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Perth to New York Return Qantas Business Class ~ $2800pp Plus Other Combinations

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Perth to New York Return Qantas Business Class ~ $2800pp Plus Other Combinations
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John Stone on 14/02/2014 - 01:05 buy.points.com (875 clicks)

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to let everybody know of the awesome deal that I managed to snag via the Alaskan Airlines bonus mileage sale.

Im not going to claim any credit for this. For all the details go to this page here.
http://www.pointhacks.com.au/alaska-airlines-offering-40-bon…
I got all the details via the Points Hack blog.

All in all I managed to snag return Qantas Business Class flights from Perth to New York return departing in November for $2521USD. The conversion hasn’t come through on my 28 Degrees Card yet but using the mastercard conversion tool the cost is about $2800 AUD.

An absolute bargain when you consider that Perth to New York economy return is usually $1800 to $2000 return. Also I think the Business class deal is great when you consider Perth to New York is about another 10 hours flight on top of something like Sydney to LAX.
Plus I wont complain about the in flight and pre flight perks of Business class.

I’ll try to outline what I did.

Signed up for an Mileage Plan account.
Bought miles and received a 40% bonus. Apparently new accounts take a few days for you to buy miles.
Book a flight using the Miles through the Alaskan Airlines booking system. Refer to the points table to find out how many points you need for whatever class, airline and destination of flight.

In my case per person the cost was 110,000 points per person plus $174 USD in taxes/charges.
Be wary of flights that use mixed class itenaries. You may need to be flexible a few days to get the flight that you want.

All up the cost was $174 USD in taxes.
$12.50 USD in charges to Alaskan.
$2335 USD to purchase the 110,000 miles.
=2521.50 USD

I have no idea what Business Class fares usually go on cheap sale prices for, but I do know it is nowhere near $2800. For us it was an affordable way for my partner and I to travel Business class to the to US.

Travel Airfare New York North America United States

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closed Comments

  • Pacolito on 14/02/2014 - 01:08

    Is this cost effective for economy flights too?

  • John Stone on 14/02/2014 - 01:20

    To be honest I'm not too sure.
    Have a look at the point tables here.
    http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/earn-use-miles…

    With the sale it works out to be about $0.0211 (2.11 cents) per point

    As with most frequent flyer programs, you usually get better bang for buck by booking higher cabins of travel.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2014 - 01:48

      you usually get better bang for buck by booking higher cabins of travel.

      Indeed. According to that point table, a return Business award is 110k miles versus 85k for Economy — 30% more for a very significant step-up in comfort. :)

  • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2014 - 01:47

    For anyone considering this, be sure to check award availability for Cathay Pacific and Korea Air as well, since it can be difficult to find award space in Business and First on Qantas to North America — award seats often get snapped up as soon as they are released 355 days out. :)

  • hfongk on 14/02/2014 - 02:05
    +1

    A lot of 'business' class flights are only business class for one sector. eg for MEL - LAX - JFK only LAX - JFK is in Business class. But they still charge 55k miles for it? I haven't found a single flight that's in full business class yet.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2014 - 02:12

      I'm not familiar with Alaska's award booking system, but I'm guessing that's because there's no business class award space available for MEL-LAX on the dates you searched. Like I said above, it can be pretty difficult to find J and F awards on Qantas to North America.

  • xsacha on 14/02/2014 - 03:20
    +1

    ~$1000 Business class, all domestic return flights in Australia

    Example: Cairns -> Perth (via Brisbane) Return on Qantas Business is 40k points + $82 (Normally ~$4000)
    Example: Emerald -> Perth (via Brisbane) Return on Qantas Business is 40k points + $92 (Normally ~$5700)

    Pretty much any remote town to Perth is a bargain / steal.

    ~$625 Economy class, all domestic return flights in Australia.
    Example: Lord Howe Island -> Perth Return on Qantas Economy is 25k points + $142 (Normally ~$1700) http://i.imgur.com/id5URe5.png

    A lot of smaller remote towns/islands don't offer business. Even more of a steal with economy.

