What’s your experience of points chasing for Krisflyer?

[goldenhorn]

After my first SQ J flight SIN-SYD las week, I’m seriously considering moving my efforts from chasing QF points to KF. OMG. I was blown away by the flight in every way. The food, (Champagne!), amazing genuine service, and I loved the privacy of the cocoon!

I’ve been chasing QF points full on for the last couple of years with the highlight being a great QR flight to Europe in J last month.

But it’s becoming harder and harder to find QF award flights (and I am very happy to book 11 months out) - probably because I’m bronze.

So before I jump ship, I’d love to hear the experiences of those that are dedicated KF points chasers.

Is it possible to grow your balance with credit card offers with Velocity points or do you exclusively use Amex and transfer to KF? Or are there cards with KF points bonuses?

I’ve found it relatively easy to get credit card bonuses for QF points and wondering if it’s going to be much harder chasing SQ flights.

I am encouraged to hear finding award flights is easier than QF.

Any feedback appreciated!

 

[Bell21]

I do a combo - partly chase kf points via Amex and partly through good Velocity earnings card / velocity bonuses

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You can accrue points in your velocity account (any way, flights, or credit card spend, etc) + via Amex + via Citibank credit cards (the one where you earn citi points and can transfer them to a range of airline FF programs).

So there are a few ways. Velocity dont' transfer across 1 for 1. And citi is also some ratio. But then KF awards are generally less expensive than QF, and availability is good. So it probably works out.

 

[goldenhorn]

I do a combo - partly chase kf points via Amex and partly through good Velocity earnings card / velocity bonuses

OK, thanks for the feedback. Is KF your sole focus or do you split with QF too?

 

[goldenhorn]

You can accrue points in your velocity account (any way, flights, or credit card spend, etc) + via Amex + via Citibank credit cards (the one where you earn citi points and can transfer them to a range of airline FF programs).

So there are a few ways. Velocity dont' transfer across 1 for 1. And citi is also some ratio. But then KF awards are generally less expensive than QF, and availability is good. So it probably works out.

Yeah, I am aware of the transfer ratio from VF to KF. I'll look into Citi cards on offer, although I have a QF Premier at the moment I'm about to cancel, so maybe that rules me out for a Citi card for 12-18 months.

Do you focus solely on KF or are you dividing with QF too?

Is just seems there are so many more opportunities to earn with QF in Australia.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah, I am aware of the transfer ratio from VF to KF. I'll look into Citi cards on offer, although I have a QF Premier at the moment I'm about to cancel, so maybe that rules me out for a Citi card for 12-18 months.

Do you focus solely on KF or are you dividing with QF too?

Is just seems there are so many more opportunities to earn with QF in Australia.

I think many AFFers would have multiple FF accounts across the various programs. It all depends on your end game. If you're looking for a specific award, you'd probably be better focusing on earning points for that award.

If you are in it for the long game, you'd have different FF programs to take advantage of any earning opportunity that comes along. For example I buy miles through Lifemiles for cheap awards - but that program doesn't always have the availability I need. I also buy miles through AA and UA, although the current exchange rate makes those not as attractive anymore. I have an Etihad account for 'orphaned' miles... like earning on Oman Air flights. I use those to redeem one way domestic flights in the USA.

My Executive club is used to buy cheap avios for intra-Asia flights.

i have Qantas because it earns points here and there and those points would otherwise go to waste - and for when QF actually has a flight available that I need.

You could always transfer your QF premier through citi to a differnt type? Although you probably won't ear any sign-up bonus then.

 

[goldenhorn]

I think many AFFers would have multiple FF accounts across the various programs. It all depends on your end game. If you're looking for a specific award, you'd probably be better focusing on earning points for that award.

If you are in it for the long game, you'd have different FF programs to take advantage of any earning opportunity that comes along. For example I buy miles through Lifemiles for cheap awards - but that program doesn't always have the availability I need. I also buy miles through AA and UA, although the current exchange rate makes those not as attractive anymore. I have an Etihad account for 'orphaned' miles... like earning on Oman Air flights. I use those to redeem one way domestic flights in the USA.

My Executive club is used to buy cheap avios for intra-Asia flights.

i have Qantas because it earns points here and there and those points would otherwise go to waste - and for when QF actually has a flight available that I need.

You could always transfer your QF premier through citi to a differnt type? Although you probably won't ear any sign-up bonus then.

Thanks @MEL_Traveller! That's really helpful feedback.

When it comes to sign up bonuses, do you lean towards one program over another, or are you thinking about the next award you want and working towards that?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Can't help you with that as i don't do sign-up bonuses. Not because I think there's any problems - just I can't be bothered

 

[amaroo]

I've been a one eyed QFF since 1996. That all changed August last year when I changed tactics and started to skew some credit card earn towards KF via Amex and STG. I still accrue to QFF as I hold P1 status, so access to award seats is plentiful with the sweet bonus of requesting seats be released.

We've already flown SQ suites CDG-SIN-SYD with miles, and have booked a couple of return suite trips to Europe for next year - so the plan has worked out just fine.

FWIW, there have been some interesting comments about SQ tightening award seat availability, and with the F cabin being cut in half it will certainly have a negative effect on availability for F and J - particularly for saver awards.

