I'm hoping you could help me out. I've got about 650k in QF points and about 300 in Krisflier points, and would like to use those points to fly first from (MEL - SFO or SFO - MEL) in June/July 2020 with Emirates as the preferred carrier one way (2 adults + 1 infant) and use the krisfliers on the same leg, I've also have about 50K Avios.... any suggestions on the best possible use of those points.
EK is 33 hours plus with a connection in DXB with a380 possible on both sectors (MEL-DXB & DXB-SFO). QF tops out at J on direct flights to SFO ex Mel (789) and ex Syd (currently 744) with a flight time of ~14 hours. If you want F on QF then you need to fly to LAX on a380 then connect to an hour long flight to SFO. F rewards redemption can be hard to come by on QF, I personally would say nigh on impossible getting 2 seats on the same flight. I am not sure how easy or hard it is to get F rewards seats on EK, but 33 hours is a definite yikes IMHO.
I'm hoping you could help me out. I've got about 650k in QF points and about 300 in Krisflier points, and would like to use those points to fly first from (MEL - SFO or SFO - MEL) in June/July 2020 with Emirates as the preferred carrier one way (2 adults + 1 infant) and use the krisfliers on the same leg, I've also have about 50K Avios.... any suggestions on the best possible use of those points.
The BEST use is of course with Qantas and it's most direct route which you can fly from Sydney to LA or Dallas or on peak season their MEL - LA flights. This requires a connection to SFO but that's the quickest and efficient way. Of course, as others mentioned, first class is hard to come by on this route. You can fly Emirates, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, American and others with Qantas points but First class is always tough to get.
You could also use your Krisflyer points for first class on Singapore airlines which is slightly easier than with Qantas points but still a low chance
I find it's easier to find one way classic award flights using Qantas points in First Class. Last year I booked Perth to Manchester UK using QFF points and an EK A380 all the way in First. Next week I've got a one-way from Seattle to Perth via Dubai. 777 on first leg and then A380 into Perth. But First all the way. They even through in a car at each end and a free hotel stay for the stopover in Dubai. Pretty good I reckon.
If you're booking Emirates you only have a couple of days left until the chauffeur service is withdrawn for flights booked using Qantas Points, so if you do make an Emirates booking, book your car promptly (you can book now, for flights at a later date: but after March 1, the option to book if you haven't already is being withdrawn): https://www.ausbt.com.au/emirates-axes-chauffeur-drive-for-tickets-booked-with-qantas-points
For QF I had the option for MEL-LAX in first for 1 ticket (im bronze, viewing flights 8 months in advance). I ended up booking 1 ticket on the QF 787 in business and had my wife book her ticket on her account (also bronze). Reason is Qantas would only give us 1 seat but not 2 on the one membership number.
If you end up doing QF first MEL-LAX, Alaska Airlines does cheap ‘first class’ tickets LAX-SFO (Not much more than a base economy fare + 1 check in).
@Aidan re your comment on Alaska Airlines, I'm presuming your referring to the Miles you can buy from AA?For my curiosity, have you ever been able to book a rewards flight departing AU before? I've looked many times but the AA booking site is total rubbish for reward bookings.
@Aidan re your comment on Alaska Airlines, I'm presuming your referring to the Miles you can buy from AA?For my curiosity, have you ever been able to book a rewards flight departing AU before? I've looked many times but the AA booking site is total rubbish for reward bookings.
With Alaskan Airlines I was talking cash for US domestic short haul.
rcnr25
rcnr25
QANTAS
Member since 12 Jun 2014
Total posts 14
Hello Fellow AbT Readers,
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
Well, you may struggle as Emirates doesn’t fly that route......
Becky1
Becky1
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 May 2018
Total posts 34
EK is 33 hours plus with a connection in DXB with a380 possible on both sectors (MEL-DXB & DXB-SFO). QF tops out at J on direct flights to SFO ex Mel (789) and ex Syd (currently 744) with a flight time of ~14 hours. If you want F on QF then you need to fly to LAX on a380 then connect to an hour long flight to SFO. F rewards redemption can be hard to come by on QF, I personally would say nigh on impossible getting 2 seats on the same flight. I am not sure how easy or hard it is to get F rewards seats on EK, but 33 hours is a definite yikes IMHO.
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
The BEST use is of course with Qantas and it's most direct route which you can fly from Sydney to LA or Dallas or on peak season their MEL - LA flights. This requires a connection to SFO but that's the quickest and efficient way. Of course, as others mentioned, first class is hard to come by on this route. You can fly Emirates, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, American and others with Qantas points but First class is always tough to get.
drgmarshall
drgmarshall
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2012
Total posts 106
I find it's easier to find one way classic award flights using Qantas points in First Class. Last year I booked Perth to Manchester UK using QFF points and an EK A380 all the way in First. Next week I've got a one-way from Seattle to Perth via Dubai. 777 on first leg and then A380 into Perth. But First all the way. They even through in a car at each end and a free hotel stay for the stopover in Dubai. Pretty good I reckon.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
If you're booking Emirates you only have a couple of days left until the chauffeur service is withdrawn for flights booked using Qantas Points, so if you do make an Emirates booking, book your car promptly (you can book now, for flights at a later date: but after March 1, the option to book if you haven't already is being withdrawn): https://www.ausbt.com.au/emirates-axes-chauffeur-drive-for-tickets-booked-with-qantas-points
Aidan
Aidan
Member since 05 Dec 2018
Total posts 95
For QF I had the option for MEL-LAX in first for 1 ticket (im bronze, viewing flights 8 months in advance). I ended up booking 1 ticket on the QF 787 in business and had my wife book her ticket on her account (also bronze). Reason is Qantas would only give us 1 seat but not 2 on the one membership number.
dlight
dlight
Member since 11 Apr 2018
Total posts 18
@Aidan re your comment on Alaska Airlines, I'm presuming your referring to the Miles you can buy from AA?For my curiosity, have you ever been able to book a rewards flight departing AU before? I've looked many times but the AA booking site is total rubbish for reward bookings.
Aidan
Aidan
Member since 05 Dec 2018
Total posts 95
With Alaskan Airlines I was talking cash for US domestic short haul.
Red Cee
Red Cee
Member since 15 Feb 2018
Total posts 151
I would use the direct MEL - SFO service, QF49. To go with Emirates, it necessitates a trip from MEL to DXB, then DXB to SFO.