    One-way is just half those prices.

    Note: Need to buy around 42,000 (30,000 + 12k bonus) points or more to get full bonus. Spending less points will give lower bonus and slightly higher cost.

    • xsacha on 14/02/2014 - 04:22

      Devonport -> Broome Business Return is normally $6800
      http://i.imgur.com/SZhD7qc.png

      Anyone find a better deal?

    • xsacha on 14/02/2014 - 11:50

      OK, don't use Alaskan Airlines for these.

      American Airlines are cheaper. You can even fly to New Zealand for the same price.
      10k economy, 17.5 business, points cost the same but 30% bonus instead of 40%. So these flights end up being about $950 business. Doesn't help economy due to minimum purchase but you do get a lot of miles left over in your account.

      Broome (WA) -> Wellington (NZ) fully business class: http://i.imgur.com/rAA6I5U.png
      Note the times are on purpose so you get a day stop over at Perth and Melbourne. You can do it closer together but I thought this was a great way to see a few cities while flying business ;)

  • xsacha on 14/02/2014 - 05:01
    +1

    Just a note that it appears American Airlines is even cheaper for intra-Australian flights. Possibly everything.
    They have 30% bonus until end of February. They only require 17.5k for business within Australia though. 10k for economy. That's US$825 for 38,250 points.
    http://www.aa.com/i18n/disclaimers/aadvantageAllPartnerChart…

  • Turd on 14/02/2014 - 05:57

    how are the travel dates for peak times ie xmas and nye holidays?

    edit just did some searches and seems without the 40 bonus it is expensive. but with the flights are ok

    just gotta play arouund with it

  • dissin on 14/02/2014 - 07:48

    Can you buy and hold the points to use at a later time? Can you combine and use with existing Qantas points? How does it work?

  • JakeTheMuSS on 14/02/2014 - 08:18

    Hmmm each one I selected was Business for intra-Aus flight then coach for the long haul flight. Only if I'm doing it wrong. From Bris to New York.

    • xsacha on 14/02/2014 - 11:21

      You're probably trying a date too soon. All the long-haul business award gets sold out.

  • isdnman on 14/02/2014 - 08:39
    +2

    You will be lucky to be able to find a business class reward seat on QF.
    So beware before you purchase the points.

  • Bunnycat on 14/02/2014 - 09:18
    +3

    I bought some of these points with their last deal (35% off) and am still waiting to book. (Waiting very nervously nervously now). I have noticed that it will be difficult to book 2 business class tickets together as availability is very scarce. As far as I know you can only book 330 days out with these points where members of say qantas ff program can book up to 360 days out. Therefore by the time you can book, a lot of seats are already gone.
    There is also the issue of if everybody jumps on this deal, there'll be far fewer seats available and thus the attractiveness of the deal diminishes.
    Interesting deal, but not without risk…

  • cornucopia on 14/02/2014 - 09:25

    How did you purchase 110K miles?? AS I look at the Alaskan site the top points buy is 40K (plus 40%) = 56K??? Or can you go around the purchase loop multiple times??

    Further question: How is this possible when Alaskan are not a member of One World (as far as I can determine)?? Note; Having said that I can see Qantas seats in their Miles redemptions!! Strange….

    OK, I found it. Alaskan is a partner with Qantas while not being in One World.

    And a final point. OP I'd have a closer look at you booking. After endless searching I can't find a trip on Alaskan Miles to the US from anywhere in Oz where the transponder is Business Class, only the domestic legs are up the pointy end…..having said that, what this avenue does provide is a massive discount on Qantas's ridiculous 'Taxes and Surcharges' in FF. eg. Sydney to LAX in Coach (aka Economy), points about the same on Alaskan Miles and QFF, taxes on Alaskan about $200, on QFF about $750. Saving >$500 pp on a return awards ticket…..:-)

    • xsacha on 14/02/2014 - 11:22

      Yes, you can purchase miles multiple times.

