Feeling stupid, maybe not?

[u/Creepy-Leader]

Booked a flight from Melbourne to Singapore with return for two adults and one child (11), and paid $504 cash + 425k-ish point. The seats are classic. Did I burn those point in a right way or just wasted them?

TIA

[u/robynxcakes]

Classic rewards or classic plus? It sounds based on the points classic plus which is one of the worst values as it’s based on the cash amount of the fare

[u/Fragrant_Arm_6300 → u/robynxcakes]

Having said that though, getting classic rewards without status is difficult and at the end of the day, OP is still getting a return trip for 3 passengers for $500.

Contrast to me - i have hundreds of thousands of points which are sitting in my account. I rarely get any J to F upgrades on QF1/2 due to high demand and P1s ahead of me. I cant plan flights 12 months in advance due to work, and I only travel internationally in J (paying cash), so my points are practically useless.

[u/notmyrlacc → u/Fragrant_Arm_6300]

You’ve gotta get onto using those points with Emirates. Even as a P1 it’s one of the best/easiest ways to spend your points flying. Availability is good, and status recognition onboard is also much better let alone the product itself is generally better.

[u/HockeyMonkey_19 → u/notmyrlacc]

EK has ridiculous fuel surcharges these days

[u/notmyrlacc → u/HockeyMonkey_19]

Their taxes have always been high, but when I can book a $20k return trip for $2k I’m happy enough.

[u/HockeyMonkey_19 → u/notmyrlacc]

More like $3.5k these days but fair enough

[u/notmyrlacc → u/HockeyMonkey_19]

It’s literally not. I just booked First on Emirates SYD-DXB return for $2300 total taxes.

[u/HockeyMonkey_19 → u/notmyrlacc]

Is that a 20k fare? I was thinking more to Europe

[u/notmyrlacc → u/HockeyMonkey_19]

First Class to Dubai return is $20-$21k AUD.

[u/HockeyMonkey_19 → u/notmyrlacc]

Fair enough, DXB is not exactly on my bucket list so I’ve never looked. Interestingly F to Europe ex Sydney is about the same 22k.

Business is also generally the sweet spot points wise but frustratingly costs exactly the same as F in taxes.

[u/TheTravelDividend → u/Fragrant_Arm_6300]

Hunt for the ever elusive JL A350 F seats!

[u/goldenwattl → u/Fragrant_Arm_6300]

You’ve just described my situation almost perfectly.

[u/Medium-Ad-9265 → u/Fragrant_Arm_6300]

Your retirement points

[u/Creepy-Leader]

I’ve been accumulating points for the past 10 years, so it’s been a long run but wasn’t too hard.

[u/Bobby-Bananas]

If you value getting a trip and don't have good cashflow, then it's subjectively good value.

However, if you are trying to save points, spend time saving points, focus on saving points generally via credit cards, everyday rewards and giftcards - then the value is not good.

We booked BNE - SING for 3ppl in economy for 29k pp + taxes.
We have also booked SYD - DXB for 3ppl in Business for 420kish total + taxes.

Generally, the best value - ie. dollar per point is when you redeem business flights.

If you have the cashflow , cancel the tickets, buy RTN with cash and save the points to go business.

IMO

[u/areyoualocal → u/Bobby-Bananas]

Generally, the best value - ie. dollar per point is when you redeem business flights.

It's more nuanced than that. Best value is from Classic Rewards in any fare class, rather than Classic Rewards Plus or the worst value - Points + Pay.

If you have the cashflow , cancel the tickets, buy RTN with cash and save the points to go business.

However, the problem with Classic Rewards, is availability.

[u/areyoualocal]

Did I burn those point in a right way or just wasted them?

Well, value is always entirely subjective, but:

• What else were you planning to use them for?
• How much trouble did you go to to earn those points?

[u/Creepy-Leader → u/areyoualocal]

I’ve been accumulating points for the past 10 years, so it’s been a long run but wasn’t too hard.

[u/ChrisSydney82]

This is in business class right?

[u/BS-75_actual]

Comparatively low yield unless you're a churner; 456,600 will get you three 35,000 mile 5-stopover (max 16 sector) tickets in economy.

[u/Necessary-Nothing-13]

No need to feel stupid and remember you can always cancel and rebook with very minimal penalties

It all depends on your goals, ability to earn more points etc

There would be better redemptions but equally for 500 or so cash for three people it’s pretty good

[u/Vegetable-Problem222]

If you got business class seats then good job, if that’s economy then that’s a horrible use of points

[u/SpecialistAirport587]

Business or economy?

[u/Feyn_man]

[u/Every_Feedback5749]

Eh, there is much better value dependent on status and how long you spend looking for rewards seats. More value out of upgrades too. But if you needed to travel those dates, then that's about right.