Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a goal?

[smit0847]

I’ve been collecting VA points for years and as I have linked CCs and fly a lot with them domestically, collecting VFF points has been very easy, to the point where I literally have more than I know what to do with. They’re great for emergency flights or when we feel like spoiling ourselves on domestic J but since discovering the wonderful and lucrative world of US/AA/AV programs I haven’t really been using them for international flights (except to send my partner to MXP on EY J this year which he loved). I find that with no use for them I’m really not that focused on collecting as many points as possible and I’m getting ‘lazy’.

Having noticed the recent slew of QFF offers for new members (Aquire, Bankwest, Credit card signups etc) I’ve recently signed up for QFF and also am finding QFF points extremely easy to earn. I haven’t stepped onto a Qantas plane in about 4 years and probably won’t for the next 4 after hearing so many horror stories about redemptions on QF metal. So, in considering how to use them I thought about going EK F MEL-AKL-MEL. This has given me a razor sharp goal as I know exactly how many points I’ll need and when. I have a renewed interest in earning QFF points with such a specific travel goal in mind.

Are you the same? Do you lose interest if either all your travel is booked or you have nothing planned?

 

[serfty]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

To be honest I seem to be tripping over QFF points more and more - easy to earn - expensive (generally) to burn.

As a ball park figure these days, I value a Velocity point at twice that of a Qantas Frequent Flyer Point- mainly because to redeem QFF rewards within/to/from Australia it is costing ~½¢ per QFF point.

 

[boomy]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

Indeed collecting QFF points is very easy. The hard part is getting the best value from using them. As you mentioned already, it's often better value to buy points with various programmes due to the high redemption taxes on QF and the limited availability of routes and seats in premium cabins.
I found myself flying more with *A this year although I have plenty of QFF points in the bank.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

Are you the same? Do you lose interest if either all your travel is booked or you have nothing planned?[/QUOTE]

No, as I mainly organise things to get points to programs that I can use readily. Thinking Alliance and not just airline program really broadens the possibilities and enhances the earn/burn ratios. Also think Partner, as there are good redemptions through Partner Airline arrangements. and it is not just the earn/burn, but availability. I rarely redeem via VA or QFF.

While I am aware of the various point buying promos, I so far continue to earn enough points for mainly international J/F family holiday travels. Cost of gaining points is mainly very low, and so for me a J/F trip is the cost of fuel fines/taxes.

 

[benjy]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

I'm currently concentrating on and saving my QFF points for a business redemption somewhere in 2016 but I'm not sure where I'll go. Guess I'll decide once I have enough points to comfortably redeem.

 

[deejo77]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

I like chasing points (even those annoying ones *waves to bankwest 0.01 transactions) - I mainly earn in QFF but also have a citi signature which I warehouse the points and push to where I want and when (mainly VFF).

As I am earning as 1 person but burning for 4 people I never have enough points but did really enjoy our 6 wks in europe last month.

I am always planning - travel is fun and a hobby for me

 

[anat0l]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

I'd say it is nearly impossible to effectively concentrate on FF earn if you don't have a goal (or goals).

It is better to have a goal in mind and then tailor your strategy around that goal. It can be as general as having enough to comfortably go anywhere you want in Business, whenever you want; as loose as having enough to take your family once a year to somewhere in Business or Premium Economy; or as specific as a certain trip you want in First Class.

People who need to travel for the sake of it and have little input into their travel preferences (viz. airline of choice) have a different sort of approach to the otherwise principally same issue.

I don't tend to get put off by things like people complaining about QFF fuel surcharges and so on and so forth, because if I earn on QFF I know what I want and how I can get it. If people want to slander me for making a poor choice in value, then I guess I can't stop them, though I think that is uncalled for.

 

[cove]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

Our family has been active with QF,SQ,AA and US Air Miles. All good as we test front of plane product.
I will still buy a ticket for a flight up to 2 hours if the price is just amazingly low so I hope that means I am almost normal.
My addiction started a long time ago so I am trying to remember what my goal was.
Just remember that the first million points/ miles are the hardest and you cannot go wrong from there.

 

[browski]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

Some time ago I realised it was far better to search for the best value lie flat Business Class seats than to worry about acquiring FF Points.
Research on the folowing gives infinite more value than any FF point promotion:

* Know your 5th Freedom options like they were your kids names
* Understand the cheapest cities to commence a flight: like TPE, BKK, NAN, CMB, DUB
*Realise that getting out of Australia as cheap as possible (to a SE Asian port) is essential.
* Coming to the realisation that Air Asia X Premium seat and Royal Brunei J are the best (and best value) lie flat beds in the skies.
* FF Points are a poor man's game......Discount J is everything.
* Status is way more important than points, but chasing status at the expense of cheap J class fares (on other airlines) is self-defeating.

 

[serfty]

^^^

I agree somewhat with this - 90% of my points redemption these days is pointy end rewards to get in/out of Oz - from there it is basically discount first and business - P, A, D, I, etc. are my friends.

 

[seritonin]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

I’ve been collecting VA points for years and as I have linked CCs and fly a lot with them domestically, collecting VFF points has been very easy, to the point where I literally have more than I know what to do with. They’re great for emergency flights or when we feel like spoiling ourselves on domestic J but since discovering the wonderful and lucrative world of US/AA/AV programs I haven’t really been using them for international flights (except to send my partner to MXP on EY J this year which he loved). I find that with no use for them I’m really not that focused on collecting as many points as possible and I’m getting ‘lazy’.

