Switching from earning QFF points to Velocity.

[pottsy]

OK, I'm having a 'really over QFF points' moment/year and my inability to use any of the 800,000 of them for business class seats, on Oneworld anywhere! Just wondering if others would be kind enough to give their thoughts on my sharing the love and starting to accumulate Velocity points/StarAlliance?
(Also perhaps best card to do so? I feel that in Australia earning with a credit card, my choice is limited to these two.)

 

[Lynda2475]

Velocity is not part of Star Alliance

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

There is a liason with SQ and VA or VA and SQ, if that helps, grin.
Or a love hate relationship.
If you are high up the QFF status tree, contact VFF and see if they would do a status match, you might have to prove to them you do fly a lot, they might say do 10 flights in 3 months, at flexY level, and they might grant you equal status of what you have with QF.
They are more or less the ame in Aust, both now trying to make do with less.
VA used to have a lot of wide body planes, on Aus dom routes, as did QF, but both now aim for narrow.
Both have outsourced a lot of their non core activities .
That VA has 2 premium row, and QF has 3, but the, QF have brought their fares on MEL - SYD, MEL - ADL, and back to $500 approx, VA is $399/$499, so not much differences, lounges nothing special...
QF flies int and a lot further, VA is limited int flying relying more on partners.
As for cards, I think only 3/4 Aus banks issue VFF points earnings, where as QF has more.
Amex has cards for both.
One to keep an eye on, is Rex Flyer, they are starting a tie in with DL, and they fares are quite cheap.
They also fly to smaller Aus towns, and cities.

 

[luckypierre]

OK, I'm having a 'really over QFF points' moment/year and my inability to use any of the 800,000 of them for business class seats, on Oneworld anywhere! Just wondering if others would be kind enough to give their thoughts on my sharing the love and starting to accumulate Velocity points/StarAlliance?
(Also perhaps best card to do so? I feel that in Australia earning with a credit card, my choice is limited to these two.)

Similarly, I was over QFF as well. In my case I simply changed the reward points learnt from QFF to VFF on my AMEX Elevate card and Westpac VISA (via Amplify rewards)

 

[Human]

As a non-QFF Platinum I find it a lot easier to find reward seats via Velocity than via Qantas FF.

I also find it invaluable to be able to transfer Velocity points to KrisFlyer and therefore have access to Star Alliance -- not to mention greater access to Singapore Airlines' own reward seats. Yes, the transfer rate is not fantastic, but it's so easy to earn Velocity points in Australia that I've literally never been in the situation where I didn't have enough points for the reward flight/s I wanted.

I don't want to give financial advice re the best credit card but, as a frequent traveller, I find the AmEx Platinum hits the spot for me. That in no way means that it'll hit the spot for you: when it comes to credit cards, it really does pay to do your own research and decide for yourself.

 

[RooFlyer]

I changed from a QFF earning NAB card for a VFF one, over the phone - easy. Pleasantly surprised to then get the new card bonus!!

 

[fly2earth]

Similarly, I was over QFF as well. In my case I simply changed the reward points learnt from QFF to VFF on my AMEX Elevate card and Westpac VISA (via Amplify rewards)

You went from the Superior WHY to the inferior whY?

All jokes aside Qantas to me feels like the more traditional airline and the other feels like a knockoff ever since I heard they label themselves to be a budget airline and before that I was delusional (although they are on the same league if you factor jetstar into the equation that's how rudimentary it is). According to that logic business class on budget airlines is still...budget. To me qantas points are perceived? to be more valuable can't put a reason behind it maybe it almost costs the same amount of points to redeem a Qantas flight versus the alternative and you know which one I'd choose if I want to get my woolie's worth (plus they serve a meat pie w/ your choice of drinks plus they pop a new can in front of you which definitely beats hot tea served w/ nothing but stale air any day of the year). Plus they partner with Woolies (which perceived by me is a slightly higher-end shopping experience than the alternative red evil cousin the you-know-who). Everything else equal, the fact that you get to fly on a big red kangaroo makes it a no-brainer.

And Qantas Club>alternative option. I would prefer my DIY toastie with resemblance of actual protein in it compared to the alternative option where they serve vegan spaghetti/macaroni coleslaw that I can easily buy from Woolies for $4 and get close to free near closing time I do not need to enter your lounge just to get the privilege of tasting it (same with their veggie soup). It's sad that the best thing I've had from their place is their clear glass noodles which is not necessarily quality food (boil some clear noodles, dump hot water out, add vinegar, sprinkle some cilantro, and viola you have glass noodles)! They also serve bite-sized finger burgers only on special occasions and only limit it to one per person (playing favourites to half its customers by asking if they would like 2 (go figure) while normal customers are only limited one (even if they come back for seconds) by someone which reminds me of the grumpy slug from Monsters Inc. handing the burgers as if he/she/it is the one paying for it with their own pocket). Their fries (served on special occasions only) are as dry as a dead cactus in the Sahara desert. All something that only a budget airline would do. Oh wait...


