QF vs CX

[hobo88]

Hi all from a newbie,

I used to be gold qff, but am now a lame bronze member with about 3300 lifetime status credits.

I am about to start commuting SYD to HKG every 2-3 weeks (mostly economy unfortunately).

Could an esteemed senior member suggest: should I join Marco Polo, or stick with QFF, given that I will choose between airlines by price/timing?

Thanks in anticipation.

Hobo88

ps. I tried to find this info in the threads, but hopelessly failed.

 

[ReLoad]

Re: qf vs cx

Welcome aboard and enjoy your stay.

A quick question, how much domestic flying do you do?
Your planned SYD/HKG commute, is it long term, or only for a period of time?
When does your Qantas Status year start/finish?

Enjoy the AFF ride, its a blast.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Re: qf vs cx

Welcome to the forum

Low priced fares with CX & QF earn very little, if any, miles in either program
How long will the SYD-HKG commutes last ?

 

[moa999]

Re: qf vs cx

And also which city are you based (or likely to be based long term) and do you have any credit cards that can earn points on either.

 

[eastwest101]

Re: qf vs cx

Oh - and will your employer be booking and paying for your flights or is this commute self funded?

 

[dajop]

Re: qf vs cx

Welcome to the forum

Low priced fares with CX & QF earn very little, if any, miles in either program
How long will the SYD-HKG commutes last ?

True for CX fares accruing to either CX or QF programs. True for QF fares accruing to the CX program. But even the lowest commercially available fare on QF earn 100% points when credited to QFF (although one could argue these are still little when considering burn rates ) - unless specifically excluded under corporate/government travel arrangements.

 

[hobo88]

Re: qf vs cx

Thanks for your prompt replies. I may be doing this commute for years, but who knows, one month at a time.

I accumulate points on NAB Platinum Qantas Visa, and on Amex Reserve Platinum (not currently directed to an airline), between them 100,000 +points p.a.

Tragically, I will be funding the flights mostly, hence the economy class!

 

[hobo88]

Re: qf vs cx

Also, I am based in Sydney and soon Hong Kong, so can buy flights from either end, no measurable domestic flights.

My QFF year ends in June.

 

[JohnK]

Re: qf vs cx

Welcome to AFF hobo88!

If you fly once a month and can pay a little more for an earning fare with Qantas and with some creative routings you can get close to earning Qantas Gold status.

 

[hobo88]

Re: qf vs cx

Thanks for that, I guess I am trying to work out whether to split my flights between the two FF programmes..... I have been told that CX is more generous with upgrades to their own flyers than QF is to theirs. Thoughts?

 

[JohnK]

Re: qf vs cx

I believe status on CX is not that easy to achieve especially CX Diamond where you need to fly in premium cabins.

Remember that a QF Gold on a QF flight can earn 75% status bonus which is ~16,000 QFF points so for every ~3.5 flights you get a return SYD-HKG economy award + ~AUD500 in taxes and surcharges.

It should not be too difficult to route HKG-BNE-SYD giving more SCs and QFF points along the way as well.

 

[vitagen]

Re: qf vs cx

I would go A380 over the A333 if youre flying Y.

Flying Y will be very hard to get CX GO even more so with DM.

 

[samh004]

Re: qf vs cx

Things to consider with CX

1. Some CX fares don't even earn to CX, let alone Qantas, but I'm told they do to BA's Avios.
2. As a Marco Polo Silver member flying Cathay, you get lounge access. The same can't be said for Qantas Silver (though you do get one lounge pass).
3. To move up the ranks with Marco Polo, each time you hit a threshold (30,000 miles for Silver, 60,000 for Gold and 120,000 for Diamond), your year resets to that date and you start at 0 again. So to get to Gold you'd need to earn 30,000 miles, at which point your year would reset and you'd have a year of Silver, then earn an additional 60,000 miles, and then your year would reset to that new date again, Gold would last a year, and so forth. Thus, Gold would take 90,000 miles.
4. Compare this to Qantas, where you have a fixed year, and if you get to a new tier before the end of it, you can continue aiming higher, you get the new tier for the rest of that year, and another year on top.

 

[ReLoad]

Re: qf vs cx

Based on the above with a few assumptions, for my .02 roubles I would use the QFF program, but mix up your flights based on situational availability.
So first off, you are paying the flying bill, its very important that you use a CC which offers bonus points for buying airline tickets.

As others have stated above, be careful with CX flights because many wont earn you anything, become an expert on the CX fare types and what their sales do and don't give.
Some of their prices are amazingly good, but wont earn you a single point, even the best QF sales will still get you points.

Book when the going is good; Dont be afraid if QF/CX have a good sale on that offers a good price (And CX throws in points which is very rare on their uber cheap stuff) buy multiple journeys.
If you are going to be doing the flights a LOT, have a look at getting yourself over to HKG and having return tickets purchased from there.
Use creative routing; the motto around here is: Why fly direct?
Also do not be afraid to position yourself elsewhere in the region, TPE as an example being a great place to fly from.

With the QFF program, you are going to be able to get yourself some FASA/JASA tickets (which will help your status climb - you will have a good source of points along with your card, so this will work in your favour)

Your year in June totally sucks, as you are going to accrue SC's which will be wiped out before you get a meaningful amount.

Anyway, welcome aboard again this place is a wealth of knowledge And im sure one of us will no doubt see you in the new Flounge at HKG sooner rather than later.

 

[simongr]

Re: qf vs cx

Certainly take the chance to plan as far ahead as possible, make sure your origin is the cheapest possible as well. Personally I would be putting together a spreadsheet of forecast flights and potential earning (sale vs. non sale), potential prices for flights etc.

Use that to work out under the two programs what your status would be and when. That can then drive your planning for flights.

I would also think about the total cost/experience you are going to face. Consider also a Qantas club membership - if flying on QF you can then access the QP in SYD and HKG. This might be a cheaper option than paying more expensive fares to get to status.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: qf vs cx

I'm no expert on routing and maximising SC's..But if the OP knows the exact timing of flights into the medium term, perhaps a single trip to TPE, then base a series of tickets from there would be an option?

 

[dajop]

Re: qf vs cx

perhaps a single trip to TPE, then base a series of tickets from there would be an option?

If ever wanting to do one of the trips in J, this would be the best option, with J fares TPE-HKG-SYD return on CX probably by far the cheapest way to do this in HKG on a quality airline.

 

[browski]

Re: qf vs cx

If you are really just looking at these 2 city pairs then the VS Flying Club is worth consideration.

 

[winfred]

Re: qf vs cx

If ever wanting to do one of the trips in J, this would be the best option, with J fares TPE-HKG-SYD return on CX probably by far the cheapest way to do this in HKG on a quality airline.

I do Mel-HKG-MEL once every 6 to 8 weeks and I decided 2 years ago to get to TPE on points and bought a TPE-HKG-MEL-TPE ticket in J. Around A$2200 with no change fees and good earner of SC and points. Once you have factored into value of points it is no more expensive than a flexible Y. OK you do need to spend an extra 6 to 7 hours for the trip to TPE every time but I think it is well worth it.

You will also be WP in no time.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: qf vs cx

if you are stuck to commuting SYD-HKG-SYD on CX in one of these fare classes Y B H K L M V then I would to join Marco Polo club as you will achieve Silver Status and lounge access after around 3.5 trips

it really depends how long the commute will last and the total number of trips, QF becomes a better choice if you can travel in PE or J and will be doing it for more than a few months. However if you're restricted to CX overall I would say to stay in their program, as others have stated it is difficult to credit to QF if in CX Y without paying ridiculous full fares.