Question re QFF points earn on CX flights

[kelpie]

Hi all

I've looked at the QFF terms and conditions but thought I'd come here for an answer in plain english.

I'm paying :shock: for a flight from Melbourne to London in March which means I'll be buying a dirty cheap discount economy flight, but I am still looking to maximise the points earn.

Qantas has their lowest fare at just under $2400. Cathay Pacific has the best fare - just on $2200, and of course it goes through HK so I get to drop into the Pier.

I'm currently QF WP/OW Emerald so should get the status bonus if I fly Qantas.

But from what I can tell, QFF only gives a points earn of 0.25 per mile on discount economy flights with CX.

(But I've heard that CX seem to have the best strike rate when it comes to op-ups.)

Thoughts? Tips?

 

[Dave Noble]

BHKLMV - 50 % miles earned
Y - 100% miles
CDIJ -100% plus 25% Class of Service
AF - 100% plus 50% class of service

You do not get the 100% status bonus for being a platinum member when travelling on CX

Dave

 

[Mal]

A few things to note.

The bottom dirt cheap fares from CX often don't earn points with QF. Watch out particularly if booking through another online portal (or TA) where the fare class isn't displayed before payment. These sometimes book into an invalid fare class of S.

If booking through the CX site, the fare class is shown before payment.

The valid fare classes are:
B H K L M V (+Y, Business and First classes for additional points/sc earning)

My personal view is that they are a better airline in a lot of ways (although Qantas does still win in some areas).

There are massive point differences as you mentioned. A return MEL-SIN-LHR with Qantas or BA would give a QFWP roughly 21000 points each way, whereas a QFWP flying CX would earn roughly 5300 points each way.

CX has definately treated me well as a QFWP, but you can never be sure that an op-up or extra special treatment will occur.

 

[Skyring]

My personal view is that they are a better airline in a lot of ways (although Qantas does still win in some areas).

There are massive point differences as you mentioned. A return MEL-SIN-LHR with Qantas or BA would give a QFWP roughly 21000 points each way, whereas a QFWP flying CX would earn roughly 5300 points each way.

Nearly 30 000 points for the $200 difference in ticket price is a bargain. Go Qantas.

The downside is that you miss out on The Pier/The Wing and that wonderful CX service. However, the difference in Economy isn't that great: you still wind up jammed into a small space for a long flight.

As for upgrades, they are rare whichever airline you fly on. Accept and revel in them when they occur, but don't choose a carrier on the chance that they will upgrade you, because they almost certainly won't.

 

[Dave Noble]

The downside is that you miss out on The Pier/The Wing and that wonderful CX service. However, the difference in Economy isn't that great: you still wind up jammed into a small space for a long flight.

He could go via HKG with QF and still be able to visit the Wing/Pier

I think that I would go MEL-SYD-HKG then overnight then HKG-LHR ; if the fare didnt allow going via SYD, then I would take the CX flight for the better flight times that can be had

Dave

 

[kelpie]

I might have found another option involving use of QFF points.

First, take a cheap QF return trip to HK from MEL. Costs less than $1200 and delivers me about 18,000-19,000 QFF pts + 60 SCs.

Then I burn 84,000 pts on a return award trip from HKG to LHR. Fuel and taxes will be about $300.

So all up, the net cost of getting from MEL to LHR costs just under $1500 + 65,000 pts.