Difference between using points for Red e deal compared to Economy Classic Rewards

[andyandy2005]

Can someone explain the difference between using points for Red e Deal compared to Economy Classic Rewards because it seems confusing why Qantas would sell seats in Red e-Deal for points when you can get them at a heavily discounted rate booking a rewards seat? For instance this 07:35AM MEL > ADE flight booking a Red e-Deal would cost 27,300 points while a Economy Reward Seat would cost 8000 + $33 which equals to 12500. Isn’t it a rip off having Red e-Deal to be purchased using points because the only differences is booking an e-Deal means you get to earn points.
Another example is that the Jetstar flights to ADE cost 21,000 points for Starter seats while it would cost 6,400 points + $31 equals 10600 points. Yet on Jetstar starter fares with 081 you don’t earn points same with Eco Classic Rewards.

Is anyone confused why this is happening?

 

[33kft]

Using Points + Pay (which is what this is) is the equivalent of paying cash for the fare. You get the full points and SCs for the flight. Classic Rewards fares on the other hand are non upgradeable and only earn SCs (at a reduced rate) if you're a points club member.

The reason you are seeing both is because there is still rewards inventory available. Points + Pay is pegged at a common rate so even once all rewards seats are sold you can still use points on a cash fare, but as you have deduced, the rate is not particularly good when compared to Classic Rewards.

 

[dylarr]

Qantas only release a limited number of Classic Reward seats per flight. The amount of points required to redeem a Classic Reward is a fixed amount (how much depends on the distance) plus a cash component for taxes and airline surcharges. As 33kft mentioned, these do not earn Qantas Points. They also do not earn Status Credits (unless you are a Points Club member).

The other availability you are seeing (Red e-Deal, Flex and Business) are "Points Plus Pay". There is no restrictions on availability — every seat that is available to be purchased with cash can also be purchased using Points Plus Pay. Unlike Classic Rewards, the amount of points required is variable and pegged against the cash price of the seat. So as the price goes up or down, so does the amount of points required.

As you have rightly noticed, purchasing flights with Points Plus Pay is a poor way to get the most of your Qantas Points. However you can still use it to get a seat if there is no Classic Reward seats left.

 

[mannej]

Using Points + Pay (which is what this is) is the equivalent of paying cash for the fare. You get the full points and SCs for the flight. Classic Rewards fares on the other hand are non upgradeable and only earn points / SCs (at a greatly reduced rate) if you're a points club member.

The reason you are seeing both is because there is still rewards inventory available. Points + Pay is pegged at a common rate so even once all rewards seats are sold you can still use points on a cash fare, but as you have deduced, the rate is not particularly good when compared to Classic Rewards.

Domestic classic rewards flights can be upgraded.

 

[serfty]

Domestic classic rewards flights can be upgraded.

Correct - that 8K points redemption can be upgraded into U class if available for 13K points making a total of 21K; compare that to 18.4K strait out into Business Award.

As you have rightly noticed, purchasing flights with Points Plus Pay is a poor way to get the most of your Qantas Points. However you can still use it to get a seat if there is no Classic Reward seats left.

Although one can earn SC's and point on these - so at least 800 points and 10 SC's for 5.8K points.

 

[aus_flyer]

Classic Rewards fares on the other hand are non upgradeable and only earn points / SCs (at a greatly reduced rate) if you're a points club member.

SC yes, points no.

 

[Danger]

Using Points + Pay (which is what this is) is the equivalent of paying cash for the fare. You get the full points and SCs for the flight. Classic Rewards fares on the other hand are non upgradeable and only earn points / SCs (at a greatly reduced rate) if you're a points club member.

The reason you are seeing both is because there is still rewards inventory available. Points + Pay is pegged at a common rate so even once all rewards seats are sold you can still use points on a cash fare, but as you have deduced, the rate is not particularly good when compared to Classic Rewards.

In my opinion, the SC earn on award flights for Points Club members is impressive and certainly not greatly reduced.

 

[sudoer]

In my opinion, the SC earn on award flights for Points Club members is impressive and certainly not greatly reduced.

Domestic economy awards earn SC at 70% of an equivalent cash or points plus pay booking so I agree, it's not greatly reduced.

 

[33kft]

I agree, the greatly is an overstatement, although it gets more accurate for premium cabins but yes, it's an overstatement to call it greatly reduced. The point was to differentiate points club SC earn from regular SC earn.