Velocity points… am I missing something?

[jonedwards80]

Hi all…

I collect points from my business with an Amex card and can transfer to a variety of points programs for travel. One of which is Virgin.

When I look, the points required always seem so much more on VA over Qantas.

For example, my partner and I flew return Brisbane-Tokyo this September in business class for about 200k points on QFF. If I look on Virgin, it’s about 1.3M points! I realise there is a timing issue, but obviously this is a huge difference.

Am I missing something? Am i looking in the wrong place? I’d love our options open up to include the virgin network, but it’s just not viable when QFF is so much more attractive…

 

[levelnine]

For example, my partner and I flew return Brisbane-Tokyo this September in business class for about 200k points on QFF. If I look on Virgin, it’s about 1.3M points! I realise there is a timing issue, but obviously this is a huge difference.

Am I missing something? Am i looking in the wrong place? I’d love our options open up to include the virgin network, but it’s just not viable when QFF is so much more attractive…

You need to find saver award availability on a VA partner, then you will see prices comparable to (if not better than) Qantas.

The 1.3M point cost is the equivalent of Qantas Points+Pay option — where you are buying a cash fare with points at a very low value.

 

[levelnine]

Eg Sydney to Haneda is 78K points in business class:

 

[jonedwards80]

Oh wow… is there a knack to finding these? I’ve just been using the standard search engine either on their app or website…

 

[levelnine]

seats.aero

 

[jonedwards80]

You need to find saver award availability on a VA partner, then you will see prices comparable to (if not better than) Qantas.

The 1.3M point cost is the equivalent of Qantas Points+Pay option — where you are buying a cash fare with points at a very low value.

I had a look on Velocity and and whilst you do find some comparable prices/points, they are few and far between and often have about 3 stopovers.

Am I best to look on a partner such as Qatar or Hawaiian? I could go Singapore but only get a 3:1 conversion these days...

 

[levelnine]

I had a look on Velocity and and whilst you do find some comparable prices/points, they are few and far between and often have about 3 stopovers.

Am I best to look on a partner such as Qatar or Hawaiian? I could go Singapore but only get a 3:1 conversion these days...

Depends on the partner.

ANA has lots of close-in availability to/from Japan. UA has some close-in availability to/from the US. Qatar has some scattered availability to its destinations. Singapore has decent availability at the end of the booking calendar to its destinations.

Availability is far better than Qantas to most destinations, though it depends on your travel booking pattern. Japan might be one of the few exceptions given VA's only partner that flies direct is ANA and they have limited flights to Australia.

 

[renatts]

As you've already found out, yes you were missing something, you need to find award seats.

To add to the difference, it really depends on where you want to go.

I've always found Qantas better for getting to Japan, USA, and SE Asia.
Velocity I've found to be far better for Europe/UK.

It all comes down to the routes they fly/their partners fly, and what their partners actually release to the program.

Velocity to Japan, your options are Singapore airlines (super long journey) or ANA via Sydney, however ANA rarely release business class more than a couple months out from departure, and Singapore is a hell of a long way to go for Japan.

On the flip side with velocity, I've found it incredibly reliable to book Qatar or Singapore to almost anywhere they fly in Europe 330 days out, outside of school holidays, for two people in business class.

Qantas has more options for Japan. Cathay via HKG, Qantas direct or via another Aus city, China Airlines via Taipei.
But then Qantas partners don't reliably release award seats to Europe. Qatar don't really give Qantas any business award seats anymore, Emirates taxes are almost the price of a Business class fare, Qantas only release London/Rome/Paris as part of PR stunts, Cathay Pacific have decent connections Europe - Aus but not Aus - Europe.


Both programs can be used to get anywhere as long as you're flexible, not travelling in school holidays, and plan far in advance - but they both have their easier to find redemptions.

 

[jonedwards80]

As you've already found out, yes you were missing something, you need to find award seats.

To add to the difference, it really depends on where you want to go.

I've always found Qantas better for getting to Japan, USA, and SE Asia.
Velocity I've found to be far better for Europe/UK.

It all comes down to the routes they fly/their partners fly, and what their partners actually release to the program.

Velocity to Japan, your options are Singapore airlines (super long journey) or ANA via Sydney, however ANA rarely release business class more than a couple months out from departure, and Singapore is a hell of a long way to go for Japan.

On the flip side with velocity, I've found it incredibly reliable to book Qatar or Singapore to almost anywhere they fly in Europe 330 days out, outside of school holidays, for two people in business class.

Qantas has more options for Japan. Cathay via HKG, Qantas direct or via another Aus city, China Airlines via Taipei.
But then Qantas partners don't reliably release award seats to Europe. Qatar don't really give Qantas any business award seats anymore, Emirates taxes are almost the price of a Business class fare, Qantas only release London/Rome/Paris as part of PR stunts, Cathay Pacific have decent connections Europe - Aus but not Aus - Europe.


Both programs can be used to get anywhere as long as you're flexible, not travelling in school holidays, and plan far in advance - but they both have their easier to find redemptions.

Thanks so much for the detailed response.

So I guess I am looking in the right place, but perhaps not looking hard enough!

 

[Blinky]

Thanks so much for the detailed response.

So I guess I am looking in the right place, but perhaps not looking hard enough!

Well you’re not the only one then. I have over a million Velocity points, but couldn’t find any J reward seats to Europe for less than a million one way. How much I miss the pre covid days when return J seats to Europe went for 250k…

 

[levelnine]

Well you’re not the only one then. I have over a million Velocity points, but couldn’t find any J reward seats to Europe for less than a million one way. How much I miss the pre covid days when return J seats to Europe went for 250k…

There's well over 70 flights to Europe with Velocity for 2 or more people over the coming year:

 

[jonedwards80]

There's well over 70 flights to Europe with Velocity for 2 or more people over the coming year:

View attachment 409220

What app/website did you use to show this table?

 

[Scr77]

Oh wow… is there a knack to finding these? I’ve just been using the standard search engine either on their app or website…

seats.aero