Having noticed the recent slew of QFF offers for new members (Aquire, Bankwest, Credit card signups etc) I’ve recently signed up for QFF and also am finding QFF points extremely easy to earn. I haven’t stepped onto a Qantas plane in about 4 years and probably won’t for the next 4 after hearing so many horror stories about redemptions on QF metal. So, in considering how to use them I thought about going EK F MEL-AKL-MEL. This has given me a razor sharp goal as I know exactly how many points I’ll need and when. I have a renewed interest in earning QFF points with such a specific travel goal in mind.

Are you the same? Do you lose interest if either all your travel is booked or you have nothing planned?

I always have a goal since I plan my holidays sometimes a year in advance...when I'm not planning my holidays I get asked for help from mates with their travels, so I look out for deals constantly...
I fly almost exclusively with VA for work and transfer my altitude/Amex points to Velocity mainly because of their minimal fees and great redemption availability especially to LAX. I have Qantas club membership through work recently so I don't really need status with QF anymore and I'm seriously thinking about crediting miles to AA or AS on occasion that I fly QF metal in the future. I hate paying fuel surcharge, so when I use my QF points, I would try to redeem on QF partners with the least fees such as LA, AB, EI, AA, US, AS, JJ, KA...

 

[robd]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

I was really focused on accruing QFF points, up until I reached 560,000 (2 x J awards). I didn't actually have a trip planned, but liked the idea that they were there when I wanted them. After reaching that goal, I stopped going out of my way to get more points (ie. EDR bonus & CC sign on etc.), but the balance grew to 860,000+, even though I'd used some for domestic flights.

I finally booked 1 x 280,000 and 1 x 196,000 (intra Europe & return only) a couple of weeks ago, for Mar/May next year. The only QF flight in the itinerary is a domestic leg ADL-MEL - there were no QF flights to be found (6 months out).

My preferred carrier is Virgin, although I feel a bit lost now that direct MEL-LAX is gone. I upgraded a LAX-MEL with points and flew J in row 5 and loved it - had the best sleep ever - 7-8 hours! I still actively seek points earning opportunities using my Plat Edge card, which I transfer to Velocity and am interested to see how the transfer to KF eventuates.

For me, QFF pts are easier to earn - harder to burn and VFF pts, harder to earn - easier to burn.

I drifted off USDM when the AA partnership was secured and went into LM. I have done several redemptions with LM's and still have a few miles in a couple of accounts, which I top up when they have bonus promotions.

 

[craven morehead]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

I'm currently concentrating on and saving my QFF points for a business redemption somewhere in 2016 but I'm not sure where I'll go. Guess I'll decide once I have enough points to comfortably redeem.

Be aware that you will need to book in 2015 to have any chance if you want more than one seat :mrgreen:

 

[Denali]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

Im currently working on our next, next, next, next trip.... no idea where yet, Im trying to get through the next 6 weeks before I have to start thinking about it but everything is about the points and its scary that I can now see how much we purchase via ebay but VA currently has a $1=4 points deal.

Im expecting VA to increase its points redemption with their new seats next year so Im like Gollum with points... my precious.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

Im expecting VA to increase its points redemption with their new seats next year so Im like Gollum with points... my precious.

That's no reason to raise points prices. There might be less availability due to more people jumping on board, but so what.

In any case, if you're no where near the goal, at least you know you're going in the right direction.

 

[coco50]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

My points accumulation goal is about to be realised. My aim was to have enough points for me and my wife to travel around the world first class. This will now happen. I had amassed about 900,000 QFF points and this made the trip a reality. My advice is to get in as early as possible with the bookings otherwise you may not be able to achieve your goal. I am satisfied that I have used these points to provide enjoyment for the two of us as well as catching up with two of our children who live in the LOTFAP.

 

[boomy]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

My points accumulation goal is about to be realised. My aim was to have enough points for me and my wife to travel around the world first class. This will now happen. I had amassed about 900,000 QFF points and this made the trip a reality. My advice is to get in as early as possible with the bookings otherwise you may not be able to achieve your goal. I am satisfied that I have used these points to provide enjoyment for the two of us as well as catching up with two of our children who live in the LOTFAP.

Sounds like you managed to use your points the best way possible (in terms of value). What was your route and did you manage to book all your flights in F?

 

[stoneman]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

What a great thread!! Soooooo interesting

 

[QF WP]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

With the death of JASA's, my interest waned and now I am happy to get enough QFF points for upgrades on my domestic travel (as that's all I do) - flights must be in excess of 2 hours. I have a similar level of interest in VA FF points - will take up offers like the CC transfwers to earn some serious bonus points and use them for upgrades.

I don't push the earning envelope, from a point of not having the time, inclination or technical (IT) knowledge. I'll leave that to others.

My international travel is predominately done through the use of AA points - where I do have specific goals (earning sufficient to fly 4 in J/F on our international holidays - generally every 3 years). A little harder with the fall of the AUD, but still cheaper than buying the fares

 

[geoffs]

Re: Are you ‘better’ at collecting FF points/managing your account when you have a go

I think a FF points goal is very important. In 2012 we took the family (4 of us) to New York for Xmas (Waldorf) and New Year in Vegas (Bellagio). All up just under 700,000 points plus taxes. Came home Business class - it was awesome on Cathay and Qantas.

Should be over 700,000 points again by year end and looking at doing Canada/Alaska or Budapest - Amsterdam cruise in the next two years. Hopefully business class all the way.

However, after realising our next big trip I think i will not worry about QFF points anymore. If you are like me and plan, sometimes years ahead, you can book flights 355 days out but the program has become increasingly devalued over recent years and the taxes are high.

I live in Perth and Qantas does not operate any international flights out of Perth so it is always with a partner airline. Other new airlines now servicing Perth have very competitive rates.