All this 10-year-old wants for the holidays are TPG's tips to fly Qantas first class
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
This time of year, most kids write letters to Santa and ask for new dolls, electronics or games. But there are children who write instead to The Points Guy with their holiday travel wishes.
Well, OK, maybe only one kid wrote to TPG this holiday season, but that kiddo has a points and miles wish list that puts many others to shame.
When 10-year-old Kyle Thomas wrote his holiday letter, he didn't ask for a gift card or a new Nintendo DS. He asked Brian Kelly, The Points Guy himself, how to redeem miles to fly in first class on the Qantas A380.
First, we have to say, great choice, Kyle. You are wise beyond your years.
Even better, Kyle, you're on the right track. Spending 70,000 Alaska Airlines MileagePlus miles (plus about $42) to fly 16 hours in Qantas first class on a route such as Dallas (DFW) to Sydney (SYD), is indeed the best option ... if you can find award space.
Kyle even knew about mileage running, and that getting the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is quick way to boost his mom's Alaska mileage balance.
Related: Review of Qantas A380 first class
The much harder part of the equation for Kyle (and the rest of us) is that scoring first class on Qantas routes between the U.S. and Australia is approaching unicorn territory. It can happen, but you're going to need lots of ExpertFlyer alerts, plenty of flexibility and even more luck. Or, just spend 10,000 more Alaska miles each way and instead fly Cathay Pacific first class to Australia, with a stop in Hong Kong (HKG). You're going to find Cathay first class on a 777-300ER instead of an A380, but it's still a great experience — and much easier to score with miles.
With some luck and practice, we have no doubt that Kyle will one day hold a ticket to fly the A380 in style with Qantas. Or, if he decides to change his holiday list a bit, there are plenty of other great first- and business-class products to fly using miles.
As for the rest of us, you can always email TPG at tips@thepointsguy.com if you don't want to mail in a letter. Or, simply subscribe to the free daily TPG newsletter to get points and miles tips and news dropped in your inbox each morning.
Kyle, we'll see you at the TPG offices to talk points and miles in 2020. Can't wait for you to apply for one of our job openings in a few years!
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How we chose these cards
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Rewards
6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
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Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.