Regular commuting between Adelaide and Sydney

[Adelong]

Hi, I'm going to be regularly flying from Adelaide to Sydney for work (paying out of my own pocket), and was wondering if anyone has any tips for the same?

I am silver status with Qantas and have more points, but looking at the prices on skyscanner, Virgin often seems cheaper.

Do you think it is worth sticking to one carrier or perhaps just taking whatever offers the cheapest fare on the day, including budget airlines?

PS I expect to be flying ADL - SYD each Sunday night, and SYD - ADL each Thursday night.

 

[Catweazle]

It depends on your budget, I guess. Sticking to one airline will increase your points balance and bring you closer to premium status benefits and/or lounge access which, given your frequent flying each week, will be a nice added bonus.

That said, if I were in your shoes and come across cheap sale fares with JQ for example, I would book a whole bunch within the travel dates (you can always upgrade the fare to get check-in luggage, QFF and SCs). In other words, I would book a few necessary flights now (especially the closer dates) but closely observe the airfares more than two months down the track as it's not uncommon to have some ripper ADL-SYD (and vv) sale fares. Of course, sale fares often have restricted travel times and Sunday nights are common with business passengers (i.e. not always the cheapest option in comparison to mid-week or early morning departures).

In any case, you'll need to weigh up the pros and cons within the context of your budget. Is gaining lounge access and upgrading the occasional flight with points a priority for you, or simply the el cheapo the better? In the long run, what works out better in monetary figures?

 

[AIRwin]

You may also want to set up a recurring reminder in your diary for this:
Happy Hour | Virgin Australia

 

[Adelong]

Thanks both for your replies.

I would say I

a) Don't care that much for business class upgrades for domestic flying. If travelling to Europe or the US for holidays, I would potentially be interested (especially for a special occassion). (or booking the flight in business outright).

b) Do value lounge access, a place to get a bite to eat and a few drinks in the evening would be very helpful, I would value it at least at $30+ a flight.

I was considering using the points when there were expensive flights (i.e. non-sale)

 

[Matt_01]

I have been commuting out of ADL to MEL and SYD since 2011, all self funded via my business. At first I was NB with all carriers and just used the cheapest carrier, I also had paid QP membership and at that time QF and JQ flew out of the same terminal in MEL and SYD so I could use the QP when flying JQ. After about a year I realised I was getting close to SG with both QF and VA but not quite there. As my QP membership was coming up for renewal I put my eggs in the VA camp as it was easier to get to SG and free membership, I then stayed with VA to WP, it was not to hard with family pooling and now you can earn the SC via flybuys, not much but it all helps.

After I hit VA WP I called up QF to get a SC challenge for SG. Hit that then stayed with QF up to WP, then stayed with QF and with international travel hit WP1. This works for me and over the past 3 years have been able to retain WP and WP1.

My general observations in no particular order are:

• both lounges in Sydney are crowded in the evenings, QP in ADL is a good size but dated, VQ in ADL small and often overcrowded.
• QF is generally more expensive than VA and the points earn rate is not as good as VA.
• If looking for better seating i.e. row 4(QF) or 3(VA), you cannot select row 4 outside T-80 unless you are WP1 and there are a few of us travelling this sector. Row 3 available to all VA WP at the time of booking, also with the introduction of economy X or what ever VA called it, rows 3-5 are available to WP free of charge.
• If you are running your flights through your business sign up to QBR and the VA program, VA is a bit more painful.
• CC's sign up to a couple to get the maximum sign up bonuses, then swap back to the most economical card that will returns the best points value.
• I use partner airlines with VA and pool back to VA over OWE with QF, as the the SC earn rate seems to be better.
• I plan earn with both airlines, I only plan to maintain minimum SC with VA as there are no lifetime benefits or *A benefits. Once LTG comes around in Sep this may change.
• Get into a routine that works for you.

If you would like to chat further send me a PM, I am happy to catch up via phone, email or in person. I am in ADL on weekends or SYD during the week.

Good luck.

 

[Mattg]

If you can manage to get Gold with both airlines, that's probably the sweet spot in my opinion. Alternatively, you could aim for Gold with Qantas and Silver with Virgin - then pay for a Virgin lounge membership (which is much cheaper if you have VA silver status). That way you can just book whoever is cheapest and still enjoy lounge access when flying with 3/4 of the major airlines (the only exception being Tiger).

If you don't think you'll fly enough to make it to Gold with both airlines, then personally I would try to stick with Qantas for 2 reasons:

1. The whole experience from the lounges to the on-board service is significantly better with QF in my opinion. As you'll mostly be flying around dinner time, you'll get a full hot meal with Qantas, as well as free beer/wine on weekday evenings. With Virgin you'll just get a tiny bag of pretzels (or similar) even on a dinner flight. And you don't even get a free soft drink, let alone beer/wine unless the flight departs between 5-7pm Monday to Friday. When you're flying that often, these little things will start to matter.

2. The second reason for going with Qantas is that you earn double the status credits on their cheapest fares compared to Virgin and their "Getaway" fares.

