Does it make sense to buy Qantas points?

[JayTee]

As has already been posted earlier in this thread, there are no QR J or F award seats available after mid-November 2022 and none at all after mid-April 2023. This has been the case for the past two weeks.

It's business as usual if you want to travel within the next 3 months or so (only).

Matt, would it be pointless buying points NOW to redeem on a flight for next May ?

What do you suggest I do?

 

[Mattg]

Matt, would it be pointless buying points NOW to redeem on a flight for next May ?

What do you suggest I do?

Assuming you're asking about buying Qantas points, there is absolutely no way I would be buying any now.

Have a look at other Oneworld programs if that's something you want to do.

 

[JayTee]

Assuming you're asking about buying Qantas points, there is absolutely no way I would be buying any now.

Have a look at other Oneworld programs if that's something you want to do.

I was thinking of buying avios when they have another promotion BUT i'm worried if I buy them in the next couple of months and there is no award availability in May next year, I am screwed!

 

[Mattg]

I was thinking of buying avios when they have another promotion BUT i'm worried if I buy them in the next couple of months and there is no award availability in May next year, I am screwed!

You should always check that there's award availability before buying! I wouldn't be buying speculatively (i.e. in case you want to redeem in a few months or years)...

 

[twiningb]

Assuming you're asking about buying Qantas points...

Is there ever a business case for buying Qantas points, with the possible exception of a very small number if one is just short of the points needed for a specific award? A Google search suggests they're really expensive to buy and point-for-point they have less value than pretty much any airline currency I can think of.

 

[Mattg]

Is there ever a business case for buying Qantas points, with the possible exception of a very small number if one is just short of the points needed for a specific award? A Google search suggests they're really expensive to buy and point-for-point they have less value than pretty much any airline currency I can think of.

That assessment sounds accurate to me.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

If you were going to go away from Qantas points due to things like this, what would be the best option? Avios?

 

[twiningb]

I can only speak for myself, but:

• I continue to earn Qantas points for incidental stuff where they're handed out like candy for transactions in Australia.
• I would probably earn Qantas points if I were travelling Emirates on a revenue ticket, rather than collect Skywards (also not particularly valuable).
• AAdvantage is where I target revenue OneWorld flights (including Qantas and British Airways), although I haven't take many recently. (Alaska Mileage Plan may be worthwhile going forward.)
• I opened BAEC accounts to earn Avios for Aer Lingus flights for the family and pool them, after finding out last time we were in Ireland that Aer Lingus won't let kids earn in Aer Club, even though the kids pay full fare and the earn is revenue-based! And now I'm still fighting to get the miles from our EDI-BHD flight a couple of months back. Avios have a good award chart for short-haul stuff on American or Qantas (and maybe Lingus transAtlantic), but once you get into long-haul stuff they're less competitive.
• Cathay has good award charts and card earn opportunities in Australia, and I liked flying them, but it's anyone's guess how well they'll survive if/when HKG meaningfully ever reopens.

 

[NM]

Is there ever a business case for buying Qantas points, with the possible exception of a very small number if one is just short of the points needed for a specific award? A Google search suggests they're really expensive to buy and point-for-point they have less value than pretty much any airline currency I can think of.

The only time I can make a case for buying Qantas FF points is when there is a case of wine involved. Then the case can make good sense to buy some Qantas points and get a free case of wine thrown in to the transaction.

 

[LondonAussie]

Can I sell you my points? They're pretty useless to me lately, can't seem to redeem them for flights anymore, can only use them for upgrades if flying QF metal which I rarely do anymore.

 

[Matt_01]

Can I sell you my points? They're pretty useless to me lately, can't seem to redeem them for flights anymore, can only use them for upgrades if flying QF metal which I rarely do anymore.

Selling points is against the QF rules but in saying this it does happen just look at ebay. You can only transfer points to others under the QF family rules, any breach of these rules may result in the termination of both parties QFF accounts, status and all points. Most status holders I know (myself included) would not entertain such an option.

 

[mviy]

The best way to acquire a large serve of QF points on the ground is to switch credit cards especially if you can do it switching to one with no annual fee for the first year. Though you do need to be able to meet the minimum spend and be able to wait for the sign up bonus to arrive in your QFF account so you need to do it in plenty of time ahead of when you want to spend the points.

 

[LondonAussie]

Selling points is against the QF rules but in saying this it does happen just look at ebay. You can only transfer points to others under the QF family rules, any breach of these rules may result in the termination of both parties QFF accounts, status and all points. Most status holders I know (myself included) would not entertain such an option.

Apologies I didn't mean for it to be taken as a serious question or offer, I actually didn't think it was possible! Was my lighthearted way of conveying how useless I feel my Qantas points are lately. Hopefully today's announcement about more reward seat availability will help change that.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Can I sell you my points? They're pretty useless to me lately, can't seem to redeem them for flights any more, can only use them for upgrades if flying QF metal which I rarely do any more.

QF points do not need to be redeemed *only* on QF flights. If award availability exists can be redemmed on partsner airlines like BA, AA , AS etc. Will pay real taxes and usally carrier surcharge.

 

[NM]

The best way to acquire a large serve of QF points on the ground is to switch credit cards especially if you can do it switching to one with no annual fee for the first year. Though you do need to be able to meet the minimum spend and be able to wait for the sign up bonus to arrive in your QFF account so you need to do it in plenty of time ahead of when you want to spend the points.

