is in the same award table as QF flights meaning that it is cheaper, it also allows you to mix with QF operated flights. Plus EK has more flights to Australia and has first class to all cities they fly compare with CX that only offer business class at best to Australia.
Be willing to reposition to other cities. In my experience, other than BNE, you can easily find first class classic award seats from all major cities. 777 is easier to find than A380. First class is about the same between the 2 aircrafts. 777 doesn't have onboard shower and bar, but it offers a smaller F cabin (and hence more private and personal service) and larger suite due to the fact that 777 is wider than A380's upper cabin.
CX awards are more, however you pay significantly less in cash for those fuel surcharges both QF and EK charge. I agree no F out of Australia in CX, so getting to HKG on QF and then onwards to EU on CX in F would be an option.
The average punter would imagine that 1,000,000 points would take you around the world multiple times in F! The reality is very different. Still, if you use them wisely, you can get great value from them.
Dont waste the points with QF F...always go for the Emirates F product where possible. Qantas is is a boring 'less is more', business 'plus' approach where as Emirates is a high end deluxe service. Food, Lavs, on board lounge, on board showers, amenity kit, polished service, is where Qantas can't compete generally. Qantas has a better bed when seat is flat.
A oneworld “round the world” ticket in F costs 420,000 points. Qantas has limited availability but Qatar, Cathay and BA is better (although BA has high surcharges). Lots of rules to use this ticket but if you are flexible you can get great value. Austin has a good article
dlight
dlight
Member since 11 Apr 2018
Total posts 18
By the end of the year I'll have just over 1M QFF points, so next year I'd like to take my wife on a first class trip to Europe, problem is I don't think I've got enough points.. I'm on the QFF site now, playing with bookings to gauge what it will cost and to my amazement 1M QFF points doesn't look to be enough - am I searching / reading it right? Booking dates are flexible but it seems you need a ton of points e.g. even 2x business class BNE to HKG return is 860000 pts. I wanted to try the pointy end to Europe as a surprise. How does everyone else do it or has my expectations been lead astray? Thanks in advance for any advice.
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 126
You need to search for CLASSIC award seats, not an any time award seat. On the QF website, ensure you are checking the box that is "Use points - Classic Flight Rewards only" As the "Use money, points or both" is an anytime award seat, meaning any seat on any flight is available, but the amount of points required is directly related to the dollar cost of the ticket, and every seat that is still for sale can be bought with points, however as you have noticed, it will cost you a bucketload of points.
Sibelius
Sibelius
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Aug 2017
Total posts 181
Depending on which airline you fly (Qantas, Emirates or one of the other Oneworld airlines such as Cathay or Qatar), and on which Australian city you’re departing from, it should take about 800,000-ish points for you and your wife to get to Europe and back in first class. But be prepared for some frustration before you find Classic award seats. You might also like to consider an around-the-world trip, which you’ll also have enough points for. All the best!
Michael Kao
Michael Kao
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Nov 2014
Total posts 163
Agree you do have enough points to go to EU in F rt x2. If I were you, I'd look at flying Emirates (EK) rather than Cathay (CX). EK is in the same award table as QF flights meaning that it is cheaper, it also allows you to mix with QF operated flights. Plus EK has more flights to Australia and has first class to all cities they fly compare with CX that only offer business class at best to Australia.
GBRGB
GBRGB
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jan 2014
Total posts 292
Good advice from pab2025 , I made the mistake of hitting the “use points” button instead of classic rewards, lucky it was only a domestic fare and the sting was minor, won’t make that mistake again.
sid
sid
Member since 07 Jan 2011
Total posts 205
It's extremely confusing and I'm sure many less experienced people have been caught out.
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
Once you've tried F you'll be wanting to save up your points again to try it again.
dlight
dlight
Member since 11 Apr 2018
Total posts 18
Thanks everyone for the comments and advice
lind26
lind26
Member since 24 Apr 2014
Total posts 231
It's extremely confusing and I'm sure many less experienced people have been caught out.
Very true, my Brother In Law booked a trip to Hawaii and got stung for 150000 points instead of 64000
NQflyer
NQflyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jun 2015
Total posts 61
CX awards are more, however you pay significantly less in cash for those fuel surcharges both QF and EK charge. I agree no F out of Australia in CX, so getting to HKG on QF and then onwards to EU on CX in F would be an option.
Bollen
Bollen
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 20 Dec 2017
Total posts 32
The average punter would imagine that 1,000,000 points would take you around the world multiple times in F! The reality is very different. Still, if you use them wisely, you can get great value from them.
Joe
Joe
Member since 03 May 2013
Total posts 181
Dont waste the points with QF F...always go for the Emirates F product where possible. Qantas is is a boring 'less is more', business 'plus' approach where as Emirates is a high end deluxe service. Food, Lavs, on board lounge, on board showers, amenity kit, polished service, is where Qantas can't compete generally. Qantas has a better bed when seat is flat.
Pointsnerd
Pointsnerd
Member since 01 Sep 2017
Total posts 4
A oneworld “round the world” ticket in F costs 420,000 points. Qantas has limited availability but Qatar, Cathay and BA is better (although BA has high surcharges). Lots of rules to use this ticket but if you are flexible you can get great value. Austin has a good article
Pointsnerd
Pointsnerd
Member since 01 Sep 2017
Total posts 4
Auto correct... ausbt. https://www.ausbt.com.au/how-to-fly-round-the-world-using-qantas-frequent-flyer-points