 

[goldenhorn]

I've been a one eyed QFF since 1996. That all changed August last year when I changed tactics and started to skew some credit card earn towards KF via Amex and STG. I still accrue to QFF as I hold P1 status, so access to award seats is plentiful with the sweet bonus of requesting seats be released.

We've already flown SQ suites CDG-SIN-SYD with miles, and have booked a couple of return suite trips to Europe for next year - so the plan has worked out just fine.

FWIW, there have been some interesting comments about SQ tightening award seat availability, and with the F cabin being cut in half it will certainly have a negative effect on availability for F and J - particularly for saver awards.

Thanks @amaroo. That's very interesting. (STG - St George cards?)

Yeah, as lowly Bronze it's really challening to find awards. I think it was an absolute fluke I found the 2 J seats SYD-FCO on QR a year ago.

I wasn't aware of SQ cutting the F cabin. Is that on a specific sector or a change to the fit-out of planes?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I wasn't aware of SQ cutting the F cabin. Is that on a specific sector or a change to the fit-out of planes?

Just a fit-out of planes. The A380 is going from 12->6 (new suites). The 777s are going from 8->4 (reduced demand).

 

[amaroo]

Thanks @amaroo. That's very interesting. (STG - St George cards?)

Yes, STG = St George ..... one of the few cards still extremely valuable with certain transactions.

, as lowly Bronze it's really challening to find awards. I think it was an absolute fluke I found the 2 J seats SYD-FCO on QR a year ago.

Yes, QFF is very much geared towards status flyers ..... one of the reasons I really like it.

wasn't aware of SQ cutting the F cabin. Is that on a specific sector or a change to the fit-out of planes?

Cabin refresh is the reason. We've been lucky enough to fly both suite types, and we really like the new suites cabin. Some don't like it, and I can understand that due to the pressure on award seats, but if you've got miles to burn it may end up being easier to secure seats.

 

[luxury-lizard]

We also have been a long-time "accruer" of KF points via AmEx transfer and enjoyed many return trips to Europe - usually in J (very occasionally in F) but like many FF programs the party is coming to an end - with AmEx changing the transfer ratio to KF from 1:1 to 2:1 however we also buy LifeMiles and AA miles (but again with the low AUD and the ongoing enhancement of all programs) - this party is kind of over as well.

Without status in any program - the only ones I still feel have good availability of award seats is SQ (but you must book early) and EY (via AA points) - otherwise our current thinking is burn what we have and just buy J tickets - keeping an eye out for sale fares. (Gave up on QF years ago).

Oh and as well - we've never bothered chasing sign-up bonuses on credit cards.

 

[Bell21]

OK, thanks for the feedback. Is KF your sole focus or do you split with QF too?

I'm primarily focused on earning kf points either directly or via va but I like to keep a buffer of qf points so not to be too dependent on one program --- my cards are AMEX plat (general), Dragon (VA and kf) and diners (VA and kf)

 

[goldenhorn]

Yes, STG = St George ..... one of the few cards still extremely valuable with certain transactions.

Interesting! How is STG valuable with certain transactions?

I have a St George Amplify Business Visa, which I got for the points bonus, but perhaps you’re not referring to that one? I wasn’t aware of it being anything special.

 

[goldenhorn]

I'm primarily focused on earning kf points either directly or via va but I like to keep a buffer of qf points so not to be too dependent on one program --- my cards are AMEX plat (general), Dragon (VA and kf) and diners (VA and kf)

Sounds like a good strategy!

We also have been a long-time "accruer" of KF points via AmEx transfer and enjoyed many return trips to Europe - usually in J (very occasionally in F) but like many FF programs the party is coming to an end - with AmEx changing the transfer ratio to KF from 1:1 to 2:1 however we also buy LifeMiles and AA miles (but again with the low AUD and the ongoing enhancement of all programs) - this party is kind of over as well.

oh it’s just so depressing now. I feel like I’ve come to the party too late and missed the golden years lol

otherwise our current thinking is burn what we have and just buy J tickets - keeping an eye out for sale fares. (Gave up on QF years ago).

Yes, I’m thinking the same thing. And with the amazing fares to Europe out of Jakarta and MNL on EY and QR this last couple of month, I think I’ll be re-positioning to pick up similar types of paid fares.

 

[Bell21]

I've been a one eyed QFF since 1996. That all changed August last year when I changed tactics and started to skew some credit card earn towards KF via Amex and STG. I still accrue to QFF as I hold P1 status, so access to award seats is plentiful with the sweet bonus of requesting seats be released.

We've already flown SQ suites CDG-SIN-SYD with miles, and have booked a couple of return suite trips to Europe for next year - so the plan has worked out just fine.

FWIW, there have been some interesting comments about SQ tightening award seat availability, and with the F cabin being cut in half it will certainly have a negative effect on availability for F and J - particularly for saver awards.

Hey amaroo, are you able to point me to the thread(s) where sq tightening up availability is discussed?

 

[I love to travel]

I think it was @Cruiser Elite who flagged the issue.

 

[Bell21]

I think it was @Cruiser Elite who flagged the issue.

Thanks and that makes sense!

 

[amaroo]

Interesting! How is STG valuable with certain transactions?

Three letters, starts with A and ends with O ...... the middle one you can use whilst playing golf

Hey amaroo, are you able to point me to the thread(s) where sq tightening up availability is discussed?

SQ - T, T, and T thread