What can I do with my Rewards points if I don't fly with QF or VA?

[gojun]

Are there any options for me? I normally fly with CX and am looking at either collecting points in AA or AM.

I tried looking for information of possibly going from CBA > QFF/VA > SPG > AA/AM but it doesn't seem that's possible.

Is there anything else I can do? I'm only keeping this card atm because of the low fee I pay and the AMEX Lounge access but will cancel it once Westpac Altitude has a point bonus sign up.

 

[magnacartic]

Unfortunately, QFF/VA points for business and business upgrades are probably the best value for CBA redemption. Maybe transfer only to keep your account active?

 

[gojun]

I don't have a QFF or VA account, but was willing to sign up if there was anyway of getting the points across to SPG.

Hm... no other options?

You've been very helpful magnacartic, thank you again!

 

[Buzzard]

Is it worth your while keeping the QF points to use for a CX redemption?

 

[gojun]

It's not a significant amount for me to use on anything, it's about 20K CBA points i.e. 10k QF points. I can either setup an account and just donate them to a family member or have them sit in QFF and start using QFF to redeem miles after I use my AM miles.

I've been living in Japan for the past year so haven't used my card for anything. But when I get back I'll be using my Diamond card + AMEX platinum edge to earn points until Westpac Altitude have a sign up bonus. A friend did mention to me to keep Diamond card for the AMEX Lounge access since I only pay $119 for the annual fee.

I do have some points in Kris, so maybe I should transfer to VFF to Kris?

 

[albyd]

CBA can either do a direct sweep to QFF or points transfer to Velocity. Can then transfer to KF but that's about it.
Amex or Diners with companion MasterCard are only option for SPG from credit card spend in Australia.

 

[Buzzard]

What about some grog from Epiqure?

 

[Mattg]

IMHO CommBank Awards is one of the worst credit card rewards schemes out there. Most redemptions are pretty poor in value, and the only airline transfer partners are Qantas and Virgin.

Just keep in mind that Qantas and Virgin points can also be used to fly on each respective airline's partners. So you could transfer points to Qantas with the intention of redeeming them for Cathay Pacific or Emirates flights, for example.

Qantas (and Virgin) points can also be used to book hotels, hire cars etc. Although the value is not generally great, it's better than nothing. The Epiqure suggestion isn't a bad idea either.

 

[gojun]

My points are significant enough for me to redeem anything. I know it's one of the worst credit cards, hence I'm cancelling it.
I only recently got into earning points and discovered how noncompetitive the program is.

 

[Sbv72]

186 points gives you $1 at flight centre or Myer, although I finally convinced my wife that transfer to VFF to use on upgrade to J was a better use.

 

[k3nnis]

Hi Guys,

I am about to switch my home loan form westpac to CBA due to a lower interest rate. WBC could not match cba so I have no choice.

Now the issue is with altitude black I had plenty of FF transfer options. With CBA only QF or VA.

I normally transfer to SQ but I don't mind CX. But mainly SQ.

So my only option with the diamond card is to transfer to VA and then trasnfer it to SQ at 1.35 rate. Or redeem an SQ J flight from VA miles. Which one works out to be better? Assuming zone 5, SYD-SIN or SYD-HKG

I could also to QFF and redeem on CX but not sure if the rates are as attractive. Also SQ gets me an option to stopover in SIN which I like.

edit: this is assuming I am using diamond amex only, I won't be using the mastercard, for visa/mastercard purchases I will be using citibank signature fee free, I think that still gives me 0.75 sq mile per $1 spent. I also have a platinum edge from amex to spend on groceries and petrol.

I normally would need to redeem for 3. i.e. 2 adults and a child. So QF is virtually impossible to do so in Business Class.

Cheers,
K.

 

[andye]

Hi Guys,

I am about to switch my home loan form westpac to CBA due to a lower interest rate. WBC could not match cba so I have no choice.

Now the issue is with altitude black I had plenty of FF transfer options. With CBA only QF or VA.

I normally transfer to SQ but I don't mind CX. But mainly SQ.

So my only option with the diamond card is to transfer to VA and then trasnfer it to SQ at 1.35 rate. Or redeem an SQ J flight from VA miles. Which one works out to be better? Assuming zone 5, SYD-SIN or SYD-HKG

I could also to QFF and redeem on CX but not sure if the rates are as attractive. Also SQ gets me an option to stopover in SIN which I like.

edit: this is assuming I am using diamond amex only, I won't be using the mastercard, for visa/mastercard purchases I will be using citibank signature fee free, I think that still gives me 0.75 sq mile per $1 spent. I also have a platinum edge from amex to spend on groceries and petrol.

I normally would need to redeem for 3. i.e. 2 adults and a child. So QF is virtually impossible to do so in Business Class.

Cheers,
K.

I have access to a free credit card with my (NAB) home loan but don't use it as I have better options. In your situation I would get a Platinum Edge (to complement the Signature) unless I flew enough to make the Velocity Amex a better option

 

[k3nnis]

Ok thanks. Doesn't using the diamond Amex give me more points on sq even transferring from VA. so from diamond Amex to VA it's 1.5x and from va to sq it's 1.35x. Is this correct? Vs 1:1 on Amex plat edge? This is for non groceries and petrol purchase Amex.

 

[andye]

Ok thanks. Doesn't using the diamond Amex give me more points on sq even transferring from VA. so from diamond Amex to VA it's 1.5x and from va to sq it's 1.35x. Is this correct? Vs 1:1 on Amex plat edge? This is for non groceries and petrol purchase Amex.

I hadnt done the full sums on the CBA Diamond but from the site it looks like it earns 1.2 VFF/QF per $. The 1.2 VFF would convert to 0.88 KF/$.
I dont own a CBA so just going from the CBA rewards site

 

[Mattg]

Honestly, the CBA cards are rubbish. And the QF transfer rate is being reduced in May. Even though it may be fee-free, I'd be looking for another card to use as a main card. The Platinum Edge card is a good suggestion.

 

[cove]

Mattg CBA does look like rubbish to me as well. Not going there was a bit of luck for us. My biggest connection to CBA is thru Commsec which works.

 

[k3nnis]

Hi,

Looks like CBA diamond still gets 1.5 VA mile per $1 on the AMEX. It was only devalued on the QFF part i.e. 1.2QF mile per $1 on amex.

So using this sum does it mean when I convert to SQ I get 1.112 miles per $1 on CBA Diamond amex? Sorry if this sounds confusing? Just trying to get the most out of my non petrol/groceries amex spend.

Cheers,
K.

I hadnt done the full sums on the CBA Diamond but from the site it looks like it earns 1.2 VFF/QF per $. The 1.2 VFF would convert to 0.88 KF/$.
I dont own a CBA so just going from the CBA rewards site

 

[andye]

Hi,

Looks like CBA diamond still gets 1.5 VA mile per $1 on the AMEX. It was only devalued on the QFF part i.e. 1.2QF mile per $1 on amex.

So using this sum does it mean when I convert to SQ I get 1.112 miles per $1 on CBA Diamond amex? Sorry if this sounds confusing? Just trying to get the most out of my non petrol/groceries amex spend.

Cheers,
K.

Agree on your calculations with the 2 CBA:1 VFF ratio. The rewards booklet I found showed 2.5 CBA: 1 VFF (as well as the same QF ratio).
Not sure if this is an error or the shape of things to come

 

[k3nnis]

Ok hope it's 2:1 for va. I followed the website hope that is most accurate

 

[Mattg]

Ok hope it's 2:1 for va. I followed the website hope that is most accurate

Yes, still 2:1 for VA (for now). Which means 1.5 points per dollar spent on Diamond Amex.