Is it ever cheaper to book a QF flight with QF FF compared to asiamiles?

[foggy]

Hi, I've got around 180k points with QF FF and I have 600k points banked with westpac altitude card.
Just looking at what can be booked with 180k on QF FF and I am really disappointed. Looking at booking J class SYD - NRT one way and it is only 45K with asia miles flying on QF21. The same flight costs 465k with QF FF.

Am I using my qantas points wrongly? is there a time where the points required goes on sale?

I am seriously considering using my QF FF points on QF Shop items.. samsonite cosmolite suitcase 81cm is 62,500 qf ff points which equates to $413 if using the same QF points and purchasing myer store gift cards.

Any insight?

 

[mannej]

465k sounds like an Any Seat Award, not a Classic award.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

Following this!

I am trying to decide between the black earth and black altitude for this exact reason....

Would love to know which has cheaper redemptions

 

[foggy]

465k sounds like an Any Seat Award, not a Classic award.

thank you for pointing that out. Now I have found the correct cost being 72k. still costing more than asiamiles but more comparable.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

thank you for pointing that out. Now I have found the correct cost being 72k. still costing more than asiamiles but more comparable.

you are buying peace of mind with QFFF's high redemptions that you have a 'fairer' program for all.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

I just used asia miles redemption chart to cost an award up...

Happy to be corrected but this is what I get:

Per - hkg - lax business class award
Asia miles - 175,000 points return
Qantas - 139,000 each way so total 278,000 return
Alaska air miles - 120,000 miles return (~$250 taxes)

Apparently similar taxes.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I just used asia miles redemption chart to cost an award up...
Happy to be corrected but this is what I get:
Per - hkg - lax business class award
Asia miles - 175,000 points return
Qantas - 139,000 each way so total 278,000 return
Alaska air miles - 120,000 miles return (~$250 taxes)

Apparently similar taxes.

You need to include fuel surcharges. QF & AM/CX(?) have surcharges
Real taxes paid to government are exactly the same for all carriers on same route for the same class
Never confuse real taxes and carrier imposed fees (~profit )

Example
Checked 14 Mar 2014 economy award flight cost in QF points & co-pay fees/surcharges/taxes
QF award flight 15 May 2014 SYD-LAX QF107 48,000 points & AUD$462

QF award flight 14 May 2014 LAX-SYD QF12 48,000 points & USD$384
AA award flight 14 May 2014 LAX-SYD QF12 37,500 miles & USD$27