Booking Hotels with QFF points

[HSB44]

Has anyone done this regularly?
Do you think it's worth it?
Does the 'holiday vibe' make up for the lost redemption value (as compared with if you had used the points for a J classic reward).

It seems as though the redemption value is pretty consistently around 8 cents per point, when compared with booking dot com prices.

 

[Port Power]

Has anyone done this regularly?
Do you think it's worth it?
Does the 'holiday vibe' make up for the lost redemption value (as compared with if you had used the points for a J classic reward).

It seems as though the redemption value is pretty consistently around 8 cents per point, when compared with booking dot com prices.

Yes, I booked three hotel nights for next month. It was a fantastic “price” as the same hotel and dates is now nearly double. I know it is not the best value for using points, but as I have so many points, I felt is was an appropriate use for me. I still have tons of points for plenty of long haul domestic J classic reward seats, and will be earning more points on international J flights.

 

[Bell21]

If you're referring to Qantas Hotels / Holidays, it works out about 1c/point value - a friend had oodles of QFF points and never really flies, so I helped them redeem them for a month's holiday in Qld - they saved around $8K (note - one of above includes reward flights and one doesn't --- the one with reward flights is much better value)

 

[ronlon]

It is all relative and personal choice. If you have lots of points and maximum value is not a priority nor is the time investment in trying to obtain award seats which may not be your ideal schedule/route/airline/class etc then by all means use the points for hotels, car rental or consumer products. Like Bell21 said his/her friend rarely fly but saved cash by using points for a desired hotel stay.

 

[HSB44]

Thanks!

 

[Mr H]

It seems as though the redemption value is pretty consistently around 8 cents per point, when compared with booking dot com prices.

Are we sure about that redemption value? That would mean a $100 hotel stay would cost 1,250 points which would seem to be incredible value.

 

[levelnine]

Are we sure about that redemption value? That would mean a $100 hotel stay would cost 1,250 points which would seem to be incredible value.

I presume they mean 0.8c per point, which seems to be about right.

Though with their 'classic reward' hotels, it seems like you can get 1c per point.

A fairly mediocre use of Qantas points, but at least there's plenty of availability!

 

[ramboflyer]

If you're referring to Qantas Hotels / Holidays, it works out about 1c/point value - a friend had oodles of QFF points and never really flies, so I helped them redeem them for a month's holiday in Qld - they saved around $8K (note - one of above includes reward flights and one doesn't --- the one with reward flights is much better value)

I'm not sure about the Qantas Holidays being better value than booking a hotel and flights separately. I've looked at both and used the same hotel and the same flights on the same dates. On Qantas Holidays for 2 people for 5 days the points needed is 324,620. Booking just the hotel is 167,457 and the flights 76,600 comes to 244,057 or 80,663 less points.
Maybe I'm missing something but I've done the calculations twice. I haven't looked at any other examples as this is the one I'm looking at for next year.

 

[Mr H]

I'm not sure about the Qantas Holidays being better value than booking a hotel and flights separately. I've looked at both and used the same hotel and the same flights on the same dates. In my booking on Qantas Holidays for 2 people for 5 days the points needed was 324,620. Booking just the hotel is 167,457 and the flights 76,600 comes to 244,057 or 80,663 less points.
Maybe I'm missing something but I've done the calculations twice. I haven't looked at any other examples as this is the one I'm looking at for next year.

167,457 points looks like a helluva lot for five nights in a hotel. What would have been the cash price for that booking?

 

[ramboflyer]

167,457 points looks like a helluva lot for five nights in a hotel. What would have been the cash price for that booking?

According to Qantas Hotels the cost is $1470 and the accommodation's own website is $1400. It's in Broome.

 

[jpp42]

167,457 points looks like a helluva lot for five nights in a hotel. What would have been the cash price for that booking?

At $0.01 per point it's worth $1675 or $335 per night which is a fairly typical hotel rate these days, so I'm not sure I understand the "helluva lot" comment, unless you're comparing to the value of points when used as classic rewards/ugprade flights.

