Newbie to Credit Cards / Qantas FF

Lmax19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 12:46

Hi everyone,this is my first post please forgive me if ita a dumb question.

after reading on importance of CC in OZBARGAIN over the last fe wdays i have finally got hold of the ANZ card with 50k ff and will also get the CBA CC worth another 40 k qantas FF in the next few days.
My current status with qantas is bronze level.

My query is how do i use these points to fly overseas i have a little baby who didnot enjoy using economy in a domestic flight recently and we have to go overseas for a wedding in october,i am hoping i will have the points in my account as soon as i do the minimum spend amount?please correct me if ii am wrong.

i am willing to buy economy tickets and upgrade atleast my wife/baby to business or first class so that atleast they get a peaceful journey

also the card i have is the ANZ black ,it says complimentry qantas lounge use ?what does that mean.

Thanks again for the help in advance.

Financial Credit Card

Comments

  • No on 05/06/2015 - 13:30
    +1

    also the card i have is the ANZ black ,it says complimentry qantas lounge use ?what does that mean

    Qantas lounge is a lounge at the airport where you can eat and rest away from the crowds. You need a qantas / jetstar ticket to enter

    See here http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/qantas-club-lounge-…

  • Okie on 05/06/2015 - 13:42
    +1

    For Qantas lounge question,
    You can visit Qantas lounge if you fly with Qantas or Jetstar on that day.
    You need to call ANZ Concierge to get vouchers mail to you. You will receive 2 vouchers per annual.

  • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 13:45

    thats great Thanks guys.

  • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 13:46

    can someone tell me on how to upgrade and when do i get the points after sign up?

    • Maki on 05/06/2015 - 14:39
      +1

      It took me a few weeks after your purchases.

      You can upgrade on qantas website.

      • The Champagne Mile on 05/06/2015 - 20:48
        +1

        My ANZ bonus points took 3 months after purchase to show up, so be aware it can take awhile.

  • carwashhair on 05/06/2015 - 14:52
    +1

    i am willing to buy economy tickets and upgrade atleast my wife/baby to business or first class

    I may be incorrect on this (have worked the VA scheme a lot more than QF), but I generally thought that upgrade chances on QF were dependent on status. Things may not look good for you there. You should be able to use points to snare a reward fare in business (so long as it's available), but even this is difficult for a fair number of routes (unless you're booking when the seats become available at 330 days out), or willing to chance more reward seats being released from about 2 months out from departure.

    Put simply, the value in redeeming QFF points can be pretty hard to come by for the average person. Not to mention the hefty fuel fines for booking rewards, compared to a number of other programs. If you're serious on points and redemptions in premium cabins, look into the american airlines (who often allow you to purchase points). http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/airlines…

  • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 15:26

    You should be able to use points to snare a reward fare in business (so long as it's available), but even this is difficult for a fair number of routes(i need to get to singapore in october) unless you're booking when the seats become available at 330 days out, r willing to chance more reward seats being released from about 2 months out from departure?

    how do i do this mate?

    • carwashhair on 05/06/2015 - 15:45
      +1

      Again, no expert here, but log into your QFF account and start a booking using points. I'm not sure you can see availability of seats unless you have the minimum no of points for that seat/route, but may be wrong.

  • modsec802 on 05/06/2015 - 15:40
    +4

    Most international economy fares can't be upgraded: make sure you check the terms of the sale when buying them.

    Even if you do get one, at Bronze level your chance of getting one are slim to none.

    Why wouldn't a baby enjoy economy? There's really no difference for a baby. In economy Qantas will give you a bulk head with a bassinet, what more could you want?

  • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 15:57

    she gets very restless in cramped spaces,so basically what you are saying is the points i have are not worth anything when i am flying?

    • carwashhair on 05/06/2015 - 16:09

      Your points certainly aren't worth what you were hoping they would be! QF points are pretty worthless on economy fares due to the fuel fines (i.e. taxes/copayment) - the points might save you a few hundred dollars at most. Business fares get much better value, but with nearly 10 million members and limited reward seats, you have a LOT of competition for those seats. So a LOT of planning is needed, over a year out!

      Again, if you're serious about flying premium classes in future, read the link above.

      Might I suggest as an alternative a Scoot airlines Scootbiz fare on the way there (assuming ex SYD or Gold Coast), and perhaps QF Business on the return (pending availability)? At least this way you get a larger seat and a daytime flight which bub might normally be awake for, while on the QF flights (which are overnighters) you would likely get an angled lie-flat seat in Business. You'd likely need more points than just your CC points though.

    • NancyCat on 05/06/2015 - 17:16

      she gets very restless in cramped spaces

      Instead of getting an infant ticket for your baby daughter (i.e. she sits on your lap), you may want to pay extra to get her a child's ticket so she has her own seat. Even if she doesn't sit on her own, at least give you guys more room for her to lie down (hopefully, so sleep).
      (Infant 10% of adult fare, child 75%)

      • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 17:44

        good advice ,Thanks

    • The Champagne Mile on 05/06/2015 - 20:52
      +1

      While Qantas charges hefty fuel fines, remember, it IS possible to use your QFF points on other carriers (bookable via the online search engine) - for example, CX (Cathay) flies daily from SYD and MEL to HKG. A one way flight (not upgrade) in business from MEL - HKG currently costs 65,000 points and only around $120 in taxes. These are great value IMO (I have a number of them booked for later in the year). Having said that, they are hard to find and QFF status may factor into availability.

      • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 22:57

        thanks mate ,thats super advice.where do i find these and how?i live in brisbane.

  • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 16:04

    how do i go from bronze to a higher level with qantas?i am sorry if i am sounding like an idiot but i dont really know anything about this i hate taking credit cards out but now i have taken 2 just to get some qantas points.

    • carwashhair on 05/06/2015 - 16:13
      +1

      Fly. Fly. And fly some more. You need Status Credits, which are earned solely by flying Bum In Seat. Status Credits in Australia aren't that cheap - when you consider a one-way SYD-MEL flight in standard economy earns 10 credits and might cost $120+, then you have a cost of $12/SC. If you need 600 SC's to get to Gold with Qantas, then that's $7200 worth of flying (give or take). You'd probably want an employer paying that for you. Otherwise, just buy the business class seats yourself!

      There's a reason why the system is called 'frequent flyer' - because that's who it rewards the most.

  • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 16:34

    Thanks guys i checked qantas flights through my QFF account,did some dummy bookings in economy,it came down to 2500$ (dummy becasue i am waiting for my CC to come in need 3k spend)which is not bad,but it also had an option to pay +use points(does that make it cheaper).

    after reading comments from you guys i went to qantas shop and found i get a myer voucher worth 500$ for about 80k points thats not bad for no cost from my pocket ,i think i will pay 10$ for CBA(again thanks to Ozbargain community).

    i will book one business for my wife and baby,and travel economy(hopefully in future plan properly with some advice from you guys)

  • max19832002 on 05/06/2015 - 16:36

    i dont fly that often mate as i have a local business,but i will keep that in mind.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/06/2015 - 10:45

    Not sure if out was previously mentioned. Regarding the club access, if you get a business upgrade, there is no need to redeem or use your club pass. Club access is included for two adults and 2 children for business and paid club members, single entry for redemption cards. The higher your status,i believe you can get upto three adults….. Gold, platinum etc,

    Please also note that you will not accrue business or first point platform for upgrade and point redemption.

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