Fees on Velocity points only bookings?

[Kilo]

Hi There
I'm thinking of closing my Qantas FF and moving to Velocity. The fees Qantas are charging are getting ridiculous.

Can someone give me an idea of the Velocity fees? (Virgin were no help here at all)
Ie: Mel - Denpasar, Mel - Heathrow

Many thanks!

 

[moa999]

Welcome to AFF.

Can't you login to your Velocity account and search??

 

[Kilo]

Thanks. I don't believe I can search and discover the fees without the right amount of points (I currently have zero in this new account)

 

[eastwest101]

Thanks. I don't believe I can search and discover the fees without the right amount of points (I currently have zero in this new account)

Yes thats probably a fair point by the OP, when shopping around and comparing FF programs and burn rates in particular with a "zero balance", without knowing the burn cost of the FF points and the actual fees and surcharges attached to awards flights and to points + pay flights it is a bit difficult to compare FF programs.

But to the OP - if you haven't already found it - this web page:

https://www.velocityrewards.com.au/content/Redeem/Airlines/index.htm

Domestic Sydney Melbourne ​ From 6,900 Points + $14.62 AUD Taxes​ Brisbane Sydney From 6,900 Points + $17.39 AUD Taxes Melbourne Brisbane​ From 10,900 Points + $15.03 AUD Taxes Melbourne Gold Coast From 10,900 Points + $13.06 AUD Taxes Sydney Perth From 16,900 Points + $24.77 AUD Taxes International
Sydney	Auckland	From 16,900 Points + $105.24 AUD Taxes & Fees
Sydney	Fiji	From 16,900 Points + $91.39 AUD Taxes & Fees
Brisbane	Singapore	From 28,900 Points + $113 AUD Taxes & Fees
Sydney	Los Angeles	From 47,000 Points + $146 AUD Taxes & Fees
Melbourne	London	From 62,500 Points + $125 AUD Taxes & Fees

which gives you some idea of the minimum velocity points + fees & taxes for a few example domestic and international city pairs, very important to note that the examples and numbers given here are one way only, and are probably very very limited in availibility.

 

[MandM]

You should be able to find the points and pay amount with a search without enough points. You might find the fees are lower than published on the website...

 

[AdMEL]

You can definitely check points and fees, either on the Velocity website, irrespective of the number of points you have, or on the Virgin website, by selecting points + pay (this does not seem to show rewards with partner airlines though).

A quick check shows LHR-MEL 62,500 pts + $236, which is a bit more than the amount quoted by eastwest101 above from the Virgin/Velocity website. Some other routes, such as to LAX have much lower taxes.

 

[day-heg]

Melbourne

London

From 62,500 Points + $125 AUD Taxes & Fees

A quick check shows LHR-MEL 62,500 pts + $236, which is a bit more than the amount quoted by eastwest101 above from the Virgin/Velocity website. Some other routes, such as to LAX have much lower taxes.

Not to say that the taxes above are right or wrong, but departing the UK will always have higher taxes than arriving there due to the Air Passenger Tax which is levied on departures only I believe. Hence lower taxes above for MEL-LHR than t'other way round.

 

[dandandan]

don't forget to add the credit card fees onto this, for some reason these are the only fares you book where you can't use Poli.

You can definitely check points and fees, either on the Velocity website, irrespective of the number of points you have, or on the Virgin website, by selecting points + pay (this does not seem to show rewards with partner airlines though).

A quick check shows LHR-MEL 62,500 pts + $236, which is a bit more than the amount quoted by eastwest101 above from the Virgin/Velocity website. Some other routes, such as to LAX have much lower taxes.

 

[Warks]

I've been looking at SYD-ZQN or CHC flights after Xmas since 12 months out and there have never been ANY flights available between Xmas and NY since I started looking. Even the flights have been sold out since day 1 it seems. My point is I haven't been able to find out the "plus plus" to compare with QF. For four returns QF wanted a bit 144 000 points AND over $800 to ZQN and a bit less to CHC. Hardly worth it. Was hoping I could use my VA points but doesn't look likely.

 

[hummel]

I've been looking at SYD-ZQN or CHC flights after Xmas since 12 months out and there have never been ANY flights available between Xmas and NY since I started looking. Even the flights have been sold out since day 1 it seems. My point is I haven't been able to find out the "plus plus" to compare with QF. For four returns QF wanted a bit 144 000 points AND over $800 to ZQN and a bit less to CHC. Hardly worth it. Was hoping I could use my VA points but doesn't look likely.

There has been no award availability for at least 3 months while I've been looking, this is across VA and Star alliance. Would like to know if Velocity had any comment on this...

 

[AIRwin]

I did a random search: MEL to DPS is 20300 points + $74.73 taxes (or an additional 9341 points) MEL to LHR is 62500 points + $74.73 taxes (or an additional 9341 points)

 

[day-heg]

I've been looking at SYD-ZQN or CHC flights after Xmas since 12 months out and there have never been ANY flights available between Xmas and NY since I started looking. Even the flights have been sold out since day 1 it seems. My point is I haven't been able to find out the "plus plus" to compare with QF. For four returns QF wanted a bit 144 000 points AND over $800 to ZQN and a bit less to CHC. Hardly worth it. Was hoping I could use my VA points but doesn't look likely.

Are you a Plat with VA? If so, don't forget you can claim your guaranteed return reward seats. Have a look at the T&Cs about date flexibility etc.

I did this to fly me & Mrs D-H from MEL-CHC on Boxing Day last year because there was no availability... was a bit of an effort but worth it cos the flights were dear and I didn't want to shell out points for PE for a shortish flight.

You'll need to act swiftly though cos they must be booked 6 months out.

 

[Kilo]

I did a random search: MEL to DPS is 20300 points + $74.73 taxes (or an additional 9341 points) MEL to LHR is 62500 points + $74.73 taxes (or an additional 9341 points)

Thanks for this.

On Qantas FF the costs are:

MEL to DPS : 20,000 points + $194.73 (AUD)
MEL to LHR : 64,000 points + $456.23 (AUD)

I think these fees speak for themselves!

Thanks to everyone for their help. I didn't realise you see the fees by using points + pay.