QFF points becoming worthless for short hops?

[Warks]

With the increase in taxes, surcharges, levies and brown envelopes is using QFF points for SYD-MEL or SYD-BNE (for example) now a waste? I know this has been discussed before but it seems to be getting worse.

I just had to book an award flight SYD-BNE return and it was $91.70 in additional charges. Would be nice to see the breakdown of these charges on my receipt actually. Anyone know precisely?
At the same time I could have booked a return with DJ for $198. So my 16000 points were worth $106.30 or 0.7 c per point.

Best to save them for international flights? I have to save money wherever I can so had to use the points this time.

What's the lowest (QF) taxed domestic route?

 

[Damien]

Best to save them for international flights? I have to save money wherever I can so had to use the points this time.

Yes. Personally, I think the best use of points is upgrading to business on a long haul flight.

 

[duffshot]

Yes. Personally, I think the best use of points is upgrading to business on a long haul flight.

Even better is from J - F

 

[oz_mark]

I agree. There is little value in redeeming points for a short hop.

While upgrades can give you the best value for points, I still sometimes just do the whole international trip as a redemption. (Of course, the fuel levies are impacting on this as well)

 

[simongr]

I just booked a SYD-BNE return for me and mrs sim - $476. Which based on your calculation of cost of the tix being $91.70 per person per route - would make 64000 popints worth $109.2 or 0.17c/point - hence paying for the flights and switching to AA (possibly)

 

[JohnK]

With the increase in taxes, surcharges, levies and brown envelopes is using QFF points for SYD-MEL or SYD-BNE (for example) now a waste? I know this has been discussed before but it seems to be getting worse.

Agree with most that the best value redemption is international travel upgrading to a higher cabin but no problem in using for domestic travel occassionally. It is not a total waste.

Attending FT OzFest III in BNE last May tried to get paid seat for return BNE-SYD Sunday night and the cheapest fare was ~$145 (super saver). So I got award ticket instead for 8,000 FF points and ~$45 in fuel surcharges for a return 1.25c per point.

 

[JohnK]

I just booked a SYD-BNE return for me and mrs sim - $476. Which based on your calculation of cost of the tix being $91.70 per person per route - would make 64000 popints worth $109.2 or 0.17c/point - hence paying for the flights and switching to AA (possibly)

I think you have misread original post. The cost of additional taxes was $91.70/pp for return journey. So for you and mrs simongr the total taxes would have been $183.40 and a net airfare of $276.40, based on QF airfare of $460 (excluding expedia surcharge). You would only require 32,000 points or 0.86c/point.

 

[Yada Yada]

Thankfully there is a plan in place to allow use of points to pay the fines, starting November. I think this is a good move. Although it only applies to domestic.

See these threads for info:
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/paying-for-taxes-with-points-7692.html
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/qantas-frequent-flyer/media-flyers-win-new-deal-7592.html

 

[thadocta]

It really depens on how many points you have and how many you get per annum.

Up until recently, I would never have used points for short domestic hops like SYD-BNE.

But with the soon-to-be-introduced option of points for taxes/charges, I might consider it.

But then, I get around a million points per annum from credit cards.

(And before you ask, I manage to requalify as a Gold FF, so I still do a lot of flying).

So the points I get are mostly useless, using them for upgrades only will still see a lot of them go to waste.

So rather than waste them, I will use them for short hops, such as SYD-BNE or SYD-MEL (but only once the points for taxes/charges option comes into play) - these points would otherwise go unused.

So once again, it is horses for courses.

Dave