[AMA] Tonight we're (again!) flying Emirates First Class to Europe using 455K Qantas Points Thanks To OzBargain!

z0s0 on 14/07/2021 - 20:16

You maybe remember that awful post I did a couple of years ago; well it's happening again and this time the missus is coming with me. All this time grounded enabled me to churn quite a few OzB sourced credit cards and accumulate the 455,000 points necessary for two first class tickets on Emirates from MEL to CDG.

We're currently sitting in the dreadful Marhaba lounge in Melbourne airport; the Qantas First lounge I was posting from 2 years ago is sadly closed, as is the Emirates business lounge. Once we board the plane I expect the experience to improve markedly!

Like last time; I'll post some pics to Instagram as the journey unfolds.

Meanwhile, I'll get the ball rolling by answering a few likely questions:

"How did you get permission to leave Australia?"
It's actually pretty easy to get a travel exemption if you can demonstrate that you're leaving for more than 3 months. Key points are to show that you have the means to support yourself, the necessary visas / passports allowing you to stay etc.

I should be clear about my opinion on this though: I think it's absolutely absurd and outrageous that Australia continues to deny their own citizens agency to leave the country. Were it not so simple to gain an exemption we would have simply left via the NZ "back door".

"What about COVID? It's a global pandemic!!! You're crazy!"
Well, we're both fully vaccinated. We weren't eligible for vaccines when we got them, so we walked in and asked for AstraZeneca and they just gave them to us. Handy to be vaccinated when you're heading to Europe, but let's see how much hassle it is getting them to believe in these super fake looking vaccine certificates the Australian Government gave us.

As for risk; I was actually in Europe for a few months last year also; obviously unvaccinated at the time. It didn't worry to much as I'm not in a risk category. Life goes on.

Introduce Yourself

closed Comments

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 10:08
      +1

      I raise a toast to your optimism with my glass of 2008 Dom Perignon! (See Instagram)

    • AustriaBargain on 15/07/2021 - 13:50

      I’m hoping kidnapped and ransom by pirates!

  • iNeed2Pee on 14/07/2021 - 20:57
    +45

    I for one cannot believe what a major (profanity) up we are as a nation.

    For the year we had ahead of the entire world, we chose to constantly sit on our hands and do jack shit to try and avoid new outbreaks.

    Instead with the time we had where there were no outbreaks, we chose to go to the footy and to the pubs as if COVID no longer existed.

    If this person wants to go to France then so be it. It is not their fault that our Federal Government are so bloody incompetent.

  • Holiday10 on 14/07/2021 - 21:08
    +2

    Did you leave on an Aussie passport? It’s easy to go if you are leaving on a different country’s passport. Not the same.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/07/2021 - 22:13

      Nah they check everyone at the border for dual citizenship.

      • meowsers on 15/07/2021 - 05:51

        It's super easy just to go through NZ.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2021 - 07:46

          And that is a criminal offense.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2021 - 20:40

        How do you think they do that?

    • BOGOF on 15/07/2021 - 09:24
      +1

      They also check to see if you have a PR visa in your foreign passport. Permanent residents are also banned from leaving.

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 10:09
      +1

      Makes no difference. I left on my Australian passport, but I do have other passports.

  • WreckTangle on 14/07/2021 - 21:20

    How did you get so many points?

    • [Deactivated] on 14/07/2021 - 22:13

      A lot of enloops on credit cards?

    • z0s0 on 14/07/2021 - 23:17
      +4

      Sign up for a credit card, collect bonus points, cancel card, find a new offer, rinse and repeat.

      • furyou on 15/07/2021 - 22:28

        Understand the theory. But you must have good income to continually get these cards?

        • gromit on 16/07/2021 - 08:06
          +2

          I churn cards every 12-18 months. a good 100-200k annually in points, sitting on 1.2 million at the moment. It is not hard nor do you need a huge income (though a good income with no issues applying for a card is important). Just working out my next churn at the moment, I keep a spreadsheet to track them so I don't churn back to a card too soon and make myself ineligible for the points.

  • brendanm on 14/07/2021 - 21:24
    +5

    Good on you op, enjoy!

    Feel free to not respond if "too personal", but how much did you have to spend to get that many points churning cards? Wondering whether this is worth doing myself, or out of my price range.

    • z0s0 on 14/07/2021 - 23:13
      +4

      Each card typically has a $3k spend for the points, which are typically 100k points. So the required spend was around $14k.

      • brendanm on 14/07/2021 - 23:16
        +6

        Damn that's way lower than I expected. Might have to start signing up to some ff cards. Thanks for the reply.

