QFF or VFF Credit Card for Travelling to Japan Annually (from SYD)

Lkanade on 15/06/2024 - 22:39

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a new credit card to apply for as my current Bankwest zero plat has just dropped its travel insurance from the benefit.
I would like to close the above card for something else which gives flight points for every dollar spent.

FYI, I travel at least once per year to Tokyo from Sydney and I've been only using ANA as carrier. I usually book economy or premium economy seats.

For someone who only travels once per year, I was wondering if it is worthwhile getting a credit card that awards with QFF or VFF points to spend, for subsiding the flight costs for future travels.

Just to clarify, I've never used or registered with any frequent flyers programs for my past flights. The only program that I used for traveling was ANA Mileage Club. Unfortunately, ANA or any other banks in Australia doesn't seem to offer ANA affiliated credit cards. Although I could see that ANA has partnered with Virgin, it seems like I cannot transfer miles from ANA Mileage Club to VFF.

Thanks and much appreciate your assistance.

Financial Asia Credit Card Frequent Flyer Japan Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward Points Velocity Frequent Flyer

Comments

  • rasfolt on 16/06/2024 - 06:21

    Grab QFF and book Jetstar flights with Qantas points when there is a good offer

    • morse on 16/06/2024 - 07:49

      Most Jetstar flights to Japan go via Cairns, ie have a stop. This adds 4-5 hrs to flight time. I wouldn’t fly with them unless absolute cheapest is what you want.

    • kanade on 16/06/2024 - 18:55
      +1

      Not really fond of Jetstar and I also don't like booking for flights that has stops.

  • morse on 16/06/2024 - 07:54

    Could consider QFF and try to get classic reward seats. Problem is you’ll almost never get these for the popular times of year. However outside of the peak periods classic rewards seats are easy to get. Also upgrades from economy to business or even business classic rewards seats are relatively easy to get using points.

    If you prefer to keep flying ANA then do Velocity rewards as both virgin and ANA are star alliance. I’m not sure what the conversion of points is like but you might be able to get reward seats or upgrades.

    • kanade on 16/06/2024 - 19:07

      I had a quick look at the future dates of when I will most likely fly and it appears that they are available. Though It appears that they won't let me book for premium economy and only Qantas is available for carrier.

      I have never flown with Qantas so I am unsure if they are better or on-par with ANA in terms of seats, services, lounge access etc. I assume that most people book in for Economy seats and use the points to upgrade for business or something?

      Had a quick look at https://www.pointhacks.com.au/velocity/book-ana-flights-usin… and it appears that you cannot use Velocity points to book return tickets and upgrade from economy to business for ANA? Sounds a bit restricting compared to QFF.

      • morse on 16/06/2024 - 19:17

        I think it’s just economy and business on the Qantas Aus to Japan flights, which actually made it easier upgrade to business as there is more seats. I think about 80% of our business class were upgrades that we were also. I can’t compare to ANA though as I’ve never flown it, you might need a lot of points though for classic rewards and upgrade. We’d stacked a lot and then couldn’t use them during covid years.

        Business class was very nice. Economy was fine, but we got an extra seat which made it more comfortable.

      • morse on 17/06/2024 - 19:04

        Yeah they only have economy and business on Qantas to Japan I think . I think the big win here would be classic rewards business class flights if you can get them. It’s quite nice upfront.

    • AusNugz on 17/06/2024 - 18:56
      +1

      Virgin is not a member of Star Alliance they just have agreements with certain carriers.

      • morse on 17/06/2024 - 19:01

        Ah, thanks, I didn’t know that.

  • poor_me on 16/06/2024 - 10:30

    ANA is usually cheaper than Qantas anyways. You'll get more bang for buck and flexibility with Velocity points

    • kanade on 16/06/2024 - 19:12

      Yeah hence why I've always booked with ANA directly. Even their premium economy is cheaper compared to JALs.

  • Autonomic on 16/06/2024 - 10:41

    Qantas pros:

    Better business class (imo)
    More routes if you're willing to fly indirect e.g BNE-NRT and MEL-NRT
    You can find rewards seats further out than 2 months

    Virgin pros
    Book ANA SYD-HND
    Lower taxes
    Much easier to get points from credit cards

    • kanade on 16/06/2024 - 19:20

      For me, I guess it comes down to either:
      - Get QFF and earn points until I can book business or use points to upgrade from economy with Qantas
      Or
      - Get VFF and book either economy or business one-way only with ANA

      One thing I noticed with QFF is that I cannot seem to find reward seats for JAL.

  • Pikaloo on 16/06/2024 - 11:15
    +1

    If you don't churn get AMEX first if there's a good deal, otherwise it's an impossibility.

    • kanade on 16/06/2024 - 19:13

      That's my intention at this stage. I just need to figure it out whether to get direct points from Qantas/Velocity or membership points.

  • salmonroe on 17/06/2024 - 12:53

    I am looking to sign up to a new QFF credit card but hold an existing QFF credit card with a different bank. I probably wouldn't be approved for the new card while I hold my old card. What is the best way to sign up and transition over to the new card?

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