[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

  • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2021 - 11:56

    You either lied on your stat dec (for which you can be fined and jailed for) or you had a compelling reason to go travel to europe (e.g. compassionate reasons).

    I think it's obvious it's the former. Will be reporting this and your insta to the ABF.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2021 - 12:11

      Popcorn popping 🍿🍿🍿

    • dbui8743 on 16/07/2021 - 14:14
      +2

      U can go if u travel more than 3 months. And even if he lied, you sound fun.

    • squarepants on 16/07/2021 - 15:34
      +2

      Did you actually at least read up on what the exemptions are, or just pull that out from where the sun don't shine?

      Aus gov website clearly states leaving for more than 3 months as one of the category of exemptions, you do need a compelling reason (not necessarily a compassionate one). So whatever it is, OP's clearly got one if they approved it.

      • Eeples on 21/07/2021 - 00:55

        This argument is circular.

    • z0s0 on 16/07/2021 - 22:44
      -1

      Awesome. Post back on how that goes for you 😁

  • Hangryuman on 16/07/2021 - 13:38
    -5

    'Emirates First Class to Europe using 455K Qantas Points Thanks To OzBargain!'

    um - 455K Qantas Points - how much did you spend to get this ?

    this site suggests earning between 0.4-1 point per dollar spent (apart from teasers of 110K for new accounts)

    https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/comp…

    or 2 points per dollar if you have the top Qantas cards - https://support.qantasmoney.com/features-and-rewards/how-man…

    CHOICE consumer research suggested about 1 cent per point - and as OP said "Qantas' 'Classic Reward' tickets, which sometimes offer better value, but with limited availability" - https://www.choice.com.au/travel/on-holidays/airlines/articl…

    this article suggests 1000 points are worth $40-60 for First-Class - https://www.finder.com.au/frequent-flyer-analysis-how-much-i… - so 455K points should be worth $18-27,000 - is that what first-class tickets cost ?

    annual fees can be steep - https://www.pointhacks.com.au/qantas/best-qantas-frequent-fl…

    and OP said he paid $800 towards this bargain ?

    I'm wondering if OP might have spent of the order of $455,000 in order to 'score' this tremendous bargain … ?

    • dbui8743 on 16/07/2021 - 14:15
      +4

      You must be new to ozbargain?

      I have more points than this spending barely.

      • Faszkalap on 16/07/2021 - 14:24
        +1

        But how?!

    • madreece on 16/07/2021 - 14:42
      +2

      Mate you are so wrong.
      5 credit card sign up bonuses at 100k each, Min spend say $3k each + say average $350 card fee= $15k spend + $1750 card fees+ $800 fuel levy & taxes and still with 40k points left over.
      The $15k spend would have been normal life spending anyway.

      445k points is nothing in the game.

      • Hangryuman on 17/07/2021 - 10:34

        'Mate you are so wrong.'

        to ask a question ?

        hmm - quick to judge

        but hey thanks for the update - gaming the new sign ups - 5 credit cards - like the old Round Robin game

        I guess you then need to cancel each card within 1 year so you don't get hit with the high annual fees ?

        P.S. that's not a statement of fact - it's actually a - question …

        • madreece on 17/07/2021 - 10:52

          Not at all mate. Nothing wrong with asking questions, the wrong was in reference that the OP had spent $455k on his cards.
          Usually cancel cards after points have been added to your FF account. We always hit the minimum spend in the first month, so dependent upon the card they get cancelled after two to three months.
          Plenty of card offers out there to keep you going throughout the year.
          Keep track of when you cancel them so you when your 12 mths is up before you can re-apply (or 18 mths for Amex). If you are in the situation where you are a couple and both work, you should be easy to get between 800k to 1 million points per year. Yeah, might not be able to use them right now, but dependent upon the program they don't expire, so just stock pile them away for when travel resumes, I know we are.
          And for all the " Your credit rating score will get destroyed" people, your score takes a small hit but soon recovers. My credit rating bounces between 700-800.

    • squaredonut on 16/07/2021 - 22:33

      Most OzB people would have taken advantage of credit card bonus or refinancing.

      I never had a single qantas frequent flyer point before, largely because I was getting points from other credit card programs in the past, but I just got my Qantas credit card last year in May or so and I'm already on 360k points. Granted I've also timed some purchases for BigW and Woolworths where they have like 10 x rewards points that get converted to Qantas points.

