Points earn/burn - VA v QF

[wafliron]

Hi all,

I've been trying to do a quick / broad comparison of points earn / burn rates for VA vs QF and was hoping others in here could help validate my conclusions.

Before I get stuck into the post: surprisingly, I couldn't find any AFF threads discussing this topic in detail since the latest round of changes to the Velocity program... maybe I missed something though, so please someone point me in the right direction if this is the case.


Anyway, that aside, here are my thoughts so far:

Earn:

QF are slightly better due to 1,000 point minimum on domestic flights, and possibly due to VA using origination-destination for point earn calculations (ignoring stopovers / multiple sectors - or is this just for SC earn?).

Burn:

Comparinga smattering of domestic and international routes (using a variety of VA's international partners), the points cost between VA and QF appears to be very similar, but VA taxes/surcharges appear to be much lower- therefore VA is better. I didn't try to compare availability, just cost.


What do others think? Agree / disagre with my (very broad) assessment?

 

[R36snowbound]

Wafliron,

I find VA much better that QF when it comes to redeeming points.

As you pointed out VA much better on the taxes component but to me, that is secondary.

The key is availability to use points when you want and to go where you want.

QF availability for classic rewards is rubbish (especially business class). SQ and VA are the better programs.

Recently used both QF and VA for flights SYD to ZQN. QF 16,000 points each way plus around $150 in taxes, VA between 12,000 and 17,000 points each way including taxes.

I also prefer the velocity website to the QF site.

 

[777]

QF are slightly better due to 1,000 point minimum on domestic flights, and possibly due to VA using origination-destination for point earn calculations (ignoring stopovers / multiple sectors - or is this just for SC earn?).

I'm not sure the 1000 point minimum is that big a deal. As a VA Platinum i earn a 10 x bonus times cost of fare so the only VA flights where i don't earn > 1000 points are ones that cost under $100 and there aren't too many of those. As a Velocity NB it may be a much big factor though.

 

[markis10]

Wafliron,

I find VA much better that QF when it comes to redeeming points.

As you pointed out VA much better on the taxes component but to me, that is secondary.

The key is availability to use points when you want and to go where you want.

QF availability for classic rewards is rubbish (especially business class). SQ and VA are the better programs.

Recently used both QF and VA for flights SYD to ZQN. QF 16,000 points each way plus around $150 in taxes, VA between 12,000 and 17,000 points each way including taxes.

I also prefer the velocity website to the QF site.

Another thing overlooked in may comparisons is the absence of a 24 hour no go period with DJ, it's not unusual to be able to book and get on a plane to Perth from the east coast in a matter of hours. That can be quite a cost saving in times of urgent travel!

 

[pshepvic]

Yep for me VA earn domestically easily is better than QF, but of course it depends on what you fly. I've done >30 return MEL-SYD flights this year, and on VA Flexi or PE fares as a Platinum I get >6000 points return (and that's even including our significant corporate discount). On QF I'd get 2000. That's at least 180,000 points for the year on VA compared to 60,000 on QF for exactly the same flights, and probably a lot less $ spend overall as well.


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[dfcatch]

Another thing overlooked in may comparisons is the absence of a 24 hour no go period with DJ, it's not unusual to be able to book and get on a plane to Perth from the east coast in a matter of hours. That can be quite a cost saving in times of urgent travel!

To clarify - are you saying that you can't book a QF classic within 24 hours of departure?

 

[markis10]

To clarify - are you saying that you can't book a QF classic within 24 hours of departure?

QF classics and ASAs cannot be booked under 24 hours prior to departure.

 

[dfcatch]

QF classics and ASAs cannot be booked under 24 hours prior to departure.

I was not aware of this.

EF often shows awards still available less than 24hrs prior to departure.

Thanks Markis - I learn something new everyday.

 

[oz_mark]

QF classics and ASAs cannot be booked under 24 hours prior to departure.

Although redemptions from AAnother program may not have that restriction :shock:

 

[dfcatch]

Although redemptions from AAnother program may not have that restriction :shock:

Although I have had mixed results when trying that approach previously

...

Actually - cpl of months ago - I was able to get a J seat opened up MEL-AKL as a classic for myself and that was about T-18......

Although domestic may be different....

 

[wafliron]

I find VA much better that QF when it comes to redeeming points.

The key is availability to use points when you want and to go where you want.

QF availability for classic rewards is rubbish (especially business class).

Thanks for the input re availability. Out of interest, what status do you have in the QF and VA programs? I'm not dissatisfied with QF classic award availability as a WP, although admittedly I haven't compared to VA.

