Are Qantas FF points worth it?

[dit]

I booked 2 return flights Port Macquarie/Sydney. Cost 32,000 points. AND to boot, a cash charge of $172.84.
I've also just made the same flights with Virgin, at a cost of 45,000 points. Not happy, Jan.

 

[bismarck]

Redeeming points for economy flights is generally poor value, due to the low cost of the initial ticket (i.e. where you can get a red e-deal).

They can be good value on flights that otherwise have a very high cash cost (e.g. peak times between capital cities, or to expensive regional destinations such as Lord Howe Island).

But the other way to think about it, particularly if you earned those points doing things you would have anyway, is that you saved yourself a few hundred bucks....what's to complain about?

 

[mannej]

It is a rhetorical question is it not? FWIW the use of points for an economy redemption can be quite poor value, but the booking site does give you the co-payment amount prior to booking the award.

 

[azza_1992]

They can be good value on flights that otherwise have a very high cash cost (e.g. peak times between capital cities, or to expensive regional destinations such as Lord Howe Island).

Is there ever availability to Lord Howe Island?

 

[JohnK]

It is a rhetorical question is it not? FWIW the use of points for an economy redemption can be quite poor value, but the booking site does give you the co-payment amount prior to booking the award.

Not sure I agree. 8,000 QFF points + ~$23 for a $194 or $238 airfare can be worthwhile?

But to answer the original question. I used to chase QFF points. Not anymore. I'd rather chase MileagePlus, KrisFlyer miles instead.

 

[TonyHancock]

In the days of the mASA QF points were definitely worth chasing. At peak I was earning 500,000+ per year just from flying and the related bonuses that came with flying.

These days things are simpler and fairer for me.

 

[ric_melb]

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.

 

[amaroo]

Love em. However, I only redeem for F and J long haul and the occasional long haul upgrade lottery. The best lottery win I've had was 4 x J > F QF11 (A380) for only 180,000 points - bargain!

 

[drron]

Is there ever availability to Lord Howe Island?

I doubt it.Have searched several times even for 1 ticket one way on the furthest date out and all I get is a message for a search error.

 

[Pleb Status]

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.

The best option would be VA at 31200pts and $90.

 

[Dr Ralph]

'Are Qantas FF points worth it?' For me the answer is categorically yes.

I'd suggest you have a good read through the different threads on AFF, your redemption is very poor value for QFF points.

 

[samh004]

In your scenario, they do look worth it, as you saved cash?

Is there ever availability to Lord Howe Island?

Yes, but lining up a return is often difficult and then you also have to factor in accommodation.

Not sure I agree. 8,000 QFF points + ~$23 for a $194 or $238 airfare can be worthwhile?

But to answer the original question. I used to chase QFF points. Not anymore. I'd rather chase MileagePlus, KrisFlyer miles instead.

That's because your priorities have changed, to do with family and probably the fact that you reached LTG.

 

[Deleted member]

Unfortunately, many AFF newbies make the same error. This site is littered with posts like yours.
To get the best from your points, you need to be stalking this site, reading and learning.
But the lesson is now learnt. So you are sadder, but wiser. Just think of all those poor souls who will never breath the enlightened air of AFF.
Good luck in your future points redemptions.

I booked 2 return flights Port Macquarie/Sydney. Cost 32,000 points. AND to boot, a cash charge of $172.84.
I've also just made the same flights with Virgin, at a cost of 45,000 points. Not happy, Jan.

 

[harvyk]

Every so often travel sites will release tables of best and worst redemptions that they've found. A points value can range from you get nothing, to free first class flights around the world. IMHO the best uses of points is for business class upgrades when you've managed to score flexi economy for a cheap price. Failing that purchasing business or first class medium / long haul is also a good use. Thanks to how cheap economy fares are these days, points used for economy fares tend to be awful value.

 

[JohnK]

That's because your priorities have changed, to do with family and probably the fact that you reached LTG.

Yes and no.

I find redemptions are easier with KrisFlyer and MileagePlus. I was able to get 2 seats in economy on SQ CNX-SIN-SYD for July booked in March where Qantas had very little availability from anywhere in SE Asia unless I wanted JQ on certain days.

I can't book too far in advance. I'm thinking Thailand for wife and daughter some time in February and return just after Easter in April. I may not be ready to book until end of Year by which time most awards will be gone for travel around Easter.

Personally I feel QFF points are too cheap and the competition for seats is fierce.

 

[greenfrog86]

Love em. However, I only redeem for F and J long haul and the occasional long haul upgrade lottery. The best lottery win I've had was 4 x J > F QF11 (A380) for only 180,000 points - bargain!

I used to love them but now that I can't get status with QF, F and J redemptions are a distant memory and I can't see myself ever being able to fly on QF metal in anything other than economy again.
Upgrades are difficult as you have to have the correct booking class, and again its unlikely I'll be paying extra for the mere possibility of maybe getting to upgrade. Obviously, a total bonus if able to collect a cheap flexible fare class on a route that has empty premium cabins that will allow upgrades...

 

[Deleted member]

I used to love them but now that I can't get status with QF, F and J redemptions are a distant memory and I can't see myself ever being able to fly on QF metal in anything other than economy again.
Upgrades are difficult as you have to have the correct booking class, and again its unlikely I'll be paying extra for the mere possibility of maybe getting to upgrade. Obviously, a total bonus if able to collect a cheap flexible fare class on a route that has empty premium cabins that will allow upgrades...

You could always buy a toaster

 

[Anna]

No QFF points aren't "worth it", unless you are prepared to spend a lot of effort researching the better options and are happy with the risk that the redemption you want is not available either at all or on the dates that you want in which case all your efforts and $$ spent to collect the points will have been wasted.

These days I usually use QFF points for 'points plus pay' when that works well - which is not always but there are some good ones. Over the years I've been denied too many points upgrades, paid too much in fees and found availability for reward seats to be too lacking for me to be much interested in QFF points any more.

SCs however are "worth it".

 

[Andz]

Opened two credit cards over the past 6 months and received 180k QFF points. Also had some points from past travel.

Booked two business class returns Perth to Melbourne for 140k and $147 fees – saving of $7800 in bus or $1050 in dom

Booked 3 dom seats one way Perth to Brisbane for 54k and $117 fees –saving of $650

Worth it…..yes!!!!!!

Two more C/C’s coming up soon…

 

[Anna]

Opened two credit cards over the past 6 months
...
Two more C/C’s coming up soon…

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