Best way to pay for Virgin flight using points

[yojohnny]

When booking with Qantas points, I usually pay for the associated cash component using cash (Zip specifically to avoid credit card fee's). This seems like the best use of points.

The way Virgin presents the cost of a ticket doesn't match what I end up paying during checkout. For example, on a recent flight I booked, the booking initally listed points at ~50k and ~$72 in costs, but when checking out I wasn't given any option but to move the slider to pick the points + cash component, which was close but not exact. When checking out with Qantas, this slider doesn't need to be touched but with Virgin, it defaulted to charging me more points than initially quoted and I had to then pick how many points vs. cash to use, which makes me think I'm not getting a good deal.

What do people think is the best value when checking out? It seems just picking the initial cost (points + cash) when searching, is likely the best value method.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When booking with Qantas points, I usually pay for the associated cash amount using cash (Zip specifically to avoid credit card fee's). This seems like the best use of points.

The way Virgin presents the cost of a ticket doesn't match what I end up paying during checkout. For example, on a recent flight I booked, the booking initally listed points at ~50k and ~$72 in costs, but when checking out I wasn't given any option but to move the slider to pick the points + cash component. When checking out with Qantas, this slider doesn't need to be touched but with Virgin, it defaulted to charging me more points than initially quoted.

What do people think is the best value when checking out? It seems just picking the initial cost (points + cash) when searching, is likely the best value method.

I think that’s right.

If you are looking at a classic (lowest, fixed price) award, the taxes fees and charges are always at VA’s notional points value. Which is about equivalent of buying a toaster or gift card.

I just lay the base price, and whatever the stated tax and charges component is paid by CC.

As an example, a o/w SYD-MEL is 7900 points on a random day next week (it can be cheaper) and $43 in taxes fees and charges. Or you can pay 15500 points and no cash. So they want ~7k points for $43. Not good value.

 

[drron]

After moving the slider always look below the slider at the number of points you will be charged very frequently although the slider looks like it is at the minimum points it isn't so i have to move it further to the left.