Now flying 80-90 times per year, which rewards schemes if any should i use?

[reesy84]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to flying for work and looks like i'm definitely flying return from the Gold Coast (OOL) to Sydney about 80 to 90 times per year for at least the next 5 years.
I would really like some input as to whether i should take advantage of any of the rewards systems or should i just continue to hunt the cheapest possible fares and price match with Jetstar whenever i can?

Is there any other tips anyone can give me also?

Look forward to hearing your different views.

Cheers

 

[Hvr]

Firstly welcome to AFF reesy84.

Secondly, if you're going to be flying that regularly on one route it certainly behoves you to join a rewards program and reap the benefits.

But, are you paying for this travel yourself? Then if so then price matching will be the way to go but certainly see if you can get points/SCs so you can get some status on at least one airline.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hi reesy84 and welcome to AFF .

Not sure if I understand your question, as it seems to be a no brainer. If you fly discount economy OOL-SYD-OOL on QF 80 times a year, you will earn 1,600 Qantas status credits (enough for platinum, which is worth having) and 64,000 points which are also useful. That's for a flat bronze member; they will increase as you move up status to Silver, gold, platinum. I imagine Virgin is similar.

But if budget is the main consideration, go for cheapest fare/Jetstar and suffer for the next X years. if I was flying that often, I'd definitely want lounge access (ie status).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to flying for work and looks like i'm definitely flying return from the Gold Coast (OOL) to Sydney about 80 to 90 times per year for at least the next 5 years.
I would really like some input as to whether i should take advantage of any of the rewards systems or should i just continue to hunt the cheapest possible fares and price match with Jetstar whenever i can?

Is there any other tips anyone can give me also?

Look forward to hearing your different views.

Cheers

As others have suggested, buying tickets on Virgin or Qantas will give your points and status credits. Status credits will take you up in the program and give you lounge access and priority check-in.

However... annual membership of airline clubs will also allow lounge access. They cost $500 a year or thereabouts. (Plus a one-off joining fee.)

So... how much are you saving with Jetstar compared to Qantas or Virgin? If it's $10 per fare, airline club membership might be worthwhile rather than building yup status. If it was $20 per fare... looks even better.

 

[reesy84]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for replying so quickly, unfortunately my employer doesn't pay for my fares so they are coming out of my back pocket.
At this stage i cant really see where the value is paying double for a ticket with Qantas or Virgin just to get status and lounge access or are there other benefits that i'm not aware of?

Reesy

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for replying so quickly, unfortunately my employer doesn't pay for my fares so they are coming out of my back pocket.
At this stage i cant really see where the value is paying double for a ticket with Qantas or Virgin just to get status and lounge access or are there other benefits that i'm not aware of?

Reesy

Not really. Status with Qantas or Jetstar domestic is really about the lounge, the ability to upgrade, and access to better seating (you can select a seat further forward in the cabin). Actually there is one other major benefit... priority telephone reservations.. even silver (lowest status tier) will get you through to an operator with Qantas in a minute or two... a far cry from maybe waiting 30 minutes as a non-status caller.

If you are also planning to fly internationally, the points and status may be useful... not least of which is priority check-in, lounge access, priority boarding.

However - for the savings involved you have to weigh it all up. If the QF/DJ fares are double, I'd be buying lounge access to Qantas Club which will get you access to lounges before your jetstar flights anyway. With 80-90 flights a year, there are bound to be delays on a few of them... and the lounge is a good place to wait. You can get access to discounted Qantas club membership through this website.

 

[ashleyn]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for replying so quickly, unfortunately my employer doesn't pay for my fares so they are coming out of my back pocket.
At this stage i cant really see where the value is paying double for a ticket with Qantas or Virgin just to get status and lounge access or are there other benefits that i'm not aware of?

Reesy

So you're flying for work but you are paying ? I don't understand.

