Newbie - Trying to build VFF points

[ferrisb]

Hi All,

I've only been collecting FF points for a few years, but have mostly used them to cash in for vouchers/gift cards.

I do moderate domestic travel (business & personal) but haven't been overseas for years. Most of my points have come from CC spending.

However, I recently signed up half my family to the AMEX Velocity Platinum deal (100k points plus referrals) so I am in the midst of accumulating a decent chunk of VFF points - well at least decent for me.

My dream is to take my young family to Europe in a couple of years for our first o/s trip. So accumulating points is my new found passion (obsession).

I'd heard about AFF over the years, but now that I am getting more serious about points, I decided to join. The amount of info on here is amazing and I look forward to learning about the most efficient ways to accumulate and use my points and other travel tips/deals.

Cheers

Ferrisb

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF ferrisb!

Good luck in your quest.

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard ferrisb

 

[burmans]

Lets hope you don't get addicted! Welcome though.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF ferrisb

Just an early note of warning - collecting FF points is one side of the coin and there are many tips and tricks to be found here. HOWEVER possibly more difficult is using those points for multiple seats on popular routes, as airlines limit the number available and passengers with status on the airlines have an advantage in getting them, usually.

if you are flying economy, watch the cost of 'extra charges', which are payable in cash, on top of the points. With some airlines (I'm not sure of VA & affiliates) these extra charges can approach the total cash cost of tickets bought on specials, etc.

Not to discourage you in the slightest, but when using AFF keep an eye out for ideas for getting to Europe by not necessarily the most direct or obvious way. You have plenty of time to plan it out.

 

[ferrisb]

Welcome to AFF ferrisb

Just an early note of warning - collecting FF points is one side of the coin and there are many tips and tricks to be found here. HOWEVER possibly more difficult is using those points for multiple seats on popular routes, as airlines limit the number available and passengers with status on the airlines have an advantage in getting them, usually.

if you are flying economy, watch the cost of 'extra charges', which are payable in cash, on top of the points. With some airlines (I'm not sure of VA & affiliates) these extra charges can approach the total cash cost of tickets bought on specials, etc.

Not to discourage you in the slightest, but when using AFF keep an eye out for ideas for getting to Europe by not necessarily the most direct or obvious way. You have plenty of time to plan it out.

Thanks Roo and others for the warm welcome.

I kinda suspected there might be some availability issues when redeeming, but I'd filed that away as a problem for future me to deal with. I've just discovered that higher levels of VFF status do have booking guarantees, but I won't make it.

Don't mind the warning at all. I'd rather have the heads up now than be disappointed when I am all ready to roll. Thanks for the info. As for other ways of getting to Europe - I'm not a very good swimmer and I don't think my car would float

 

[tomgoddardd]

Welcome to AFF!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Welcome to AFF ferrisb.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Welcome, and I am hope that you will enjoy your Day Off in Europe

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Thanks Roo and others for the warm welcome.

I kinda suspected there might be some availability issues when redeeming, but I'd filed that away as a problem for future me to deal with. I've just discovered that higher levels of VFF status do have booking guarantees, but I won't make it.

Don't mind the warning at all. I'd rather have the heads up now than be disappointed when I am all ready to roll. Thanks for the info. As for other ways of getting to Europe - I'm not a very good swimmer and I don't think my car would float

Adding to that in brief that means' that long-haul economy tickets are often not that good value IF you have to pay taxes and charges (ie Fuel Fines, and so you might as well just buy a discount Y ticket and kee the points)...whereas say a redemption in Business Class can still be fantastic value.

However having said said that there are some redemptions with minimal charges. ie I booked Etihad via Velocity from Melbourne to Nairobi in Business and the combined taxes and charges were only $57 per person.

 

[prozac]

Welcome to AFF ferrisb.

 

[ferrisb]

Thanks again for all the welcomes.

A couple of questions:

1) some of you have mentioned to watch out for extra charges. I have redeemed Aus Domestic flights on VA with VFF a couple of times. They quote a points total + taxes or an all-inclusive total. When I have chosen the all-inclusive total, I've never had to pay anything on top. I assume this is the same for international.

2) I just stumbled on the fact you can convert VFF points into Singapore KrisFlyer miles. I am planning a euro trip down the track and Melbourne to Europe (Paris/London) is 153,500 points on VFF (I think all inclusive) but its only 95,000 points via KrisFlyer. You can convert VFF into Kris points at 1.35 to 1. Which means I could book via Singapore Air with 128,250 points. But they have a permanent 15% discount if booked online. So back down to 109,013 points. Basically, my question is - am I better off converting points from VFF to KrisFlyer miles for Aus-Euro return flights? Is there any difference between how availablity available rewards seats under the two programs? Does KrisFlyer have added surcharges/taxes on top etc? How long do Kris points last before expiry etc. Or feel free to point me towards a page where I can read up on KrisFlyer and I'll do my own research.

Cheers

 

[Blockers]

Thanks again for all the welcomes.

A couple of questions:

1) some of you have mentioned to watch out for extra charges. I have redeemed Aus Domestic flights on VA with VFF a couple of times. They quote a points total + taxes or an all-inclusive total. When I have chosen the all-inclusive total, I've never had to pay anything on top. I assume this is the same for international.

Hi ferrisb - from the reading i have done, most agree that paying the taxes in cash is better value than paying the total amount in points. I have been looking at some award seats also and yes, the same is true for international.
I'm not experienced enough to answer question 2 for you but look forward to the answer! Cheers

 

[ferrisb]

Thanks Blockers. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've calculated that taxes are better off being paid with cash. For some reason I think I have gone the all-inclusive route anyway. From memory, the taxes were about 100 pts per $, which is about my standard ballpark. I don't use points for business flights or business upgrades, so I'm converting at around $1 of value per 100 pts. I


Oh, I noticed that you 'tagged' me. How do I do that?

Cheers

 

[Blockers]

Oh, I noticed that you 'tagged' me. How do I do that?

Cheers

Hi ferrisb - If you want to link a name, other forum, website select then right click and 'copy link'. Highlight the text you'd like to use as the link and click on the 'link' button (little globe above without the red cross)
A pop up box will appear where you can paste the link and presto..