Very cheap business class points + pay redemptions

[bullerdude]

I think using the minimum number of points for domestic J fares with the maximum amount of 'pay' possible is currently the very best value for using Velocity points. It seems like with lots of J domestic you can use as little as 6,900 points and then pay only 10 - 20% of the J fare on top. Although you might never cough up the whole J fare yourself that means that you can use just 6,900 points to pay for 80 - 90% of the value of the J fare, even for long routes like PER-SYD. From my estimates that might put the value of a velocity point using it this way as high as 10 cents +?

I know for most frequent flyer programs the best way to use points is either J fares of J upgrades but I think the real value here using as few points as possible.

I agree that J is definitely the way to go if you want to get the maximum value from your points. I did some calculations on a number of dummy bookings last week (10+ domestic and international) to work out the average value of points.

This is what I found:

1. Economy Reward Seat -- $0.01
2. Premium Economy Reward Seat -- $0.02
3. Business Reward Seat -- $0.04 to $0.06
4. Business Upgrade from Flexi -- $0.06 to $0.10

These averages assume that you take the standard Point + Pay option presented you on the reward booking screen - it might be possible to get better value if you use less points and pay more.

I personally think that flight upgrades are the best because not only do they have a higher value on average but you also earn status credits/points on the flexi fare originally purchased.

However, I think virgin should look at allowing Saver Fares to be upgraded to Business to match Qantas as they allow some of their discount economy fares to be upgraded (Did it last week).

 

[markis10]

These averages assume that you take the standard Point + Pay option presented you on the reward booking screen - it might be possible to get better value if you use less points and pay more..

Thats the understatement of the year given the value DJ put on points when turned into pay!

 

[kpc]

PER-SYD prices at the J points level (for me anyway!) (and the example in post 6 looks like J level)

Not that there is a huge leap from PE to J points....

You are right, they are at J levels already so no change there.

So are you saying that there won't be any change for the points and pay J award between Syd and Per from Jan 18th? If that's the case, I will hold off any bookings as I don't really have the time / need to go to Perth this year unless AFF Do #5 is held there this year...alternatively, I suspect Oz Fest #10 will be held in Perth in May 2013:idea:

 

[markis10]

So are you saying that there won't be any change for the points and pay J award between Syd and Per from Jan 18th? If that's the case, I will hold off any bookings as I don't really have the time / need to go to Perth this year unless AFF Do #5 is held there this year...alternatively, I suspect Oz Fest #10 will be held in Perth in May 2013:idea:

PER looks to be at J levels already, so it should not change!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

PER looks to be at J levels already, so it should not change!

What a great way to get cheap J tickets, transcon.
Leaves QF's JASA's/"points+pay" in the dust.

 

[hedge]

Im glad that PER is already at J levels as I now get velocity points for FIFO.

 

[Moopere]

I personally think that flight upgrades are the best because not only do they have a higher value on average but you also earn status credits/points on the flexi fare originally purchased.

Are you sure you'll get points on an upgraded Flexi? I read the T&C to mean that any redemption of points means no status or FF. So, classic and ASA awards don't earn. I didn't specifically look at upgrades so it may be different, but the wording made it sound like awards points = no FF or status.

I don't really need DJ status with such good J pricing though I must admit. All the benefits I'm after come as part of the J ticket.

 

[lovestotravel]

I am about to lock in about 10 J flights for 6650 points and $35 :mrgreen::mrgreen: each

The risk of locking in flights is ZERO

"-Flight Changes: You can change the date and time of your flight and the name of the Guest and you do not have to pay a change fee. For date and time changes, you may only make a change to another Premium Economy Velocity Redemption Fare of the same or greater value."

"Cancellations: You can cancel your flight at no additional cost, so long as the cancellation is made via the GCC. Cancellations can be made up to 24 hours after your flight's scheduled departure time, so long as you had not checked in. If you check in and do not show up, you will forfeit the fare paid and the Velocity Points used (if any), and you will not be eligible for a refund."

 

[Moopere]

I am about to lock in about 10 J flights for 6650 points and $35 :mrgreen::mrgreen: each

The risk of locking in flights is ZERO

"-Flight Changes: You can change the date and time of your flight and the name of the Guest and you do not have to pay a change fee. For date and time changes, you may only make a change to another Premium Economy Velocity Redemption Fare of the same or greater value."

Be a bit cautious though, they will charge you any difference in fare, but no additional fee's on top of that charge. This is listed elsewhere.

I must admit, whilst searching the DJ website its a bit contradictory (in general) and difficult to find stuff.

 

[lovestotravel]

Thanks - But if anything it will be a full cancellation rather than a change!

EG - I have actually booked a Thursday night and Friday night departure, and closer to the date, I can cancel the one that I don't need :mrgreen:

As with any website/promotion/deal - I have taken a screenshot of the T&C's that appear when I go to purchase this fare, so if they later on, try to refer to me to some other T&C's that are listed elsewhere I'll be fine!

Have we worked out how much the "correct" J class fares will be moving forward ?

 

[oz_mark]

From a points perspective, they will move from the PE column to the J column

One-Way Miles​	Economy​	Premium Economy^^​	Business*^​	First**​
0-600​	6,900​	10,400​	13,800​	20,700​
601-1,200​	10,900​	16,400​	21,800​	32,700​
1,201-2,400​	16,900​	25,400​	33,800​	50,700​
2,401-3,600​	23,900​	35,900​	47,800​	71,700​
3,601-4,800​	28,900​	43,400​	57,800​	86,700​
4,801-5,800​	35,000​	52,500​	70,000​	105,000​
5,801-7,000​	41,000​	61,500​	82,000​	123,000​
7,001-8,500​	47,000​	70,500​	94,000​	141,000​
8,501-9,500​	55,000​	82,500​	110,000​	165,000​
9,501-15,000​	62,500​	93,800​	125,000​	187,500​

 

[lovestotravel]

oz_mark - Thanks for that!

3400 points per flight, so a 34,000 saving by purchasing now, with an outlay of $350 now, instead of in June/July/August

That works for me

 

[Paul_PER]

Just booked four of these SYD-PER....great value IMHO.

Me too .... many thanks to AFF posters for this one!!

Please note that Nov & Dec 2012 PER-MEL A330's also seem available.

 

[AdMEL]

Me too .... many thanks to AFF posters for this one!!

Please note that Nov & Dec 2012 PER-MEL A330's also seem available.

Thanks for the heads up! I've been waiting for A330's MEL-PER-MEL!

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the heads up! I've been waiting for A330's MEL-PER-MEL!

Do what I did - go via SYD, costs no more.

 

[AdMEL]

Do what I did - go via SYD, costs no more.

Was considering that, but it costs more in time!

 

[serfty]

Was considering that, but it costs more in time!

True, but does make for a good opportunity to evaluate SYD/MEL in-flight service as well as the SYD lounge.

 

[AdMEL]

True, but does make for a good opportunity to evaluate SYD/MEL in-flight service as well as the SYD lounge.

Fair point!

 

[Ansettaddict123]

Me too .... many thanks to AFF posters for this one!!

Please note that Nov & Dec 2012 PER-MEL A330's also seem available.

I didnt think that Reward redeem rates were going up for transcons (as theyve had Business available for a while) ?

A330s PER-MEL! yessssssssss!

 

[Coathanger]

Great thread. Thanks to the OP and subsequent posts that made it easy to understand the 'Cash & Points' option.

Just booked two round-trip Business Class seats SYD-PER for a total of 27,600 points and $672.98.

Compares very favourably to the full fare of $5,596 or a points redemption of 146,800.