  • Halc on 16/07/2021 - 15:25
    +1

    are you planning to come back at all? curious as to what prompted you to fly overseas at this time. it's ridiculously hard to get back into Australia with the flight cancellations with tickets running into 10s of thousands in cost, if you are lucky enough to score a flight at all, not to mention the quarantine requirements. you also won't be able to enjoy many of the perks of first class that usually makes it worthwhile.

    • squarepants on 16/07/2021 - 15:35
      +1

      Doesn't sound like OP's keen to come back anytime soon at all. Not within the next 3 months, and perhaps not even before we sort our awesome hotel quarantine system out.

      • Halc on 16/07/2021 - 17:21
        +2

        i hear the resort at Howard Springs is real nice, authentic outback experience ;)

        • squarepants on 16/07/2021 - 17:22

          yeah fairly sure OP wouldn't be keen on that lol

          • z0s0 on 17/07/2021 - 17:45
            +1

            @squarepants: would be keener on that than some crappy CBD hotel with no fresh air TBH!

    • z0s0 on 16/07/2021 - 22:46
      -5

      Emirates first class experience that we had yesterday is almost entirely unchanged from pre covid times. Very happy with it.

      For the record I paid just 1900€ for a business class flight from Europe back to Australia last year end of October. Managed to avoid paying for hotel quarantine also thanks to a technicality.

  • ddhar on 16/07/2021 - 16:10

    Congrats on amassing those points and deciding to go away. I'm sitting on similar amounts but don't see myself going anywhere this year, i.e. Job, house and other responsibilities I can't just leave behind. Plus I'm with the majority opinion here.

    How do you plan to spend your time over there? Are you going to be city-hopping, etc.? I'd love to go places (as a travel photographer) but 3 months is pushing it for me. The accommodation and travel expenses will add up over time.

    • z0s0 on 17/07/2021 - 17:49

      Probably won't stay less than a month anywhere; we've done a lot of travel over the years and are a bit sick of the "new place every few days" style of fast travel. Slower is obviously cheaper too.

      Missus is working remote also so need decent workspace etc. And no longer paying any rent/mortgage/bills in Aus so cashflow is freed up for Airbnbs. I've often found traveling to be not all that much more expensive than staying at home in Aus; obviously heavily dependent on the destination countries.

  • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 16/07/2021 - 16:11
    +8

    If you come back any time before the borders open (or at least home quarantining is possible), you're extremely selfish.

    • z0s0 on 16/07/2021 - 22:47
      +2

      Duly noted.

      • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 18/07/2021 - 17:41
        -3

        I toned down my language for this forum. But suffice to say I think very little of people who expect to be accommodated in quarantine hotels after leaving frivolously.

        • drfuzzy on 18/07/2021 - 22:51

          You're an excellent warden.

        • dbui8743 on 19/07/2021 - 08:05

          Not like it is free. They pay 3k for it, it's all fair game.

          • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 19/07/2021 - 20:49

            @dbui8743: LOL, you have no idea how much it costs to run a hotel quarantine program. The $3k barely covers the room costs, and certainly not the three meals a day. Throw in the cost of the security, police, testing, on-site nursing, management, and a whole host of other necessary elements of a well-run quarantine program, and every guest is costing the taxpayer a 5 figure sum, even if they pay the $3k contribution.

            This is a country, not a business - screwing taxpayers isn't something to be proud of.

    • Stopback on 19/07/2021 - 11:55

      the gov could easily make a ticket system for return travelers,

      instead they make it who can pay most for a ticket,

      its classic divide and conquer,

      they want you to turn on citzens and not think about the real strucual causes of the issues,

      • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 19/07/2021 - 20:55
        +1

        The Govt should do more charters, but they prefer letting private operators do all the hard work and cost of flying in empty (we need them to come in for freight).

        It doesn't change the fact that people leaving for non-urgent reasons, then expecting to take scarce taxpayer funded quarantine spots, are extraordinarily selfish.

        Also, you may think there can be more spaces simply offered for hotel quarantine. There can't. It's expensive and troublesome to manage, and, as we are currently seeing, indulging people's desire to travel (even if they want to see their family after a long time) isn't worth having to destroy the country with lockdowns.