      You can also use American Airlines who have a 30% bonus.
      American Airlines requires only 10k domestic economy, 17.5k domestic business whereas Alaskan requires 12.5 and 20k. Also, domestic flights include New Zealand whereas Alaskan doesn't.

      So you can fly Business Return from Broome (WA) to Wellington (NZ) for 35k points (US$825): http://i.imgur.com/rAA6I5U.png

      You get 10% less miles but it's more than 12.5% less miles required to fly in business and 20% less miles to fly in economy.

      So, in fact, this Alaskan deal isn't as good as AA if you want to fly within Australia.

  • tonester on 14/02/2014 - 10:05
    +1

    For all the details go to this page here.
    http://www.pointhacks.com.au/alaska-airlines-offering-40-bon…

    also discussed in http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/cheap-in…

    but yes it kind of seems to almost be the new us airways dividend miles hack :)
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/33007
    http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/us-airwa…

  • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2014 - 11:21

    is this strictly speaking legal?

    • damoo on 14/02/2014 - 11:36
      +2

      put it this way…. It's not illegal.

  • dirtybird on 14/02/2014 - 11:52

    Nice.

  • cornucopia on 14/02/2014 - 12:29
    +2

    I was looking at clever ways of using Alaskan Miles to fly Sydney LA return in December and found seats in Business on Delta, one of the Alaskan affiliates. The seats didn't appear in the Alaskan Miles booking system so I called them and they said the FF seats you see in affiliate airlines MAY NOT be available to Alaskan Miles users and on checking confirmed that there were no Delta Business seats Sydney LA available in December. So be real careful in establishing what you're going to use them for before rushing in and buying thousands of dollars worth of Alaskan Miles…..just saying!!

  • iflyflat on 14/02/2014 - 16:08
    +2

    Guys,

    Technically this deal is excellent value, but QF frequent flyer seats between AUST to USA is rare.

    I've got 141k Alaska points from this deal previously. I still like the points and think they are good value - but haven't found an easy way to use them yet.

    Just saying - it requires a bit of effort. And I’m a expert at this stuff, I run a business specialising in helping people (mainly businesses owners) maximising their points.

    Have a bit of patience, read up about it on pointhack and AFF and Flyer-talk and you can indeed bag yourself a bargain.

    Enjoy and share the wins.

  • Foxtail on 15/02/2014 - 16:43
    +1

    This AS (Alaska Airlines) miles deal was on all last year, think 4 offered in all, varies from 35% to 40% extra miles gratis. Its virtually impossible as said OZ to USA in business (J), but go via HK and its excellent on CX (Cathay Pacific) but have to call AS toll free to confirm seats) plus have big choice of entry & exit cities VYR, SFO,ORD, NYC and that awful LAX. Of course further you book from departure better chance one has.

    I bought 120K miles last Dec. for AUD$3102 this would allow SYD/HKG/NYC return in J for one!, normally be about 4 times that amount. In our case we are doing OZ to HKG return in J for 2 in May (booked via As one week ago), then Emirates onwards to Europe using QFF points in J. One does have to search for award flights on CX & QF FF sites and then call AS and hope they have them, just be flexible.

    • dissin on 16/02/2014 - 19:19

      Would you know how many points needed for SYD/HK/Europe return in business?

  • Foxtail on 17/02/2014 - 08:30

    Its in link below for J (Bus. Class) you'd need to use CX (Cathay Pacific) be 2 sectors SYD/HKG then HKG to Europe, be 145K miles about AUD$3400!!
    Need to buy 2 x 40K and 1 26K plus current 40% bonus (this offer ends March 15).

    http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/earn-use-miles…

    Do your research before buying, or call AS toll free to see what they have. I was lucky and found mine just 3 months out.

  • dscorpcom10 on 21/02/2014 - 13:33

    I joined the Alaska Airlines FF club on Tues morning of this week but when I go to buy the miles it advises that my Mileage Program is ineligible! How long should I have to wait before I can buy miles since this is now day 4?