I'm not sure the 1000 point minimum is that big a deal. As a VA Platinum i earn a 10 x bonus times cost of fare so the only VA flights where i don't earn > 1000 points are ones that cost under $100 and there aren't too many of those. As a Velocity NB it may be a much big factor though.

Yep for me VA earn domestically easily is better than QF, but of course it depends on what you fly. I've done >30 return MEL-SYD flights this year, and on VA Flexi or PE fares as a Platinum I get >6000 points return (and that's even including our significant corporate discount). On QF I'd get 2000. That's at least 180,000 points for the year on VA compared to 60,000 on QF for exactly the same flights, and probably a lot less $ spend overall as well.

True, I forgot about the 10x multiplier for WP. Thanks.

So I guess I should revise my original statement to be that, in general, VA has equal / better earn rates for WP (and maybe SG?) members (depending upon type of fare purchased and cost), whereas QF has better earn rates for PS and NB members.

 

[Mh4k]

A SYD-MEL return that would earn 2,000 points on QF earns me anywhere from 3,300 - 7,700 points depending on when and how I book it. The burn rates are very similar.

 

[elemist]

On a slightly different earn potential side... i've found DJ points easier to earn on credit card purchases.

For example - All Westpac QFF credit cards give 0.5 points to the dollar. In comparison a Virgin Money Flyer or High Flyer card give you 1 or 1.25 points respectively.

For myself who charges alot of money to credit cards this is a massive difference. Over the past 18 months i've been using a WP QFF card and have only earnt 120k in points. In comparison i've had my VM HF card for approx 2 months and have already earn't approx 45k in points.

Whilst there are a number of Amex cards either direct or available as a second card, for me Amex is relatively useless due to the fact none of my suppliers accept amex.

 

[Gremlin]

VA seems to have (rightly, IMHO) skewed its earn rates towards higher yielding pax and fares, far more than QF. So a premium traveller will get better earn rates (generally) with VA. A road warrior travelling on the cheapest fares or an occasional traveller will get better earn rates with QF. As such, I find earn rates on VA decidedly better, but YMMV.

 

[JASON123]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"the only flights on Virgin which do not attract a minimum of a 1,000 point earn are those that cost below one hundred dollars and unfortunately those are few and far between! [/FONT]" is from your email.

The last time I bought a Virgin ticket I only received 5 points per dollar spent, i.e. $100 would only be 500 points. How do yo arrive at the 1000 poinst mentioned in the newsletter?

 

[notzac]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"the only flights on Virgin which do not attract a minimum of a 1,000 point earn are those that cost below one hundred dollars and unfortunately those are few and far between! [/FONT]" is from your email.

The last time I bought a Virgin ticket I only received 5 points per dollar spent, i.e. $100 would only be 500 points. How do yo arrive at the 1000 poinst mentioned in the newsletter?

You're neglecting to quote the remainder of that post - Velocity Platinums get a 100% points bonus, which effectively makes it 10 points per dollar spent.

 

[777]

The last time I bought a Virgin ticket I only received 5 points per dollar spent, i.e. $100 would only be 500 points. How do yo arrive at the 1000 poinst mentioned in the newsletter?

It must have taken a bit of effort to quote that one line without capturing the words immediately before or after it!

 

[JASON123]

The words before quote Qantas at 1,000 minimum. Yes, I agree!
I don't see th relevance of what comes after...Sorry

It must have taken a bit of effort to quote that one line without capturing the words immediately before or after it!

Now I understand..Velocity Platinum gets a double bonus, i.e. 10 points per dollar. That wasn't mentioned in the words immediately after or anywhere in the story line. Qantas gets 1000 points minimum for even the most basic Qantas member.

 

[777]

Now I understand..Velocity Platinum gets a double bonus, i.e. 10 points per dollar. That wasn't mentioned in the words immediately after or anywhere in the story line.

I'm pretty sure i mentioned it.

 

[markis10]

I'm not sure the 1000 point minimum is that big a deal. As a VA Platinum i earn a 10 x bonus times cost of fare so the only VA flights where i don't earn > 1000 points are ones that cost under $100 and there aren't too many of those. As a Velocity NB it may be a much big factor though.

Velocity Platinum gets a double bonus, i.e. 10 points per dollar. That wasn't mentioned in the words immediately after or anywhere in the story line. Qantas gets 1000 points minimum for even the most basic Qantas member.

However, another astute member points out that the only flights on Virgin which do not attract a minimum of a 1,000 point earn are those that cost below one hundred dollars and unfortunately those are few and far between!
.

That would make 777 astute LOL