Value of of 5,899 Velicity Points ? [The $30 question]

[serfty]

Looking to book a Velocity business class award MEL-LAX.

Currently the base cost is 106,000 velocity.

Using Points Plus Pay I can vary it to $97.02 and 94,000.

But, the kicker is that once the $ component becomes more than $50, a $30 credit card surcharge kicks in - making that $97.02 effectively $127.02 (the only way to pay, at least online, is with a CC).

This means the following net at the cusp:

$50.00 & 99,899 (no surcharge) or $80.01 & 99, 898 (with surcharge).

To save 12,000 velocity points costs $127.02
To save 6,101 velocity points costs $50.00

I guess it may depend upon how many points you have, but what would you do?

 

[moa999]

Probably be inclined to pay the $127.

12,000 points is about 2.5 Flexi-Business upgrades on short sectors (4,900 each),
or more than covers a coast-coast Flexi-Business upgrade (9,900 each)

 

[quokka77]

Can you avoid the surcharge by buying a va voucher?

 

[serfty]

I doubt it, online there's no option to use one.

 

[quokka77]

Might be worth a phone call.

 

[JohnK]

I don't generate Velocity points that easily so I would pay the $127.02 and save 12,000 Velocity points to use on next business class award.

 

[serfty]

In the end, that's what I did - at least I'll earn another 254 MR points on the deal ...