Qantas or Virgin? (mostly interstate travel)

[nitsujay]

Hello AFF Community,
Long time lurker, first time poster. I've currently taken up a new job where I'll be flying a bit (details below). Prior to this, I've aligned myself with Virgin Airlines ie. personal expenses via an Amex Platinum Edge (primary) and Virgin Velocity (secondary) credit cards. I've amassed a modest amount of MR (which in the past, I have converted to VFF points).

Should I choose QF or VA as my preferred airline? Could someone point me in the right direction?

TIA

- location: Melbourne
- business travel (interstate): avg. twice/month
- business travel (international): min. once/year
- personal travel (interstate): min. once/year
- personal travel (international): min. once/year

 

[moa999]

In most jobs you won't have a choice - the company will have a preferred airline, or best fare of the day policies.

If you do have a choice my main queries would be.
- Where is the business international travel, and can VA and its more limited partners get you there
- Where is the personal international travel
- Are you buying cheapest or flexible fares - with the economy travel you should be able to get to a Gold (lounge access level) I suspect - if flex Platinum which is much more valuable on QF for international travel comes into play, versus the free upgrades on VA
- Is the broader oneworld redemption and lounge network attractive
- Are the lower fuel fines on VA rewards attractive

 

[Deleted member 29185]

To add to moa999s pretty comprehensive list would be:
- Where to domestically? As domestic is your most often flying, it's also important. Does VA have lounges there? Is it to PER regularly where the plat comp upgrades may be handy and alternatively the AA reward rates may come into play.

- Is your recreational flying with a partner and perhaps kids)? If so, VAs family pooling would help reach the tiers.

Probably need to give the forum a bit more information to gain better advice. BTW, welcome to AFF!

 

[ICUDr]

I had to take the same decision at the beginning of this year and I went with QF/JQ - fly BNE-NTL- weekly to fortnightly.

The main reasons were the possibility of flying JQ - as most of my flights are self funded- and my occasional trips to South America where VA has no alliances.

After 80+ trips mainly with QF I didn't reach Gold so bought the QP membership which is money well spent in my case.

I still think about VA like that good old girlfriend that you let go.... The street access to the lounge in Brisbane is brilliant and VA has an easier to achieve Gold status

However, I just returned from South America. Took 12 flights and priority boarding -with OW Ruby- was a fantastic thing to have.

I guess I'll stick with QF/JQ for the time being.... But if VA joins Star Alliance or other I'll be going back to them in no time

Cheers
Ken

 

[nitsujay]

- Are the lower fuel fines on VA rewards attractive

I'm sorry - what does this mean?

 

[moa999]

Basically when you redeem awards you still need to make a cash payment covering taxes, landing charges and fuel surcharges.

These are generally cheaper on VA than QF

 

[nitsujay]

Thank you to all for your input so far. Very useful advice and apologies in advance for my newbieness.

To elaborate further:
- Fortunately I can choose to fly with either QF or VA
- Business int’l travel to Europe
- Personal int’l travel: destinations can vary and there is no particular preference
- Business domestic travel: cheapest (most suitable) flight to destination however the return leg is a flexible fare. Travel is relatively spread evenly across most of the capital cities (SYD, BNE, PER, ADL).
- No kids as yet, however the VA pooling may come in handy with the fiancé (thanks swanning_it!)

 

[nitsujay]

Basically when you redeem awards you still need to make a cash payment covering taxes, landing charges and fuel surcharges.

These are generally cheaper on VA than QF

Oh yes, now I know what you mean! Thank you

 

[gaz0303]

I had to take the same decision at the beginning of this year and I went with QF/JQ - fly BNE-NTL- weekly to fortnightly.

The main reasons were the possibility of flying JQ - as most of my flights are self funded- and my occasional trips to South America where VA has no alliances.

After 80+ trips mainly with QF I didn't reach Gold so bought the QP membership which is money well spent in my case.

I still think about VA like that good old girlfriend that you let go.... The street access to the lounge in Brisbane is brilliant and VA has an easier to achieve Gold status

However, I just returned from South America. Took 12 flights and priority boarding -with OW Ruby- was a fantastic thing to have.

I guess I'll stick with QF/JQ for the time being.... But if VA joins Star Alliance or other I'll be going back to them in no time

Cheers
Ken

At 10sc per QF flight minimum and needing 700 for SG, you must be very close to SG. Perhaps scraping in a flexi fare somehow may put you over the line?

My last employer had cheapest fare policy but also provided QP membership if you took more than 10 trips per year. Created the need for some careful monitoring of fares and flight times to align the two policies.

 

[ICUDr]

At 10sc per QF flight minimum and needing 700 for SG, you must be very close to SG. Perhaps scraping in a flexi fare somehow may put you over the line?

My last employer had cheapest fare policy but also provided QP membership if you took more than 10 trips per year. Created the need for some careful monitoring of fares and flight times to align the two policies.

I thought about that but an economy seat gives 10sc for $50 - $120,when bought with time, Vs a flexi that costs from $380 and gives 20sc
Its cheaper to fly economy/sale and pay for the QP