Qantas Vs Velocity Frequently Flyer Program

[Deactivated] on 19/01/2020 - 18:18
Last edited 19/01/2020 - 18:20

Hi everyone,

I currently have some 250k QFF points and around 180k Velocity.

I want to sign up for the Amex 100k bonus points but can't seem to be able to set on a program.

After some reading on Pointshack, the general opinion seems to be that Velocity(Kris Flyer) is better valued than Qantas which has high taxes. This is, as long as you are ok with local travels and a few international travels.

To me, it seems to be that a lot of companies are dropping VFF. Looking at the stores, the number of stores VFF has is extremely low compared to QFF which makes me wonder if they will pull out of Australia completely.

My travel plans include 1 trip/year (max 2) internationally. Want to explore Asia a bit. Not interested in USA at all.

Can anyone provide any insights or advice or which program to go for?

Travel

Related Stores

Qantas
Qantas
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Marketplace

Comments

  • DrRalph on 19/01/2020 - 18:19
    +1

    Look at exactly where you want to use your points. That should be your main guide. No point, for example going with Velocity if you want to redeem for flights to the USA and you discover that this is impossible.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2020 - 18:21

      Thank you. Updated the topic. Not interested in USA at all.

  • mskeggs on 19/01/2020 - 18:26

    For me it came down to the the value of redemptions.
    QFF has a RTW ticket that is good value, but stinks for taxes on everything else.
    Velocity offers a bit better for taxes, but fewer redemption offers.

    • Donaldhump on 19/01/2020 - 20:36

      QFF can be used for American Airlines and domestic taxes are 5.40 per flight, and international flights quite cheap too.

      Have flown lax to fll often for the price of a coffee, and only 30k points

  • donga100 on 19/01/2020 - 19:07

    VFF is based in Australia and only allows members from Aus/NZ, they are also by far the most profitable part of the Virgin Australia business so no chance of them pulling out of Australia.

    • kerfuffle on 19/01/2020 - 19:13
      +2

      But like the OP said, a lot of businesses have pulled out of offering points, such as SkyBus, Wilson Parking, BP and Mecca through the eStore

  • DingoBilly on 19/01/2020 - 20:38
    +1

    Would echo others here -> Check where you want to go and start from there.

    Then in general, Velocity is a lot better in terms of your points will generally cover the entire flight, whereas with QFF - you'll be paying a crapload for taxes on top of redeeming the points.

    I personally find it better to sell my QFF points and use my VFF for my travels.

  • Davo1111 on 19/01/2020 - 20:40

    Curently earning quite a few FF points. I dont think it's very valuable at all to be honest. The only exception to this is if you travel internationally for business (i.e. someone else is paying)

    As an example. Perth to Kalgoorlie costs me $400, i get 800 points, and 10 status credits. (red-e-deal).

    to get silver (entitles me to 1 lounge access), i need to get to 300 status points. Or $12,000 in fares in a single year

    to get to gold (unlimited lounge access for a year) i need to spend another $8,000 in flights. or $20,000 total - that's a lot of money for a few orange juices and pancakes

    Looking at points, i'd earn around 24,000 points, this would give me around $120-130 in the qantas store (RRP). A quick google of the $130 RRP crockpot has a deal on ozbargain for $80.

    If I was to take a similar flight (with Virgin) it would be about 25-40% cheaper. ($230-$300 on tue). So spending the extra $150 on fares gets me an onboard meal, and $4.30 towards my RRP crockpot.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2020 - 21:35
      -1

      The free return flights from Amex is an incentive to go places.

    • w37hsyea on 05/02/2020 - 11:01

      Totally agree Davo.

      Status points are not worth the bother. I build up points and upgrade tickets one-way as soon as I can.

  • netjock on 19/01/2020 - 21:28

    Given the crappy state of Virgin I would go QFF.

  • conan2000 on 19/01/2020 - 23:05
    +1

    I have both, but now only bother with Virgin for the most part. With Virgin and their partners you always earn points. With Qantas and their partners sometimes if you book the very discount fares you will get no points (I got no QFF for flying retunr to the UK with Malaysia Airlines as my fare class was not eligible). In the same year I flew for work to the UK via Abu Dhabi, and it was apparently ticketed as a Melbourne to London flight, so only got points for one leg of the flight each way (I calculated this as about $200 worht of Coles/Myer vouchers if I converted it - even more lost if it was used for flights/upgrades etc). So after Qantas shafted me twice in one year I stopped flying with them and their partners unless I have to.

    I don't use the eStores/partners much at all for earning points, as generally very small value there, so I disregard that as part of my decision making process.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2020 - 19:13

      I had the same sort of experience with a return flight from Europe.

      Claimed for missing points and was rejected. We flew to and fro, the 4 of us. Nil points. Was very dissapointed with the experience.

      • conan2000 on 22/01/2020 - 13:22

        Yeah, put me off them completely. Zero points is crazy, I can understand reduced ones for the very discount fares, but that was just silly. I have had to fly with them and their partners a couple of times since, but I'll stick with Virgin. It's also good because of the family pooling, means I can easily maintain gold status every year, nd get even more points because of that.

  • SydneySwan on 20/01/2020 - 07:27
    +4

    I favour VFF because you can transfer points to SQ who have an enormous range of destinations, generally good award availability and carrier surcharges much less than QFF and VFF.

  • blutek on 25/01/2020 - 14:53

    I prefer QFF solely because of the OneWorld Classic Award and the ease or churning cards for bonus points to get it (but takes planning & flexibility).
    The ultimate use of Qantas points: https://thehighlife.com.au/ultimate-use-qantas-points-busine…

  • Froot Loops on 25/01/2020 - 20:28

    I tend to favor VFF as I find I use the airlines much more as their economy products are generally alot cheaper than QANTAS. I think the partnership with Virgin Atlantic, Delta and Etihad, also suits me as the are also not too expensive to fly.

  • blueyez on 29/01/2020 - 08:52

    If you apply for cards with Westpac - for example Altitude - you can switch between both =)

  • JET101101 on 04/02/2020 - 08:26

    I am in the process of moving from VFF to QFF. VFF don’t own their lounges and this was something I wanted as I have got stuck on occasion where the V network just wasn’t as well organised as the Q one world or Q lounge

    Also financially VFF platinum is easier to attain so the VFF numbers always look more attractive. The reality is QFF gold is probably comparable in rewards to VFF platinum in my opinion

    I do a fair amount of US and a bit of Europe and Asia btw

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join