 

[Matt_01]

1. The whole experience from the lounges to the on-board service is significantly better with QF in my opinion. As you'll mostly be flying around dinner time, you'll get a full hot meal with Qantas, as well as free beer/wine on weekday evenings. With Virgin you'll just get a tiny bag of pretzels (or similar) even on a dinner flight. And you don't even get a free soft drink, let alone beer/wine unless the flight departs between 5-7pm Monday to Friday. When you're flying that often, these little things will start to matter.

Could not agree more hence my comment "get into a routine that works for you". Even the QF box meal is better than the VA snack, pretzels.

On a side note VA do sell beer on 6:00am departure flights. Seriously, the chap next to me this morning on a 6am domestic flight purchased beer for breakfast. Each to there own.

 

[Adelong]

Thanks for the offer Matt, I may be in touch, appreciate it.

I guess my concern running with Qantas is it might take me 35 weeks of flying to reach Gold status, but if I use Virgin via Accelerate I can immediately move to Gold (and easily sustain it by flying them for a couple of months).

I am thinking of eating dinner in the lounge before departure (and having a few glasses of wine), but an onboard meal would be nice.

If I could immediately get to Qantas gold that could work for me, any ideas? Or perhaps Im better off running up the Virgin status and asking for a match?

Edit: That said I do have the ANZ black card, so could at least buy qantas club membership for a smallish fee, and use it even when flying jetstar.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for the offer Matt, I may be in touch, appreciate it.

I guess my concern running with Qantas is it might take me 35 weeks of flying to reach Gold status, but if I use Virgin via Accelerate I can immediately move to Gold (and easily sustain it by flying them for a couple of months).

I am thinking of eating dinner in the lounge before departure (and having a few glasses of wine), but an onboard meal would be nice.

If I could immediately get to Qantas gold that could work for me, any ideas? Or perhaps Im better off running up the Virgin status and asking for a match?

A Qantas Club membership would get you into the Qantas lounges until you earn enough status credits to reach gold.

(By the way, if you join the QF club through AFF you can get corporate scheme rates.)

 

[Vic]

but if I use Virgin via Accelerate I can immediately move to Gold (and easily sustain it by flying them for a couple of months).

Note you need to fly $2000 worth before they give you the gold. currently doing that now.
Have you found the Virgin discount code thread? but they can't be used with accelerate.

 

[JohnK]

If you can manage to get Gold with both airlines, that's probably the sweet spot in my opinion. Alternatively, you could aim for Gold with Qantas and Silver with Virgin - then pay for a Virgin lounge membership (which is much cheaper if you have VA silver status). That way you can just book whoever is cheapest and still enjoy lounge access when flying with 3/4 of the major airlines (the only exception being Tiger).

Gold with both airlines is a very good idea although that is now very difficult with VA halving the SC earn on Getaway fares. The difference between Getaway and Elevate can be huge and not worth paying in my opinion unless booking late.

My sweets spot is VA Gold and QF Platinum as I still like the benefits that remain with QF Platinum. Shouldn't be too difficult to maintain with double SC offers.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

If you can manage to get Gold with both airlines, that's probably the sweet spot in my opinion. Alternatively, you could aim for Gold with Qantas and Silver with Virgin - then pay for a Virgin lounge membership (which is much cheaper if you have VA silver status). That way you can just book whoever is cheapest and still enjoy lounge access when flying with 3/4 of the major airlines (the only exception being Tiger).

If you don't think you'll fly enough to make it to Gold with both airlines, then personally I would try to stick with Qantas for 2 reasons:

1. The whole experience from the lounges to the on-board service is significantly better with QF in my opinion. As you'll mostly be flying around dinner time, you'll get a full hot meal with Qantas, as well as free beer/wine on weekday evenings. With Virgin you'll just get a tiny bag of pretzels (or similar) even on a dinner flight. And you don't even get a free soft drink, let alone beer/wine unless the flight departs between 5-7pm Monday to Friday. When you're flying that often, these little things will start to matter.

2. The second reason for going with Qantas is that you earn double the status credits on their cheapest fares compared to Virgin and their "Getaway" fares.

Totally agree with these points made by Matt.

I'm beginning to notice that on the Golden Triange, particularly MEL > SYD over the next few months some fares that have QF & VA at exactly the price.
I know which airline has the better product offering.

 

[Cult of one]

Both Airlines are good, Personally for me the number one thing is having lounge access, have had Qantas and VA. Good coffee in the morning and a clean loo. I don't really like eating on a plane domestically and the lounge generally fulfils my evening food needs and a glass of wine at the end of a long week away helps.

My former company defaulted to VA so I went Plat with them and have now gone to Gold only. The other big advantage once you hit status level is the fly forward. I have had clients cancel that last meeting of the day on a Friday afternoon (I would guess so that they could head home early) and I am able to jump on an earlier flight home myself. my tip work out what's most important to you then get all Sherlock Holmes on it and pick one.