Which partner program is best value for Travel? Valuing points?

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travelnutjohn

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hello fellow forumers,

I know this is "it depends" type of question , but id like to grab your input on your opinions on which program is the best for international J/F travel +taxes
AND
overall which points are seen as more valuable

Ill answer my second question first,
it seems that for example, qantas seem to have the highest taxes along with more points requirment,
and krisflyer has lower points requirements and taxes compared to QFF,
most credit cards earn between 0.5-1 of QFF and Krisfler directly, which means that the Krisfler points are more valuable,
however with an amex card transfer into krisfler, you can easily get 2-3 ppd which means the krislfyer is worth less as its easier to earn by a mile, but yet 1 qff seems to be seen as the same as 1 krisflyer point


as for programs,
I am comparing
QFF
Virgin Velocity
Asia Miles
Singapore KF
Etihad
Emirates
Hilton
SPG
Im just looking for the program that has the "overall" lowest points requirement AND taxes for long haul J/F

I know its a "it depends" type of question, but for travel, what are the opinions on which are the better and why?

thanks everyone
 
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Definitely KrisFlyer. Number of both miles and taxes required for redemptions are low, and there is excellent J & F availability on Singapore Airlines. Can also redeem on Star Alliance, which gives plenty of other options.

I would stay well away from Emirates Skywards. High redemption costs, exorbitant fuel surcharges and they make it way too difficult to redeem miles.
 
Not QFF.
If you wish to have awards on QF other OW programs can be better.
One example.looking at a trip to SIN for their great sal(shopping).
QFF BNE-SIN in J goes via MEL-60000 points + $352.
AA BNE-SIN via SYD on same date but SYD-SIN sector in F-50000 miles +$US88.

Though I have moved now from AA to BA as easier to get to OWE.But you need an UK address if you don't want to tell a little white lie.
 
If you are relying on credit card points AA BA and SPG are usually twice as hard to earn as QF. AS also but can be even morr valuable. SPG is very flexible with multiple airline transfer partners.

For oneworld CX miles are better value than QF and almost as easy to earn (more so with some Amexes)

SQ quite easy to earn and agree with positive comments above.

VA (not VF as originally posted) are not as valuable but very easy to accumulate
EY have a niche value on domestic VA redemptions but otherwise poor
EK awful
 
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Agree with andye, VFF are easy to accumulate esp via cc sign ups. I have always used VA points by transferring them to SQ and going F rewards. Therefore, VA is useful for augmenting your SQ cc points earn.
 
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Qantas redemption cost is way too high I think. But round the world trip I can bear.
 
which program is the best for international J/F travel +taxes
AND
overall which points are seen as more valuable

Firstly what is "best"will vary by each of our personal circumstances for earn, burn (where to, what cabin and when) and opportunities.


To me which it is best is to collect ALL where the points can be be gained at a low cost in terms of time and money.

  • Some points can only go to one program, and I am not going to ignore any "gift-horses"
  • Some programs are "best" for different routes and/ cabin class
  • Some programs are easier to earn points in that others
  • Sometimes you cannot get a redemption on your "best" program, so being in others can provide in others can provide a plan B or C
However yes overall I think Krisflyer is best.

TIP: Also do not just think Airline, Think Alliance.
  • For example
    • with QFF best value is often gained by not redeeming on QF metal.
    • with KF SQ may not be available, but TG often then is. Or SQ may not fly to the destination, but *A partners do (ie Ghana)

For me at present I have significant balances at:
  • Krisfyer
  • QFF
  • VFF
  • Marriott
  • Amex MR (and it allow s movement to many programs)
Bank Point Programs mainly get churned and so come and go (rinse and repeat!).

In the past when it made sense to do so I have used BMI ( no defunct, but one had to love the free points ;) ), BA, MH, Citibank and some hotel chains.
 
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As above, big determinants being award availability, taxes, redemption cost and ease of accumulation.
The answer isn't cut and dry because it depends also on where you fly (international vs domestic) and if you have any status with any airlines.

Personally, I mainly fly domestic and have VA gold. Virgin Australia have low taxes, good award availability and I get lounge access, priority screening and extra luggage, hence I'm happy to redeem my points on domestic economy when cash fares are elevated.

OTOH Qantas has a RTW 'classic award' product that Virgin does not.
 
As above, big determinants being award availability, taxes, redemption cost and ease of accumulation.
The answer isn't cut and dry because it depends also on where you fly (international vs domestic) and if you have any status with any airlines.

Personally, I mainly fly domestic and have VA gold. Virgin Australia have low taxes, good award availability and I get lounge access, priority screening and extra luggage, hence I'm happy to redeem my points on domestic economy when cash fares are elevated.

OTOH Qantas has a RTW 'classic award' product that Virgin does not.
yes agree, for me, I did orginally specify Long haul, First or business class, I have no interest or need to travel domestically,
I do go to asia for holidays but Id much rather travel on a cheap jetstar fare (just a personal thing),
and therefore I have no status :)
 
Definitely KrisFlyer. Number of both miles and taxes required for redemptions are low, and there is excellent J & F availability on Singapore Airlines. Can also redeem on Star Alliance, which gives plenty of other options.

