Using FF points for first time-need help.

[Cuffs71]

Hi and here's hoping you can help please.

I have been saving my FF points for a long time, and I have enough to get a return economy trip to the US or to France (I haven't decided which I will go to as yet).

I don't know the best way to use my points.

Should I buy a cheap online ticket and use points to upgrade to business to make the trip more pleasurable? But apparently if I buy the really really cheap tickets I cant use points to upgrade?

Or should I just use points for the economy trip itself and leave it at that?

Also, is there any particular time of year or anything else that would make a difference to how I use the points?

I am looking at going in 2010 sometime during our winter, so it will be warm over there.

I would appreciate any advice on the best way or most economical way of doing this trip. Could I please ask you to talk in very simple terms and make it as easy for me to understand as you can. This is my first time using points so I am a bit lost and I haven't even started yet !

Thanks so much !
Annie

[NM]

Welcome to AFF.

Assuming you are talking about Qantas FF points.

Remember that international upgrades are not confirmed. So you could end up buying an economy fare and not managing to secure the upgrade.

Also note that the cheapest fares are not upgradeable, so you have to buy a fare type that is upgradeable and then waitlist and hope for the upgrade.

The upgrades waitlist is processed by Qantas less than 24 hours before the flight. The waitlist is prioritised based on your FF status. So if you don't have Platinum or Gold FF status, the chances of the upgrade waitlist clearing is low.

[Cuffs71]

Thanks NM for your reply.

Sorry I should have mentioned QF FF, yes. I am currently a QC silver member if that will make any difference also.

Annie

[harvyk]

The first time I used points it was to try J (business class), the second time I used the points it was to simply purchase a J flight to see what the top deck of a 747 was like rather than an upgrade.

Me personally, I'd use the points to purchase the flight back home in business (as the skybed can really make the difference on the way back ) and simply buy a discount eccon ticket to get over there.

If your on an upgradeable fare then place in the request to upgrade, but I wouldn't purchase an upgradeable fare hoping I'll be upgraded, as it may simply make it a very expensive eccon seat.