 

[reesy84]

My workplace is in Sydney and i choose to Live on the Gold Coast and commute between the two destinations

 

[eastwest101]

My workplace is in Sydney and i choose to Live on the Gold Coast and commute between the two destinations

Are we talking Mon-Fri regular OOL-SYD commute, or even more flying than that? How far ahead will you be able to book flights? What happens when work plans change and you need to stay at work/come into work early/fly home early etc etc? Have a good look at change fees on all carriers, look at what baggage fees and credit card fees exist.

You are pretty lucky with options though - SYD to OOL served by 4 carriers so lots of competition and low airfares.

Expect return fares to vary: typical prices 1 month out (can be higher or lower at different times, dates, and subject to school holidays etc)

$70-$150 rtn Tigerair (TT)
$70-$221 rtn Jetstar (JQ)
$146-$257 rtn Virgin Australia (VA)
$180-$278 rtn Qantas (QF)

If you really are flying that much - might be worthwhile thinking about eventually getting Gold in both Qantas Frequent Flyer and also in Virgin Australia Velocity, this will give you lounge access to all lounges at OOL & SYD, also spreads your risk if VA pull out of OOL or if QF try to "Jetstarize" OOL again. Watch out for JQ price beat fares as you cannot add a bundle onto the price beat so therefore cannot earn QFF status credits. Obviously Tigerair is the cheapest option but no loyalty scheme or nice things for you if flying them. Consider weather delays and interruptions in your plans - which airlines can recover from these and get you to work (or home) with less delays.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Consider weather delays and interruptions in your plans - which airlines can recover from these and get you to work (or home) with less delays.

Good point... however I'm thinking... the difference between JQ and DJ is $76. Multiply that by 80 is $6080. Even if 10 jetstar flights were delayed or cancelled, you could buy a walk-up fare on another airline ($257 each let's say) and still be pocketing ~$4000?

 

[reesy84]

thanks eastwest101,

unfortunately its not as simple as monday to friday, it will be travel different days nearly every week, (i guess this probably will work in my favor as i can take advantage flying cheaper days some weeks)
I fly every 4 days back and forth.
With regards to changes with work or coming home early it would only be for an emergency so i was thinking would just sacrifice a cheap fair and buy at short notice if i had to on the very rare occasion.
I don't require any baggage other than a backpack so excess baggage does not factor into things.

With regards to booking, i can book anytime i like however i would like to try keep bookings between 1 and 3 months in advance.

I would like to take advantage of rewards systems however all of the research i have so far done, leads to flights being on average between $60-$100 return with Jetstar and Tiger doing price beat.
There may be occasions during school holidays that JQ and TT prices are closer to QF and VA however majority of the time those carriers seem to be nearly double the cost which is putting me off.

 

[andye]

I dont do this type of travelling but if I did I would be wanting reliability and some comforts. The first thing I would think about is whether this is really a commute or potentially tax-deductible travel between workplaces,offsetting any fare difference.
From a VA perspective I would get a entertainment book and buy vouchers to get discount and waive cc fee. I'd factor in the points value and also think about a velocity amex for extra points on flights. I'd also check out the x% off thread. I'd be surprised if I didnt get close to jetstar or tiger prices before my first beer in the lounge.

 

[Deleted member]

it strikes me that there is more to this than meets the eye.
How does (not) living on the Gold Coast except for weekends, translate to preferring to live on the GC and commute?
As I recall "Medhead" did this , only from ADL to SYD
there are a number of reasons why you would do this, But without knowing why or what your situation is, It is difficult to make a suggestion.
However speaking for myself, I would go with one provider and accumulate status, points (CC options as well) and maybe if there is a Mrs Reesy84 (or significant other) use your new found status, accumulated points and knowledge gained on this site to take an annual Busman's holiday, only doing it in more style and comfort.
there has to be a payoff somewhere.
the long term benefits of accumulated status may prove useful in later life (LTS/LTG etc)
so without knowing your occupation, income and family status its a bit hard

 

[ReLoad]

Pick one of VA or QF.

VA will be cheaper for you at this stage.

