Credit Card Decision Help - Velocity or Qantas

LNkl on 29/05/2024 - 09:36

Hi all,

Apologies for a question that probably gets asked a lot, I've gone through a number of forum posts and done a fair bit of research but I feel like I'm stuck with making the decision.

I'm about to close the ANZ Rewards black card and have about 250,000 ANZ rewards point so need to decide what to do with them. ($1000+ gift card or convert to airline points).

My main goal is using points for flights to Europe every 2-3 years, mostly Etihad/Qatar flights due to final destination, but might be flexible, I have heard that Velocity points can be used for those airlines. ANZ rewards points would give me 125,000 velocity points with current Citi card offering another 110,000 points and I'm assuming other cards will have bonuses in the future. It looks like return flights to Europe are 200k-250k points per person on average, but I've never booked using points so not sure how easy those flights are to find when the time comes. On average we pay $2-2.5K return flights each time.

Should I focus on other points like Qantas as I do fly to Asia about once a year or so (mostly to KL and neighbouring countries on the cheapest airline) and I am planning to visit US in the next couple of years and I've heard Qantas points are more popular. Not too worried about any upgrades (but would be nice), mostly just wanting to book flights with points. I did hear about Amex points to Etihad points too.

Income wise and monthly spend I think we are ok, currently spend about $5-6K a month on the ANZ card, so I'm happy to finally start churning but not sure what I should focus on more.

Sorry I know this question is always very subjective but I dont want to spend months accummulating some points that all go to waste.

Thank you!

Financial Credit Card

Comments

  • askbargain on 29/05/2024 - 09:37
    +3

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/843594

    don't forget this

    • Nkl on 29/05/2024 - 10:38
      +1

      I didn't even see this, thank you!

  • Autonomic on 29/05/2024 - 10:24
    +6

    Based on what you're saying, Velocity is the way to go.

    mostly Etihad/Qatar

    Not available with Qantas points - only velocity. One-way flights to Europe are 75,000 Velocity points (or 139,000 in business).

    I do fly to Asia about once a year or so

    You can redeem Velocity points on Singapore Airlines flights.

    I am planning to visit US in the next couple of years

    Reward seat availability to the US is much higher with Velocity points through their partner United Airlines.

    • Nkl on 29/05/2024 - 10:42

      Thanks for the helpful breakdown, I was leaning towards Velocity, just have to keep an eye on the deals to get bonus points every time.

    • tomclancy on 29/05/2024 - 12:59

      Serious question, if Velocity is better or same for Europe, Asia & USA then when would you recommend QFF over Velocity?

      I'm asking because I've been long-time QFF churner but have recently started wondering if might be better to switch to Velocity going forward

      • Nkl on 29/05/2024 - 13:39

        I don't have the answer but I've seen QFF being mentioned more online and my friends using it instead of Velocity. But it sounds like Velocity is a better option for me so I'll give that a go for now.

        • tomclancy on 29/05/2024 - 15:03
          +1

          Well see, that's the thing. When a majority or users/churners are focussing on QFF then it should reason that there would be reduced reward seat availability compared to Velocity (all other things being equal)

      • Autonomic on 29/05/2024 - 16:49
        +2

        Talking purely from a business class redemption point of view: Qantas has routes to Europe but they are rarer redeem in my experience (BA/CX mostly, maybe JL). Emirates are also an option but since the taxes are exorbitant I don't consider them. Where Qantas shines IMO is the RTW classic award bookings, reward seats to Japan as well as reward seats between EU and USA or Asia and EU thanks to Finnair. They also have access to much more redemption partners overall compared to Velocity.

        Personally I collect both.

  • Drakesy on 29/05/2024 - 14:00

    both

    • tomclancy on 29/05/2024 - 15:07

      I have to disagree. If I focus entirely on QFF then each year I can attain Points Club Plus through churning. If I were to spread my churning over two or more reward programs then I would not attain any useful status on either system.

      • Drakesy on 29/05/2024 - 15:08
        +1

        I used to be like that but when you get into 8+ cards a year you'll quickly exhaust all options under one scheme.

        Velocity i find is also great value and has better international availability.
        Qantas are kents.

        • tomclancy on 29/05/2024 - 15:11
          +1

          8+ cards per year. Impressive. I'm hitting 4-5 max in a good year. Doing my best to get 350,000 QFF to hit Points Club Plus then take foot off accelerator.

          If Velocity had something similar to Points Club Plus (i.e. unlimited lounge visits for family of four) then I'd be there in a heartbeat

  • sumyungguy on 29/05/2024 - 14:48
    +1

    Qatar is a oneworld airline; Qantas oneworld Classic Flight Reward (5 stopovers, 16 sectors) 132,400 + taxes in economy.

    • Autonomic on 29/05/2024 - 16:51

      Good luck getting a Qatar reward seat through Qantas. They only release them one month in advance (or maybe even less now?)

      • sumyungguy on 29/05/2024 - 16:53

        I've done one before, PER/DOH but wouldn't be surprised if things are different now,

  • nubix on 29/05/2024 - 19:38
    +3

    Qantas and Velocity points don't expire as long as you have activity so they're not really going to waste, there's no need for loyalty. Keeping a healthy balance with both gives you the flexibility when it comes to booking.

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