        • rompastompa on 15/07/2021 - 22:47
          +1

          I've often thought the same. I don't know why churning needs to be so mentally exhausting to me.

          I need to make an app to summarise everywhere I've saved/spent my CC details and update at once, without the security issues of supplying my details to a 3rd party. :D

          • endolphin on 15/07/2021 - 23:21
            +2

            @rompastompa: Yep, churning really is not a whole lot of effort.

            The other day I finally pulled together a spreadsheet tracking my Qantas points balance.

            Over the years I have used a lot, so my balance was always bouncing around a lot.

            But I worked out that I've earnt 2.6 million QFF since 2016! 99% from credit card churning.

      • CalmLemons on 16/07/2021 - 02:25

        hows your credit rating with getting cards on and off?

        • endolphin on 16/07/2021 - 16:05

          for me - higher now than before I started churning hardcore.

  • Ivegottadog on 14/07/2021 - 21:30
    +1

    Thanks OP, I enjoyed reading your updates on the last trip.

    Look forward to reading about this one!

    • brendanm on 14/07/2021 - 22:57
      +2

      Not sure where you went wrong. I had a co-worker go overseas for funeral of a parent recently for 2 weeks, then came back, did their two week quarantine, now back at work. No issues.

      PS - not a good look for a store rep.

      PPS - he's posting about free first class travel, which is pretty ozbargain if you ask me.

    • this is us on 15/07/2021 - 00:12
      +17

      I'm sorry about your mom and father, but you should blame the government, not OP.

      It's absurd that citizens can't leave or return to their country, but we can't talk about bill of rights when there is no bill of rights.

      It's absurd that Australia got into an "elimination plan" that doesn't include multiple vaccine contracts and vaccinate everyone as soon as possible, and has allowed anyone with enough money to leave and return without issues, sometimes multiple times, when others can't see their dying relatives.

      Australia is the country of the double standard for everything, and it's (profanity) ridiculous how so many people here are obedient and just follow instructions without critical thinking. Probably because they don't feel like they are citizens, or they don't care anymore.

      To make things worse, people who have access to vaccine don't want to get vaccinated because they are selfish, or unsure, and the government hasn't implemented a decent campaign.

      Anyway, I'm in Melbourne and I don't think we will be leaving this lockdown cycle anytime soon, so unless the government decides that we are actually going for elimination and NO ONE will be allowed to return to the country until at least 80% of the population is vaccinated, I am happy for those who are vaccinated and have the means to travel overseas, even if they are risking not being able to return.

      It's been very hard for many people to be in one lockdown after another for 18 months… There is the view that people who want to leave the country and travel are selfish, but it's selfish to have a narrow view of the impact of covid restrictions and lockdowns on someone else's life. Working from home, not seeing people, being isolated and wearing a mask everywhere might work for some people but not for everyone. Empathy, which is rare to find these days, is required to understand this context.

      Everyone who wants to be vaccinated should have been given the vaccine by now, and the individual should balance the risks and make their own informed decisions about travelling overseas or interstate.

      OP is vaccinated, good for him. He should be able to travel wherever and whenever he wants. I'm fully vaccinated and looking forward to seeing my family too, but I can't leave without knowing that I will be able to come back.

  • onetwothreefour on 14/07/2021 - 22:55

    Why would you start an AMA 2 hours before boarding a flight? If you have internet on the flight that's fine if not we won't hear from you for a while.

    • z0s0 on 14/07/2021 - 23:15
      +22

      Yeah I have internet. It's first class.

      • coffeeinmyveins on 15/07/2021 - 10:38
        +18

        lol. takes first class, sits on ozb forum the entire time.

        what a waste.

        • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 13:35
          +4

          I can assure you I'm very busy drinking champagne and watching movies as well.

        • TheBean on 15/07/2021 - 21:32

          He's done it before, so it might be boring 🤷

  • cauilfield on 15/07/2021 - 00:15

    damn, good value. Did you have to pay any fees for this or simply 455k points?

    I use ANZ rewards where 22k points equal to $100 or $200 if not mistaken… so the value of 455k is roughly $4000 ? and you got two tickets? one way or return?

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 10:00

      One way. Fees were $800 total to redeem the tickets.

      "Value" was about $20k; that's roughly what two one way first class tickets would cost to buy.

      • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2021 - 13:18

        455k pts seems high? I swear Sydney to Chile return was around 240-280k pts return last time I checked.

        Basically you've used 455k return, or does it cost more because it's 1 way?

