Booking Domestic flights with QFF

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  nickster9999 on 12/12/2014 - 09:02

  Using points to upgrade is a better use of points IMO, however, it does require you of course to buy the base fare.

  For domestic flights, you can upgrade to business class from ANY economy fare (even red-e deals).

  But on international flights, you can only upgrade from economy to a higher class on certain economy fare types, and the most cheapest economy fares (ie the advertised ones) you CAN'T upgrade. Sometimes the difference between the cheapest economy fare and an "upgradable" economy fare could be at least $500 each way, and even then there is no guarantee of an upgrade, because they are given out in order of priority of frequent flyer status (platinum one, platinum, gold, silver, bronze).

  So if you don't intend on ever flying internationally, or don't intend on buying a higher price economy fare, then you might want to consider just burning the points on flight redemptions. I'm not sure about Brisbane to Launceston, but I know Sydney to Hobart/Launceston is generally expensive all year round.

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  RockyRaccoon on 12/12/2014 - 12:00

  It all depends

  Sometimes flight deals are so good it doesn't make sense using your points.

  As Nickster said upgrades are better.

  Alternatively use the points for gift cards which are like cash if you choose the ones you use regularly like say Coles or Woolies

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  Baghern on 13/12/2014 - 14:43

  Are points for upgrades fixed points? Or fluctuations with price?

  I notice that booking flights with points is the same crap rate as buying gift cards. It changes based on the price of the flight

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  travelwiz on 11/02/2015 - 10:30

  domestic frequent flyer tickets are great for use at last minute as long as it's not school holidays or Easter.

  Sometimes have to go to SYD at short notice, when to buy fares is expensive.

  With so many flights BNE/SYD can often get choice of many flights using points, day before or even 3 hours before.

  Don't think SYD/HBA or LST is anymore expensive than anywhere else. If buying tickets buy as far in advance as possible is the general rule.

  As far as int upgrades, be careful.

  Have seen people who have been told by airline that if they buy a $4000 return ticket to LAX they might be able to upgrade, BUT it's an upgrade request. If some business type comes along & pays for last bus class seat(s), they can & have been bumped back to economy. They could have bought a $1500 ticket.

  Once on aircraft all economy seats are the same !!! & they had no recourse ie. they can't get back the extra $2500 they paid each.

  We use most of our Qantas ff points on U.S. domestic flights or USA to Canada flights on 3 major airlines American & US Airways (who are now one, but so big that takes time) & Alaska Airways.

  eg. LAX/Colorado 12,000 pts + $2 fee

  LAX/Vancouver 14,000 pts + some taxes

  Vegas/East Coast 18,000 pts + $2

  West Coast to East Coast 25,000 pts + $2

  No fuel surcharges but if crossing border to Canada there are some taxes.

  If connecting eg. at LAX off an international flight, international baggage rules apply if spend less than 24 hours at LA. One minute more & they will charge you SUD$25/checked bag.

  Qantas have just introduced a system whereby you can bid on international upgrades with both points & $$$ but I think $$$ will always win out.