Best use of points for a Europe vacation

singlemalt72 on 07/11/2017 - 09:19

I ma looking at taking the family (2x Adults, 1 x 13yo) to Europe next year and want to get the best value out of my points.

Currently I have about;

260,000 AMEX Gateway points
80,000 Qantas points (could bump this by another 75,000 by getting another card for the wife))
Probably 20,000 in Flybuys

Without going too into depth at the myriad of options available, we would like to minimise cost of flying SYD-LON return, upgrading to business would be nice, even for part of the trip.

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are - I'm thinking of cashing in points to velocity with the current 15% bonus (yields roughly 250,000 points). Was thinking to use these to offset cost/upgrade for SYD-LON and use Qantas points for some flights over there.

As someone who has never used points for flights before I'd like advice from a seasoned user.

Cheers.

Travel

Comments

  • Foxtail on 07/11/2017 - 09:30

    We usually make our way to HKG (daylight in upgradable Y (eco) then use points from there to Europe or USA on CX (Cathay) in J (Bus.) as the fees are bugger all and award seats are a plenty, Singapore is also a good departure city too. If you fly into or out of LHR (London) the fees are high so do Paris or other city instead then catch the train across to the old dart.

    Can ask away here on the travel guru site: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/

    • singlemalt72 on 07/11/2017 - 09:32

      Thanks for that - I'll hit up the travel guru site :)

  • therooftop on 07/11/2017 - 10:26

    How much are gateway points worth in $? Amex ascent points are worth $1000 for 100000 points, If theyre the same, you could probably get flights to Europe for about $1300 per adult, not sure how much the kid would cost but I imagine a 13 year old would be an adult fare.

    Your flybuys points are too little and your qantas points would not be enough for one person to fly to Europe.

    • singlemalt72 on 07/11/2017 - 13:35

      Gateway points have a lower rate, 0.75 velocity points per gateway which I used to work out the velocity points (with bonus) - I would expect to have $180,000 quantas points by the time I actually get around to booking next year.

      • madreece on 07/11/2017 - 13:59

        Don't forget that you will be on different planes.
        The best bet for you would be to sell your points to the blood sucking points buyers here, and jump on a bargain sale fare. You will all be able to travel together, no stress trying to find rewards seats, just book when you want to go.

        • singlemalt72 on 07/11/2017 - 14:03

          Yeah, aware of that, I'm just looking for ideas - May use velocity points to get there and Qantas points for an intraeuro transfer

        • madreece on 07/11/2017 - 14:07

          @singlemalt72:
          If you hold out you should be able to get over $4000 for the points you estimate you will have. Keep your eye out for sales and you will easily get all of you to Europe with some left over for some internal Europe transfers. Trust me, this will be your best option.

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