So I’ve used velocity for OS flights with Singapore Airlines and have just got a Qantas card for the 200000 points sign on. The availability of international flights since January 1 with the plus (essentially from I see stands for plus 4 x more points required) seems very limited.
I really want one or two overseas trips a year. Am I better off getting rid of the Qantas cards and getting velocity?
Hi @scottp1967,
It would be helpful to know where you are wanting to fly from and too - as a guide to be able to give you some tips etc… Check the myriad posts in these forums that outline how to maximise the chances of finding your premium cabin reward seats. Looking for alternate routes that are not as popular as the main standards most people look for. Instead of SYD - LAX look at flying via Fiji, Hong Kong or Japan. If you’re looking to fly westward towards Europe, try hopping up to south east asia somewhere to find cities that say Emirates flies out of. This has a higher probability of success over a direct MEL - DXB flight which is going to be super popular. Review and checkout all the One World Alliance partners and consider flying through those carriers main “hub” cities - eg: Finnair via Helsinki.
I’d say it’s about thinking outside the square a bit, being persistent, and be ready to jump when you find something. Oh… and use the Multi-City search tool in combination with the default Qantas flight search. Even if you’re planning on doing multiple cities do one way searches on the main qantas search engine to see the availability, points required in each cabin, and the fees/taxes that are generally charged. Use that to build your itinerary paths/options etc… then rinse and repeat.
Success favours the dedicated points hacker. It takes time and prolonged effort, even in the face of what feels like a pointless battle (pun intended!) 
. It really is like any new skill/hobby you’re trying to master… it takes time, research, learning and practice. You also build confidence as a natural part of successfully redeeming a premium cabin reward seat. Start small… a hop over the ditch to Auckland, or say Bali or Singapore. Even just redeeming domestic flights can help you get the “feel” for the overall process and getting in the groove. Plus… it’s addictive when you find yourself sitting at the pointy end sipping a fine glass of your favourite beverage!
In my opinion, its definitely worth it and totally possible with some effort. Anyone can do it.
All the best and best of luck!
See you up front!! 
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Thanks so much for your help. I’ll be looking to fly out of Brisbane and mainly to SE Asia, but if it means travelling to Sydney that’s fine, any further south makes the trip pointlessly long.
I will check into your suggestions.
Do you suggest just using the Qantas site or something like seats.aero or expert flyer?
I mainly use the Qantas website (One Way, Return, Multi-City… all are helpful) in tandem with seats.aero (free version). I should probably expand my toolset to be honest but I find when I want to fly, I can usually find what I want - the availability of reward seats dictates when I will fly. That’s the flexibility part. I’m a bit (a lot??) of an Emirate’s fanboy, so I try to do all my flying with them - and I focus all my points hacking on Qantas FF points for that reason.
As for your options from Brisbane… Sydney could open up some more classic rewards for you. Maybe consider Cairns and head to Asia via Japan (or maybe even Darwin and on to Bali). You’ll be in cattle class on Jetstar to Tokyo, but the points cost is as cheap as chips which makes it well worth it to pay for extra seat legroom (I think it’s usually around $80 per person). If those south-east Asian countries are your intended destination, that can sometimes be limiting - because often you need to get to these locations to then step up to a premium cabin experience on the big player airlines. I sometimes pay cash for economy fares if I can’t find a classic reward seat and save the points for the ultra long haul legs.
For example, I’m in Perth, so KL is an option to fly cash (low cost) or economy points on Malaysia if no Business rewards seats are available. Then I’ll fly Emirates 1st class to Dubai and on to Seattle where I try to visit family each year. 24hrs in 1st class plus the ground/lounge experience in Dubai and pre-boarding in KL, is well worth the 5hrs in economy to get to what I see as the “real” beginning of my trip. 
If you are in a premium cabin (especially 1st class) then your “extra long journey” you referred to going by further afield than maybe Sydney, just becomes an extended part of the holiday in my opinion. Lounges, amazing food & beverages, sleep/quiet rooms, spa treatments, showers, free wifi, etc… are just like being in a resort. Something to be enjoyed and savoured as part of the trip.
Your mileage may vary.
Good luck!
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I appreciate your generosity with your responses mate.
I get what you mean about going out of your way for the experience. I’m going to Japan in July and I’m going to stop in Bangkok for a few days on the way home. I’m flying direct BNE to Tokyo with Jetstar business for 52000 points. Then Tokyo to Bangkok via Singapore with Singapore Airlines business class for 80000 Velocity points. Then home direct from Bangkok to BNE again with Jetstar business for 52000 points. Total taxes $450. Crazy how few points I needed for the Tokyo to BKK leg and I only had to pay $50.
I’ll continue to search these forums as well. Thanks again.
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Nice work @scottp1967 !!! It sounds like you’re a seasoned pro already!
Great stuff… I’m excited for you and these upcoming trips!