I still love VA over QF for the following reasons:
1. Family pooling - I am the only one that needs status, so we always go on family holidays with VA. That helps me maintain Gold and for some years in the past, achieve Plat (when my flying was greater)
2. Fly Ahead - after a trip away, I always want the flexibility of getting home early to be with my wife and kids. Had that on my last trip to SYD, I got home 4 hours early
3. Premium entry SYD - a godsend. I am normally HLO so getting through to the Lounge quickly is needed at the end of a trip there.
4. Staff - whilst I know staff on both sides in BNE, I have always found the VA staff friendlier. I used to get walked to my flights by the Lounge Manager as we continued our conversation. But not everyone gets to know staff as I have been able to do
5. Status level achievement - lower targets and a different way of calculating (rolling 12 months versus fixed period)
6. Points for upgrades - I buy Flexi economy where possible (with AFF sourced discounts codes) thus cost is less versus QF. Commensurately, getting upgrades to J cost less. I love Row 2 and am rarely not able to secure