Taxes and charges using Velocity points on Etihad to Europe

[Duffa]

Sorry if I've missed a relevant post in this forum but I'm usually on SQ or QF threads
Just tried a dummy booking MEL-DUBlin using Velocity points (of which I only have 1,000, but have 300k warehoused in a cc)

125,000 plus $75 taxes
QF is 128,000 points plus ~$500 in taxes

Is this correct? That's a huge saving in taxes. Or is the next screen (which I can't get to due to lack of points) a different story?

I'm loathe to tip those points across unless I had a better idea about availability.
And I know I'm too late to get the extra 15% but that'll come up again!

 

[ronicat]

That sounds correct

 

[rtyuiop]

Yep, delightfully low charges on those redemptions!

Taxes departing from Heathrow are the only exception, and that's hardly VA or EYs fault...

 

[Fruitcake]

125,000 plus $75 taxes
QF is 128,000 points plus ~$500 in taxes

Is this correct? That's a huge saving in taxes.

There's no difference in taxes - the difference is mostly the fuel surcharge that QF charges on awards. VA doesn't apply a fuel surcharge.

 

[Duffa]

There's no difference in taxes - the difference is mostly the fuel surcharge that QF charges on awards. VA doesn't apply a fuel surcharge.

So why is anyone flying QF when all of us can accumulate points in Velocity and fly EY??

 

[day-heg]

And I know I'm too late to get the extra 15% but that'll come up again!

The VA website shows the 15% discount on points bookings offer has been extended to 30th Nov....

 

[day-heg]

So why is anyone flying QF when all of us can accumulate points in Velocity and fly EY??

Don't tell everyone! There'll be more people trying to get the same number of reward seats!

 

[Mwenenzi]

There's no difference in taxes - the difference is mostly the fuel surcharge that QF charges on awards. VA doesn't apply a fuel surcharge.

Never confuse real taxes with taxes and carrier imposed surcharges/fees (=profit)

So why is anyone flying QF when all of us can accumulate points in Velocity and fly EY??

Earning in not the same. Just like currenices airline miles/points/avios are not equal
Compard to QF, VA currently has a very limited range of routes/destinations & partner airlines

 

[kpc]

Last year I booked Syd-Auh-Ath return in Etihad J (just came back this week) for my +1:

Cost:
Total Points + Pay (per person): 223900 Points + $163 AUD
Total Points (per person): 244300 Points

I think I just used 244300 pts for her ticket.

Work paid for my exact same flights at a cost of $6701.98

 

[Duffa]

Earning in not the same. Just like currencies airline miles/points/avios are not equal

It is for me however, as 90% of my earn is from cards and almost all of my burn is to Europe.
Will definitely give it a go.
Thanks all