Are Qantas FF points worth it?

[Dr Ralph]

Are these credit cards free? If not you should be including the fee per card in your calculations of how much you are "saving".

Anna, you may not be famililar with the credit card churning game, how to gather points very cheaply or even for free and how to spend the points for maximum value.

You may want to have a look at this thread and spend sometime seeing how people gather and spend points wisely:

Current Credit Card Promotions

Some credit cards have no fees, some have fees but you get them back as a travel voucher (for example) and others do have a cost. I like to think of the concept of 'averaging down' the cost of the points I acquire. So I get some for free, but pay for others and take the points as an averaged cost.

Whilst QFF points may not be valuable to you they are extremely valuable to many others including myself.

As an example, for under $1500 in total cost to me I have 2 return first class flights to the US and 1 return first class flight to Bangkok in 2017. I'd estimate this is valued at at least $45,000. Yes I had to plan and be flexible to achieve this, but if this is not worth it then I have no idea of the value of money.

You'd also benefit by reading this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....cussion/credit-cards-helped-us-get-79839.html

from a member who details their experience with building and using points.

 

[amaroo]

Like most things - planning is the key. I've had no problems redeeming 4/5 seats in first and business every year for the past 12 years. In the past 3 years (incl this year) I've booked 38 long haul flights - 16 in first and 22 in business. Planning makes all the difference!

 

[greenfrog86]

You could always buy a toaster

 

[ermen]

Only use qff points for infant redemptions now.

Ever since they enhanced masa's, and cutting perth - hkg, and also making it hard to find J redemption seats, and after finding out about baec, i lost interest in accumulating qf status and points

 

[jgm]

The difference in points between Virgin and Qantas points in your example is that Virgin charged you 13,000 more points than Qantas but that was all inclusive. However most of us would value points at between 1 and 2 cents each. Some people even get better value up to say 6 cents.
So at a minimum your 13,000 Virgin points are worth $130.00. Not really sure that a theoretical technical difference of $52.84 is worth getting excited about.

You have choices:

Qantas 32,000 points and $172.84.
Virgin at 45,000 points.
Random Qantas cash fare 4 flights $476.
Random Virgin cash fare 4 flights $516.

You calculate which scenario suits you best and choose it.

or Qantas with 10,000 AA points

 

[lovetravellingoz]

[h=2]Are Qantas FF points worth it?[/h]

Well I much prefer Krisflyer Points, and so as a first preference I earn points to it, or Amex Mileage Rewards (which transfers to it at a good rate as weel as other airlines).


Having said that there are few opportunities to earn points directly to Krisflyer.

Qantas on the other hand abounds with opportunities with much of these only being able to go to Qantas. And so even though it is not my first preference program I have still clocked up well over 500K in QFF points over the last 12 months at little cost, and mainly for free.

 

[bmam]

Dr Ralph: Re the "credit card churning game". I was once told that every application for a credit card is recorded in the "credit register" or whatever it is called. If this is the case - and I don't actually know if it is - is there not a danger that too many applications might impact one's credit record? Of course, if one happens to have a large income and assets, then I suppose each application will be approved.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I was once told that every application for a credit card is recorded in the "credit register" or whatever it is called.

This isn't my experience. I've had just about every card there is over the last 3 years. Some companies record a hit on your credit file whilst others don't. As just one example of how different companies work, AMEX has never asked me for proof of income in any application I have made with them.

is there not a danger that too many applications might impact one's credit record?

You should definitely expect churning cards to have an impact on your credit score. You can keep a check of this impact yourself via a number of free sites. If I was thinking of getting a large mortgage or re-financing a home loan I would certainly factor that into how many cards I was churning. Having said that I re-financed about 2 years ago with Ubank. They asked about the large number of credit card applications recorded on my credit file. Once I explained they didn't care. Your credit score is important but so is your income and ability to repay.

I again recommend this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....cussion/credit-cards-helped-us-get-79839.html

It details one members recent experiences.

 

[piratematerial]

They asked about the large number of credit card applications recorded on my credit file. Once I explained they didn't care. Your credit score is important but so is your income and ability to repay.

Out of interest, how did you explain it?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Out of interest, how did you explain it?

Truthfully. They know all about it. Said they could care less.

 

[Deleted member]

Truthfully. They know all about it. Said they could care less.

"Could" care less?

 

[Spongbob]

"Could" care less?

Sometimes people's expression is careless.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Sometimes people's expression is careless.

Nope. Especially when that is the exact phrase which was used by the Ubank employee and is in common usage. Have a look here for further edification:

Caring About Whether You Couldn’t Care Less | Dictionary.com Blog

But if you and GPH want to be pedantic then you should do so in the correct grammar discussion thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/playground/grammar-discussions-59936.html

 

[NoName]

Are they worth it? Everyone will have a different answer but to me they sure are. We have managed to rack up a more than decent amount quite easily and have had very little problem redeeming for J & F flights. All we have needed is a level of flexibility and a WP relative who has been kind enough to ring and book for us a couple of times.

 

[Deleted member]

Nope. Especially when that is the exact phrase which was used by the Ubank employee and is in common usage. Have a look here for further edification:

Caring About Whether You Couldn’t Care Less | Dictionary.com Blog

But if you and GPH want to be pedantic then you should do so in the correct grammar discussion thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/playground/grammar-discussions-59936.html

As a lawyer, I would imagine accuracy is imperative in your line of work, as opposed to the ubiquitous call centre employee.
But hey. If you're offended by accuracy , then I unreservedly apologize!

 

[fijime]

Works for me!! First class for my wife and child under 2 from Singapore - Dubai - London - Hong Kong. Did this twice before my child turned 2 and never had any issues getting flights.

 

[ffhound]

In my opinion, yes , they are worth it.

They may be poor value to redeem for economy flights but the 140,000 points economy round the world award is great value (even with $900 taxes), business class is exceptional value and don't get me started about First Class.

But you can also redeem points for car hire, goods, accommodation and shopping vouchers. Provided you got your points for free or for low cost it is great to have a stack of Qantas points.

Better still though is having piles of points and miles in different currencies, eg velocity, Krisflyer etc. You can then choose to use the points or miles that represent the best value use.

cheers Peter

 

[cove]

I think my eldest son has enjoyed his run to Russia. Just a bit better than a toaster or two.

 

[Matt_01]

I think all FF points are worth chasing provided you know how to use them well and have the status to get the long haul premium redemptions and upgrades.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

I think all FF points are worth chasing provided you know how to use them well and have the status to get the LH premium redemptions and upgrades.

Doesn't just have to be Lufthansa, surely