I would stay well away from Emirates Skywards. High redemption costs, exorbitant fuel surcharges and they make it way too difficult to redeem miles.
Not QFF.
If you wish to have awards on QF other OW programs can be better.
One example.looking at a trip to SIN for their great sal(shopping).
QFF BNE-SIN in J goes via MEL-60000 points + $352.
AA BNE-SIN via SYD on same date but SYD-SIN sector in F-50000 miles +$US88.

Though I have moved now from AA to BA as easier to get to OWE.But you need an UK address if you don't want to tell a little white lie.
If you are relying on credit card points AA BA and SPG are usually twice as hard to earn as QF. AS also but can be even morr valuable. SPG is very flexible with multiple airline transfer partners.

For oneworld CX miles are better value than QF and almost as easy to earn (more so with some Amexes)

SQ quite easy to earn and agree with positive comments above.

so it seems that Krisfler is one of the best, and QFF is the worst which is what I suspected,

it doenst surprise me that EK and EY are poor,

thanks everyone, im looking to open a few programs to start pooling my points into

VA (not VF as originally posted) are not as valuable but very easy to accumulate
EY have a niche value on domestic VA redemptions but otherwise poor
EK awful

thanks guys, I dont fly for work at all, so all my points are from credit card shopping, ive recently opened a few amex cards, so all my spend has been on amex,
I was plesantly surprised that despite most visa or Master earn 0.5-1 points, while the amex earn 2-3, so to me thats up to 6 times better, ie 6 times quicker to my goal,
hence my post on the fact that I have flexibility in earning on amex and have the option to transfer to different programs
 
Firstly what is "best"will vary by each of our personal circumstances for earn, burn (where to, what cabin and when) and opportunities.


To me which it is best is to collect ALL where the points can be be gained at a low cost in terms of time and money.

  • Some points can only go to one program, and I am not going to ignore any "gift-horses"
  • Some programs are "best" for different routes and/ cabin class
  • Some programs are easier to earn points in that others
  • Sometimes you cannot get a redemption on your "best" program, so being in others can provide in others can provide a plan B or C
However yes overall I think Krisflyer is best.

TIP: Also do not just thing Airline, Think Alliance.
  • For example
    • with QFF best value is often gained by not redeeming on QF metal.
    • with KF SQ may not be available, but TG often then is. Or SQ may not fly to the destination, but *A partners do (ie Ghana)

For me at present I have significant balances at:
  • Krisfyer
  • QFF
  • VFF
  • Marriott
  • Amex MR (and it allow s movement to many programs)
Bank Point Programs mainly get churned and so come and go (rinse and repeat!).

In the past when it made sense to do so I have used BMI ( no defunct, but one had to love the free points ;) ), BA, MH, Citibank and some hotel chains.
thatsa great reply mr losttravellingoz, thanks

do you use mariott for hotels only right? i persoanlly prefer to book hotesl through the various hotel search engines such as agoda,

I dont have a QFF earning card, but I just wanted a guage as I might go down the signup bonus option,

to me it seems easiest to earn VFF and amex points,

SPG is for hotels only correct? what makes it so attractive?
 
Would it be safe to say that QFFs main and possibly only benefit is you can do oneworld RTW and have 5 odd stop overs and still pay the same number of points?
 
Since you have signed up for Amex cards SQ would be the best as you can transfer direct to them.It is where all my Amex points go when required.
SPG is also on their list but 2 MR points to 1 SPG point.Still better than Hilton at 1 to 1 as I value SPG points as at least 3 times HH points.
 
do you use mariott for hotels only right?

I occasionally use it as a venue and get a handsome bonus when I do. However I only book when the $$ are a great deal.

Some do move Amex points through it to take advantage of their FFpoints/accommodation deals.


i personally prefer to book hotels through the various hotel search engines such as agoda,
I am not fussy. I will book through whomever gives me the best deal and more often than not for my requirements chasing points would overall be a worse deal where the points gained do not outweigh the cost

I for most stays do not book hotels that award to a hotel program. When the hotel does award such points I can normally award to an airline instead.

I also as a rule tend to prefer smaller places with character and these are booked through a variety of means.

My upcoming 10 weeks through UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark have been booked through:
  • Booking.com
  • Agoda Not so much for this trip as for the areas I went Booking.com was normally better and the one time I did it was due to an Amex Cashback deal (I have found them very good for asia though).
  • Expedia twice. Once sweetened by a Amex cashback deal
  • AirBnb
  • Direct with the property (when cheaper than above): London, Liverpool, Newcastle and a number of B&Bs
  • 6 nights of B7Bs arranged by the company that I have booked a cycling trip through
  • $1000 via Amex using my Travel Credits whenever their rate was better than the property direct/Booking.com etc (and in this case I found some good deals in Stockholm and Copenhagen
  • 14 days on a ship- booked direct
When staying in France for example, the Accor Group often gives very good sales on their properties and I have used this in places like Paris, Strasbourg etc.


Lastly when it comes to accommodation Location, Location, Location is normally king and for my holiday travels that location rarely coincides with point earning hotels.

PS: As a sweetener I will always not what cashrewards has on offer. But this is normally just a little bonus and does not lead to my selecting one venue over another. Occasionally has influenced the hotel booking engine though where it has meant booking a desired property which had a larger cashback deal on offer to take it past its competitor.
 
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