        In summation, the OP is a merchant banker.

  • ipiok on 16/07/2021 - 16:38
    -7

    Honestly, you have to put this entire "pandemic" into perspective…. We've had more people die from cancer, car accidents, old age, heart disease, alcoholism, suicide, seasonal flu in the last 2 years than this so called "deadly" virus will ever claim. Has everyone suddenly forgotten about bird flu…. a global "pandemic" with not a single "lock down" or race to inject everyone with experimental vaccines. As usual the media has down a brilliant job scaring the sh*t out of everyone and you've all bought it, hook, line and sinker.

    • evocable on 16/07/2021 - 17:01
      +12

      Get your head out of the sand. The health system is designed to deal with the people dying from all those non covid related causes. The problem is a sudden influx of covid sick and dying people on top of those. It takes years to build new hospitals and decades to train the staff to man it so even a small increase in the sick and dying would become unmanageable very quickly so the government implements lockdowns to manage the threat and eliminate spread.

    • Halc on 16/07/2021 - 17:08
      +7

      for US/UK or any signficantly affected country that is certainly not true. would love to know which orifice you are pulling your numbers from
      https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2774465

      The daily US mortality rate for COVID-19 deaths is equivalent to the September 11, 2001, attacks, which claimed 2988 lives,1 occurring every 1.5 days, or 15 Airbus 320 jetliners,2 each carrying 150 passengers, crashing every day.

      Here's a fun mental image. 15 full jetliners crashing every day at the height of pandemic in the US. but hey what do we sheeples know

    • madreece on 16/07/2021 - 17:20
      +7

      Hmmm, comparing Avian bird Flu (455 deaths) to Covid (4.07 Million deaths). A little bit different.

    • g1 on 16/07/2021 - 20:33
      +7

      "We've had more people die from cancer, car accidents, old age, heart disease, alcoholism, suicide, seasonal flu in the last 2 years than this so called "deadly" virus will ever claim."

      Wrong

      COVID is in the top five causes of death globally for 2020:
      https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/just-how-do-deaths…

    • smartazz104 on 17/07/2021 - 13:44
      +3

      You listed a lot of non-contagious diseases Einstein. Why do idiots try to come up with analogies and comparisons when they don't know shit?

    • miztadave on 17/07/2021 - 19:15
      +1

      Quite obvious that you're completely ignorant and not bothered to educate yourself by watching/reading any international news to discover the havoc that has occurred when health systems have become overloaded due to Covid.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2021 - 17:44

    A hellava lot of Karens inhabit this site. Good on you, OP, have a great trip.

    • g1 on 16/07/2021 - 20:30
      +3

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_(slang) <—- OP is the Karen, according to Karen meme/slang.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2021 - 23:35
        -5

        Googling Karen and then linking to a Wiki page about Karens that has been edited by a bunch of Karens. Classic Karen move.

        • g1 on 17/07/2021 - 12:21
          +1

          You go ahead and keep your own definition of Karen meme. Cause you know better!

  • sw0rdy on 16/07/2021 - 18:08

    Have you booked a return flight home yet? I imagine you have to pay your way home and there wouldn't be any reward seat availability?

    • z0s0 on 16/07/2021 - 22:49

      No imminent plans to return to Australia. But agreed it wouldn't be feasible on a reward booking. In any case I burned all my qff points on these flights!

      • Budju on 17/07/2021 - 02:19

        As long as you don't plan on coming home this year, you have our blessing.

        • z0s0 on 17/07/2021 - 06:09
          +6

          Phew!

      • daft009 on 18/07/2021 - 02:55

        It is possible to come back on points and people have done it this year

  • dufflover on 16/07/2021 - 19:35
    +1

    Thanks OP for reminding people what a crap show this Government is doing around borders and travellers being all about capitalism. Didn't mind at all people like McGowan digging into some of the BS exemptions handed out to travelers.

    Ah well, like they hate the game not the players. Enjoy the trip.

  • stayhome on 16/07/2021 - 19:42
    +1

    What are Covid restrictions like in Paris, if any? Do you have to wear masks indoors? Are there restrictions on numbers at venues/homes? Are certain experiences only open to people who have been vaccinated?

