Pay + Points on QF

[bmam7]

I'm being lazy here as I could phone QF but I figured one of you knowledgable folks would know.

I've booked a few upcoming flights using "Points + Pay" and although I've tried to sift through the guidelines on the QF webpage I'm no clearer. Can anyone tell me if, on such a booking, I'm entitled to FF points and SC's? Or is it treated like an FF points only flight, in other words zilch benefits except a free (plus taxes) flight? Thanks.

 

[markis10]

If you mean points plus pay from the booking page for general booking, you certainly get points etc, however its poor value for points use, booking it as an any seat award can be a lot cheaper with the same benefits.

 

[bmam7]

Many thanks for that, markis10. It's only a couple of domestic bookings and I haven't used up many points but I will look more closely at a "value" comparison next time. My main idea was hopefully to build up status without spending too much money (I'm retired) as I have quite a few points and am not doing much with them just yet for various reasons. My plan is to keep enough for a business class oneworld trip later (5 stopovers, 35K mile limit and no repeat stopovers, using QF plus at least 2 other OW airlines - 280,000 points) and I still have enough points for that.

 

[markis10]

Have a look at this thread, there is some very low cost high SC options domestically, OOL to HBA can be had for a net 40500 points return + $300 in Business, earns 240 SC:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/qantas-frequent-flyer-program/how-do-i-book-j-29610.html

 

[bmam7]

markis10

Thanks very much indeed for that link. I can see I've been going about it the wrong way as, for even the little I've spent, I could have earned more SC's and been that bit closer to Gold. Actually, just taking up the option you illustrate would get me to Gold this year with relatively little outlay in $$ as my trips so far taken, as well as yet to take, get me to 225 SC's short of Gold. I've generally been piddling along picking up SC's 20 at a time by doing cheap trips BNE/SYD/BNE or more recently, OOL/SYD/OOL whenever QF have been having a sale. I've bookmarked your page - thanks so much, again.

 

[mikew]

In the past 2 weeks I have had 2 different people from my workplace say they have booked tickets on points. During the conversation when I was trying to ascertain whether it was an Any Seat Award or a Classic I have since found out it was a points plus pay booking.

In both situations there where classic award and ASA's available for a much better value which they could have got. When I questioned them on this they both said they thought this was the way you use point for flights.

I have a relatively small sample size but I just wonder how many people get sucked into this poor value method by Qantas thinking this is how they redeem points.

Points plus pay icons and information is on the main page and on the booking payment page.

On the bright side this does leave more award space for those that understand the system.

 

[bmam7]

Hi mikew

You can add one fewer to those who don't understand the system, thanks to the good advice given me by markis10. I've already booked a business class trip to Perth using ASA plus some cash and it is much better value than an earlier trip I did using points+pay in discounted economy. Many more SC's for a start, plus the comfort (I hope) of business class - I'll be in row 4 of a 767.

You are correct though about it being a little known fact. Most people I've spoken to (and it was certainly my thought) have the idea that you use points as points (and pay the relevant fees and taxes) or points+pay which saves some money but might not be good value. I should visit this sight more often.

 

[CaviAck]

In the past 2 weeks I have had 2 different people from my workplace say they have booked tickets on points. During the conversation when I was trying to ascertain whether it was an Any Seat Award or a Classic I have since found out it was a points plus pay booking.

In both situations there where classic award and ASA's available for a much better value which they could have got. When I questioned them on this they both said they thought this was the way you use point for flights.

I have a relatively small sample size but I just wonder how many people get sucked into this poor value method by Qantas thinking this is how they redeem points.

Points plus pay icons and information is on the main page and on the booking payment page.

On the bright side this does leave more award space for those that understand the system.

My aunt and her family do this... I think I may have to open a tuition center to educated the uninitiated next time I visit them in America. Although they only book LAX-SYD-LAX tickets so points+pay may or may not be beneficial as award bookings in Y on NB tend to skyrocket when it's only a month or two out.

I used to think this was the way as well until I came across this handy forum and haven't stopped looking at YASA's and JASA's since!