Almost 1,700,000 Qantas Points - What Should I Do?

justinvu on 12/09/2021 - 18:17
Last edited 12/09/2021 - 18:18

G'day Ozbargainers,

First of all, I'd like to thank you for your contributions which helped me so much in accumulating those points in the last 4 years, including an unforgettable round-the-world trip on first class with my fiance'-now-turning wife. In 2019, that trip took me through 15 countries and 27 cities via around 12 reward flights and several non-reward flights. I personally think the trip was invaluable, particularly considering the state we are all in now (with lockdowns, travel restrictions and everything else)

I've recently come across an article on pointhacks (an equally-important source of information with Ozbargain), link here https://www.pointhacks.com.au/international-reward-seat-avai… and I'm worried that Qantas may de-value their points, make it harder to book a business-class reward flight (like they have recently done) or even go bankrupt (like Virgin, although it's probably less likely to happen), whilst I'm unable to book any trip due to Covid and my wife being 5-month pregnant.

I am now feeling undecisive what what I should do with my points, and thus I've created this poll to see what's your opinion. I do look forward to receiving your note and your comments.

Thank you so much in advance.

Poll Options

  • 3
    Selling points on Gumtree to whoever in need
  • 7
    Booking shorter trips in 2022 and make use of the points while I can.
  • 1
    Agreeing to loan points to friends to allow them to book RTW trips.
  • 65
    Keeping accumulating points
  • 8
    Buying booze or other goodies on Qantas store
  • 1
    Other:
Travel Frequent Flyer Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward Points

Comments

  • Baysew on 12/09/2021 - 18:25
    -1

    Donate them.

    • justinvu on 12/09/2021 - 18:30

      that's one option to consider - thx mate :)

  • capslock on 12/09/2021 - 18:32

    What is the secret to earning 2,500,000+ points in 4 years?

    • justinvu on 12/09/2021 - 18:36
      +3

      Credit card with bonus points, maintain good credit rating to apply for more credit cards, and don't be late with payments :D

  • popsiee on 12/09/2021 - 18:35
    -4

    I hope you enjoyed the depreciation rate of them m8 hehe :)

    • justinvu on 12/09/2021 - 18:37
      +3

      very much the opposite - but lucky my trip in 2019 was completed just right before the depreciation :D

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 12/09/2021 - 18:39
    +7

    Kick your feet up onto the desk, set chair to recline and sip from your Hennessy and know that you made it, kid.

  • Orico on 12/09/2021 - 19:05
    +3

    Don't do anything. Use them in 2023 when things go back to normal.

    Don't have a kid next year because they just fk up holiday plans.

    • justinvu on 12/09/2021 - 19:20

      It's too little too late now :(. Wife is already 5m pregnant. I think at least I will have to wait until 2024 for any big travel plan.

      • Orico on 12/09/2021 - 19:22
        +3

        Stuff paying for a seat on the plane for the toddler. Go before the kid turns 23 months and the baby rides free ;D

        • MrThing on 12/09/2021 - 22:14

          not with singapore airlines they charge 10% of the seat value for less than 24months

          • Orico on 12/09/2021 - 22:35

            @MrThing: Good thing he has Qantas Frequent Flyer miles.

  • mickyb80 on 12/09/2021 - 19:32
    +1

    Either donate or use.
    But either way, keep accumulating more… Why would you not?

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 12/09/2021 - 20:28
    +1

    If you have been in the points game long enough, programs often devalue under the guise of 'member enhancements'. I have experienced it from many frequent flyer programs including Qantas, and have been through a few devaluations with hotel programs too.

    If Qantas devalued by way of their points system (let's say its going to cost 10% in extra points for a First Class trip to Europe, that's around 50,000 points which is nothing in the scheme of the number of points you have).

    My concern would be if Qantas introduced tiered access to First or Business Class seats, that is the higher Qantas member you are you get access to higher categories of seats. So if you have a few million points but are a Qantas Nothing Bronze member but you can only redeem economy or premium economy seats, then I'd donate all my points as I am not flying economy. This is unlikely.

    In your case, would you travel in the near future as we come out of Covid? And are you willing to travel with an infant in tow? The days of flying around the world on 15 flights is unlikely to happen with a child in tow - not saying it doesn't happen as I know someone who did, but most would be reluctant to do so.

    • justinvu on 12/09/2021 - 23:00

      very constructive feedback - thank you very much.

      Yes I'm not too concerned about devaluation of points, but I'm more worried about bankruptcy despite Qantas being our national airline. Coming out of Covid, we have seen some airlines gone bankrupt (Virgin Australia, Thai, LATHAM and most recently Philippines).

      And yes, your point is so valid too - hopefully that day would never come.

      I've been fake planning so many trips (yes, with infant) for the next year, although in reality, I would probably not travel until at least 2023 when things are more settled and less risk of transmission. This time, I only plan to travel up to 5 countries and direct flights are must-have.

      • TheMindsetTraveller on 13/09/2021 - 01:48
        +1

        I would not be worried about Qantas going bankrupt in the near future.