    • z0s0 on 17/07/2021 - 18:00
      -4

      Not in Paris now, but France has various restrictions of course. Google them if you're keen; I can't be bothered TBH!

    • matt-ozb on 18/07/2021 - 08:30

      Here is an example ..
      https://www.louvre.fr/en

  • blackorange on 16/07/2021 - 21:02
    +6

    My partner is overseas and we have had multiple travel exemptions rejected in both directions (for him to enter or me to leave). I cannot even bear to read the comments on this thread. I hope you are satisfied with the pain that your gloating has caused for thousands of people in heartbreaking desperate situations where they cannot see their loved ones.

    • dowhatuwant2 on 17/07/2021 - 12:04
      +2

      Just visit for over 3 months like the poster said?

  • baldur on 17/07/2021 - 08:02
    +8

    Australia turned Into a prison, they ban their own citizens from entering and leaving Australia and communities are like ozbargain and reddit are very supportive of this extreme human rights breach. Sheepness at its finest.

    • dowhatuwant2 on 17/07/2021 - 12:05
      +8

      To be fair Australia started as a prison too…

      • this is us on 17/07/2021 - 12:28

        That explains a lot, from a psychoanalytic perspective.

    • smartazz104 on 17/07/2021 - 13:45

      Usually people who call others sheep are actually sheep themselves…

    • drfuzzy on 18/07/2021 - 22:54
      +2

      Agreed, quarantine is important but so are the rights of Australians to arrive and leave as they please (at their own expense).

  • Gunnar on 17/07/2021 - 09:25
    +19

    OP regardless of the pandemic, you sound like a complete w.nker

    • z0s0 on 17/07/2021 - 17:59
      +1

      I do it all just for comments like this!

      • Gunnar on 17/07/2021 - 21:35
        +3

        Sounds on brand

  • gimme on 17/07/2021 - 12:32
    +1

    Good read. Enjoy!

  • daddydirtsurfer on 17/07/2021 - 16:44

    Just don't come back, ok. Business are dying everywhere. Not funny if you go oversea.

    • matt-ozb on 18/07/2021 - 08:27

      Things can't be that bad .. with the huge increase in house prices and mega new car sales .. seems like people are getting more money than from their crappy business

  • [Deactivated] on 17/07/2021 - 19:20
    +5

    Jesus.. the salt is strong here… everyone's bitter about other people not being bitter, too? Nice one OP!

  • ausmechkeyboards on 17/07/2021 - 21:07
    +10

    I'm not sure why people are so mad at OP. He's done things that everyone here basically has access to (CC churning) and prepared himself to be able to leave for a few months.

    Your problem here is with the federal government, not with OP. He hasn't done a single thing wrong — legally, socially or otherwise.

  • pogichinoy on 17/07/2021 - 22:46
    +2

    OP how old are you?

    Have an awesome time in Europe! I hope to go next year. Can you please provide feedback on what’s open with tourism, art galleries, museums, etc?

  • fringe-benefits on 18/07/2021 - 00:27
    +5

    I support OP. Good on you!

  • giventofly on 18/07/2021 - 08:32
    +3

    You completely selfish bastard.

    Why didn't you take me with you?

  • GourmetFoodie on 18/07/2021 - 09:58
    +1

    Time and place mate.
    Time and place.

    • z0s0 on 18/07/2021 - 15:47
      +3

      I have loads of time and I'm in just the right place to enjoy it. Cheers!

  • DiscoJango on 18/07/2021 - 12:12
    +4

    This thread is full of tall poppy syndrome. People turning on each other over what shouldnt be an issue at all. Blame the government? Noooooo, their innocent, lets blame op for being smarter than you are.

  • frostman on 18/07/2021 - 12:22
    +1

    So your the person applying for all these credit cards, getting points and closing them.

    • z0s0 on 18/07/2021 - 15:49
      +1

      One of many, apparently.

      • drfuzzy on 18/07/2021 - 22:57

        It will adversely affect your credit history but I suspect you are not one to own a home. Correct?

        • gimme on 19/07/2021 - 10:54

          Perhaps they already own a home (or many) outright :)
          PS: If you're doing everything else right, churning through CCs is only a very small hit on your credit history. It's also unclear whether mortgage providers place a lot of weight on that type of activity provided you tick the other boxes.

