Velocity vs KrisFlyer points from Citibank?

[wizphiz]

Hi all,

I'm not very experienced at posting, so hope I've got the right section! So, Citibank's point devaluation date is looming (March 18th) and all advice is to get your points out of there before that happens! My question is, is it better value to put them (around 360,000 points) into Velocity or KrisFlyer? Is it easy to transfer between these two programs if I need and do I lose value doing that as well? I'm mainly a Qantas flyer but do use Virgin domestically occasionally. I've noticed that Velocity has recently relaxed their expiry date of points so I know that's a plus. Happy to use Singapore Airlines to fly overseas instead of Qantas if the points are there. From what experienced flyers/posters write, it seems better value to put the points towards business and upwards rather than economy. I've only been able to do one upgrade to business in the past with points, so very inexperienced there as well! Would be very grateful for any advice to help here. Thanks!!

 

[SuzieQ68]

I'd definitely aim to use them for international J rewards, and would skew towards SQ. I haven't tried VA's long haul J, but their short haul J probably isn't worth burning the points.

We have both VA and Krisflyer accounts, but mainly earn in VA (due to the no expiry providing you keep the account active requirement) as Krisflyer points do expire (after about 3 years I think regardless if you use the account or not).

When we travel internationally, we transfer the necessary points from VA to SQ (pretty much instant transfer), book J flights online through SQ and voila! You will lose 35% of the points in transferring (regardless if it's VA to SQ or SQ to VA) but we've found (to date) that it's still cheaper than booking J reward flights on SQ metal via VA.

Point to note, I don't think you can book an economy seat on SQ, transfer VA points over to SQ and then use them to upgrade.

Having the VA account works well for us, but it depends on what you plan to use the points for.

 

[cove]

Just did a SQ business redemption on Kris Miles for a friend. SYD-LAX and LHR-SYD in business on Standard Miles but during the "busy season". Just be aware of the high redemption fees so don't ever bother with economy tickets. I think it was about 263,000 miles because there was zero flexibility in dates.

 

[travelislife]

Hope you have wait listed as we cove for the cheaper ones!

 

[travelislife]

Note going forward it will probably be better value to redeem SQ flights from your VFF account due to the reduction in miles and way lower surcharges.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Forgot to add.

if you're planning on taking an international J flight in the next couple of years on SQ, might be better to transfer the Citibank points directly to KrisFlyer - that way you won't lose the 35% in transfer charges.

 

[travelislife]

You don't have to transfer points from VFF to KF to book SQ. Like I was saying, after the changes it might actually be better value booking from VFF due to the lower surcharges.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Has there been any change in the inability to book SQ suites using VA points, requiring you to first convert them to KrisFlyer at 1.35:1 first?

If it hasn't changed, then that's reason enough for me to convert my Citibank points to KF rather than VA, and hope I can do an SQ F/R redemption within the next 3 years.

 

[burmans]

SQ direct for me.

 

[JohnK]

Note going forward it will probably be better value to redeem SQ flights from your VFF account due to the reduction in miles and way lower surcharges.

Not all routes. SYD-BKK is one example.

 

[mark4217]

There is a comprehensive report on
PointHack which details the old and new value of SQ and VA. It's worth a look as I recall it was much cheaper on some SQ flights booking from VA as stated by travelislife.

 

[Ausbt]

I recall it was much cheaper on some SQ flights booking from VA as stated by travelislife.

That's provided you can actually log into Velocity in the first place. I couldn't yesterday, nor can I right now as "We are currently undertaking scheduled system maintenance, during this time, some of our usual services will not be available".

On another note, anyone know how long after you transfer Citibank the points arrive at Krisflyer?

 

[Mattg]

I'm not very experienced at posting, so hope I've got the right section! So, Citibank's point devaluation date is looming (March 18th) and all advice is to get your points out of there before that happens! My question is, is it better value to put them (around 360,000 points) into Velocity or KrisFlyer? Is it easy to transfer between these two programs if I need and do I lose value doing that as well? I'm mainly a Qantas flyer but do use Virgin domestically occasionally. I've noticed that Velocity has recently relaxed their expiry date of points so I know that's a plus. Happy to use Singapore Airlines to fly overseas instead of Qantas if the points are there. From what experienced flyers/posters write, it seems better value to put the points towards business and upwards rather than economy. I've only been able to do one upgrade to business in the past with points, so very inexperienced there as well! Would be very grateful for any advice to help here. Thanks!!

I guess the answer depends how much flying (on points) you plan to do in the next 3 years. I personally consider KrisFlyer miles more valuable than Velocity points, however KrisFlyer miles expire after 36 months. Velocity points don't expire as long as your account is active at least once every 24 months.

 

[travelislife]

Not all routes. SYD-BKK is one example.

Yeah that one is an anomaly as we were discussing in another thread, something funny going on there it could be worth a phone call to VFF to manually find out what band it is in because it is right on the cusp and GCmap says it should be below.

 

[Ausbt]

Yeah that one is an anomaly

That's interesting as I was just getting Krisflyer quotes on SYD-BKK-SYD in J this week. I also tried Velocity and got nothing. I'll give them a call as I'm looking a July so that's after the changes come in.

 

[travelislife]

Yeah it was more around the points band on VFF. JohnK and I were looking and SYD-SIN-BKK vs MEL/BNE-SIN-BKK is more expensive, could definitely see availability on VFF though.

Will be interesting to hear what quote you get. I thought it should be 53,000 miles one way in business class on VFF after the changes, 70,000 before the changes based on the distance band but I think it prices the one above.

 

[wizphiz]

Thanks very much all! So impressed of how much people know and are happy to answer questions! Very much appreciated.. I've also seen the latest news that Singapore Airlines flights will be cheaper in points to redeem via VA than previously coming up in the next couple of months, so that's something else to consider..

 

[Buzzard]

I'm in the process of moving points out of Citi.
I have estimated the travel I will do on SQ in the next 36 months and have transferred that number of points to KF.
The balance of my points will be transferred it VA knowing that they will not expire.

If for some reason I don't do the travel with SQ I intend to (anything can happen within 3 years), I will transfer to VA and live with the loss or investigate booking a flight and what changing said booking will involve.

 

[Ausbt]

Anyone know how long after transferring from Citi the Krisflyer points credit? I moved mine over on Monday, but nothing has turned up yet.

 

[burmans]

Anyone know how long after transferring from Citi the Krisflyer points credit? I moved mine over on Monday, but nothing has turned up yet.

A couple of days typically but I have seen some variance from time to time.