Here's the deal, if you are going to fly 90 times in a year, you will unquestionably be unfortunately subject to an airline coughup at least a few times. Weather, broken plane, delays etc etc.

status is the key to minimising this, as a WP is that your service recovery levels will be much higher, the airline will be able to help you, as a NB you will get squat.

Next thing is travelling from a regional port 90 times a year is you are going to get to know people, specially ground and lounge crew, relationships with these people are critical to you and will serve you well, be nice to these folks it will pay dividends.

Lastly, I'm not sure what you value your time at, but the difference in sitting in row 3/4 and even row 15 is about 10 minutes, times that by 90 flights is half a day in a best case scenario. I know I'd rather have that doing something productive.

Needless to say, welcome to AFF, you are amongst those who do what you will be embarking on, and have been, seen and lived it for a long time. Commuting interstate is not easy, and I would encourage you to look deeper than your flights, are you hiring a car in SYD too? Are you staying in a hotel too?

Anyway welcome aboard.

 

[Foreigner]

it strikes me that there is more to this than meets the eye.

bingo!

Few C and F words come to mind...Courier / Contraband / Fiction

 

[reesy84]

it strikes me that there is more to this than meets the eye.
How does (not) living on the Gold Coast except for weekends, translate to preferring to live on the GC and commute?
As I recall "Medhead" did this , only from ADL to SYD
there are a number of reasons why you would do this, But without knowing why or what your situation is, It is difficult to make a suggestion.
However speaking for myself, I would go with one provider and accumulate status, points (CC options as well) and maybe if there is a Mrs Reesy84 (or significant other) use your new found status, accumulated points and knowledge gained on this site to take an annual Busman's holiday, only doing it in more style and comfort.
there has to be a payoff somewhere.
the long term benefits of accumulated status may prove useful in later life (LTS/LTG etc)
so without knowing your occupation, income and family status its a bit hard

Prefer not to say my occupation however it involves shift work. I work in Sydney 3 days and then i am home for 5 days on the Gold Coast. The reason for this is quality of life with my wife a children being at home with them for 5 days, which i didnt get working a 9-5 job monday to friday.

The options are whether to put the money away saved by flying cheap carriers into an account and take the family away each year with the savings or do i use a more expensive carrier to gain status and have the luxury when i travel each week (but no family holiday at end of the year)

 

[andye]

VAs fly-ahead for SG+ would appeal to me with that type of commute. Could book a comfortable time to get from work to airport (so you are not worried about missing your flight every week) and still get home early if the traffic is good

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The options are whether to put the money away saved by flying cheap carriers into an account and take the family away each year with the savings or do i use a more expensive carrier to gain status and have the luxury when i travel each week (but no family holiday at end of the year)

Don't plan on using FF points for that family holiday in the school hols! Seats can be extremely hard to come buy, and normal fares more expensive!

The money you save on cheaper flights will give you the flexibility to book any carrier you want, and if you need lounge access... you can often buy that anyway.

 

[andye]

bingo!

Few C and F words come to mind...Courier / Contraband / Fiction

Im obviously less suspicious. I just thought sydney property prices or wish to be near partner/children/parents/established social life

 

[Alanslegal]

Prefer not to say my occupation however it involves shift work. I work in Sydney 3 days and then i am home for 5 days on the Gold Coast. The reason for this is quality of life with my wife a children being at home with them for 5 days, which i didnt get working a 9-5 job monday to friday.

The options are whether to put the money away saved by flying cheap carriers into an account and take the family away each year with the savings or do i use a more expensive carrier to gain status and have the luxury when i travel each week (but no family holiday at end of the year)

Welcome to AFF and you don't need to share or justify what you do if you choose not to. Despite the skeptics out there I know there are some people who choose to live in one state and commute to the next state for work on their own money.

The only thing I can suggest here is if you are using Jetstar Price Beat Guarantee, which I have used, is that you can be spending a bit of time on the phone to Jetstar, so if you are 50% of your proposed flights are going to be JQ's PBG, that's a lot of phone calls (and time).