I need to go Brisbane to Fort Lauderdale on Qantas.

I need to go Brisbane to Fort Lauderdale on Qantas. I have points but business class is asking 500000 points each way. advice on best options - premium econ one way, flex fare and risk upgrade to business on other, etc? even premium econ one way is 240000.

How many points do you have and how many are you willing to spend?

If your more flexiable with dates then Jetstar from Brisbane to Honolulu is 52000 points return (in Economy) and then $1200 AUD for flights from Honolulu to Fort Lauderdale

The QF taxes would be about $300 and on the united flights you would be able to pay extra to get Economy+ Seats with extra leg room

That being said it may be cheaper and easier to save the points and just buy a ticket

When are you travelling?

I don't think it will be asking for 500,000 FF points. I usually upgrade from Business to First on Sydney to Dallas and it is always 50,000 points. Ten times less than your quoted amount. If I were you, I'd get a return Premium Economy from Sydney to Dallas and upgrade both legs using FF points (it won't exceed 100,000 return). I'd then get economy for Brisbane to Sydney and economy for Dallas to Florida with AA.

Unless all of the allocated reward seats have been taken, in that case the 500,000 FF points is for an anytime reward seat. Whereas if there is still a classic reward seat available, it will be 96,000 FF points.
 

Thanks, this is what had happened, they were all out of reward seats. Have purchased the fare and just requesting upgrades. Thanks for the tips.