And also Qantas seems to have a more traditional brick-and-mortar lounge which is more preferable while the alternative seems to resemble a futuristic space station (design feels really plasticky and lots of surfaces covered with plastic coating w/ plastic reflections while trendy for an innotive office might not be so trendy for a lounge). Wake me up in 2200 when spaceships dominate the aviation industry but as of now I recall we're still in the era of aeroplanes (at least those carrying commercial pax)

 

[jase05]

You went from the Superior WHY to the inferior whY?

All jokes aside Qantas to me feels like the more traditional airline and the other feels like a knockoff ever since I heard they label themselves to be a budget airline and before that I was delusional (although they are on the same league if you factor jetstar into the equation that's how rudimentary it is). According to that logic business class on budget airlines is still...budget. To me qantas points are perceived? to be more valuable can't put a reason behind it maybe it almost costs the same amount of points to redeem a Qantas flight versus the alternative and you know which one I'd choose if I want to get my woolie's worth (plus they serve a meat pie w/ your choice of drinks plus they pop a new can in front of you which definitely beats hot tea served w/ nothing but stale air any day of the year). Plus they partner with Woolies (which perceived by me is a slightly higher-end shopping experience than the alternative red evil cousin the you-know-who). Everything else equal, the fact that you get to fly on a big red kangaroo makes it a no-brainer.

And Qantas Club>alternative option. I would prefer my DIY toastie with resemblance of actual protein in it compared to the alternative option where they serve vegan spaghetti/macaroni coleslaw that I can easily buy from Woolies for $4 and get close to free near closing time I do not need to enter your lounge just to get the privilege of tasting it (same with their veggie soup). It's sad that the best thing I've had from their place is their clear glass noodles which is not necessarily quality food (boil some clear noodles, dump hot water out, add vinegar, sprinkle some cilantro, and viola you have glass noodles)! They also serve bite-sized finger burgers only on special occasions and only limit it to one per person (playing favourites to half its customers by asking if they would like 2 (go figure) while normal customers are only limited one (even if they come back for seconds) by someone which reminds me of the grumpy slug from Monsters Inc. handing the burgers as if he/she/it is the one paying for it with their own pocket). Their fries (served on special occasions only) are as dry as a dead cactus in the Sahara desert. All something that only a budget airline would do. Oh wait...


And also Qantas seems to have a more traditional brick-and-mortar lounge which is more preferable while the alternative seems to resemble a futuristic space station (design feels really plasticky and lots of surfaces covered with plastic coating w/ plastic reflections while trendy for an innotive office might not be so trendy for a lounge). Wake me up in 2200 when spaceships dominate the aviation industry but as of now I recall we're still in the era of aeroplanes (at least those carrying commercial pax)

But people want VA points to fly with excellent carriers like SQ and QR which have good award availability. I don’t know too many VA points collectors who use points on domestic flights but regardless of that the VA J product and QF J product domestically on the 737’s is of pretty much even standard

 

[fly2earth]

But people want VA points to fly with excellent carriers like SQ and QR which have good award availability. I don’t know too many VA points collectors who use points on domestic flights but regardless of that the VA J product and QF J product domestically on the 737’s is of pretty much even standard

true domestic flights they both sulk. so much that i feel i am not even flying because i don't even experience the things i usually associate with flying in terms of customs, inflight tv, aeroplane meals and the like. and of course the declaration cards and pranked by border security the show and having people calling your name and cheering for you when you reach the arrivals hall

 

[fly2earth]

But people want VA points to fly with excellent carriers like SQ and QR which have good award availability. I don’t know too many VA points collectors who use points on domestic flights but regardless of that the VA J product and QF J product domestically on the 737’s is of pretty much even standard

Already had a thing for that purpose (AP miles which makes what you mention seem like a ripoff in comparison). still beats domestic flights though i'll give you credit for that.

 

[jase05]

true domestic flights they both sulk. so much that i feel i am not even flying because i don't even experience the things i usually associate with flying in terms of customs, inflight tv, aeroplane meals and the like. and of course the declaration cards and pranked by border security the show and having people calling your name and cheering for you when you reach the arrivals hall

I‘ve done more than enough Euro Business flying to know that we have it pretty damn lucky in Australia. All 3 domestic carriers in Australia offering Business class are streets ahead of the trash Europeans have to put up with.
A couple of recent SAS Euro J flights were on par with what I’d imagine Jetstar Y flights are like at home.