        I spose I haven't looked for a while.

        • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 13:36

          They increase the points requirements pretty regularly. Inflation; everyone has more points than they can use. Spend them before the devalue further! No discounts for return.

  • whitelie on 15/07/2021 - 00:20
    +1

    How long are you going for? Or should I say intend on going for?

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 09:59
      +11

      We don't intend to return until Australia has its sh*t together re: covid. Not keen on another hotel quarantine. So could be quite a while based on the incompetence thus far demonstrated.

      • bs0 on 15/07/2021 - 19:58
        +4

        Not too familiar with Europe and it's Covid situation, but I thought it was worse over there with 55 million cases vs. Australia's 30000 cases…

        Which country do you plan on staying in that's better than Australia?

        • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 23:14
          +3

          Not at all concerned about the covid situation. Unless the country we happen to be in decides to do a lockdown, in which case we'll go elsewhere. In this brave new covid world tourists seem to have more rights than citizens (at least they can leave!)

          • bs0 on 16/07/2021 - 00:15

            @z0s0: ah gotcha, i thought you meant the covid situation was bad in Australia "… until Australia has its sh*t together re: covid" but you actually meant just the quarantine/lockdown bit

            • firecaller on 16/07/2021 - 09:10

              @bs0: Except it's the "quarantine/lockdown bit" that is keeping covid rates and deaths down in Australia.

              • bs0 on 16/07/2021 - 11:29

                @firecaller: Yeah I wouldn't leave Australia for Europe personally.

                It didn't make sense why @z0s0 would leave until he clarified he doesn't give AF about covid just hates quarantine/lockdown.

                • ozhunter on 16/07/2021 - 11:41
                  +1

                  @bs0: Why should he care about covid?

                  • bs0 on 16/07/2021 - 11:59

                    @ozhunter: He clearly doesn't, no point having further discussions.

                  • firecaller on 16/07/2021 - 12:27

                    @ozhunter: Are you in love with @z0s0? Why are you defending him so hard?

  • morse on 15/07/2021 - 04:45
    +4

    Nice use of points! Enjoy your trip.

    Do you have to wear a mask the whole time (when not eating) in first class? If so surely not when sleeping?…

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 10:02

      Nah. I've been wearing it when walking to the bathroom, but otherwise haven't worn it at all.

      Just woke up after frankly the best sleep I've had in a week (been a busy week making preparations to leave!)

  • Cusacka on 15/07/2021 - 07:17
    +6

    Great job strategically collecting do many points and putting them to good use!

    Also a great strategy to get vaccinated and to go out and enjoy the world. I know a lot of us stuck here will be jealous.

    Probably one of the best times to travel as there should be much smaller crowds at a lot of the key attractions.

    Will be interesting to see what little roadblocks might spring up, but sounds like you're the kind of person who would be able to work through any issues and keep enjoying the holiday.

    Enjoy!

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 10:04
      +2

      Thanks! Yeah there will be plenty of covid travel hassles, that's fully expected. Last summer was a magical time in Europe, almost no tourists whatsoever, very little covid about, very cheap and relaxed. This one won't be quite as nice. But still better than another bloody Melbourne lockdown.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2021 - 21:24
        +1

        Tourists that hate tourists, what a world

        • z0s0 on 16/07/2021 - 22:29
          +1

          Well, people hate people (as opposed to cats) don't they? What's new?

  • kiitos on 15/07/2021 - 07:42
    +1

    Are you self employed?
    Does churning credit cards impact your credit record?

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 10:05
      +4

      Yes I'm self employed.

      My credit score is very high and only seems to go up with all this churning. Never seen it drop.

      Frankly couldn't care less about the score anyway, so long as they keep giving me the cards - and they have for many years now.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 15/07/2021 - 10:39
      +2

      Does churning credit cards impact your credit record?

      generally, yes. YMMV.

  • vetopower on 15/07/2021 - 10:32

    When are you planning to come back to Australia?

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 15/07/2021 - 11:45
      +5

      More importantly, why?

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 14:21
      +1

      No plans currently. Covid travel requires flexibility, not planning ahead.

  • cd27 on 15/07/2021 - 10:48
    +2

    Enjoy the time! I just returned from a 2 and a half month stint in Europe. Found the process getting back very easy and no hassle at all. Hope the process is the same in 5 weeks again when I head to Tokyo.

    • HelpMeiCantSee on 15/07/2021 - 11:44

      Shame. Should’ve gotten stuck at the back of the queue

      • cd27 on 15/07/2021 - 19:31
        +11

        I did. When I was buying duty free at Heathrow.