Edit: just saw this

According to Qantas Hotels the cost is $1470 and the accommodation's own website is $1400. It's in Broome.

That would valuing the points at 0.87 cents, somewhat less than the mooted 1 cent, but if the points owner really doesn't fly that much it's not absolutely terrible (still better than toasters, gift cards, etc).

 

[Mr H]

At $0.01 per point it's worth $1675 or $335 per night which is a fairly typical hotel rate these days, so I'm not sure I understand the "helluva lot" comment, unless you're comparing to the value of points when used as classic rewards/ugprade flights.

Edit: just saw this

That would valuing the points at 0.87 cents, somewhat less than the mooted 1 cent, but if the points owner really doesn't fly that much it's not absolutely terrible (still better than toasters, gift cards, etc).

My calculation (using $1400 as the yardstick) works out at 0.836c per point. To me that looks barely above the toaster territory.

I think I was mentally working out what I could do with 167k points and thinking more than half a J OWA. To me that is about accessing something I could not otherwise afford - whereas nights in a hotel feel a bit mundane to me.

Just for the record, I start to get a nosebleed when I see hotel prices at more than $100 a night

 

[ramboflyer]

If you think 167,457 is a lot just for the hotel what about and extra 157,163 for return flights from Melbourne to Broome (2 people)?

 

[ramboflyer]

Just for the record, I start to get a nosebleed when I see hotel prices at more than $100 a night

Don't plan on a going to the Kimberley then unless you camp everywhere. We're planning a trip next year and the average accommodation cost is over $472 a night for 13 nights and that includes some fancy tents!

 

[jpp42]

If you think 167,457 is a lot just for the hotel what about and extra 157,163 for return flights from Melbourne to Broome (2 people)?

That looks like equivalent to a "points plus pay" as the round-trip fare for two would be about $1519 (depending on dates), so about $0.96 per point, somewhat better than the hotel part. As per @Mr H, I also only do this if you/they never plan on using points for classic rewards, which are way better value, always. I understand that classic rewards are probably hard to find to BME, but not necessarily to other destinations or itineraries in the future.

 

[BAM1748]

Be selective and you can get some good deals.

 

[ramboflyer]

I also only do this if you/they never plan on using points for classic rewards, which are way better value, always. I understand that classic rewards are probably hard to find to BME, but not necessarily to other destinations or itineraries in the future.

I may have not worded my earlier posts very well but I have every intention of using points for classic award flights going forward. On this particular trip we plan to spoil ourselves a little in Broome after 4 Wheel Driving through the Gibb River Road for 2 weeks.
My OP was just to point out that we will be better off points wise booking our accommodation separately from our flights (Qantas Holidays v Qantas Hotels).
In the past I would have saved these points up for J seats overseas but we cant decide if we are having any more of those so using them for other things (not toasters!)

Classic award seat availability from MEL to BME looks pretty good for this time next year.

 

[Mr H]

Don't plan on a going to the Kimberley then unless you camp everywhere. We're planning a trip next year and the average accommodation cost is over $472 a night for 13 nights and that includes some fancy tents!

I appreciate that different people have different likes and dislikes - but for $472 a night I'd be expecting Sydney Opera House, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plains - not just red earth, some gum trees and an industrial harbour.

 

[ramboflyer]

I appreciate that different people have different likes and dislikes - but for $472 a night I'd be expecting Sydney Opera House, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plains - not just red earth, some gum trees and an industrial harbour.

Trust me when I say this is a rarity! We have been talking about his trip for 7 years and are finally doing it. Normally I scour the internet looking for the best price but in the Kimberley you don't get much choice. And neither of us likes camping.

 

[Port Power]

I appreciate that different people have different likes and dislikes - but for $472 a night I'd be expecting Sydney Opera House, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plains - not just red earth, some gum trees and an industrial harbour.

You must not have been to Broome for a while. Demand for accommodation is very high. Prices might also reflect whether breakfast is included or not. Cable Beach Club is well over $500 a night. Even good old Roebuck Hotel is usually north of $200/night without breakfast. (Buy some juice, fruit and yoghurt from the supermarket.)