Redeeming points (SYD to KL)

[n0m@dd]

Hi all,

I have about 114k QFF points and am looking to travel from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur in early June next year. I would ideally like to fly (Economy) via Singapore so Sydney to Singapore and then SIngapore to Kuala Lumpur.

When I use the "Use points" option on Qantas, the options I get are Sydney to Melbourne/Brisbane on Qantas then Melbourne/Brisbane to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines (which I rather not fly long distance with). However, when I use the "Use money, points or both" option, I have options which I prefer being Sydney to Singapore on Qantas and then Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on Singapore Airlines/Silkair or Malaysian Airlines (short distance on MAS so this is fine).

Is there a reason for the difference in flight routes (when redeeming points)? Is there any way I can get around this? Otherwise, is my only option to book Sydney to Singapore as one booking and then a second booking Singapore to Kuala Lumpur? (A real hassle in the event of delays and I will need to check in again at Singapore...)

Appreciate any suggestions! Cheers

 

[coyote25]

You won’t be able to use qantas points to book Singapore Airlines however to force a booking Sydney to Kuala Lumpur via Singapore use the Multi city booking option and input these legs separately. This should solve your problem.

 

[coyote25]

Looks like you will have to overnight in Singapore due to the time the SYD to SIN QF flight arrives.

 

[n0m@dd]

That's a bummer. Thanks coyote25 for your help.

If I were to do a multi city booking as attached, will my luggage be checked through to KL or will I need to check in for my KL flight in Singapore?

Also, just realised the below flights equate to 35,200 QFF points but I still need to pay $226 of taxes in cash and this is only one way...

 

[jase05]

For the same amount of points have you considered SYD-BNE-SIN and then SIN-KUL?
Should be able to do that all without an overnight stay. Something like this

 

[jase05]

That's a bummer. Thanks coyote25 for your help.

If I were to do a multi city booking as attached, will my luggage be checked through to KL or will I need to check in for my KL flight in Singapore?

Also, just realised the below flights equate to 35,200 QFF points but I still need to pay $226 of taxes in cash and this is only one way...

View attachment 175274

SYD-SIN alone is 25,200 QFF points plus $138 one way. Personally I find Y redemptions fairly poor value IMO and it’s often not much more expensive just to purchase the fares outright

 

[n0m@dd]

Thanks jase05. Yes I am now contemplating buying outright... This is my first time redeeming QFF points but I have redeemed velocity points with virgin and not had to pay anything additional. Does redemption of QFF points and velocity points work differently?

 

[piratematerial]

Virgin always give you the option to pay your taxes using points but it's a bad use of points.

For example, to give a Syd-Per flight in Sept that would cost $330 cash, in points it's 17,800Pts and $23.60 taxes, or 21,800Pts including taxes.

That $23.60 would get you around 20-30 points if you earn on a credit card, but costs you 4000 points here!

So in this example, if you pay the taxes, each point is worth 1.7c, vs 1.5c if you don't.

 

[n0m@dd]

Thanks for enlightening me piratematerial. Looks like I have a lot to learn here. Didn't realise that using points to pay taxes on velocity was poor value. I recently burnt 66k(!!) on a return Sydney to Auckland flight...