I have both QFF and Velocity, it would seem to me that business redemptions with SG offer far far greater value than Qantas/Emirates for the same destinations to Europe.
For example, I'm looking towards the end of the year but before the holidays so not really peak, Sydney-Munich return:
Velocity: 278k points + 302.74 taxes
QFF: 345k points + 1,374 taxes ??? for Qatar (I looked further out due to all seats sold out)
For Emirates it's even more expensive in taxes and similar points.
How can Qantas be so utterly poorly competitive?
Well competitive wise they actually dominate in terms of FF programs used by Australians.
So perhaps your question is more
How can Qantas FF redemptions be such poor value?
1/ Because in Australia so many just go to them in without really considering the pros and cons. Being "First in Mind" is a core QFF marketing advantage that they in Australia. So they can offer poor FF value and it does not matter.
2/ Some point earning opportunities can only go to QFF, and in Australia there are many such "earn" opportunities.
3/ They look after their corporate flyers with status benefits for better flight experience on paid flights and greatly increased availability on redemptions.
Though for some it can make sense for QFF to be your No. 1 Program.
eg Those whose employers have them flying regularly mainly or only on QFF and so they gain high status. QFF without status is not that an attractive FF program in general. Or where you may want to fly to may be best, or even only serviced via QFF (or at least in terms of a FF program that you can earn enough points with). QFF Status can also be a very nice benefit if you are flying often for work, but are doing so in Y.
And it's not like their redemptions to NA are any better, the only saving grace is JAL to Japan which are pretty decent.
I'm probably going to switch my primary card to Velocity when this one's year is up, just seems like QFF is not worthwhile anymore,
Personally this has been the case probably since Ansett disappeared.
With FF programs I would suggest casting the net wider. This may include other allied programs such as hotels.
We are all different in our FF and flight needs and what is best can also vary by a particular trip. One FF program will not always be best. Whereas having access to multiple programs will allow one to more often secure an optimum result.
For many, unless your point acquisition is quite small, the strategy that will often work best is to:
* Belong to multiple FF programs, including Award Programs that can feed into them. Each will have different "earn" and "burn" opportunities that can be maximised relative to one another. ie the QFF Oneworld Award can be very attractive.
* Within those programs also think of redemptions within the Alliance (if applicable) and with Partners (ie with Velocity there is no alliance, but there are partners.
Collecting and using FF points is not static. Things change. Fuel Fines, redemption rates, award availability, where one wants to fly, where individual airlines do fly, etc
At this point in time I actively collect points in 3 Airlines Programs and 1 Hotel Program. At times in the past it has been 6 airlines programs and multiple hotel programs (mainly due to business travel at that time). And yes CC point earn that comes and goes in various banks. Plus other opportunities like Woolworth Rewards, Flybuys etc.
In terms of FF programs themselves what the program offers is one thing to consider (awards, fuel fines, availability of J/F redemptions etc), but another is the ability to get sufficient points to it.
One advantage that QFF has is that it is the easiest to generate points to. Whether one should with some of those points (ie say through CC earn) is a matter for individual consideration. For the avid point collector though the CC Churn Strategy is going to lead to regular QFF point hauls as sometimes it is not an either/or opportunity. It is QFF or nothing.
What mix is best for you, will be unique for you. It is different for all of us. And for some QFF being their No 1 program will make the most sense.
Personally for me at present Krisflyer is my preferred Program, Velocity will probably swing back into being No2 , and then QFF. QFF though will still grow its points balance more than Velocity simply due to the opportunities to earn to it that I cannot get to the other two.