  • Foxtail on 21/02/2014 - 13:36

    Its usually a few days but can be up to 10. Once there away you go.

    Read comments at bottom of this page..

    http://tinyurl.com/lsxrmy9

  • dscorpcom10 on 21/02/2014 - 14:09

    Thx Foxtail for your prompt response which means I should make the buying deadline next month

  • Foxtail on 21/02/2014 - 14:16

    Yeah let us know how it went.

    Dr. friend of mine used about 50K AS miles in F on AA from Tokyo to Dallas to Memphis one way this week, cost him all of AUD$1400, incredible deal. If one wants to go in J from OZ to USA forget it, but via a few Asian ports excellent.

  • dscorpcom10 on 21/02/2014 - 14:57

    Will do thx for the tip

  • theoracle30 on 24/02/2014 - 00:47

    Can one person's account buy 4 people's tickets with miles? Or do we all need an account each?

  • Foxtail on 24/02/2014 - 09:35

    With mine I purchased two j tickets using AS miles no problem, no reason why you can't, can call them toll free to ask.

  • dscorpcom10 on 25/02/2014 - 22:48

    Day 8 and website still won't allow me to buy miles….maybe in the next 2 days?

  • Foxtail on 26/02/2014 - 08:49

    Should do in 1o days, it varies, some did 2 others 10.

    After 10 I'd call them toll free.

  • dscorpcom10 on 26/02/2014 - 21:56

    Will doFoxtail thx

  • dscorpcom10 on 28/02/2014 - 20:13

    Bought my first batch of miles this evening - all good!

  • Foxtail on 01/03/2014 - 09:13

    I remember buying mine last Dec., then when I bought the 2 x J tickets for a 1/4 of the CX price.

  • dscorpcom10 on 01/03/2014 - 17:53

    Where were the 2 x J flights? Can you fly say SYD/HKG with AS or only if you have an onward flight to the US?

  • Foxtail on 01/03/2014 - 18:22

    Mine were for 2 CNS/HKG return in J (bus. class) or can fly SYD or BNE to from HKG no probs. its not on AS its on CX, or go SYD/HKG/SFO or ORD or NYC or awful LAX, allowed one stopover each way.

  • dscorpcom10 on 03/03/2014 - 10:11

    I must be doing something wrong as when I went to dummy book flights CNS/HKG on the Alaska site it wouldn't allow me to do it? Can you help me work through the reservation process Foxtail?
    Thanks

  • Foxtail on 03/03/2014 - 10:36

    The only airline you can't book online at AS is CX, apparently their systems are not compatible.

    It says so above CX here…

    http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/earn-use-miles…

    You need to call AS toll free and be flexible there are not lots of awards with any airline, AS only gets few at a time (Y no prob, Y+ possible J/F a lot less). At 1/4 of price you may not get the dates you want. You can't hold seats either on award bookings you either book or not. You must be an AS member to call for seat availability, if not enough miles can ask though.

    Toll Free No. is 0011-800-25275200

    Im in BA, CX (free to join) I look for award fights on CX there 1st, also in QFF so that too. This doesn't mean that AS have them for sure just an indication.

    Read all the links provided earlier here, this tells the story.

  • Foxtail on 03/03/2014 - 13:38

    One other thing, when searching from HKG to USA look at various entry cities, SFO - ORD - JFK - LAX, another way to get to USA is via NRT (Tokyo). A Dr. friend is doing one way NRT/DFW (Dallas)/MEM (Memphis) "1st class" on AA with AS 64K miles about AUD$1700.

  • dscorpcom10 on 03/03/2014 - 19:16

    Thanks Foxtail

  • dscorpcom10 on 13/03/2014 - 16:03

    They have woken up to us! I managed to buy 112000 miles before they stopped the sale of miles to non-US or Canadians

  • dscorpcom10 on 16/03/2014 - 14:35

    Latest news…. Just bought another 56000 miles with an Aust debit card!

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