Flying whY SYD-CDG-SYD ..... points or cash?

[Alanslegal]

Ok, a friend of mine has 150,000 SQ points and was going to blow all of it and more on 2 x whY return tickets. I was trying to explain how poor value it is to fly whY especially redeeming on an airline that charges excessive fuel fines, surcharges and extra cream on top.

Anyway, my example for a SYD-CDG return for dep 1/4/14 and returning 29/4/14.

Redeem an award, it's 161,500 (after the online 15% discount) plus taxes [taxes are $1700 :!:]

OR

Pay cash outright, it's $3,465 for two tickets inclusive.

I clearly advocated that redeeming an whY award is almost not worth it. Given that she has 150,000, she would be required to top up to 162,000 anyway at a cost of $40/1,000 points [that's an additional $480]. Thus redeeming a points award would cost 150,000 plus $480 plus $1700. Which means, that those points are really only worth $1285 :!: [as the outright fare is $3465].

Ignoring the rule that you can't selll points in the program I offered $1285 to be one of her nominees and she could book me a business class to Europe and back. I'd then cover the $480 to top it up to 162K and pay the taxes, say $850 ...... and that works out to be $2700.

She would have a ticket for the same flights anyway, so a no loss/gain to her and her +1.

I think everyone would agree with my figures? And unequivocally say that she should pay for a revenue fare in this instance, and let me be her nominee

 

[knasty]

And take the miles from the revenue fare as a bonus for your troubles

 

[albatross710]

I can see your workings but maybe she can't see it. Maybe it's got to be in a comparison table.

Column One - Buy two economy tickets for cash
Column Two - Redeem miles for two economy seats
Column Three - Redeem miles for two business seats

The rows could be something like

Cash Outlay
Miles used
Benefits

Benefits of...lounge, SQ Biz service, SilverKris lounge, buffets, showers, excellent service, lie flat sleeping, wide seats.

One disadvantage is that it could mean a redemption seat going to someone whom doesn't appreciate the system.

Alby (I miss the SQ service)

 

[prozac]

.....................
Alby (I miss the SQ service)

Are you like me Alby, relegated to having to use MH instead of SQ simply because of the huge difference in points cost?

Having just returned from a Euro J return on MH I will say that I was less well rested on arrival in either direction. Perhaps this is due to the not-quite lie-flat seating, or the coughpy KL lounge (Sydney lounge is great), or the late KL departures (both ways!). On SQ I seem ready to go again, on MH I just feel exhausted when I arrive.

 

[albatross710]

Are you like me Alby, relegated to having to use MH instead of SQ simply because of the huge difference in points cost?

Having just returned from a Euro J return on MH I will say that I was less well rested on arrival in either direction. Perhaps this is due to the not-quite lie-flat seating, or the coughpy KL lounge (Sydney lounge is great), or the late KL departures (both ways!). On SQ I seem ready to go again, on MH I just feel exhausted when I arrive.

I haven't used MH. I've saving miles for a promised F redemption to Europe for Mrs Albatross & I next year. In the meantime I've been flying on paid QF economy...paid by a client.

 

[prozac]

Good luck with the booking then.

 

[Danger UXB]

Are you like me Alby, relegated to having to use MH instead of SQ simply because of the huge difference in points cost?

Having just returned from a Euro J return on MH I will say that I was less well rested on arrival in either direction. Perhaps this is due to the not-quite lie-flat seating, or the coughpy KL lounge (Sydney lounge is great), or the late KL departures (both ways!). On SQ I seem ready to go again, on MH I just feel exhausted when I arrive.

Prozac.....please don't put me off. I have just transferred 186K Westpac points to MH (88K Enrich points) with the current promotion that is 101.2K Enrich points plus my 1K joining bonus = my 2015 France ski trip with my mates from London. 2014 is already booked with SQ J outbound and SQ F/R inbound. I could not resist trying the MH thing at that price. I know I am in for a little bit if a down grade especially compared to SQ R but really is MH J so bad?

Cheers Danger UXB

 

[prozac]

Danger, it's probably not that bad. If it's raining virgins, I'd get washed down the drain with a poof such is my fortune. I do not like the angle flat seats even though the leg room was enormous....fancy having all that real estate and still not being able to lie flat. Still you're going to France so probably will be on a 380? It is true both my outbound and return transit flights were delayed at least an hour but I have not heard anyone else complain of KL delays. Yes, the lounge bathrooms were sub-par but the lounge has been shut now for renovations, and hopefully will come back on line to a decent standard. The in-flight service was good. I just did not arrive fresh at either end of the journey and I can't say exactly why. Maybe it is just SQ withdrawal.

Unless MH raise the points cost of flying it will be a long time before I fly redemption again with SQ I'm afraid. MH does it for almost half the points cost and there are no problems booking. I can't stand the waitlist stress when booking SQ. There I have coined a new term...WS.

 

[Danger UXB]

Danger, it's probably not that bad. If it's raining virgins, I'd get washed down the drain with a poof such is my fortune. I do not like the angle flat seats even though the leg room was enormous....fancy having all that real estate and still not being able to lie flat. Still you're going to France so probably will be on a 380? It is true both my outbound and return transit flights were delayed at least an hour but I have not heard anyone else complain of KL delays. Yes, the lounge bathrooms were sub-par but the lounge has been shut now for renovations, and hopefully will come back on line to a decent standard. The in-flight service was good. I just did not arrive fresh at either end of the journey and I can't say exactly why. Maybe it is just SQ withdrawal.

Unless MH raise the points cost of flying it will be a long time before I fly redemption again with SQ I'm afraid. MH does it for almost half the points cost and there are no problems booking. I can't stand the waitlist stress when booking SQ. There I have coined a new term...WS.

Yes I think 380 but I will travelling to LHR as better connections to Geneva where we rendezvous. I hope I don't suffer SQ withdrawl . MH can do what they want to their points cost, Mrs UXB would never fly anything else so my only chance to test this MH thing is on my yearly NOWAK (NO Wives And Kids) trip to the Alps

Cheers Danger UXB