  • slipperypete on 18/07/2021 - 12:41
    +5

    Used to work as a pilot in the UAE. Flew EK 1st class often. Used to be great but has dropped significantly in quality. The A380 1st is still good tho

    3 types of people up there.
    Ones who were paid for by a company
    The very wealthy
    …and the try hards. These were the ones always asking for things, taking pics of everything and also the most demanding. It is a reason they avoid upgrading anyone to first if they can help it.

    Have a safe trip

    • GourmetFoodie on 18/07/2021 - 15:59
      +1

      Lol the important part of this comment is you missed stating what category the OP falls into?!

  • Nads2407 on 18/07/2021 - 13:09

    interested if you don't mind me asking. what do you are your wife do for work?

    • z0s0 on 18/07/2021 - 15:49

      I write software for my own company. She does sales & support for another company.

  • DogGunn on 18/07/2021 - 13:41
    +6

    If you're not going to come back for the next 3 months, per the requirement to leave, then go ahead enjoy.

    I still think your attitude sucks. You clearly made this post to gloat more than anything else.

    • DiscoJango on 18/07/2021 - 13:50
      +1

      And everyone got butthurt just as op hoped :)

      • DogGunn on 18/07/2021 - 13:52
        +3

        I really don't see how that is something to be proud of to be honest.

        • DiscoJango on 18/07/2021 - 16:13

          its the current social media generation: generate as much hype as possible to get as many likes as possible, aka mayweather vs paul

  • GourmetFoodie on 18/07/2021 - 16:01
    +5

    Lol when I’m on holiday the last thing I’m doing is posting to Ozbargain….

    • Marcsie on 18/07/2021 - 17:54
      +1

      Exactly, some people just want to show off I guess !

  • Marcsie on 18/07/2021 - 17:53
    +1

    Do we really want to know or care about this ? Not a very smart post at all !

  • khell on 18/07/2021 - 21:06
    +2

    Don't come back, thanks.

  • nekro on 18/07/2021 - 22:16
    +1

    Have a great time op… however if there's still a quue to get back in you probably should be at the end of it

  • PAOK11 on 19/07/2021 - 09:36

    Can I see the certificate for the vaccine? Who gave it to you?

    • ausmechkeyboards on 19/07/2021 - 20:21

      Medicare issues it to you, it's in the app.

      • PAOK11 on 19/07/2021 - 20:49

        Thats not what I heard

        • dbui8743 on 19/07/2021 - 22:18

          Medicare does those. I have been seeing my friends parading their certificates on facebook. SMH

        • ausmechkeyboards on 20/07/2021 - 08:30

          Well that’s where mine is.

          • PAOK11 on 20/07/2021 - 12:19

            @ausmechkeyboards: Where did you get the vaccine? ie Hospital, Hub, Medical Practitioner?

            • gimme on 20/07/2021 - 12:24

              @PAOK11: makes no difference where you get it. It shows up on your medicare online profile. It shouldn't take more than 48hrs (typically) but if you've had the vaccine more than 10 days ago and still can't see it online, you may want to check with the provider.
              PS: After each of the 2 doses you would also see it under 'immunisation history' and after the 2nd dose you'll see an additional 'certificate'

            • ausmechkeyboards on 20/07/2021 - 18:56

              @PAOK11: Hub.

              It's all organised through Medicare, in the app you have a full vaccine history you can access.

  • payless69 on 19/07/2021 - 10:07

    Waiting 4 Pfizer! Oldies in Europe got it, but Oz lacking "Grey" power!

  • OneTonneRodeo on 21/07/2021 - 12:15

    Nice one. Couple questions, if I may.

    When it came to proof for the exemption, you've touched on visas, passport, and funding - did you also have to book 3+ months accommodation up front or have some sort of lease or similar to show them?

    Was travel insurance (or lack thereof) something you were overly concerned about? Not so much for COVID given vaccinations and risk category, but even cover for other things. Or will you mostly be settled in the one place (France) that it didn't really factor into things?

    • z0s0 on 21/07/2021 - 20:09
      +1

      No, didn't book any accommodation or mention that aspect at all in the exemption process.

      Not particularly concerned about travel insurance, although that said we have identified an emergency medical policy (including covid coverage) that we will probably buy soon because the price is reasonable, and some countries we might like to visit later in the year (e.g Thailand) require it.

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