Help with redeeming points for flights - Jan 2008

[tinky]

Hello all,

I am still trying to organise my honeymoon and didn't think that getting flights in January 2008 would be so much harder (I have previously flown round the world on points in Aug/Sep 03 and Aug/Sept 05). I guess it's because of school holidays and people on leave after Christmas.

So I'm wondering whether I have any hope at all of getting a flight to LA on points from any city in Australia (I am happy to go from wherever). We were thinking of going to Las Vegas and possibly Hawaii (as it seems I can't get to any other tropical island (not interested in Fiji) on points). We have around 400,000 points so I know I could go either Economy or Business Class (depending on whether we get a round the world ticket or not)

With flights to Hawaii, I have noticed that the flights that do come up are only with Jetstar. Is there any choice to fly on points with Qantas? If not, how do people compare Jetstar's Star Class with Qantas Business class.

thanks for your thoughts/advice/suggestions.

Silvia

[Kiwi Flyer]

Congrats tinky

Unfortunately for you, December January is peak travel period with high demand for cheap paid flights as well as awards. Many awards, especially in first/business for that period sell out on the day they are released (355 days out on QFF).

If you use the online tool it will show what is currently available. Just do some trial and error on dates and routes. There may well not be anything this "late".

Jetstar star class is really only a slightly nicer economy - definitely much worse than QF business and IMHO not worth the points that QFF charges. Consider that paid jetstar star class tickets cost a small fraction of paid QF business class tickets.

[NM]

Be flexible and creative in your routing and carrier options. Check for availability with JA or AA via NRT, or CX via HKG or FJ via NAN etc. Some of these may eat into your mileage calculations, but better to get there than not.

[econgdon]

jetstar star class is obviusly named after a Fallen Star... they gave a meat pire for one meal I was on the Bangkok.. if you really want their food you can buy the same thing in economy for about $12 from memory. They have noise cancelling earphones.. but you buy your own. If you use Qff points to tarvel economy in Jetstar you get the meals anyway as you are supposedly entitled to qantas services. Take an Ipod, the entertainement is woeful

[coyote25]

Just tried to book some seats myself out of interest since I've only ever booked a OWE RTW and wanted to see availability. Seems Brisbane is the best port to leave from. Some seats available on Sat 19 Jan which I found surpising, I'm a WP so they might not be available to yourself.