advice on use of QFF points before 1st July

[chodo]

Hi all,

I know this is probably annoying as im brand new to this, but if i could spend a few hours sifting through the forums,Im sure I would find the info. But Im strapped for time and I hope to make it back to you all by putting my two cents worth in from time to time.

Anyhoo, I know the QFF scheme changes next week, so here is my situation ;

I have approx 55 000 points at moment. I am located in Melbourne and want to go to Bangkok at the beginning of October 2008. With Jetstar its 30 000 points direct from Melb and arriving in BKK at 7pm, and with QANTAS its 36 000 points via Sydney and arriving at midnight in BKK.

Ive used Jetstar a few times accidentally thru the QFF scheme and swore to never do it again, but it saves me about 5 hours and it gets me there at a godly hour, and also saves my precious points.

Sooooo, is it worth me booking the flight in the next few days for 30 000 points plus $176 in taxes, or if i book next week after the change, would it be more to my favour? Is 3 months considered booking ahead in Frequent Flyer land or not?

In the past, I have found the closer to the date I book (ie 2 weeks before), the easier it is to get a seat (admittedly Jetstar, but at least its semi-free).

Ive done some research into the changes to the QFF and cant seem to find any definite info apart from speculation that it wont be to most peoples advantage. Im not looking for upgrades, just free flights (plus tax), from time to time.

Well hope to get some reply's and no abuse for not doing more research.

Cheers

 

[simongr]

Welcome Chodo. First off 55K points is not a huge amount and I dont think the changes will affect you that much in the meium term.

Sooooo, is it worth me booking the flight in the next few days for 30 000 points plus $176 in taxes, or if i book next week after the change, would it be more to my favour? Is 3 months considered booking ahead in Frequent Flyer land or not?

In the past, I have found the closer to the date I book (ie 2 weeks before), the easier it is to get a seat (admittedly Jetstar, but at least its semi-free).

As of next week it is incredibly unlikely that you will get cheaper awards than you get now. I am surprised about the ease of booking closer to the date but that might be a reflection of lowly yields on those trips. If you can get seats on the days you want I would book them.

Ive done some research into the changes to the QFF and cant seem to find any definite info apart from speculation that it wont be to most peoples advantage.
Well hope to get some reply's and no abuse for not doing more research.

Cheers

Nothing is definite but in theory there should be no disadvantage to people who use the scheme as they have done for years. There is much speculation that the number of classic award seats will reduce - based on no information other than a general distrust of airlines and QF in particular.

The scheme is going to provide two sets of awards - unlimited seats at massive points costs (55K points is unlikely to be much use in the anyseat scheme given they are quoting 500K to get to SIN and back in Business class) and limited seats at "regular" cost.

Personally if you have a need to go to Thailand and can see available seats I would book them.

The sky might be shakey but there is no evidence that it is faling

 

[Febs]

Simongr has pretty much covered it all, so I'll just add that I'd book now - whichever flight suits you best (sounds like the JQ one).

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[chodo]

55 000 points has been a bloody hard slog! lol addmittedly i have made 1 x London - Melb return trips and 2 x Melb - Asia trips, all in economy or coughstar of course!

because im still quite young, and havent had committments to dates, ive found booking closer to the date is easier cos i take anything that suits - never a specific date.

also, i dont like the idea of booking the return trip and then being slogged for more points to make a change (plus i dont tihnk you can change once the trip has started - you just forfeit points).

as for the anyseat, it doesnt worry, im too young to be lashing out on business or first class (unless someone else is paying!)

so cheers for the feedback, i read somewhere that there might be some info in the weekend papers regarding the QFF changes. Ill keep an eye out and book by Sunday i suppose - surely Melb - BKK will have loads of seats left...... famous last words!!!

cheers again.

 

[chodo]

whats JQ in laymans terms? cheers

 

[simongr]

The SYD-SIN-SYD In J was just an example - I would not be surprised if SYD-SIN-SYD in Economy was 250K points.

In relation to waiting just be cognisant of the fact that 4 million people are members of the QF FF scheme, lots will get emails about the scheme and other wil read/watch the negative press that comes with and will also be rushing out to burn points quickly (through misinformation or misunderstanding of information) - my advice again is book now.

