wow you are all so helpful, i really appreciate it.

i'm starting to wonder if the American exp. card option is worth looking at. i avoid it at the moment because the interest rate is sooooo high! i currently have anz visa card.

of course, as you say, its so far away that things could have changed by then, that's my problem, I'm hinging my decision on what may or may not happen.

there are many more options than I imagined.

thank you everyone for your replies. I will digest all that information now. I think my first preference would be to make the extra points up and book both on the Qantas flight, then we can all be on the same plane.

thanks again, will digest it all...