Cheaper buying Qantas fares than using points, frustrating....

[karen blancfield]

Were just about to use points for flights to USA and back, with nearly $2000 taxes and fees, when we checked how much the flights were at that time with Qantas. So cancelled all that and booked sale fares for not a lot more cash. I know a lot of people on this forum say not to use points on internal flights, but given where we live and how expensive flights to the coast are, it still seems a better use of points to me. Anyway, Alaskan cruise for a special birthday will be worth it.

 

[JohnK]

Point to point economy is not great value.

Oneworld awards with up to 16 sectors, 5 stopovers are much better value.

 

[karen blancfield]

Thanks. At least we still have them to do a trip like that another time.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

only use them for business class redemptions or points upgrades

 

[Orphelinus]

I know it's expensive, but I was quoted $853.96 return SYD-LAX-SYD for a classic redemption. Doesn't really compare to a from ~$7400 fare but!

 

[karen blancfield]

I know it's expensive, but I was quoted $853.96 return SYD-LAX-SYD for a classic redemption. Doesn't really compare to a from ~$7400 fare but!

Was that a business class classic award? Of course there weren't any available 5 months ahead. Those taxes sound about the same as for an economy seat. Is that how it is?

 

[Orphelinus]

Was that a business class classic award? Of course there weren't any available 5 months ahead. Those taxes sound about the same as for an economy seat. Is that how it is?

Yes, was quoted that for a U class award redemption - it should not be different for the different fare classes as far as I am aware

 

[JohnK]

Was that a business class classic award? Of course there weren't any available 5 months ahead. Those taxes sound about the same as for an economy seat. Is that how it is?

Unless you are departing the UK then all taxes should be the same regardless of the class of travel.

 

[Sprucegoose]

only use them for business class redemptions or points upgrades

agree on my value index thistles the list. I try to buy W fares and UG from there will almost certainty.

 

[NM]

My resolution to this very same frustration was to taken over the weekend. 2 x return economy awards from Australia to Canada for a total of 150,000 AA miles and US$389 for the two tickets. My QFF points get used for upgrades. Any redemption where fuel fines are added just makes it utterly unacceptable to me.

 

[knasty]

I have friends/colleagues who use QFF for Y awards on QF and JQ(!) international. One was amazed when I pointed out it would have been $200 cheaper to redeem the points for gift vouchers and buy a revenue fare with no award availability restrictions, and earn more miles on the trip!

 

[moa999]

And even worse is the difference in fuel fines between QF and JQ... whereby a JQ paid fare is often cheaper than the taxes on the QF fare.

 

[Mwenenzi]

And even worse is the difference in fuel fines between QF and JQ... whereby a JQ paid fare is often cheaper than the taxes on the QF fare.

whereby a JQ paid fare is often cheaper than the taxes & QF surcharges on the QF fare
As JohnK correctly points out

Unless you are departing the UK then all taxes should be the same regardless of the class of travel.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

When redeeming QF points sometimes, the taxes and other extras make the redemption almost as much as the cost of the ticket outright.

Then to rub salt into the wound, QF wants your points as well...