Now flying 80-90 times per year, which rewards schemes if any should i use?

[andye]

Using vouchers via Entertainment Book is best way of cutting boking fees. Read the thread in the VA forum carefully to avoid any pitfalls

 

[sydstar]

Agree with the consensus that VA is the way to go, particularly for lounges at both ends, and service recovery priority. Lounge time may be of use to the OP to help with killing some time (working at the lounge whilst waiting for the flight?) - this is an assumption, obviously dependent on your industry

On a sidenote, I have used the QP at SYD T3 on 4 different occasions over the past 6 weeks when flying JQ out of T2. I have timed the walk between the two locations each time, starting at the time I left the QP (T3) to arriving at the old QP in T2 (near gate 49?). The longest time this took was 6 minutes, inclusive of security screening. Not an ideal situation, but still workable IMO. The trick is to use the T2 security on the arrivals level near the regionals. Although you are almost guaranteed to get secondary, the longest queue I have faced was 1 person and the staff are always friendly!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

(working at the lounge whilst waiting for the flight?)

I'll no doubt cop some flak over this comment, but whenever I see some poor sod working on computer in the lounge or in flight, my immediate thought is that they don't manage their time very well or are delusional enough to believe the world will stop spinning if they aren't tapping, or worse still, that someone actually cares if they work themselves to the bone every waking minute.

 

[Deleted member]

In their defence , they may actually be flying in business hours. This tapping away in flight an in lounge may help avoid being behind ?!

 

[OzEire]

I'll no doubt cop some flak over this comment, but whenever I see some poor sod working on computer in the lounge or in flight, my immediate thought is that they don't manage their time very well or are delusional enough to believe the world will stop spinning if they aren't tapping, or worse still, that someone actually cares if they work themselves to the bone every waking minute.

Not flak SwanningIt, but for self employed business owners that bit of work is either going to be done in the lounge/on flight, or otherwise it will eat in to precious time at home.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Not flak SwanningIt, but for self employed business owners that bit of work is either going to be done in the lounge/on flight, or otherwise it will eat in to precious time at home.

I've been a self employed business owner for 30 years, I fly regularly and I've worked out of a home office for years. That's exactly the situation to which I was referring. I found that in working from home, I had to strictly delineate "work" hours and home "hours" otherwise you end up working consistently with little or no family time. Don't get me wrong, I honestly couldn't care less if people wish to work in a lounge or on a flight (provided they aren't including me in their work by making a string of loud phone calls designed to make themselves appear really important), I was only mentioning my immediate impression, whether it be right or wrong. For me (and of course this won't be replicated in everyone else), flights and lounge time is "me" time......neither family time nor work time! Each to their own however.

 

[Mattg]

I notice that VA is currently selling SYD-OOL fares for $69 for travel later in the year and early next year. The OP might want to stock up!

And don't forget to read up on the VA discount codes thread and the Entertainment Book trick to get even better value.

 

[smit0847]

I'll no doubt cop some flak over this comment, but whenever I see some poor sod working on computer in the lounge or in flight, my immediate thought is that they don't manage their time very well or are delusional enough to believe the world will stop spinning if they aren't tapping, or worse still, that someone actually cares if they work themselves to the bone every waking minute.

I saw a guy trying to type on a full size laptop whilst standing up on a tram yesterday and thought 'youre doing it wrong'

 

[reesy84]

Thanks mattg.
im still currently up in the air whether to commit to virgin or not.
there are no flights this year for $69 they are between january and march next year. This years sale between october and december is $85.
It is possible to still get flights for half these prices with jetstar pricebeat so outlaying between $700-850 for 10 flights is seeming a bit hard for me when i can get 10 flights for approx $400 with the lcc

 

[Craigie]

Thanks mattg.
im still currently up in the air whether to commit to virgin or not.
there are no flights this year for $69 they are between january and march next year. This years sale between october and december is $85.
It is possible to still get flights for half these prices with jetstar pricebeat so outlaying between $700-850 for 10 flights is seeming a bit hard for me when i can get 10 flights for approx $400 with the lcc

And so you've come full circle again! It's obviously a tough choice cause of the $ involved, so I understand. From reading others commuting experiences on here for many years now my impression is when the commuting really starts to grind out its the little things that will really matter. When the LCC's fail on you there'll be no where to turn, when VA fail you'll be first in line to get things sorted. And it really is about the planning, $69 one way SYD-OOL is a great deal, can you plan it to work this far out? I'd be very much trying to!

 

[reesy84]

And so you've come full circle again! It's obviously a tough choice cause of the $ involved, so I understand. From reading others commuting experiences on here for many years now my impression is when the commuting really starts to grind out its the little things that will really matter. When the LCC's fail on you there'll be no where to turn, when VA fail you'll be first in line to get things sorted. And it really is about the planning, $69 one way SYD-OOL is a great deal, can you plan it to work this far out? I'd be very much trying to!

Haha yes craigie it seems ive backflipped.
$69 does seem like probably the best deal possible with virgin. But i did price comparisons and can get flights on every day that deal is available quite alot cheaper so just hard to commit for the odd chance i may get screwed around i can just rebook with money ive saved.