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 13:38
      +3

      Yeah. Gotta say I didn't find it that difficult or expensive to get back last year either. As long as you're flexible and have some money. And if you don't, then quite frankly you shouldn't be traveling internationally even if it's not pandemic time.

      • p1 ama on 15/07/2021 - 17:10

        As long as you're flexible and have some money. And if you don't, then quite frankly you shouldn't be traveling internationally even if it's not pandemic time.

        Huh? So travelling internationally should only be for the rich?

        • Jaystea on 15/07/2021 - 20:30
          +2

          That's literally not what he said or was insinuating. But maybe you need it spelled out:

          If you're travelling in a pandemic year, cancellations are rife, and demand is sky high (thus pushing up prices), then yes, as long as you're flexible and have some money, the travelling process will be easier than if you had no flexibility and were strapped for cash.

          • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 23:16
            +1

            @Jaystea: Spot on. It's not rocket science, but some people seem to expect the government to take care of their travel plans.

          • p1 ama on 16/07/2021 - 00:37
            +3

            @Jaystea: Maybe you need it spelled out, what's literally written is:

            And if you don't, then quite frankly you shouldn't be traveling internationally even if it's not pandemic time.

            So all your hubbub about travelling in a pandemic year is irrelevant.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2021 - 21:26
          +2

          Honestly, I'd say so. I'm definitely all for human rights like food, shelter, education and healthcare but travel is not high on that list…it's environmental impact is terrible and I wouldn't mind it being cut down a bit

      • movieman on 15/07/2021 - 17:29

        Is there much availability to use points to fly home?

        • cd27 on 15/07/2021 - 19:31

          I found it same as pre-covid availability. Eventually found it better to save my points and just pay. Cost was a bit cheaper than normal for me

        • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 23:17

          I'd say none. Last year I paid for a flight back to Australia; hence having more qff points leftover than would typically be the case.

  • sephstyler on 15/07/2021 - 10:53
    +10

    I hope you enjoy your holiday, but it is incredibly selfish.

    If the whole world buckled down early last year, wore masks and stayed home, we could have avoided the alpha strain from permeating across the whole world.

    Since then, we (as a species) have allowed the virus to mutate with several strains being more infectious, delta not withstanding.

    Whilst, we, as wealthier, luckier humans, will have access to a vaccine soon if not already, there are billions out there in poorer nations that will need to deal with more strains for several more years. People travelling now, including those whom are vaccinated, can still carry the virus, and transmit it. For each wealthy person who carries it, there will be dozens of poor people who suffer.

    I have been away from my partner and my parents for more than a year. I understand more than most the pain of being unable to travel. but to travel for fun now, sorry, no vote from me.

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 13:40
      +3

      I guess you haven't yet noticed that humans, in aggregate, act in their own self interest and not in that of the community good. Hence the utopia that might exist if everyone agreed to act against their own interest for the greater good can never be realised.

      • sephstyler on 15/07/2021 - 15:52
        +2

        I do, hence I wished you a happy holiday.

    • Maxxjet on 15/07/2021 - 16:22
      +2

      OP is outbound only not taking anyone's spot to come back, as he stated he doesn't plan to come back until the whole pandemic is over. He is fully vaccinated(he even went for AZ not Pfizer if you care) so why cannot he travel? Isn't this 'perk" to travel freely one of the incentives for people to get vaccinated? I see nothing wrong, as a matter of fact, the government should openly encourage people to do so to get more people to vaccinated.

  • justwii on 15/07/2021 - 11:09

    Does the first class flight + complimentary meals & wines give you more amount of "happiness" than to spend the points on other items?

    • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2021 - 13:19

      The wine is at least $300-400+ a bottle, so depending how much he drinks that's alot of happiness! Hahah

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 13:42
      +4

      Absolutely yes, without any doubt whatsoever. In fact I just spent the last few weeks selling / disposing of all the ridiculous possessions I acquired in Australia. Give me experiences over stuff any day of the week.

    • smpantsonfire on 15/07/2021 - 14:05
      +2

      This is a very good point.

      Say for example these flights weren't booked with points and I payed for them (also assuming I had the means) I wouldn't do it. The money spent for such a short amount of time and somewhat benefits, I would rather extra time in a place over the discomfort of economy class. Which at this point, you would have easily the 4 seats in the middle to yourself anyway.

      • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 14:23

        True, economy was mostly empty, everyone had a row of seats to themselves.

        I still consider it worth the 225k points (per person).

        Tell me, what would you spend 225k points on?

