Citibank Select Card - join the Citibank Rewards programme or stay with Qantas FF?

[sarah forde]

My first time here so looking forward to some help. I have an AMX Ultimate card plus Citibank Select card. Both are linked to qantas FF. because Qantas are now charging a fortune in fees for FF bookings to Europe ($450 each way in taxes and the new 'carrier' charge) and virgin can be as low as $85 each way i am thinking of switching my Select card programme to the Citibank one where I get two select points per $ spend that converts 1.5 select points to 1 velocity point which will give me more velocity points than ff by approx 33 percent (if my Maths
is correct). Are there any better velocity schemes as the $700 for the select card is very steep but I use the other benefits that come with it....also....

How does booking to London with Velocity compare to Qantas? Does velocity have more availability in business class than qantas (especially for 4 seats which I often need to book but can never get). What is the availability like in economy or premium economy especially for 4 seat bookings.

Thanks for all replies

 

[cove]

Re: Citibank Select Card - join the Citibank Rewards programme or stay with Qantas FF

Sarah I just love Citi Select (non Qantas ) for $700 where you warehouse the points as Citi Rewards points and then phone and transfer the points to Kris Flyer watching out for their 3 year points expiry. They transfer at an actual 1.33 per dollar spent and you will love their J, First and Suites products on Saver.

Welcome to AFF!

If you want to chase down the lowest $ cost redemption wafliron has used Citi Rewards price match guarantee when I just chase the best available and am relaxed about the high redemption charges and low points charges on Saver tickets with SQ.

 

[sarah forde]

Re: Citibank Select Card - join the Citibank Rewards programme or stay with Qantas FF

Thanks for this Cove. I hadn,t thought of kris points as I thought that their taxes etc were similar to qantas for uk trips?

 

[cove]

Re: Citibank Select Card - join the Citibank Rewards programme or stay with Qantas FF

Yes that is true but SQ has availability compared with Qantas. If you send wafliron a private message he may tell you how to fix that where you use the Citi Price Match Guarantee.
My way recently has been to do the $26,000 Suites run for less than 20 per cent of that all up for the points and fees for a pair of tickets so I am pretty relaxed about that.

 

[Quickstatus]

Re: Citibank Select Card - join the Citibank Rewards programme or stay with Qantas FF

And Citibank Select Rewards (if Qantas FF option not selected) gives 5 points per $1 overseas spend.

I have it for qantas rewards option except for the DEC-JAN period when I am usually overseas. Better than travel debit cards....

 

[Sdtravel]

Re: Citibank Select Card - join the Citibank Rewards programme or stay with Qantas FF

I thought VS pulled out of AUS. Just did a quick search on both VS & VA. Neither fly to LHR. Both only offer flights on code share operated by Singapore Airlines (obviously via Singapore). Or there was an option to go via Ethiad.

Are you looking at the ability to redeem points with your selected programme or fly with?
me personally I don't think it's a good idea to pool points with a programme that doesn't operate flights where you want to go.
From what I have read airlines don't treat other airline priority members as well as they do their own. Ie less likely for upgrades ect.

If you travel a lot domestically then VElocity would be fine but internationally I don't think it's a good idea. But that's just me.

 

[cove]

Re: Citibank Select Card - join the Citibank Rewards programme or stay with Qantas FF

Singapore Airlines treat their Kris Flyer members very well.
If you try to book using US Air miles or Velocity points I doubt you will get into the best seats.

 

[Bolthead]

Re: Citibank Select Card - join the Citibank Rewards programme or stay with Qantas FF

....How does booking to London with Velocity compare to Qantas? Does velocity have more availability in business class than qantas (especially for 4 seats which I often need to book but can never get). What is the availability like in economy or premium economy especially for 4 seat bookings.

Thanks for all replies

Just remember, if you book with Virgin via Abu Dhabi, Etihad don't have Y+.