Article: If You Have a Huge Points Balance, You Might Be Doing It Wrong

[DejaBrew]

This article sounds a little like a Qantas spin to reduce their balance sheet liabilities....?

That's a rather cynical perspective when the article clearly references multiple airline and hotel programs. I think the message being conveyed is simply to not blindly collect and hoard points and instead to consciously think about what you are trying to do with them and how to maximise the benefits to your personal circumstances.

 

[p--and--t]

This article sounds a little like a Qantas spin to reduce their balance sheet liabilities....?

Sounds like you didn’t read the article. Or maybe an axe to grind?

 

[andye]

Sounds like you didn’t read the article. Or maybe an axe to grind?

Difficult to work out the intent of a poster but I took it as a light-heartedly mischievous comment

 

[DejaBrew]

Difficult to work out the intent of a poster but I took it as a light-heartedly mischievous comment

Noting other comments by the same poster in other threads, I would respectfully disagree with your perspective.

 

[CaptJCool]

When I had barely $20,000 to spend pa (4 children does and a non-working partner) it was hardly worth the chase. Prior to that time, It took 15-20 years to accumulate sufficient Ansett points to obtain two Y tics to Europe !
And now with the lousy 0.5 points earn per $ spend, it would take longer again

However in the modern times, I could have a spare room full of wine (or a handy charity tax deduction having gifted the wine) or credit card churn and that way you can create Points Club membership (this is great for a partnered couple) and then achieve endless years of rinse and repeat of SG cause that’s pretty easy to do.
Should you need WP & overseas soirées to Europe or RTW that’s another whole box & dice and a second room full of wine cartons (280,000 points for $4,000 of wine if you “play your cards right” or 225,000 points for $3,999 if you Top-up and get Points Club membership).

Classic Flight Reward tables | Qantas Frequent Flyer

See how many Status Credits you’ll earn on Qantas marketed Classic Flight Rewards as a member of Points Club or Points Club Plus.

www.qantas.com

THE EARN part is somewhat easier to do than the COVID affected REDEEM. And the QR/QF squabble did not help
HOWEVER. With the resumption of EK ex Adelaide or SQ 10 flights out a week, more redemptions ought be expected

Either way it helps to have a bucket of money to spend upfront to get the ball rolling

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I treat my FF balance a little similar to my Super. I want to build and retain a decent balance as I may not be P1 for the next 34 years until retirement and it scares me that I’ll stop work funded travel without a decent balance.

 

[Amelia_Briscoe]

I travel overseas for work often, but work will only fork out for economy tickets, so I need a decent balance to play the 'upgrade lottery', which I'm usually successful at winning, most of the time!

I rarely let my QFF points balance get below 500k. The points to upgrade can diminish quickly if flying to the US. I like to be certain that I have enough points in case I am upgraded on those legs, which I've had happen a few times now.

 

[DejaBrew]

A very warm welcome aboard AFF @Amelia_Briscoe

 

[Amelia_Briscoe]

A very warm welcome aboard AFF @Amelia_Briscoe

Thank you! Long time loiterer, first time poster!

 

[bussyboy]

So what is a good balance of points to maintain? This probably differs between people (families), airline preferences, travel frequency, flexibility and what not.

Most of my points earn on the ground (mainly QFF), and redemptions let me travel predominately in business - hovering around 200k suits me best. Maxed out a bit short of 600k earlier this year, but now down to about 20k after booking over 20 flights booked using points through to the end of Jan 2026 .

Little anxious about the low balance, but conversely excited for all the travel and the value from living in the QFF ecosystem

 

[Mattg]

So what is a good balance of points to maintain? This probably differs between people (families), airline preferences, travel frequency, flexibility and what not.

Most of my points earn on the ground (mainly QFF), and redemptions let me travel predominately in business - hovering around 200k suits me best. Maxed out a bit short of 600k earlier this year, but now down to about 20k after booking over 20 flights booked using points through to the end of Jan 2026 .

Little anxious about the low balance, but conversely excited for all the travel and the value from living in the QFF ecosystem

Obviously it depends on the person/situation, but I personally think that it's nice to have about enough points on hand to book a return J trip to Europe or a RTW trip, in the case of Qantas. So around ~350k points perhaps. That said, if I have points and want to spend them, I'll just spend them. Can always earn more later!

 

[justinbrett]

Obviously it depends on the person/situation, but I personally think that it's nice to have about enough points on hand to book a return J trip to Europe or a RTW trip, in the case of Qantas. So around ~350k points perhaps. That said, if I have points and want to spend them, I'll just spend them. Can always earn more later!

Just drink more wine.

 

[33kft]

So around ~350k points perhaps.

I'd be wanting to sit a little above that as my minimum baseline and certainly won't be getting to enjoy them for a RTW trip - but such iss the price we pay for travel for a family of 4