Qantas Points Business Class or Sell Then Upgrade with Cash

LGoldsmen on 03/04/2019 - 22:46

Hi All,

Was hoping someone could assist I have 400k Qantas points racked up from credit cards and wanted to know what is the best way to upgrade to business class have red various threads and sites but none seem to be clear and direct.

If any have had success booking economy then upgrading to business class could you please share your experience or point me in the direction as the most point effective way to do this.

I am considering traveling to Europe on Qantas or Emirates.

Would appreciate any input alternatively would it be best to just sell and use the money to upgrade closer to the flying date?

Travel Frequent Flyer Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward Points

Comments

  • electriccurio on 03/04/2019 - 23:06
    +3

    Depending on your status, if you are platinum or above then you have a very good chance of getting an upgrade for international flight. Domestically, no point in upgrading unless doing long flights, e.g. SYD-DAR or SYD-PER, but you have to have at least gold to have any chance of receiving an upgrade. If you have no status, forget about upgrades unless you are very lucky. Sell the points if you don't have status.

    • salmon123 on 03/04/2019 - 23:11
      +1

      If you have no status, forget about upgrades unless you are very lucky.

      Also depends if you're looking for just 1 seat or multiple. I find that when you're travelling alone, points upgrades are easier to come by, even when you don't have status.

      If any have had success booking economy then upgrading to business class could you please share your experience or point me in the direction as the most point effective way to do this.

      Lots of discount economy tickets aren't up-gradable (check the booking class). Buying an up-gradable economy ticket can be expensive.

      If you have 400k points, just see if they have a classic reward seat for you. That's the 2nd best option after a points upgrade.

  • Melburnian on 03/04/2019 - 23:09
    +7

    The highest value way to redeem the frequent flyer points would be to use them to book business class rewards flights outright rather than to upgrade from economy (which often costs you almost as many points anyway, plus the cash price of the economy fare). Definitely don't redeem using the 'points and pay' option as it is poor value. Qantas has low availability for business class rewards flights to Europe and you have to book well in advance (like a year, not a few months). If you need to travel sooner and business class rewards flights aren't available on your chosen route, then you might consider selling the points for cash, but you can't assume that the proceeds will be enough to fund the business class ticket - would need to check the prices. Bidding with points or cash to upgrade from a paid economy seat has inherent uncertainty - you won't know whether your bid was successful until close to the flight.

    TLDR: Use points to book business class outright (not upgrade) - do it way in advance.

    • Poolprouk on 03/04/2019 - 23:46
      +5

      Yes, best to book Business class outright, fat chance of getting an upgrade without status.

      Why limit yourself to Qantas or Emirates? You can use the points to book classic rewards business class flights on any oneworld airline.

      Some deals can be gotten at short notice too although you may pay a few extra points. I took a trip to london last year using Malaysian to KL, Emirates to Dubai and london, then on the return emirates to dubai and hong kong, then hong kong to melbourne on Cathay. All Business class using my qantas points.

      That was booked at about 2 weeks notice. It does take a bit of research though and flexibility.

      Pointhacks have some good guides on booking classic rewards flights.

      • jjjaar on 04/04/2019 - 00:53

        How many points did that set you back?

        • Poolprouk on 04/04/2019 - 07:46
          +1

          About 300k. It was the only way I could do it due to the late availability at that stage.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 03/04/2019 - 23:42
    +2

    With 400,000 points, you can go to Europe with Emirates, First Class return, for one person, and have a few thousand points left over. Taxes and surcharges will be around the $1400 mark unfortunately, and plus the points. That is the easiest method to get bang fr your buck, however the OneWorld Classic award, First Class, for 420,000 is the goal here.

    • fatal on 13/04/2019 - 11:54

      Or two business class return tickets too.

  • HappyACS on 04/04/2019 - 08:12

    if its ok to jump in on this discussion, how do you book on other One world carriers using Qantas points?

  • Excelsior on 04/04/2019 - 09:04
    +1

    Rack up another 160k points and go on a Round The World trip on Business class with someone.

  • Goldsmen on 04/04/2019 - 09:40

    Thanks everyone for your input has been really helpful.
    I’m on bronze status so would be out of the market when competing for an upgrade.

    I think from a value point of view the best bet is booking around the world on oneworld classic award and pay the tax more bang for your buck as opposed to direct business class to Europe.

    Anyone had any recent success on booking a oneworld classic on business or first could share the total cost involved and points?

  • Blue Suby on 04/04/2019 - 11:32
    +3

    It cost me 380K points for 1st return to Munich with Emirates. (+about $1400 fees/taxes) I didn't care much where I landed as I was able to get around by train through Europe fairly easily and cheapish) I just booked on Qantas FF site but I was fairly flexible with dates and destination. Like other comments here its not worth the points for domestic flights - use them for long haul. BTW my fare with Emirates had I paid for it was $27k!!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join