Qantas Rewards Vs Velocity?

[Deactivated] on 13/11/2015 - 12:49

Hi, I recently applied for a NAB rewards credit card with the intention of using the 30k bonus points received 3 months after joining to book return flights to Queenstown next July. This way I only have to pay $95 for the annual card fee.

My question is, would I be better served getting a qantas rewards card or a velocity rewards card? I would receive 30k for both.

I also want to know if the number of points required to book a flight changes based on when you're travelling and when you're booking your travel? For instance I was given an estimate of 28k points for return to Queenstown but is it possible that that number will change 3 months down the track?

Thanks for your help guys.

Poll Options

  • 15
    Qantas
  • 14
    Velocity
Travel

Comments

  • elvino on 13/11/2015 - 13:25

    Ive got membership to both, and in my opinion, purely for flight rewards, Qantas offers the best (in terms of availability) for travel to and from New Zealand. The prices do fluctuate, just the same as they do with paying cash. If you're early, or get in a sale period, then sometimes you can get a good deal.
    Both have points + pay as well, but the Virgin site can be a bit of a challenge to use when you're doing this.

    Also, just an FYI, the ANZ frequent flyer card is offering 50K points and no fee for the first year, which is a better deal (IMO) than NAB if youre eligible.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/11/2015 - 14:11

      Thanks for your reply! Is there a set $ value for points. For instance if I'm 5k points short would I be able to work out the additional cost?

      Also I did see the ANZ card however I am not sure I'd be eligible as I'm a casual worker that doesn't earn much and I wouldn't satisfy the $5000 spend in the first 3 months.

      • elvino on 13/11/2015 - 18:20

        Yes you can top up with $$ - but you can also do that with Virgin, so there is no difference in that aspect.

  • bluedufflecoat on 13/11/2015 - 14:26
    +1

    I have the Qantas Amex card, so I earn more points for Qantas than I do with Velocity. However, I think redeeming flights with Qantas is quite expensive compared to Virgin. You can't get away with paying the taxes with points, whereas with Virgin, you can.

  • happychild100 on 13/11/2015 - 14:29
    +2

    In my searches, I've usually seen Qantas charge more for fees/taxes on top of paying for the flight in points. I'm all in with velocity personally. 2 Credit cards plus using their estore for cashback in points for any stores I can.

    My main flight is between Perth and Brisbane and Qantas charge more points and fees than virgin, so that made my decision.

  • adamren on 13/11/2015 - 16:48

    Biased to Aussie Qantas and don't like discount Virgin nor Richard Brandon.

    If shop a lot at Westfields and you drive a low km/L car more than 20,000kms and have lots of BP fuel stations around maybe go with Velocity. That's all I can think of.

  • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 13/11/2015 - 18:48
    +4

    Unless you're spending a lot (and based on your info, you aren't), you will get your points not from spend, but from sign up bonuses. Qantas points are far easier to acquire, of similar difficulty to redeem (though Virgin is probably easier to find availability domestically), and the taxes are far higher (Virgin only charges taxes, Qantas makes you pay your share of the fuel bill).
    Qantas is more useful if you want to fly business or first class, but Virgin is overall better value IMO.

  • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 21/11/2015 - 23:37
    +1

    I've recently just booked some fares, and can report that Qantas points aren't necessarily as poor value as generally perceived. The key is to use the points booking outside Australia, and not with Qantas. It's also an important way to find available seats.

    If you're going for example to South America, you'll struggle to find business class (and sometimes economy) seats from Melbourne to Santiago. If you do, you'll pay up to $350 for the privilege.
    But if you fly first to Auckland, then from Auckland onwards to Santiago (with LAN, Qantas' codeshare partner), you'll pay about $100 tax (i.e. no apparent fuel surcharge), and, the kicker, is you can take the Mel-Akl leg in business class. And for the same 96,000 points you'd pay to fly from Sydney in business. It also seems to work when flying home on Emirates (wherever you're coming from), that you won't get slugged with the fuel surcharge (of course if you're flying home from the UK, you'll be slugged the extortionate premium passenger duty of 180GBP).

    The lesson is to take the road less travelled, and play around with your possibilities.

  • nimnomnimy on 29/12/2015 - 19:10

    I would say look at the airline partners for each program and see who you prefer to fly with.

    Personally I go virgin because I use the points for upgrades and found them to be cheaper and more available than qantas

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