QFF Points and Taxes Uncompetitive Vs LCC

Ljrvb42 on 08/10/2022 - 12:09

I find it impossible to get value for QFF points.
Consider long haul AU to LHR, which should be good value.
Even the taxes are almost $500.
I can fly Scoot AU to Europe for less than the taxes often.
I often see the claimed value of QFF points derived from what Qantas would charge, but really shouldn't the comparison be with the cheapest alternative?

How can I get good value for QFF points? Gift cards seem the actual best value. I regard upgrades as a waste of money. The cost of upgrades is nowhere near their value (to me). Yes, YMMV. Flights are a utility for me, not a luxury item. What's the best choice? Cash out for gift cards?

Travel Frequent Flyer Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward Points

Comments

  • capslock on 08/10/2022 - 12:12
    +6

    The most common answer you will get is business class flights. It won't satisfy your "cheapest alternative" criteria but most people will compare the points cost to the retail price of the business class flight and think they are getting excellent value.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 08/10/2022 - 13:34
    +1

    business or first class sectors, or better still business or first class oneworld classic award

    in either case, you plan your holidays and where you visit on what flights you can book. if you need to be in x place at a y time, then these aren't for you as the best value, requires the best flexibility on your part.

  • cameldownunder on 08/10/2022 - 14:06

    I just bought myself some Bose QC45 for 60K points. It's not directly an upgrade but The headphones + extra leg room ( Paid for on Singapore ) + quality Eye Cover is as good if not better than Premium economy without Bose. And on top of that I have the Bose QC45 on all 4 legs.

  • bsm2122 on 08/10/2022 - 14:13

    Qantas points won't compete against LCC when booking in advance. I find the points very useful still (especially this year with their free cancellation policy).
    They have saved me sometimes when booking last minute one way flights. For example I needed last minute flight from LAX to SYD last month. All flights were over $1400 for the next month. I managed to get an American Airlines flight for 42,000 points and $120 in fees which is very good value in my opinion.

  • holdenmg on 08/10/2022 - 14:20

    Saw this that opens up Brisbane - Nareda
    or Gold Coast - Tokyo
    https://www.executivetraveller.com/qantas-points-plane-tokyo…

  • zoombie on 08/10/2022 - 14:24
    +3

    Why should it be compares to the cheapest alternatives?

    Imagine if you're selling a voucher for a free night at the Hilton hotel for $200 and I msg you saying it really only be worth $20 because I can stay at a backpackers hostel for $20. I'm sure you won't be happy with this comparison.

    • jrvb42 on 09/10/2022 - 08:27

      Actually, that is exactly the comparison I would be happy with. It's exactly my point, though I acknowledge it's not the way everyone thinks.

  • DrRalph on 08/10/2022 - 14:25
    +2

    "I find it impossible to get value for QFF points."

    Try harder.

  • SmiTTy on 08/10/2022 - 14:49
    +2

    You raise valid points and everyone values points differently

    If you personally don't see value in how much you pay for a Qantas flight (be it business/first or otherwise) you can always claim gift cards, sell them on the forum or just not collect them. If it cost nothing for you to collect them, that's okay… You can consider it a "cashback" when you sell or redeem them for something else. But obviously not worth paying a fee to collect them if you're not getting value

  • Thrawn on 08/10/2022 - 19:03

    LHR is one of the worst example as UK have the highest taxes in the world

  • ozbargainsam on 09/10/2022 - 10:14

    Someone already pointed out, one of the best perks of Classic Reward seats is that they are flex fares. I have gotten full refunds for a flight that had closed boarding, and another an hour before.

    Qantas is one of the worst programs for availability so that's the worst thing about it: having points and not being able to use it while your points devalue over time. But it was definitely easier pre-Pandemic. I've flown Business on redemption flights return every at least once a year sometimes during peak travel windows.

    Economy is the worst value redemption: 2-3c/point.
    Business is about 5-6c.
    First is about 11/c or higher (all excluding taxes)

    Gift cards are about 0.6c.

    I'll never buy a First seat with money so points is the only way I'll get to experience it. Which is why I'll still try and earn them.

    • ozbargainsam on 09/10/2022 - 10:31

      I'll never understand how anyone can say they want to fly economy when they could fly premium or higher (with points).

      Economy flat out sucks for anything more than short haul as a 6" person. If I want to be miserable for what feels like more than the actual flight time, arrive tired and needing more rest, sure, if I'm desperate. It's not a luxury to fly more than economy, it should be a minimum.

      And this isn't even getting started on the budget Economy like Scoot, vs a full service airline like Qantas.

      • capslock on 09/10/2022 - 10:49
        +1

        Not everyone is rich. Not everyone has the disposable income to churn credit cards. Not everyone has the lifestyle to be able to lock in business class reward seats 12 months in advance.

        • ozbargainsam on 09/10/2022 - 12:00

          That's probably it, then. For economy redemption, QFF isn't very much better than gift cards after factoring in taxes. And if you're not earning enough points to fly Business, I daresay it's not worth earning QFF points at all, especially if you're not getting the sign up bonuses, doubly if you're paying >0% surcharge on purchases where it almost entirely negates getting a Classic redemption in Econ/Premium.

          So in a way, I am agreeing with OP.

          Yes, I know the 'economy sucks' comment is spoken from a somewhat privileged perspective, but it doesn't negate the fact it does, objectively, suck. I am merely pointing out that if you could book (and I'm only speaking from redemption PoV) >Economy, and you don't, it's not something I get.

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