        • smpantsonfire on 15/07/2021 - 16:26

          The points are different I guess, as their real value is probably only $1200 at best.

          Would I spend it on the upgrade? Probably not. Would I trade it for the value in gift cards? Probably.

          I think I would get more satisfaction spending 1200$ on other things, like your said, experiences rather than better food and someone saying hello to you slightly nicer for the discomfort of economy.

          In saying this, I have not flown first class, but am about to have my first long haul business class flight on Tuesday, which may change my mind, I don't know!! Will report back!

          • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 17:11

            @smpantsonfire: I suspect you might 😁

            But I guess it depends on how much you value "stuff". I don't value it highly, but YMMV.

  • p1 ama on 15/07/2021 - 11:15
    +4

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/615103

    If someone posted on a forum claiming to be flying first class to Europe during the middle of a pandemic where nobody's going anywhere, would you believe them?

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 13:43
      +4

      Hehe touché. You can check the Instagram photos though baby 😁

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 15/07/2021 - 11:44
    -4

    Cool, stay outside, and I hope not only that you get infested by the fleas from a thousand rabid camels, but that you have one hell of a time getting back. Enjoy the trip my friend, it may turn out to be a lot longer than you anticipated, but your holidays supersede anything else that’s important.

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 13:43
      +2

      Agreed.

  • OzHunterNSW on 15/07/2021 - 12:12
    -4

    Hahaha the joke is on you. Wearing a mask for the entire duration… looked upon as disease carrying lepers. Forced to quarantine at every stop… hahahaha your 1st Class quickly becomes joke class

    • pformag on 15/07/2021 - 12:15

      You don't have to wear a mask while eating and drinking. Which is not a problem in 1st Class

    • z0s0 on 15/07/2021 - 13:44
      +6

      Yeah I'm feeling pretty sad right now, maskless, drinking champagne. Woe is me.

  • pformag on 15/07/2021 - 12:14
    +18

    A lot of butt hurt people on here. Good on you for your score. I hope you enjoy your flight.

  • idonotknowwhy on 15/07/2021 - 12:38
    +1

    I know you're vaccinate but it's not 100% effective, and we don't have the best track record with hotel quarantine leaks in VIC.
    So it's ask you anything right? Could you just like, stay there please?

    edit: all good, just read above you're planning to stay out until this is over.

  • ozhunter on 15/07/2021 - 12:39
    +2

    Good on ya OP. Looks like your enjoying yourself already.

  • areustillpretty on 15/07/2021 - 13:04
    +2

    Very well done OP. Despite the naysayers I truly hope you enjoy the trip.

  • bobolo on 15/07/2021 - 13:12
    +7

    Soooo many jealous haters lol

    He's not coming back until covid is over folks. It won't affect your miserable lives in Australia

    I'm going to embark on a similar journey now. Thanks for the enlightenment!

    • sephstyler on 15/07/2021 - 15:57

      Thats half the issue. When is covid over?

      just over for lucky aussies who have access to vaccines?

      over for most of the world (prob wont see ya for a decade then)

      over until a strain becomes vaccine resistant?

      Everyone seems to think we've got this beat, and making plans, but things dont stay static.

      • bobolo on 15/07/2021 - 17:00
        +3
        1. Every aussie has access to vaccines
        2. It's over for a few lucky aussies who have the means such as OP to travel abroad and stay there for however long he likes. Just because some can't, doesn't mean the ones that can have to suffer as well. We are not a communist regime
        3. Covid will never be eliminated, just like the common flu which evolved every year. We cannot "beat" it, but we can increase immunity over time and vaccines are the first step in that direction
        4. What I mean with "over" is when this silly govt. accepts the fact that avoidance and lockdowns are not the way to overcome this, and takes the necessary steps that every other developed country has been taking for the past 12 months to work towards better immunity or at the very least, less severe affects
        • bongom on 15/07/2021 - 17:55

          Thankfully the people making decisions in this country understand the science, otherwise we would've had a similar death rate to OS which would've been approx 50k. Without a vaccinated population lockdown is the only way to not overload the health system. We are unfortunately going to be in this predicament for many years until enough of the world population is vaccinated.

          • squarepants on 16/07/2021 - 08:42

            @bongom: You mean until enough of Australia's population has been vaccinated. We've had it so good, but the pollies just wasted that time squabbling and playing politics rather than ensuring that the vaccine rollout goes smoothly. Damn if we haven't got the world's most botched vaccine rollout.

  • ddxsamx on 15/07/2021 - 13:42
    +1

    This is cute.

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