The QFF Tax for CX redemptions

[trippin_the_rift]

I can't help but notice CX awards using QFF points attract an unusually high "taxes" component.

For example here is the cost breakdown:
SYD-HKG on CX in Business Class (one-way)

AS: 30,000 + $73
AA: 35,000 + $95
QF: 65,000 + $198

Every search I do QF comes up with substantially higher "taxes" (maybe it should be renamed "co-payment") than other FF programs for exactly the same flight.

I have my own thoughts but what do you think is happening here?

 

[Mr_Orange]

I have my own thoughts but what do you think is happening here?

QFF/QF penalising its members for using competitors even though the competitor is 1W.

 

[bismarck]

It's because AA and AS (AFAIK) only charge genuine taxes whereas QF charges "taxes and carrier surcharges".

 

[trippin_the_rift]

It's because AA and AS (AFAIK) only charge genuine taxes whereas QF charges "taxes and carrier surcharges".

JL
BA
CX

all less$$ than QFF for the exact same flight. BA is the next highest at $169 USD but only 50K points required.
QF also has the highest points number to redeem.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

It's been like this for some time. Mrs 340 and I have burnt QF points on CX metal a fair few times over the last couple of years, either due to better J availability or better J seats. I just wish they'd stop serving main courses in those ceramic Economy dishes.

 

[bismarck]

JL
BA
CX

all less$$ than QFF for the exact same flight. BA is the next highest at $169 USD but only 50K points required.
QF also has the highest points number to redeem.

I know, it's pretty ridiculous. But that's why it's different.

A key reason why they're no longer my primary FF program.

 

[amaroo]

It's the price you pay when you have a mainly domestic sector business feeding a FF scheme in a market monstered by one player. Until VA grows into long pants .... not much is going to change.

 

[jpk]

To do it on QF127 is 60k and $199 so similar price to QF metal for that route. However on longer routes, such as AU-EU, CX absolutely smashes QF/EK for value. Eg:
SYD-LHR: CX 139k $320 - QF 128k $640
MXP-MEL: CX 139k $286 - EK/QF 128k $630

Generally a lot more availability on CX for these routes too, due to more flights. I think your examples show what a rort the QFF program is in general, but not sure how they are calculating the fees.

 

[dajop]

To do it on QF127 is 60k and $199 so similar price to QF metal for that route. However on longer routes, such as AU-EU, CX absolutely smashes QF/EK for value. Eg:
SYD-LHR: CX 139k $320 - QF 128k $640
MXP-MEL: CX 139k $286 - EK/QF 128k $630

Generally a lot more availability on CX for these routes too, due to more flights. I think your examples show what a rort the QFF program is in general, but not sure how they are calculating the fees.

The reason for this is that surcharges on HKG flights are regulated. So CX is limited in the amount of surcharges they impose. Essentially if you are redeeming points on a program that imposes surcharges (not AA, but definitely QF, BA and CX) the surcharges on routes to HKG should be the same between programs and even the same for different carriers on the same city pair (except LCCs), give or take exchange rate variations.

 

[jpk]

The reason for this is that surcharges on HKG flights are regulated. So CX is limited in the amount of surcharges they impose. Essentially if you are redeeming points on a program that imposes surcharges (not AA, but definitely QF, BA and CX) the surcharges on routes to HKG should be the same between programs and even the same for different carriers on the same city pair (except LCCs), give or take exchange rate variations.

Thanks for the explanation.