Points Count [How many do you have?]

[Hoffsare]

I've recently started trying to accrue points after years of wasting them on giftcards, domestic rewards flights etc (there might have even been a toaster in there at some point). I am currently Platinum and lifetime silver, so have wasted a bunch of points over time.

This year I've done a couple of credit card bonus points offers and a few retail partner offers and together with regular flying have pretty quickly got my points balance up to 750,000. I was initially targeting 560k for a couple of Business class RTW flights, but I think I've created a new addiction for myself. I feel like I will need more discipline to actually use the points than it takes to earn them.

So how many points do you currently have?

 

[33kft]

The problem with points balance as a measure is exactly as you say, a high points balance is in some ways a liability as you have a current account balance that has a certain value today, that does not appreciate it any way and that could be severely debased tomorrow with no recourse. I'm sitting at around 650K myself, I'd like to book some RTW tickets soon but with a young one we are not really in a position to do that amount of travel, so I foresee the points sticking around for a while unless I find a good value non flight redemption, which hasn't happened before and is unlikely to happen now.

 

[jase05]

Whittled mine down to just under 400k. Not quite enough yet to do what we want so will look at a few options to boost it.

 

[mrsterryn]

AFF will definitely help you accrue and spend
Husband and I tend to keep ours at about 300 k
Currently husband is a bit less because I have a 1st class flight happening Europe return and I nicked some of his
Enjoy the acquiring and the spending

 

[samh004]

My highest was in the 400k's but I've had many years where I've whittled them down to nothing and built them all back up very quickly to go again. Right now I'm sitting on 20k after spending a whole heap.

I feel I'm going into a phase where I'm going to be earning a lot less though, as I've finally switched to Amex MR as oppose to a direct-earn card.

 

[Hoffsare]

The problem with points balance as a measure is exactly as you say, a high points balance is in some ways a liability as you have a current account balance that has a certain value today, that does not appreciate it any way and that could be severely debased tomorrow with no recourse. I'm sitting at around 650K myself, I'd like to book some RTW tickets soon but with a young one we are not really in a position to do that amount of travel, so I foresee the points sticking around for a while unless I find a good value non flight redemption, which hasn't happened before and is unlikely to happen now.

Yes the threat of devaluation at any time is always hanging there. I need to book those RTW's.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

So how many points do you currently have?

Always remember the old adage: "The only good frequent flyer points are used frequent flyer points."

 

[rock86]

Accrued 850K points in 18 months between myself and partner (we had 150k already in the bank). Now back down to 130K after booking EK F to/from the USA later this year

It is so easy to accrue QF points from non-flying activities and getting even harder to redeem, which has made me rethink my strategy and whether to start using bank rewards which are transferable to other airline programs.

 

[Aus ATC]

We (Mrs Aus ATC and myself) are sitting on about 40k QFF points (with 2 x 280k J Awards booked for later this year). I am also getting close to 400K KF miles (Velocity, AMEX and STG transfers) so working towards a 2 x J return to Europe with SQ - probably in 2021.

Not flying so much these days, so about to get on the credit card merry-go-round again.....

 

[straitman]

My balance wanders up and down. Currently in recovery mode with only about 7,000 QF points, 30,000 AA miles and 15,000 Amex points available to transfer.

I have spent far in excess of 500,000 this year.

 

[kermatu]

I have way more than I know what to do with. I'll still earn but wish I had more time and opportunity to redeem.

 

[leadman]

2.6 million QF, 350,000 TG et al. With such a heavy work schedule these are planned for retirement or when a client only stumps up Y, I can upgrade.

 

[Hoffsare]

My balance wanders up and down. Currently in recovery mode with only about 7,000 QF points, 30,000 AA miles and 15,000 Amex points available to transfer.

I have spent far in excess of 500,000 this year.

Do you spend on flights?

 

[RichardMEL]

I agree points can add up almost without noticing. I'm over 7 figures without even really trying that hard (ie not playing the card churn game etc) and that includes rewards in F and other bits and pieces. I need to pair them down I know, it seems that opportunities don't always come through the way I'd prefer.. Still not going to get toasters though... I have my limits

 

[leadman]

Very few of mine are for anything else other than flying. i just really don't have that time to play the game. Maybe when I'm retired and some free space i might give it a go.

 

[Mattg]

I'm currently on around 40,000 Qantas points, have recently spent several hundred thousand.

There's no point saving up your frequent flyer points for a "rainy day". They don't earn interest and, if anything, will only lose their value over time as the airlines increase the number of points required for a reward (or worse, they expire).

That said, all of my redemptions have been flights or upgrades and I'm very happy with the value I've got out of my points (mostly spent on J & F award flights).

 

[leadman]

There's no point saving up your frequent flyer points for a "rainy day". They don't earn interest and, if anything, will only lose their value over time as the airlines increase the number of points required for a reward (or worse, they expire).

That's all and fine, but if your "butt" is starting to take the shape of a J class aircraft seat, there is not much you can do about it! Better to keep them than stock up on toasters!!!!

 

[rock86]

Better to keep them than stock up on toasters!!!!

Well, that just goes completely against ye olde airline MD's saying, "frequent flyers can never have enough toasters"

 

[JohnK]

I've had 1.1 million QFF points for quite a few years but cannot use them as the fuel surcharges are ridiculous.

These loyalty programs are out of control. IHG is another. I have ~865,000 points. The hotels I want to stay in are 15,000 IHG points + ~$130 or $100 if you pay for the room outright and earn more points/bonus points. Something seriously wrong with the model if points + pay is more expensive than actual room rates.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

85 QP, yep.
Just 85.
20 years a QFF member.
But have earnt and burnt a lot over this time.
When QF and EK started their partnership I had 70,000 from flying, flying, hotels, and Woolworths.
Remember when Telstra calling cards earns were 4 points per $1 spent.