Big Devaluation for Qantas Rewards on Emirates First Class from February 18.

[MELso]

I have previously tried extensively to have them release even 1 flight from AU to Europe (multiple routes) with zero success. The problem is that the seats are simply not available, even for the P1's I know it's slim pickings.

These low cost / point J fares are just simply unrealistic the majority of the time unless you're willing to fly Toilet Airways.

You face the same availability issues with EK though. Occasionally, they'll drop a lot of flights ex-Australia in F, but not reliably so.

Just noticed that you can get NH for sub-$6k in J ex-SYD to ARN - not exactly Toilet Airways (although they do have bidets in their toilets )...

 

[Inlander]

Just another hit to FF,s one of many and more to come. Seems that the frequent flyer schemes at a lot of airlines are now so large that they can afford to reset and risk a loss of a certain amount of FF's. They will pitch the business /first rewards to the very high net worth customers and the rest will fight it out over the remains, in addition a lot more people now use their points for rewards other than flights. The dynamic is changing Personally I saw the peak of it pre Nov 2019 , ex COVID it's been a down hill slide since then.

 

[dairyfloss]

Our kids are used to flying premium and do it well

My son is 9 (10 mid-year) and hasn't flown economy yet
Looks like we're pretty safe on any age restrictions WRT EK F, as well

 

[blackcat20]

My son is 9 (10 mid-year) and hasn't flown economy yet
Looks like we're pretty safe on any age restrictions WRT EK F, as well

Mine were very disappointed to find their seats didn't recline on long haul Y when we last flew to the states

 

[NoName]

The cash components in the last few years have eliminated even J award (if even available) from my consideration.

Totally agree, I don’t even look for awards on EK anymore. Have been lucky enough to take a few sectors in F back in 2022 when the copayment was still low and they were all fantastic experiences. Not interested in paying multiple thousands for the privilege though.

 

[jbman]

Who is flying biz to Europe for 6k return?

I saw this today

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/945236

ANA Business Class Return to Stockholm: Sydney Fr $5993 (July 2026 Dates)​

 

[Ade]

Guess who is kicking themselves hard - one who almost paid for EK F redemption and then quit ... one who would have had to use 227,000 QF points, but now had to use 245,000 QF points for the same route ... one who should start living life and doing things rather than thinking about living life and thinking about doing things ....

 

[jase05]

What, like 600k points? Lol

In October we have picked up ADL-SIN-CGK for 45k Aeroplan plus $200 for SQ J, CGK-DOH for $3300 return in J on QR and the.n CGK-SGN-SYD for $1100 on VN.
So $4600 plus 45k for a comfortable trip in airlines that we don’t mind with a couple of stopovers in both directions

 

[Kangol]

Nope. QF Biz.

Oz - Euro for circa $4k plus some points.

136,800 QFF points (total) from MEL?
To SIN/HKG it's 82,100 one way, not 68,400.
I suppose it depends on what type of airline you want to fly on, and what city you want to stop/long transit in Asia.

 

[SYD]

136,800 QFF points (total) from MEL?
To SIN/HKG it's 82,100 one way, not 68,400.
I suppose it depends on what type of airline you want to fly on, and what city you want to stop/long transit in Asia.

SYD-CGK (return) QF J - easy as.

QR J on to Europe (many options) as low A$3k (return). CX can be good also.

Even with 2x Indon eVOAs plus 2x nights at CGK (or surrounds), you can do it for ~A$4k.

EK J return as a CR might be good for the time poor, but you’ve dropped $3k on EK imposed fines before your points…..lots of points.

 

[PERLHR]

No surprise, changes are going to happen.
It may incentivise some to work harder for their points, cash, or both.

Or just not bother!

 

[Flyfrequently]

SYD-CGK (return) QF J - easy as.


EK J return as a CR might be good for the time poor, but you’ve dropped $3k on EK imposed fines before your points…..lots of points.

Yes, booked MEL-CGK CR return in J × 2 pre devaluation for June @SYD

As a data point today, looked at QF CR J EK from CGK to MAD return, dates work.
Unless my scrappy eyes deceived me, EK "fines" were nearly = $4.9k.
Could purchase the same J fares $4-5k.