 

[simongr]

whats JQ in laymans terms? cheers

Jetstar

All airlines have a 2 letter code (letters or numbers):

British Airways - BA
Qantas - QF
Cathay Pacific - CX


And so on

It is not always intuitive.

 

[dajop]

Hi all,
Sooooo, is it worth me booking the flight in the next few days for 30 000 points plus $176 in taxes, or if i book next week after the change, would it be more to my favour? Is 3 months considered booking ahead in Frequent Flyer land or not?

From what's been quoted in another thread, the implied rate seems to be about 1c/point. Early October the best fare (with checked luggage) MEL-BKK appears to be $294 + $160 in surcharges. So even that would 45,00 pts or 29,400 + $160 in taxes [that was just one date, other dates dearer].

Sounds like it's not going to improve that much over the current possibilities. Worst case scenario if you book now and some super duper anyseat deal comes available, say for 30,000 pts including surcharges- cancel your existing booking and will cost you 5,000 pts but you'd get the $160 back as well.

 

[chodo]

alright, cheers guys for the help

im going to book the Jetstar flight now for October for 30 000 points and $176 in taxes.

i have both the QANTAS AMEX (signed up a month or so ago and got the 5000 joining points) and the ANZ QANTAS VISA card.

if i use the AMEX to pay the Jetstar taxes, would the $50 credit apply? May as well make the most of wats on offer!!

or am i better off paying the taxes with the ANZ card.

PS - they waived the $95 annual fee for the ANZ card last week cos I have had the card for years and never been late wit payments etc. i still paid the $55 rewards fee, but something is better than nothing I suppose!

 

[Alanslegal]

Just a friendly reminder that a QFF point redemption on a JQ operated flight means you would STILL have to purchase your own food on board.

Just one of the reasons to avoid a redemption onto a JQ economy flight when you could possibly get the same route on BA if not QF. (but then is $10 to buy food such an inconvenience? esp if the timing is right)

 

[chodo]

Hi Alanslegal,

I do realise this, but Jetstar requires 30 000 points and is direct Melb - BKK arriving at 7pm. QANTAS uses 36 000 points, goes via Sydney/hell airport and arrives in BKK at midnight. Plus, I can last 9 hours without food.

Ive used QFF points on Jetstar flying from BKK to Melbourne twice, and swore to never do it again, but in this case it suits me as it is direct. Funny enough, the first timeI flew Jetstar using QFF, they gave me pillow/blanket/food included. They said it was because I'd booked thru QFF. The second time however, they gave me nothing, I questioned them, and, well lets just say, Jetstar staff arent the most compotent or clever staff out there! They just gave me a blank look and knocked over a drink! lol

Once ive used all these points, I will wash my hands clean of QANTAS/Jetstar and start using Singapore/Thai/Malaysia/Emirates airlines when I have to pay 100% for my tickets again.

So if anybody knows bout paying my taces using the AMEX card and receiving the $50 credit - pls let me know.

Cheers again!

Any more helpful tips or info would be much appreciated! have a nice day.

 

[dajop]

Once ive used all these points, I will wash my hands clean of QANTAS/Jetstar and start using Singapore/Thai/Malaysia/Emirates airlines when I have to pay 100% for my tickets again.

It may then be worth reassessing your cc situation and go for a de-linked Amex or Visa. Amex MR & Westpac altitude both have 1:1 for Amex spend (westpac altitude associated visa $2=1 pt) and can 1:1 to Singapore & Virgin Blue Velocity programs (and westpac also 1:1 to Malaysian).

For comparison purposes, SQ allows redemptions to BKK (online) for 46,750 pts return (or about 33K oneway) - complete with food, blankets & AVOD.

 

[reg]

The new scheme will not offer any points/mile benefit over current scheme however the two tier system of 'Classic' and 'Anyseat' (must have taken some time to come up with these names) at QFF is likely to have some additional flexibility to model using points plus dollars when you are short on points. So with your 55k points you may pay $50 (estimate) plus taxes to get the return flight from MEL worth 60K points plus taxes. If they were to brign inthe poitns plu sdollars under the anyseat model I see this as a positive.