Flying to Bali with Velocity Points

LBorgasm on 23/09/2023 - 16:08

Hi all,

I'm wanting to book flights from Melbourne to Bali for mid next year with my family (2 adults, 2 kids).

I have already found reward seats for the dates we like DEP - 22,300 points + $145.76 OR 46,700 points

RET - 22,300 points + $80.20 OR 35,800 points.

Now I've never booked international reward tickets so just reaching out to see if I'm missing anything or if this is a good deal. I am aware that occasionally Virgin has offers that make your points go further, but I couldn't find any information in this. Is it worth waiting for any particular sale or should I pull the trigger now? Looks like the best way to go is the lower amount of points and pay the taxes in cash.

Also any other Bali tips, accomodation or otherwise would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

Travel Airfare Asia Bali Indonesia

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Comments

  • Aussiebargainer on 23/09/2023 - 16:23
    +9

    Best to grab them as soon as you can. These tickets likely won't be available much longer. Reward seats are very limited especially as you are after 4 tickets and you will kick yourself if you miss out. Best value is to use the initial points and pay the taxes in cash.

    • freefall101 on 23/09/2023 - 16:41
      +2

      This, I spent months trying to find reward flights for 2 people earlier this year (and was very flexible with dates) on a flight to Canada and got nothing.

      Considering Melbourne-Bali return at $600 is a good price, 1.5c per point makes this a perfect way to use the points.

      • Aussiebargainer on 23/09/2023 - 16:46
        +1

        I can relate, I spent 3 days trying to get Business class flights around Indonesia/Taiwan/Korea and Japan for Dec / Jan for 2 adults. I was lucky to find some on JAL and China Airlines. You just need to grab them when you find something available.

    • Borgasm on 23/09/2023 - 17:30

      Cheers, I'll definitely buy them tonight!!

  • Shadowsfury on 23/09/2023 - 17:02
    +2

    Dont use your points for the taxes part but other than that it looks OK to me (it will be poor value to sue your points for the taxes)

    • Borgasm on 23/09/2023 - 17:31

      Yep I worked that much out, thank you!

    • soan papdi on 23/09/2023 - 21:09
      +1

      it will be poor value to sue your points for the taxes

      It depends on how the points are earned. Paying taxes with points earned via CC spend is a bad idea.

      However, if you have points from churning cards, $600 in CC annual fees will generate at least 300,000 points (virgin flyer, NAB Platinum, Citi Rewards, Westpac Altitude, various Amex options, etc). So it could make sense to pay taxes with points too. Do the maths for your situation.

      EDIT: I typed $600 thinking of my situation. The same argument applies for lower taxes too but definitely worth a think.

      EDIT 2: Excess points required is 37,900, vs excess $$ required which is $226. For $226, you can sign up for NAB Rewards Platinum ($95 for 60K points), Virgin Flyer ($65 for 60K points) and have cash left over.

      • Borgasm on 23/09/2023 - 22:56

        Thanks, took what you said into consideration, however I ended up paying the taxes with cash

      • Autonomic on 25/09/2023 - 14:38

        It only makes sense if you don't plan on redeeming those on flights in the future

  • Drakesy on 23/09/2023 - 17:02
    +1

    Thats a decent deal, unlike in WA where there's next to zero international flights to SE Asia by either Qantas or Virgin…

    If you can snag a business seat then that's where you can really get your money's worth.

    • Borgasm on 23/09/2023 - 17:33
      +1

      There actually is a business reward on the same flight, my Mrs has even offered to sit with the kids and I can take it. I don't even think it's a trap.. think I might take her up on it?!

      • cheesecactus on 23/09/2023 - 20:24
        +1

        It's virgin business (which isnt particularly amazing) so maybe save the points?
        Totally up to you :)

        • Borgasm on 23/09/2023 - 22:55

          Thanks there actually wasn't a business reward seats anyway so made my decision easier!

  • kt on 23/09/2023 - 18:04
    +2

    Trust me.. as a wife, a trap.. lol

    • Borgasm on 23/09/2023 - 22:54
      +1

      Well actually I made a mistake and there was no business reward seats on that flight, but I won't tell her that 😉 I decided out of the goodness of my heart that I'd rather sit with my beautiful family. I could never leave them for business class…

  • Downvoter on 23/09/2023 - 20:41

    Thanks for the heads up, I snapped those tickets up.

    • Borgasm on 23/09/2023 - 22:51
      +2

      Nice bro I'm glad we both got the tickets we wanted

  • Schumi5 on 24/09/2023 - 17:27
    +1

    If there is economy X in aisle 3 see if you can grab those, with the extra cost depending on what that is for international.
    Domestic they are $40-$50 depending on the route you are on. I find it's definitely worth it for
    melb > bris flights which I do a few times a year.

    • Borgasm on 25/09/2023 - 09:30

      Extra cost was $106 each way FYI, way too much flying with the family. Cheers though!

  • CantonasKungFuKick on 25/09/2023 - 18:08

    I presume this was each? RET - 22,300 points + $80.20 OR 35,800 points.

    Can you share the dates?

    • Borgasm on 25/09/2023 - 18:47

      Yes 22,300 each way, dates are July 15 - July 25th. Looks like there are only 4 reward seats per flight

  • Will146 on 25/09/2023 - 21:31
    +1

    Yeah, this is the best deal you will get with Velocity points. You could look at using points for adults & pay cash for the kids on Lite tickets as usually a little cheaper. We did this as thought it was the best use of points. Wouldn't bother with Business on this route with Virgin as it is awful. If you want to fly to Bali in business then look at Singapore airlines….longer flight but lots of availability & can use Velocity points to book.

    • Borgasm on 27/09/2023 - 17:54

      Great point, cheers :)

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