Is it good value to buy flights on QF points

[karen blancfield]

I can’t locate the formula for working out if it’s worth using points or buying fare. Help please!

Flight is $299, or 12000 points plus $60

Remind me how I decide if it’s worth spending points. Or direct me to the area to work it out. Thanks!

 

[aikman]

Use your points for this one. 2 cents per point of real value is pretty good. I say "real" because you are actually saving 2 cents per point of real money you would have otherwise spent.

 

[Dmac59]

I believe the value of QF Points is approx 1.8 cents when purchasing Y seats, therefore your 12,000 pts = $216 + $60 taxes = $276.
Compared to $299, IMO I would pay $ and earn the SC

 

[Lynda2475]

There is no one size fits all equation for deciding if something is good value for you.

That said is the general consensus is it is only worth using points for domestic flights if the cash fares are crazy high (i.e. last minute fare or big sporting/concert weekend).

 

[aikman]

Also keep in mind that points are there to be used. There is no point hoarding points waiting for the perfect flight redemption that may never come. Before you know it there will be a devaluation and you have missed your chance.

 

[ShelleyB]

You can work out what value you are getting per point by dividing the seat cost in cents minus the tax (in this case 23900) by the cost in points, in this case 12000. So for this particular seat you would be getting 1.99 cents value per point.

As others have mentioned only you can decide whether this is worth it for you, taking into consideration various things such as what it cost you to earn the points, what your cash flow currently looks like, whether the lost opportunity to earn status which comes with the revenue fare matters to you. Also it's worth asking whether the $299 is a sale fare with restrictions on refunds and changes or not. IMO, one of the big benefits of award seats is they are very flexible and almost fully refundable very close to departure (minus a points fee).

As an aside like many here my preference is to save points for international J class flights where you can get much higher value per point.

 

[karen blancfield]

Also keep in mind that points are there to be used. There is no point hoarding points waiting for the perfect flight redemption that may never come. Before you know it there will be a devaluation and you have missed your chance.

Or you could be dead! I agree.

 

[moa999]

Around 2c a point is fairly common for Classic Dom redemptions.
Premium international fares and even moreso Upgrades can be a better use of points.

Whereas anything from Marketplace (gifts, hotels, wine, gift cards) is generally 0.5-0.8c / point so an inferior choice.