Fees associated with velocity reward bookings, and points required BNE<->LHR ??

[joshuaand]

Hi All,

I am sorry if this is a repeated question.

I am thinking of getting a velocity credit card, in place of my qantas one, as after recenting booking 2 x one way fares from BRisbane to dublin, the fees associated working out to be $1071.82 and 144000 points

So basically, for my $1 for point credit card, I had to spend $144,000 and still pay $1071, when I could have bought the flights with another carrier for about $1600 ish at the same time.

I feel like that's a bit of a rip-off!

Anyway, I was told that velocity bookings dont have to pay the fees, is that true. I tried logging into my velocity account to try a rewards booking (I don't have enough points) but there seems to be no way to see how many points you require for a return flight to say London. I can get to the flight select page but there isn't anyway to select the flight, seems a bit weird.

Can anyone enlighten me as to the fees, and also typically how many points you need for a return flight from BNE-London?

thanks in advance.

 

[carpenteria]

Unfortunately the site is still suffering a major hangover from the weekend’s events, and long hauls points redemption seems to be broken. But before everything went down you needed about 62.5k minimum points one way (so 125k return) but that would elicit some cost, I think completely covering with points was about 135k return? Either way, need the site fixed to confirm that.

Redeem Points with Airline Partners | Velocity Frequent Flyer may give you a ballpark figure until then.

 

[anat0l]

Anyway, I was told that velocity bookings dont have to pay the fees, is that true.

If you redeem with Velocity to fly on Etihad Airways, Etihad doesn't have the fuel surcharge which many airlines do. The fuel surcharge is what makes some award redemptions rather expensive in the cash component (and Qantas do charge this fuel surcharge).

As long as you fly with Etihad, the total amount of fees should be substantially lower, though not completely free.

As carpenteria said, from the points tables you would need 135,000 points for a return Economy award trip for one passenger on Brisbane to London.

 

[joshuaand]

If you redeem with Velocity to fly on Etihad Airways, Etihad doesn't have the fuel surcharge which many airlines do. The fuel surcharge is what makes some award redemptions rather expensive in the cash component (and Qantas do charge this fuel surcharge).

As long as you fly with Etihad, the total amount of fees should be substantially lower, though not completely free.

As carpenteria said, from the points tables you would need 135,000 points for a return Economy award trip for one passenger on Brisbane to London.

Thanks, it makes a whole lot more sense me to go this way I think, just applied for the virgin high flyer credit card, will spend the qantas points in the shop and swap over. (assuming I get approved!)

 

[anat0l]

Thanks, it makes a whole lot more sense me to go this way I think, just applied for the virgin high flyer credit card, will spend the qantas points in the shop and swap over. (assuming I get approved!)

You may want to consider using your Qantas points accumulated for Business or First class awards instead. Whilst the taxes and fees are still quite high, at least it's a bit more acceptable when getting a Business or First class ticket (i.e. $1,000 of taxes and fees is a bit more acceptable for a $6,000 - $10,000 Business class ticket compared to a $1,600 Economy ticket!).

Consider redeeming for Qantas Any Seat Awards, particularly in Business class, even short haul in Australia or to New Zealand (where the fees are not inordinately high). Any Seat Awards also give you some status credits, and some points back. See this thread for some ideas: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....uent-flyer-program/how-do-i-book-j-29610.html

 

[The Rok]

If you make a Velocity redemption on Etihad from Australia to Dublin the taxes fees & charges in Economy are $94 each way. A grand total of $188.