Qantas FF full point redemption vs points + pay

[greenapples]

I've searched the forums and Qantas/Jetstar websites but haven't found an answer to this one so far...

I am looking to book 2 people from Sydney - Tokyo (NRT) in early February. I'm looking at either Premium Economy(Qantas) or Business seats(Jetstar), depending on which airline we go with.

I have around 75,000 points (some pending) with Qantas. If I search for reward fares, it returns a business class seat on Jetstar for 54,400 per person (one-way). If I search normally and choose points + pay, submitting my current balance of 45,000 points gives a paltry $200 discount on the fare price.

Is there a reason why there is such a discrepancy between the value of the points? Im assuming it has something to do with valuing a full point fare redemption over a 'discounted fare' using points + pay.

Do any more experienced flyers have advice on the best value way to redeem the points? From here it looks like I should book 1 x business fare with points, and pay cash for the other one, using 2 separate bookings.

*The main reason I am looking at these particular fares is for the baggage allowance as we are moving to Tokyo. Any alternative suggestions are happily considered - we don't need a lot, but 40kg each is preferable to 20kg on a standard economy fare.

 

[samh004]

The points + pay fare would let you earn points and SC back (though perhaps not on JQ), much like one of those ASA's that disappeared, and are usually regarded as bad value. Meanwhile the reward fare straight out is a classic award, gives you nothing back and as such is cheaper.

 

[drross]

I've searched the forums and Qantas/Jetstar websites but haven't found an answer to this one so far...

I am looking to book 2 people from Sydney - Tokyo (NRT) in early February. I'm looking at either Premium Economy(Qantas) or Business seats(Jetstar), depending on which airline we go with.

I have around 75,000 points (some pending) with Qantas. If I search for reward fares, it returns a business class seat on Jetstar for 54,400 per person (one-way). If I search normally and choose points + pay, submitting my current balance of 45,000 points gives a paltry $200 discount on the fare price.

Is there a reason why there is such a discrepancy between the value of the points? Im assuming it has something to do with valuing a full point fare redemption over a 'discounted fare' using points + pay.

Do any more experienced flyers have advice on the best value way to redeem the points? From here it looks like I should book 1 x business fare with points, and pay cash for the other one, using 2 separate bookings.

*The main reason I am looking at these particular fares is for the baggage allowance as we are moving to Tokyo. Any alternative suggestions are happily considered - we don't need a lot, but 40kg each is preferable to 20kg on a standard economy fare.

welcome to AFF. and just as samh004 said.

 

[markis10]

The points + pay fare would let you earn points and SC back (though perhaps not on JQ), much like one of those ASA's that disappeared, and are usually regarded as bad value. Meanwhile the reward fare straight out is a classic award, gives you nothing back and as such is cheaper.

Regarded by some as bad value, not by all

 

[greenapples]

Regarded by some as bad value, not by all

Haha, yep. Thanks samh004, drross and markis10.

I've been quietly lurking on these boards for about three years, and I suppose I'm not too concerned about collecting status, given the fact it often doesn't seem to mean a whole lot when it comes to the crunch (I'm half-joking)

I'll probably grin and bear another JQ flight. It's so hard to weigh up whether I want to pull an all-nighter on QF to Tokyo from Sydney for extra cost, or endure the daytime stopovers in QLD and risk the often dis-interested staff at JQ. Decisions....

Thanks for explaining the discrepency, it's much appreciated.

 

[medhead]

Points + pay basically converts the cash value amount at about [-]1.2 to 2[/-] 0.8 cents per point. You can do the sums just by varying the slider and comparing number of points required to reduce the cash fare by $X. This means that expensive fares like business, premium economy are going to take heaps of points. If you're not bothered about collecting status, why not just buy Jetstar business outright?

 

[greenapples]

If you're not bothered about collecting status, why not just buy Jetstar business outright?

I'm pretty sure that's what I'll be doing at this stage. I was really just curious about the weight given to the JQ redemption as opposed to the points and pay method. I guess I should value status more highly! Thanks for clearing it up

 

[medhead]

I'm pretty sure that's what I'll be doing at this stage. I was really just curious about the weight given to the JQ redemption as opposed to the points and pay method. I guess I should value status more highly! Thanks for clearing it up

If you fly in premium cabins status is meaningless.

You'll get better value from points plus pay in economy, given the direct value assigned to a point the cheap the starting fare the better the value. Perhaps look at that, and buying extra luggage allowance. :?:

BTW I think my values in the last were wrong, it is probably more like 1 point buying 0.8 cents of fare.

 

[samh004]

Probably also worth mentioning that there's likely to be sale fares soon for the new route SYD-HND and BNE-NRT. You could do well in it when it comes around, depending on travel dates.

 

[greenapples]

No worries! I'll do some math and figure out the best value option - I did look at Fed-Exing stuff too, but I still think it's better value to pay the airline for the extra baggage. Maths isn't my strong point, but right away it seems better to redeem one Business seat on JQ with just points (54,400), and then book a separate seat for around $1k paying cash.

I'll do a comparison with the points+pay + extra baggage on Economy too just to see what is better.

 

[greenapples]

Good to know! I have pretty specific flight dates as I'm required to arrive within a certain date period for work.
That said, I'm also hanging out for the JQ sale tonight just in case...

I'll keep an eye out, thank you

 

[ketsuzei]

We move between Tokyo and Australia a lot, and use a combination of carrying-our-own-cough and posting stuff, more of the latter lately.

Just looking at Jetstar, you can add 40kg for $70 even on one of their cheap economy fares, so that might be an option.

I'd look at getting one JQ Business redemption and buying another, or if you're not too fussed about how you travel, just buying two JQ economy seats and adding on the baggage.

 

[medhead]

Are comfort seats also an option with jetstar?

 

[greenapples]

Are comfort seats also an option with jetstar?

I guess so. TBH I'd rather pay a little extra for the Business seat - I just flew to Tokyo in JQ Business and back in an exit row in Y. (Row 44 on the Dreamliner from memory)

The exit row was allocated by a check-in staff member, so not sure if it was a gift or a punishment, but the proximity to the toilet and the constant crowd of people at my feet slamming the toilet door wasn't worth being able to stretch my legs out - I think given /that/ choice I'd opt for a regular seat, or Business.

Too bad I can't use seatguru at the check in counter

 

[greenapples]

I'd look at getting one JQ Business redemption and buying another, or if you're not too fussed about how you travel, just buying two JQ economy seats and adding on the baggage.

It'll be my first time living in Japan, so I wonder about the postage costs. When I lived in the UK, it was a nightmare. I'm trying to bring as many supplies as I can, hence the extra baggage, mainly because I'm a 5'10" female so finding pants, stockings, shoes and probably long-sleeved-anything-tailored will be my biggest challenge, resulting in desperate pleas back home for supplies My first shoe-purchasing experience was to have the sales girl guffaw at me and send me to the men's section

Thanks for the tip on the baggage, it seems like a really good option.

 

[greenapples]

Probably also worth mentioning that there's likely to be sale fares soon for the new route SYD-HND and BNE-NRT. You could do well in it when it comes around, depending on travel dates.

Thanks for your advice - I spotted some of those flights during my searches today and I just double checked, unfortunately they won't be ready for me, I am flying in Feb 2015. Good to have them as a future option though, I might give HND a go one of these days

 

[ftm]

The points/cash exchange rate on QF can be ordinary. If you have points in Amex, then you can get a direct 1c per point redemption rate booking online via them. Don't think you can do a combination of points + pay, but the redemption rate is better.