        They have raised significant funds in the past 12 months, and if you read their current financial details here you can see some key points.

        Key takeaways for me: $3.8billion cash, 95% domestic flying cash positive, strong cash generation, growth in member loyalty, $267m free cash flow 2H21 and Record performance by Qantas Freight mostly offsetting cost of idling international operations.

        Those airlines you mention, Virgin Australia, Thai, LATAM and PAL all had significant financial issues long before Covid came along. I remember Thai Airways being bailed out by the Thai Government every few months years ago, concerned that my First Class flight home may not be inexistent as I arrived at the Royal First Class check-in ;) Glad to have flown them about 20 times in First Class (all thanks to points).

        • Lastchancetosee on 13/09/2021 - 07:28

          Not to mention bailouts from the Federal Government in Australia.

          Then sacking thousands of employees.

          Qantas won't be collapsing any time soon.

        • capslock on 13/09/2021 - 07:58

          Key takeaways for me: $3.8billion cash

          Won't last very long the way it's going. $2.3 billion loss this year on top of a $2.7 billion loss last year. With NSW and VIC locked down indefinitely, the massive losses are continuing.

          • TheMindsetTraveller on 13/09/2021 - 11:09

            @capslock: That is just accounting.

            If travel stopped tomorrow, Qantas will just slash all non-fixed expenses and will be OK. I read somewhere they have liquidity in that situation to cover around 4-5 years. There is the 2020 Annual Report which is the best source of financial information if you want to be exact.

            Anyway, borders both local and international will be open before Christmas once 80% vaccinated.

        • justinvu on 13/09/2021 - 10:06

          I see '20 times in first class' and i'm drooling :D

          • TheMindsetTraveller on 13/09/2021 - 10:55
            +1

            @justinvu: That's just on Thai Airways ;) Etihad's Apartment Class is where the fun is, but too bad their A380s are being phased out.

            • justinvu on 13/09/2021 - 17:26

              @TheMindsetTraveller: I'd love to make friend with you on Facebook - I'd like to be inspired by your story. I'd imagine you must have accumulated like 10m points or something…Your discipline and consistency is definitely admirable :)

  • sudeep on 12/09/2021 - 20:45

    Well 1.7 million points is nice to have and keep accumulating for next anniversary vacation.

    But if you want, you could buy around 12 Digital prepaid mastercard gift card worth $500 at Qantas store.

    May be use 1-2 gift cards to donate at foodbank instead of charity.

    Obviously gift cards burns up more points per dollar than flights.

    Good luck on this one m8

    • Bren20 on 12/09/2021 - 22:58
      +2

      Probably best to donate out of pocket for tax purposes.

      • justinvu on 12/09/2021 - 23:01

        That is right :D ]

  • MrThing on 12/09/2021 - 22:10

    "I've recently come across an article on pointhacks (an equally-important source of information with Ozbargain), link here https://www.pointhacks.com.au/international-reward-seat-avai… and I'm worried that Qantas may de-value their points, make it harder to book a business-class reward flight (like they have recently done) or even go bankrupt (like Virgin, although it's probably less likely to happen), whilst I'm unable to book any trip due to Covid and my wife being 5-month pregnant."

    pointhacks article is pure speculation and I would be trying to use my qantas points with other oneworld partners anyway, the qantas international product is CRAP!. cathay, qatar and emirates are miles ahead in both hard product and lounges around the world.

    and there is no way they will go bankrupt - they are the primary national carrier firstly so investors would bail them out and secondly they saved well and went into covid in a very strong financial position.

    continue to HODL like the rest of us and splurge once the initial travel rush is over. dont waste them on anything else but FF redemptions or upgrades. claiming on the qantas shop is a waste of money as all the ET or pointhacks articles say

    and as people have already said, new kid, you have until 2yo until your paying for a full fare anyway, so looks like you need a good baby sitter for your next first class holiday

    • justinvu on 12/09/2021 - 23:05

      I'd like to think the same, until I've seen some national airlines going bankrupt (Latham, Philippines and Thai)…I'll try to aim to travel when he's 1y6m - 2y.o to make use of the free travel :D

      • TheMindsetTraveller on 13/09/2021 - 01:57
        +1

        See my above comment, those airlines were struggling way before Covid came along - so as Mr Thing suggests, sometimes Points Hack uses a bit of scaremongering to drive traffic from time to time and is highly speculative. The Qantas financial release just two weeks ago gives you are a greater picture of how (well) Qantas are doing. BTW, Virgin was in trouble way before Covid as they declared insolvent 6 weeks into the border closures (in April 2020).

  • CurtisRaams on 13/09/2021 - 08:02
    +1

    Spend more time with your family

  • pandabear on 13/09/2021 - 09:48

    How many points did you use for your round the world trip? And then still 1.7mil points left over?

    • justinvu on 13/09/2021 - 10:06

      yep, I used 420k per person, so 840k points in total -> and yes 1.7m points left :)

      • pandabear on 13/09/2021 - 10:11
        +1

        wow that seems like a really good deal! in first class? I wonder if we will be able to use the equivalent points to book the same after covid. We have almost 1 mil points saved up and also wondering what do with them.