Enjoying hearing everyones experiances though and thanks for them

 

[Mattg]

Thanks mattg.
im still currently up in the air whether to commit to virgin or not.
there are no flights this year for $69 they are between january and march next year. This years sale between october and december is $85.
It is possible to still get flights for half these prices with jetstar pricebeat so outlaying between $700-850 for 10 flights is seeming a bit hard for me when i can get 10 flights for approx $400 with the lcc

I think you should aim for at least Gold status with VA. That way you'll have lounge access and other benefits when you fly with them. You need 500 status credits to qualify (50 flights on SYD-OOL) and 400 to retain thereafter. As I've said, you'll really start to appreciate the little things like lounge access, priority check-in, priority security, better seat choices at the front of the plane etc. after a while. For the other 30-40 flights per year (once you've done the 50), you could by all means use JQ price beat. But I can't really think of much worse than 90 JQ sectors in one year. 40 is perhaps fathomable.

Regarding the cost of flying VA, don't forget that you should be able to get 10% off using promo codes, or 5% off and no credit card fee using Entertainment book vouchers. Also keep in mind that you'll be able to use your points with VA to get free flights and upgrades every now and again. Finally, remember that even though JQ/TT might be cheaper, you're paying for lower service. You won't get to choose a seat for free, you won't get any free food or drink on the plane, you won't get a free checked bag, and you're more likely to have your flight delayed. So I think there is value in using a full-service airline if the price is only a bit more. FWIW $69 is an excellent price for VA, so I would be booking as many as possible.

So basically, I think you should at least do enough sectors with VA to earn gold status. If you do a few JQ price beats in between, that's fine but I think you'll get a bit tired of it after a while. Perhaps use JQ as a backup for days you can't get cheap VA flights. And I'm telling you this as someone who usually chooses QF/JQ over VA.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

outlaying between $700-850 for 10 flights is seeming a bit hard for me when i can get 10 flights for approx $400 with the lcc

I can really relate to your dilemma. I did for years, exactly what you're thinking of doing. I think originally, you hinted the work deal is not fully done just yet, so I can see your reluctance to purchase those $69 fares so far out. If it is a firm deal, I'd try hard to grab those fares for as many flights as finances allow. You also asked about when the points credit, so would I be correct in assuming your current review date for VA is such that you won't reach a status level before that date? If so, be aware that VA have a rolling period to gain status. It's not linked to your review date. You have any 12 month period to achieve 500SC and you'll gain gold regardless of whether or not that period straddles two review periods. In fact, each status jump resets your review date to the date you gain that status level. To renew that status level, that's when you have to achieve the required renewal SCs (400 for gold, 800 for plat) before your new review date but to originally gain status, it's any consecutive 12 month period so you won't be wasting SCs if you start sooner rather than later.

I'm sure you've thought about it, but also be aware that the price beat has to be for flights of approximately the same time, so if the TT schedule doesn't suit your work roster, you may be prevented from using the price beat.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I might mention one other point that may also weigh into your decision. By the information you've given, it sounds like you have accepted an employment offer in Sydney but you do not wish to move to Sydney, choosing instead to live on the Gold Coast. If that assessment is accurate, I believe (others may be able to confirm) that those airfares are not tax deductible. If this comment is too far OT, please ignore or delete and similarly, if my tax understanding is incorrect, please feel free to correct the information.

 

[reesy84]

I might mention one other point that may also weigh into your decision. By the information you've given, it sounds like you have accepted an employment offer in Sydney but you do not wish to move to Sydney, choosing instead to live on the Gold Coast. If that assessment is accurate, I believe (others may be able to confirm) that those airfares are not tax deductible. If this comment is too far OT, please ignore or delete and similarly, if my tax understanding is incorrect, please feel free to correct the information.

Yes you have hit the nail on the head. I will be working in sydney but i CHOOSE to live on the goldy so yes i cannot claim any tax deductions on my flights which is why im probably more reserved about paying extra for virgin flights like most people are suggesting i do. If it was tax deductible i would definitely be going straight down that path without even considering the lcc.

 

[Kolo]

This is a great thread as it addresses the larger question of loyalty v cost. Good read.

 

[pauly7]

This is a great thread as it addresses the larger question of loyalty v cost. Good read.

Agreed and I count myself lucky I'm not in the OP's position every time I read it!!

 

[Mattg]

Yes you have hit the nail on the head. I will be working in sydney but i CHOOSE to live on the goldy so yes i cannot claim any tax deductions on my flights which is why im probably more reserved about paying extra for virgin flights like most people are suggesting i do. If it was tax deductible i would definitely be going straight down that path without even considering the lcc.

Why don't you, for the first four months, fly Virgin, Jetstar, Qantas and Tiger for a month each then choose which airline you prefer?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Why don't you, for the first four months, fly Virgin, Jetstar, Qantas and Tiger for a month each then choose which airline you prefer?

I thought about suggesting the same thing, except I've flown them all bar TT and from a non-status -Y perspective, they're all very similar. It's only from a status perspective that the little differences start to show......and even then, really only after many sectors, after the novelty wears thin and after a few hiccups have been experienced. I doubt a month on each as a NB will really be a good indication.

 

[Nizar]

I'm not sure how the VA program works but surely 80-90 domestic sectors a year is a fair few points ?
At what stage will be hit platinum etc ?

Could it be enough points to "almost" negate that extra $4,500 spend ?
Say in terms of an F redemption on one of VAs partners such as SQ or EY ?

Plus factor in the other perks of status like comfort from lounges and perhaps the occasional op-up, as well as priority boarding, complimentary F&B on board, priority security, priority seat selection, and service recovery if things go wrong, it is hard to see much wrong in going with the VA route.

Also why not purchase the flights etc with a VA card that gives bonus points for flight purchases etc (like the Amex Ultimate equivalent for QF), this is likely to boost your VA point haul further, they may have sign on bonuses etc.