Qantas FF or VA Velocity?

[Lost Redditor]

I've been collecting QFF points exclusively but now I have to start getting some Velocity Points I think. It's getting very hard to get off this island on QFF alone (edit: in business class I mean). Once you're in a larger hub in Asia it's a lot easier. Finnair especially seems to have lots of availability, and doesn't have crazy fees.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For VA, they at least for the time being have got several partner airlines.
First start with Coles FB (Flybuys), every $100 of a shop, you get 10 ((edit, not 10, but 1)) VFF SC, which is their status tier.
Thought it was 10.
VA fares between most Aust cities (in J cabin) are $349, the triangle of MEL/ADL/SYD, some routes do not have a J cabin, ADL - PER etc where VARA flies with their A320, and some of the newly obtained 737-700 also (while not brand new), also do not have a J cabin.
Its quite easy to just book VAd flights, put in your VFF # as with your former BFA (best friend airline), and shut your eyes, and start flying.
That is it.
Bali DPS does have the ADL to that city VA flight, and from there, you can get SQ flights around SEAsia.
Not sure which city you live in, or "island".
With the Coles shopping venture once every week, its not hard to build up FB balance, and do auto transfer of points to VFF.
At least with Coles shopping, it helps you amass at least half of what is required to attain VFF PS, if you buy everything food and other things from Coles, you can collect up to 120 VFF SC, fly the other half, and so long as you pay for the more expensive fares, you will have the 4 required eligible sectors, and thus climb up the VFF status ladder.
Cheaper fares do not count for eligible sector, its important to make sure you have a VA flight number 4 times a year, this is if status is important to you.
Need activity once every 2 years, but with Coles shopping and other FB partners, its not hard.
===
AY FinnAir is not a VFF partner, only SQ, EY Etihad, QR Qatar and some others, NH ANA etc.
For now, you have to book on the partner airline's website, and enter your VFF #.

 

[justinbrett]

AY FinnAir is not a VFF partner,

AY is QF partner (oneworld). @LostRedditor was meaning it’s easy to use QF points once out of Australia but needs a little help to get on the initial leg out of the country.

 

[Lost Redditor]

AY is QF partner (oneworld). @LostRedditor was meaning it’s easy to use QF points once out of Australia but needs a little help to get on the initial leg out of the country.

Yes, apologies for my confusing wording @AustraliaPoochie

As @justinbrett clarifies, I mean there appears to be fair bit of business class rewards seats on Finnair, which helps the case for QFF points. However, for leaving Australia, there seems to be a strong case for Velocity. E.g. I would use Velocity points to get to Singapore with SQ and then QFF to Helsinki/London/France with whatever Oneworld member has seats