        • justinvu on 13/09/2021 - 10:28

          many points to consider here mate. Because if you plan to travel RTW, then first class is not always available, particularly on short trips (generally less than 5h flight). So even if you can get first class on long-haul flights, you may still have to fly some business or lower class flights on shorter trip. For example, you plan to go to London and then Paris. From Sydney / Melbourne you can fly first class to Singapore then London, but from London to Paris there's no first class.

          You can book 2 RTW first class trip with 1m points (currently it costs 455k per person + fees). If you plan to go right after covid, this is probably the best time to book as there are many available seats. Try to avoid Qantas, British airways and aim for flights with Cathay, Japan Airline, Qatar (because fees are much lower with the latter group)

          • w1nthrophy on 18/09/2021 - 00:21

            @justinvu: Did you book online or through Qantas on phone?

            .

            • justinvu on 19/09/2021 - 12:09

              @w1nthrophy: I booked through Qantas online initially but one of the segments could not be done online so I phoned and finalised the booking - no cost to do that given that you can't do it online.

          • foodag13 on 20/09/2021 - 12:25

            @justinvu: Hey mate, that is really interesting.
            Would you mind doing a quick breakdown of where you spent your 420k points pp (flight leg, business or economy) ? And when it was business did you buy the flight and use the points to upgrade, or did you buy the business flight outright with points?

            Thanks!!

            • justinvu on 20/09/2021 - 12:47
              +1

              @foodag13: Hi mate, see attached image for the details you're after https://ibb.co/rdQWfJ2. The 2 yellow highlighted are the 2 sectors I bought economy tickets separately. The green highlighted are 1st class and remainders are business class.
              I used $420k points + $$ to pay for fees and taxes. 2 persons with all flights come up at $2.3k I believe. 420k points are sufficient for a RTW trip per person.

              • foodag13 on 20/09/2021 - 13:46

                @justinvu: Thanks mate ! So all the non highlighted were business reward flights ?

              • foodag13 on 20/09/2021 - 15:00

                @justinvu: Nevermind my other question, I just discovered RTW is a function of its own haha. Wow, I definitely want to do this now

  • jv on 13/09/2021 - 10:17
    +1

    Almost 1,700,000 Qantas Points - What Should I Do?

    Count them…

  • jv on 13/09/2021 - 10:20
    -1

    whilst I'm unable to book any trip due to Covid and my wife being 5-month pregnant.

    I can understand about Covid, but where in the T&C's does it say you can't book a flight because your wife is pregnant?
    What does that have to do with it?

    • justinvu on 13/09/2021 - 10:23
      +2

      haha funny jv :) if it was a serious question, then I personally think solo traveling is fun when you are young, wild and free. But as you get older, I think traveling is about having fun with a companion, whether it's your best mate or your wife. I don't see any point dining alone in a 3-star Michelin restaurant (just my 2c :D).

  • OzHunterNSW on 13/09/2021 - 12:17
    +1

    I would not be travelling for at least another two years… where would you go… wearing a mask 24/7, pointed at, jeered, sniggered, pestered for money every step you take. Where would you go?

    Convert into a computer tablet or phone

    • justinvu on 13/09/2021 - 17:27
      +1

      Valid point - but I think I'll just keep accumulating for a better conversion (i.e. Reward Flight) after 2 years.

      • dandandan on 20/09/2021 - 16:18
        +1

        I am glad you used the oneworld award. Even if points are devalued, I think you use the points for flights, plus the taxes over paying for flights themselves. You will have a period of only having to basically pay taxes for the infant, so the 1.7m points will stretch further only having to pay for 2 seats, 23 months after the infant is born and easier to manage space wise when in Business or First.

  • foodag13 on 20/09/2021 - 15:57

    Hey Justin,
    I read that for a RTW trip you can't do more than 5 stopovers longer than 24h in a city. However on the picture you shared you did more I think. Was it a different limit in 2019 ?

    • foodag13 on 20/09/2021 - 16:12
      +1

      Oh ok it's the "surface" option

    • justinvu on 20/09/2021 - 16:17

      Bare in mind that this is a pretty extreme booking - most RTW tickets have less than 10 flights. I tried to take advantage of as many flights and miles as possible.

      • foodag13 on 20/09/2021 - 16:19

        Yeah I think similarly, would try to maximize this method haha

      • foodag13 on 20/09/2021 - 16:24

        Last question mate ;)
        Did you do the Oneworld Explorer or the Global Explorer ?

  • Cheapshots on 26/09/2021 - 12:54
    -1

    You could donate them to me :D I need 2 adults and 2 kids to Heathrow London in March next year haha.
    I”m looking at signing up to a CC to get some FF points but I’m wondering how the value is.

    Return flights are around $6200 all up. St George card has around 90k bonus (still yet to look at others). Do you know how much those points would save me? I can’t figure it out on the website.

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