Relative value of redemptions - JQ J vs QF J

[drcam]

I still have the option between two redemptions for my trip next year.

On the one hand I can travel directly to the west coast of the USA on QF J, but I still need to get from MEL-BNE on my own ticket. It would cost 108k points.

Or I could take JQ J from MEL-SYD-HNL for a mere 61k points. I would only get Y on the domestic leg though.

I would like to go to Hawaii at some point (have never been there) but there is some flexibility in my itinerary and where in the US I want to visit. I'd still need to buy a ticket from Hawaii to Seattle for my next leg if I choose the latter option.

What do you think? I need to book real soon before both choices vanish for good!

 

[elanshin]

The best way to consider it is that JQ J = QF Prem Y+ (It's similar but I'd say the JQ J is a tad ahead of QF PE).

As for the value, it really depends on your factors. Do you spend QF points easily? Do you earn them easily? Do you value a 12-14h flight in a lieflat seat? Or are you more of a frugal try to get every value you can. (I have a friend that oftens says why take J redemption when I can take 3 Y redemptions instead).

Personally I'd go for the QF J, but there is an argument to ve made for both depending on what you value more.

 

[RichardMEL]

Pretty much agree with @elanshin - the other point I'd make is that SYD-HNL (as well as BNE-LAX) are both overnight flights - and in this case, I'd take the A330 J suite flat bed over the JQ hard product any day. Coming back, HNL-SYD on JQ is a day flight, and probably much easier to handle in the JQ "PE" seat and service (IIRC one of the youtuber reviewes did this flight earlier this year and commented as much).

Given you have a desire to go to SEA on your trip, it makes more sense to go as direct to LAX as possible imo. HNL-SEA is still a 5-6 hour flight, so that's also going to be another chunk of time and money (or points potentially if one can find a redemption on AS).

All things considered, if redeeming for J and going transpac, I'd go BNE-LAX (yes, even in the 332). I think it makes more sense and would provide for better comfort and rest when flying across the pacific.

 

[drcam]

Or I could go AKL-nan-lax for slightly fewer points, there are things I might do with a couple of days in NZ or Fiji, I don't know how does Fiji airways compare to Qantas these days though.

 

[MelbFlyer]

On the one hand I can travel directly to the west coast of the USA on QF J, but I still need to get from MEL-BNE on my own ticket. It would cost 108k points.

Or I could take JQ J from MEL-SYD-HNL for a mere 61k points. I would only get Y on the domestic leg though.

QF business hands down imo. It's a 12hr+ flight and I'd want a proper business suite over whats basically a PE product.

Melbourne to Brisbane will have plenty of options, both awards or revenue.

If I wanted Jetstar I would just pay out of pocket instead of redeeming points, even despite the 40k points difference. It just seems like a "waste" to redeem points for JQ - even if in business.

I have a friend that oftens says why take J redemption when I can take 3 Y redemptions instead

Same as per above. I build up QFF points via churning credit cards to redeem for business reward seats, not economy seats. If I wanted economy, I'd just pay cash for them and not do CC churning.

 

[elanshin]

Same as per above. I build up QFF points via churning credit cards to redeem for business reward seats, not economy seats. If I wanted economy, I'd just pay cash for them and not do CC churning.

I get the sentiment and as someone that has burnt almost 1m points over the last 12 months for past and future travel, I'm happy to redeem J or upgrade to J for now as my points earning is fairly reasonable (and flexible).

But I can also understand my friends' thought process that rather than 1 nice trip, they get 3 trips instead.

 

[drcam]

Travelling in Y long haul is humdrum at best and torture at worst. It's acceptable if it's all you can afford with a cash fare, especially to Asia where jet lag is negligible. If they sold upgradable meals, then they would be less of a grind.