While this can be a good way to get a significant number of points, its important to note that the bonus points are generally delayed until the second billing cycle (assuming the minimum spend is met in the first billing cycle). So if in a hurry for the points to score that illusive reward flight, waiting 2 months may not be practical. If time of the essence, then other methods can result in the points arrive much faster.

 

[JayTee]

Apologies I didn't mean for it to be taken as a serious question or offer, I actually didn't think it was possible! Was my lighthearted way of conveying how useless I feel my Qantas points are lately. Hopefully today's announcement about more reward seat availability will help change that.

Innocent jokes will not be tolerated on AFF. Please apologise to Matt.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Is there a specific reason why you want to book an award using Qantas points specifically? From my experience (and others chime in if I'm mistaken here) Qantas offers poor value when it comes to international award redemptions, particularly in premium cabins for two reasons: first Qantas charges a huge number of points (and in some cases carrier surcharges) for the privilege of booking an international premium award. For instance, a classic award flight from Sydney to Los Angeles in business class will set you back 108,400 QF points + $332 in taxes and fees:


Second, and most importantly, availability of business and first classic awards is scarce particularly to highly sought after international destinations like the US and Europe (indeed there is a whole article and lengthy discussion thread on this).

If I was you, I would look at other frequent flyer programs, particularly with other airline alliances like Star Alliance that will offer a more substantial flight network than Qantas and will hence offer better award availability. In particular, I would encourage you to look at Air Canada's Aeroplan program which is presently selling points at an 85% bonus off the regular price. For instance, flying Sydney to London Heathrow in First class on Etihad will set you back 140,000 Aeroplan miles + $136 CAD in taxes and fees:


With the current promotion Air Canada is running on Aeroplan miles one could buy those miles for $2,800 CAD (~$3000 AUD) which isn't too bad considering you are flying First class to Heathrow!

At the end of the day whether it makes sense to buy points with Qantas, Air Canada, Hilton hotels or some frequent traveller program really depends on what the cost of booking that redemption using points is versus the cash rate. For instance, last month I forked out $1,500 USD to buy 300,000 IHG points. The reason why I did that was that for the places I am staying in the coming months the cash price to book all those hotel rooms was FAR higher than simply redeeming using those purchased points. For instance, I'm staying two nights in Newcastle at the Holiday Inn for 32,000 IHG points (bought for $160 USD) whereas the cash rate when I was looking was $280 USD for 2 nights. Similarly I bought 160,000 Aeroplan miles for $2800 CAD back when Air Canada was running their 100% bonus promotion, and then transferred 60,000 AmEx points to my Aeroplan account allowing me to book a round-the-world ticket in business class.

What is crucial though is that you have the flights/hotels you want to book ready (along with some alternates) so that when you buy those points you can apply the points right away to confirm that booking. There is no point buying points in speculation that you may have a flight you want to book. If you do that, you'll end up with points in your account but no trip. Points are only as good as the flight/hotel you can book with them.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Edge]

The only time I can make a case for buying Qantas FF points is when there is a case of wine involved. Then the case can make good sense to buy some Qantas points and get a free case of wine thrown in to the transaction.

100% agree.

I was short a few points for an upgrade MEL-LAX a couple of weeks ago.

Spent $800 on wine, received 35,000 points.

If buying these "top up" points directly from Qantas, it would cost $1,038.

Surprisingly the upgrade was successful, even though I'm only bronze

 

[JohnK]

Is there a specific reason why you want to book an award using Qantas points specifically? From my experience (and others chime in if I'm mistaken here) Qantas offers poor value when it comes to international award redemptions, particularly in premium cabins for two reasons:

I think you make very good points.

I'm still stuck with 1M+ QFF points and not ready to use them for Oneworld award.

Personally I thought 17,100 QFF points + AUD150 for 1 way SYD-BKK in economy is great value considering cash airfare was AUD600+.

If they offer similar deals in future it'd be great for 3 of us travelling.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm still stuck with 1M+ QFF points and not ready to use them for Oneworld award.

That's a very good problem to have!

Personally I thought 17,100 QFF points + AUD150 for 1 way SYD-BKK in economy is great value considering cash airfare was AUD600+.

Value is a relative term, you really need to understand the context to determine if it's good value. For instance, a lot of people may think I'm crazy to burn 32,000 points + ~$160 in taxes and fees to book a QF classic economy award between Sydney and Melbourne return for 2 passengers when these flights typically sell for $100 or less on QF and other airlines. However, I'm travelling during Easter where the cheapest nonstops will set you back $400 per passenger return meaning I'm actually getting pretty decent value here.

For me, spending $100 on a red e-deal between Sydney and Melbourne or Brissie that will attract 10 status credits each way, and then proceeding to spend 10,900 QF points to upgrade into business on an A330 is also really good value. Sure the flight is short but it's a hell of a lot more comfortable than being stuck in cattle class on a narrow body!

Then of course there are destinations within Australia that are normally prohibitive to fly to but which are cheap on points such as Lord Howe Island or Norfolk Island (yes I know Norfolk isn't part of AU, but that's a benefit since one could then access the EK lounge as a QF Gold or above).

-RooFlyer88