At What Point do you say, "Stuff the points"

[Willsmere]

Hi, just a bit of a general enquiry but with a real example. Im currently Gold till March/April next year. I like to keep the loyalty and boost points where able, keep status etc. But recently I priced a trip to Japan for 4 people this December. Jetstar was having a sale so I took a look, I could get 4 people there and back for about $2100 (no food or bags), when I had been pricing through VA and SQ it came out at about $5300. Thats obviously a huge difference and I could probably take my holiday with Jetstar, eat ,drink and be merry while there for less than just the airfare with VA or SQ. So when do others draw the line?

 

[dmitri]

Jetstar vs SQ, that is drawing a long bow mate. Unfortunately if you want to keep your status, you need to keep flying.

 

[Denali]

..... So when do others draw the line?

My line will be drawn when we go to Easter island in approx. 3yrs as Im going to do it the best/cheapest for J but reliable/as painless as possible way that I can.

I do wish VA/SIA would have a direct Syd>Japan route, if Jetstar had a screaming J to Japan sale, I would seriously consider it.

 

[im.daniel]

Yeah ..... this is where I say screw the points/status. Alternatively, you fly SQ to Japan and the three other members fly on JQ and you meet them there ...

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I think it really depends if you are solely driven on price.

I actually really enjoy flying and definitely willing to invest the cash where possible to travel in any class above Y if I can..

If leisure travel / enjoyment is your thing, then spending extra $$ on airlines / seating classes you feel offer experience and comfort is definitely my choice.

If it is a case of getting a family of 4 or 5 from A to B for a holiday as cheap as possible then deals like the above are hard to pass up.

 

[Buzzard]

Hi, just a bit of a general enquiry but with a real example. Im currently Gold till March/April next year. I like to keep the loyalty and boost points where able, keep status etc. But recently I priced a trip to Japan for 4 people this December. Jetstar was having a sale so I took a look, I could get 4 people there and back for about $2100 (no food or bags), when I had been pricing through VA and SQ it came out at about $5300. Thats obviously a huge difference and I could probably take my holiday with Jetstar, eat ,drink and be merry while there for less than just the airfare with VA or SQ. So when do others draw the line?

What about other airlins such as JAL?

 

[Deleted member]

My line will be drawn when we go to Easter island in approx. 3yrs as Im going to do it the best/cheapest for J but reliable/as painless as possible way that I can.

I do wish VA/SIA would have a direct Syd>Japan route, if Jetstar had a screaming J to Japan sale, I would seriously consider it.

They do, from time to time

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'd say stuff the points/SCs.

People get too wound up about the commute. Except for a few hardy souls, the flights are only a very small part of the holiday and given you did only speak of Y, I can't really understand bringing Y+ or J discussions into the thread. IMHO, comparing SQ whY without status (and VA status does NOT equal SQ status from my experience) and JQ is a valid comparison......neither are flash, both do the job.

Save the cash and spend it on the holiday is what I'd do (and have done plenty of times).

 

[Melburnian1]

Unless you are one of the small, elitist percentage of Australian for whom money is no or little object, first compare with JL, SQ and even other carriers such as PR, and then travel with the cheapest operator with whom you perceive you can put up with. JQ is really bottom of the barrel stuff in my view but others may be significantly cheaper than the VA fare, which at A$5300 is hardly good value.

Remember that a hotel room or ryokan for one night extra can take away bad memories of a cramped flight in Y, and the hotel or ryokan will be many times less than the difference between A$5300 and whatever you end up paying with a VA competitor.

Chasing points but paying (much) more is a false economy.

 

[scwappy]

Everyone has a different answer. The key point being is being aware of the question!! A lot of people aren't,or ignore it.

I would pay up to a point say for SQ rather than 1Star, but points, perceived quality etc would all enter the mix. The answer may well vary from trip to trip

 

[Willsmere]

Thanks for all the comments, I was interested in how others think. It's strange the whole frequent flyer thing. I can see all sides of the argument from those saying it's just a flight, go as cheap as you can, and the others saying no way would they fly Jetstar etc etc. The psychology of chasing points/status is bizarre and I'm not immune to it myself to some degree.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

For me, travel is essentially a hobby. Therefore, I'm more than happy to spend extra money on reaching a higher status, travelling in greater comfort or travelling more frequently.

To some, it's clearly a means to an end – i.e. a destination. And that's totally fine. Whatever floats your boat.

But me... I love the game.