Don't plan on using FF points for that family holiday in the school hols! Seats can be extremely hard to come buy
Not entirely true. VA have a guaranteed family holiday economy reward offer of up to four return fares, which for gold status is limited to domestic but for platinum can be international. There are some restrictive conditions, but it is there to use, even in school holidays.
Get a QP membership if flying jetstar. Cheaper than gaining status and can semi pay for itself if used for breakfast/lunch/dinner if you're normally going somewhere else for those.
VA has the better lounge in OOL and QF (as stated) doesn't work well for JQ in SYD. You've hit the nail on the head however, with the lounge value, which the OP may be wise to factor into his BFOD calculations before making a definite decision.
ruling out Qantas, they lack frequency ... and their prices are too high.
Tiger probably comes in next on the knock off list ... they don't have the frequency.
take a look at Virgin's frequent flyer program Velocity, with particular attention to
Status Benefits and make your own calculation, ...
let's say you get 1,000pts* per flight and a redemption flight costs ~7,000pts then you are effectively+ getting - every 8th flight free
I so agree with this post ^^^^^^^^^^
reesy84, I pretty much lose track of my flights these days (upward of 120 a year) but I can tell you that the status benefits are worth factoring in. My advice (as someone who's flown lots of OOL-SYD or VV) is definitely VA. A status helpdesk, fly ahead, row 3, easy lounge access both ends, priority check in, priority security, direct lounge access in SYD, priority boarding and priority luggage often means (not always) a painless (subjective of course) booking management and arrival process and mostly a quick get away, which is exactly what you'll treasure most.
Bonus points, family pooling, companion status, guaranteed family holiday and extra luggage allowance will place you in better favour with the cheese and kisses (not to mention parental membership pause might also be useful depending upon your circumstances), plus other benefits Hilton status and Europcar/Hertz status may make a family holiday more affordable/enjoyable as well (it certainly does for us).
Factor into your equations, the semi-regular discount codes which often gives a free flight after every nine and you can earn more points (x3) with a VA co-branded credit card and even save the fees by booking a multi-trip ie OOL-SYD-OOL-SYD-OOL-SYD-OOL etc if you have set rosters that are unlikely to change. (if you get a Velocity AMEX, you also get 2 free flights which pays a fair chunk of the annual fee). I agree totally with buying an annual multi trip travel insurance policy (especially if you pay hire car excess reductions) and finally (I think), don't just compare the airfares. Factor into the BFOD (best fare on day) comparison, the free flights, the extra point earn, the lounge food and drink you'll likely consume, the extra luggage (if that's a factor, even if just for holidays) and the quicker exit from the airport (after 90 flights a year.....that is important, as you'll find out).
I can't think of anything else just now......oh yes I can....don't forget that VA even feed you in flight (that was sarcasm)!
Welcome to frequent flyers and frequent flying!