 

[fly2earth]

All 3 domestic carriers in Australia offering Business class are streets ahead of the trash Europeans have to put up with.

I actually prefer flying "regional" compared to va (proper meals in paper trays>>>>>normal kitchenware with macaroni/coleslaw/bun and butter s**t I can easily buy at the fresh food people for 4 dollars). all the meals i had on va have been disappointing to say the least. all the ones i had on regional have been above and beyond cos they actually serve real protein just like normal restaurants. even more amazing is the fact that every other aspects of it feel the same to a va J. and the fact that i usually pay close to nothing flying business with rex compared to whY. funny how the world works. though i'd redeem va vs regional any day cos of the perceived value but deep down i'm hoping i'd land on a regional flight.

 

[jase05]

I actually prefer flying "regional" compared to va (proper meals in paper trays>>>>>normal kitchenware with macaroni/coleslaw/bun and butter s**t I can easily buy at the fresh food people for 4 dollars). all the meals i had on va have been disappointing to say the least. all the ones i had on regional have been above and beyond cos they actually serve real protein just like normal restaurants. even more amazing is the fact that every other aspects of it feel the same to a va J. and the fact that i usually pay close to nothing flying business with rex compared to whY. funny how the world works. though i'd redeem va vs regional any day cos of the perceived value but deep down i'm hoping i'd land on a regional flight.

Unfortunately Rex just doesn’t have the routes or frequencies of J that I need to fly. With work I’m required to fly QF J and for leisure VA J works better for me so Rex just isn’t a real alternative at this stage.

 

[fly2earth]

Unfortunately Rex just doesn’t have the routes or frequencies of J that I need to fly. With work I’m required to fly QF J and for leisure VA J works better for me so Rex just isn’t a real alternative at this stage.

so would you say j in qf and va are on par since their prices are so drastically different? for double the price i expect double the service although in reality i expect one to do slightly to moderately better than the other with noticeable differences. your comment seems to make va sound the same as qf.

 

[jase05]

so would you say j in qf and va are on par since their prices are so drastically different? for double the price i expect double the service although in reality i expect one to do slightly to moderately better than the other with noticeable differences. your comment seems to make va sound the same as qf.

On the 737’s I think the experience is pretty much the same. Seats are similar, VA meals slightly better IMO and VA serve you a PDB. Work foots the bill for work travel and for leisure I choose VA because I can’t justify the price difference between VA and QF.

 

[fly2earth]

On the 737’s I think the experience is pretty much the same. Seats are similar, VA meals slightly better IMO and VA serve you a PDB. Work foots the bill for work travel and for leisure I choose VA because I can’t justify the price difference between VA and QF.

funny you still fly for fun with all the work you do flying in the superior whJ and you still do that in the inferior whJ (out of your own pocket!!). if it was me i'd be quite sick of flying and staying on the ground would of been my business class level experience. And PDB means...PadDingtonBear?

 

[jase05]

funny you still fly for fun with all the work you do flying in the superior whJ and you still do that in the inferior whJ (out of your own pocket!!). if it was me i'd be quite sick of flying and staying on the ground would of been my business class level experience. And PDB means...PadDingtonBear?

That’s just it though. I don’t think QF J is superior, I think they are similar. My work travel is down to about 6-8 trips per month these days but I go to a lot of sport so from Adelaide I go to a dozen or so AFL games in Melbourne plus the same amount of NRL games in Sydney and my parents live near Canberra so squeeze in another half a dozen trips per year. All that is in paid J for leisure.

 

[fly2earth]

That’s just it though. I don’t think QF J is superior, I think they are similar. My work travel is down to about 6-8 trips per month these days but I go to a lot of sport so from Adelaide I go to a dozen or so AFL games in Melbourne plus the same amount of NRL games in Sydney and my parents live near Canberra so squeeze in another half a dozen trips per year. All that is in paid J for leisure.

Qantas lounge dragon: Here's a plate of coleslaw and cheap bogan wine no more curry for you!

 

[luckypierre]

But people want VA points to fly with excellent carriers like SQ and QR which have good award availability

And that’s the main reason for switching to VFF. And for ADL residents you can fly international direct from ADL with airlines such as SQ and QR, where you can’t with QF.

 

[ben95]

To me qantas points are perceived? to be more valuable

Only if you stick to redeeming QF flight and have top tier status and book well in advance.
Otherwise it’s pretty well-known that it’s incredibly hard to redeem points for J/F rewards seats for everyone else. And when you try to redeem points for partner awards surcharge are high.

It’s not like Delta’s SkyPeso where the amount of points require for redemption is high it’s more that it’s hard to actually use them.