Why do most people only care about QFF and Virgin Velocity?

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I'm sur ethe likes of AA / UA / LM have a pretty decent idea of how many people are buying miles in their programs in Australia, and I bet it's a decent amount.

I wonder why they don't allow AMEX to have them as transfer partners in Australia? LM my not be a partner but A and UA definitely are. I'm sure the airlines would love the new revenue streams.

 

[Johnstone]

I think for me, it is about finding the balance between what points I can earn or buy compared to what I would like to redeem or what is available.

As I rarely earn any points from flying anymore, the only way to generate points is via regular shopping, (the occasional credit card sign up promotion) or through the purchasing of points directly from the airline.

Earning points via regular shopping, I find that I can earn 3 SQ points per $1.00 at supermarkets (and that's where I do my regular shopping and thus do not need to spend more chasing points, also add a few more supplementary cards and my whole extended family can generate points for me ) In terms of using those points, I find SQ offer a decent amount of availability to/from Europe and they fly direct to several cities I would easily/happily fly into - so it makes using them much more convenient. Yes, the taxes can be high but sometimes you just have to suck it up and pay for it. I mean, I would love to be paying AA type taxes all the time but if I can't get a seat - it doesn't matter how low the taxes are.

The last few years I have been buying points directly from airlines, there's several threads on the pro's and con's of each program with respect to buying and redeeming points - that has been very useful too. Buying points has also allowed me to save up my SQ and QF points, and now I have finally redeemed all my SQ and QF points for a RTW trip in F for me and the +1

Availability on SQ does look great for Europe flights. Best alternative for AA for Europe is probably through CX from SYD-HKG-ZRH and then short haul flights to final destination.

You're on the right track if you have a points-rich uncle... but in terms of earning, many programs require some usage of their own services, and if you're mainly or solely a domestic flyer, there's not a lot that can be done to rectify this. Sure, you may earn the miles all the same, but you wont earn the status, and miles without status does seem to be a bad proposition... they go together quite nicely.

Thanks Sahmh004 - I'm in the fortunate position where I don't have to fly to accumulate points. Would love to have status just for the "badge of honor" though!

 

[wooley]

FWIW, One million Air Points can be used to directly purchase $1,000,000 in fares (not taxes levies or charges - you still have to pay those in cold hard cash) while One million Qantas Frequent Flyer points can be used to directly purchase ~$7,800 in fares (including taxes levies or charges).

that's very depressing...

at what rate are Air Points earned though?

 

[serfty]

that's very depressing...

at what rate are Air Points earned though?

Varies immensely with flights - you might earn 8 for trans tasman in discount economy but 70 for business.

100 Amex Membership Rewards points will earn 1 Air Point Dollar ... in an Australian Amex account.

 

[wooley]

Varies immensely with flights.

AU$100 Amex spend will earn 1 Air Point Dollar ...

Where as AU$1 can earn you 1-2 Qantas Points? So that's not too different is it? If you value 1 Air Point Dollar at 100 Qantas Points? Or have I missed something.

Or is it the in flight earns which make it vastly different?

 

[burmans]

Thanks Sahmh004 - I'm in the fortunate position where I don't have to fly to accumulate points. Would love to have status just for the "badge of honor" though!

If you have enough points to obtain premium awards that badge suddenly looks a lot less shiney IMO.

 

[wandering_fred]

QFF points are much more useful if you reside in eastern Australia (as opposed to Western Australia).

I made a choice a long time ago which program would be more beneficial. As drron pointed out, the nature of the AA program has changed considerably. Again I have made a choice and will share my meager flying credits. I suspect I will value status with CX a great deal higher than QF. Perhaps QF can re-establish itself internationally with Perth. Time will tell.

At the moment AA points are still worth more.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[samh004]

Thanks Sahmh004 - I'm in the fortunate position where I don't have to fly to accumulate points. Would love to have status just for the "badge of honor" though!

It's served me well...

If you have enough points to obtain premium awards that badge suddenly looks a lot less shiney IMO.

... and still looks fabulous and shiny, thankfully!

 

[serfty]

Where as AU$1 can earn you 1-2 Qantas Points? So that's not too different is it? If you value 1 Air Point Dollar at 100 Qantas Points? Or have I missed something.

Or is it the in flight earns which make it vastly different?

I have edited my post to make it clearer.

If AU$667 spend would earn 1000 Amex MR points then (pro rata) that could be converted to 10 Air Point Dollars or 1000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

(or 625 AAdvantage miles ... )