Steps to book flights? Help!
 

Hi all
I'm just now starting to understand the power of building a points mileage portfolio.
My question is:
What are the steps to arrange / research / book flights? What website are you all using?
Awardnexus.com ?
I am in Australia and would like to understand the process - the best way to do things.
I'd really appreciate your advice! :cool:

"Best way" varies by the individual person's needs and abilities. Some people use award booking services and some/most people do our own searching and bookings.
You'll want to evaluate and make a decision based on many things
What Airline Frequent Flyer program will you be using to collect air miles/points?
What credit card program can you use to earn points that can be converted to airline frequent flyer programs?
Where do you fly? What level of service do you fly and do you fly lowest cost which may earn fewer or no miles?
Where do you want to fly with these earned points?
What level of service do you wish to fly?

Then you define a goal and find the way to achieve that goal that works for you

How many points do you already have? Where? How do you gain more? Where do you intend to fly? Do you understand that with many programs you have to pay significant taxes and fuel surcharges?

Hi! Ok so my points balances look like this:
Qantas: 320,000
Velocity: 80,000
I'm also waiting on referrals points to kick in.
We fly from Australia - South Africa
Australia - ISRAEL
Australia - USA
I just signed up to awardnexus (free account) and expertflyer.com

What do you suggest is the best methods to search flights / accrue points / status level?

Anyone?
Let's say I find a first class ticket on award nexus - how do I go about booking it?
I am a real newbie to all this!!

You book on the airline web site, just like paying for cash.

On QF log in an look for a flight. Has an option "reward" flight only" or "pay with points" With QF you pay significant cash surcharges on many reward flights.

Your QF status in the web page after you have logged in.

You may benefit from using an award booking service the first time. They do charge you but will get your feet wet in the how and what of award booking.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...e-reviews.html
In the longterm using them is a waste but for your first time it will minimize the stumbles and frustrations.