Book now: Lots of business-class award seats from the U.S. to Australia
Over the last several weeks, Australia has been dealing with massive wildfires. The scale of the damage is devastating, and the impact to the country's economy — especially tourism — is also notable. And since one of the best ways to help may just be to visit, you could get there in comfort over the next few months. Qantas has currently opened up a large amount of award space on its nonstop flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Brisbane (BNE).
This is especially good news, since getting to Australia using points and miles in premium cabins can be exceedingly challenging. At the time of writing, we're seeing up to six business-class awards for many dates in February and March. The flight only operates three days per week (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in both directions), and the vast majority of those are currently available.
Here's a breakdown of dates for these flights, including the number of business-class seats on each one. All are flown with the Boeing 787-9.
San Francisco (SFO) to Brisbane (BNE)
February 13: four seats
February 16: one seat
February 18: two seats
February 20: four seats
February 23: two seats
February 17: one seat
March 1: two seats
March 3: one seat
March 8: five seats
March 15: one seat
March 17: four seats
March 19: six seats
March 22: six seats
March 24: four seats
March 26: five seats
March 29: six seats
Brisbane (BNE) to San Francisco (SFO)
February 9: six seats
February 11: two seats
February 13: two seats
February 16: one seat
February 23: one seat
February 27: one seat
March 1: two seats
March 5: one seat
March 10: three seats
March 12: three seats
March 15: three seats
March 17: five seats
March 19: five seats
March 24: three seats
March 26: four seats
March 31: three seats
How to book
Qantas occasionally releases large quantities of award seats to members of its own program, but in this case, it appears that all of these flights are bookable through partners. Since Qantas is a member of the Oneworld alliance, you should be able to use any frequent flyer program from a member airline to book these flights. American AAdvantage would likely be a popular choice for U.S.-based readers, as the carrier will charge 80,000 miles in each direction (plus minimal fees).
However, the best option for booking is likely through Alaska Mileage Plan. This non-alliance partner of Qantas will only require 55,000 miles each way plus roughly $130 in taxes and fees — one of the best sweet spots in the world of award travel. And it appears that all of these flights are currently bookable through Alaska, like this award for four travelers in mid- to late-March:
This is a fantastic price for one of the harder destinations to reach with points and miles — especially in premium cabins.
Adding connecting flights
If you don't want to end your trip in Brisbane, both American and Alaska allow you to add connecting, domestic flights at the beginning or end of your long-haul ones — without any additional miles. However, you would need to find award availability on all segments, which isn't always easy, especially in the U.S. While Alaska's routing rules don't allow you to combine two or more partners on a single award ticket, you could add a connecting flight to San Francisco operated by Alaska.
Bear in mind too that Alaska allows stopovers on international award tickets — even one-way itineraries. This could be a great way to fly to Brisbane, spend a few days, and then connect to another part of Australia for the same award rate (55,000 miles in business class each way).
READ MORE: How to book stopovers with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
What about the wildfires?
As noted above, Australia has been ravaged by wildfires, so it's important to bear that in mind as you finalize your plans. However, TPG Australia-based contributor Amanda Woods recently wrote about how booking a trip down under may be one of the best things you can do to support the country. Tourism dollars are critical to the recovery after a natural disaster, and there are many areas of Australia that aren't affected by these fires. At a time when many hotels, tour companies and other businesses that rely on tourists' money are struggling, any infusion of cash from a trip may go even further than a donation.
And of course, if you're not able to take advantage of this particular glut of award space, there's still plenty you can do to support Australia, including donating to the following:
TPG's own fundraiser from last week raised over $20,000 for the Australian Red Cross, but any additional money you can donate will go a long way toward the recovery efforts.
Bottom line
Natural disasters like the Australian fires may make travelers think twice about booking a trip to an affected area of the world, but visiting Australia in the next couple of months could provide a nice boost to the country's economy. If you have a stash of Alaska miles and have been eyeing a trip down under, I'd jump on this award space sooner rather than later, as it likely won't last.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.