Are Red e-Deal Points Redemptions becoming a Good Choice?

[kangarooflyer88]

I was recently browsing the QF site in search of the final trip (or sets of trips) to push me over the 600 SCs needed to re-qualify for Gold this year. And came across some SUNTAN fares to OOL from SYD for around $77 cash. Out of curiosity I flipped the points toggle to see what the Red e-deal award price would be and saw this:



It appears that QF is discounting the points required to do a Red e-Deal redemption via points by 20%. In addition, when compared against the Classic Award (which would be 8000 + $42) I would argue that Red e-Deal is now a better value than the classic award since you are only spending 8,900 points (as you'll get 800 points for the flight), avoid having to pay the $42 in taxes + fees and of course earn the valuable status credits. Is there something I'm missing here in this analysis? I know there are certainly some sweet spots for redeeming QF points (e.g. SYD > LDH in Y where the value per point is north of 5 cents) but would be curious if the calculus now changes given this promotion.

Cheers,

RooFlyer88

 

[andye]

You are making the wrong comparison-the correct one is with the cash fare
As is often the case Y redemptions offer poor value-in this case <1c per point with either Classic or Points+Pay.
Unless you are awash with points just buy the revenue fare and save your points for something more valuable

 

[Mattg]

You're not missing anything - in this case, Points+Pay is better value.

However, the Points+Pay price is only low because the cash fare is low. I'd just buy the ticket for $77 and save my points for another Classic Reward flight where the equivalent cash fare is much higher!

Also worth noting that the cancellation terms are more friendly on the Classic Reward booking (which you can cancel for no penalty).

 

[AIRwin]

There is also a Love Australia Sale on now which will further lower the 20% off points required, and earning status credits:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/flight-deals.html/bne/au/economy/the-love-australia-sale/lowest?int_cam=au%3Aen%3Ahomepage-promotion%3Asale-domestic%3Aen%3Aflights

 

[sudoer]

and earning status credits:

Since the advent of Points Club this is less of a selling point as economy classic awards can earn 70% of the cash fare equivalent.