quick points - any suggestions?

[eagle]

Maybe I am asking the impossible, but then again maybe someone can help:

I need 700 points quickly, to make up the full number of points needed for a Bris - Sydney return flight (20000 points with Qantas).

If anyone can suggest ways to generate points -- that have a quick turnaround time, I would be grateful. My partner and I have an Altitude card but alas it is in her name :-(

I note Qantas has a Qantas frequent flowers offer that expires today -- but I don't have an immediate use for flowers although no doubt they can always brighten up someone's day

Any suggestions most appreciated.

 

[thadocta]

The general consensus seems to be that points are worth about 2¢ each when redeeming them for an award. On this basis, 20K points for a SYD-BNE return prices the flights at $400, plus you will have to pay about $33 in taxes. $433 for a SYD-BNE RT is pretty expensive, when you can get a red e-deal for around $180 (including taxes).

The saying is "earn em short, burn em long" (meaning earn the points on short haul, spend them on long haul).

My advice? Pay for the flights and save the points.

Dave

 

[eagle]

Thanks for your advice Doc. I have followed it.

 

[thadocta]

Just further to the 2¢/point ratio, as I said, an award flight of up to 1000 miles will set you back 20K points, and at that rate will be worth $400 (plus taxes) which is way too much.

An economy award from SYD to LHR is 110K points, or $2200 plus taxes, which is about right, depending on season.

A business class award from SYD to LHR is 220K points, or $4400 plus taxes. This is somewhat cheaper than you would pay if you were forking out cash.

A first class award from SYD to LHR is 275K points, or $5500 plus taxes. This is SIGNIFIGANTLY cheaper than you would pay if you were forking out cash.

Dave

 

[icemann]

I have to add my 2c too (no pun intended).

Source :-

http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/usingPoints/hotelAndCar

and the respective hotel webpages.

A hotel stay of 45K points at the Hyatt = $200 (ADL) = 0.4c/point
A hotel stay of 35K points at the Marriot = $210 (BNE) = 0.6c/point
A hotel stay of 35K points at the Radisson = $225 (ADL) = 0.64c/point

Now, I had one mate, who used a lot of his points to get free rooms at the Marriot in BNE. I thought 'Why ?!', with the same kind of logic as why people put ladders inside birdcages (think - the bird has wings. It can fly...).



This was just such a chronic waste of points, because if he had sat down and done the maths, he could have realised that it's better to pay for the hotel and use the points he would earn there on upgrades and award flights.

 

[icemann]

BTW, Dave, just to add my question :-

In terms of points ratios, do you think it's better to get the award flight (which, from my understanding, is a return), or, to get a ticket paid in a lower class, then upgrade through to business / first ?

I'll work on it at this end too.

 

[thadocta]

At the moment, it is better to upgrade. SYD-LHR at 50K points each way works out to about $1000 each way, so if you can get a ticket for about $1800, the business seats work out to around $3800 for the RT, not bad value really.

With the increasing upgrade costs, it becomes far less cost-effective to upgrade. 90K points to upgrade each way prices the upgrade at $1800 each way, giving the RT at around $5400. When you look at the cost of a reward flight at 220K, or $5500, it becomes a no-brainer really. I would go for the reward flight and keep the cost of the ticket I *would* have bought for additional spending money.

Makes you wonder why they are doing it this way, they will only be depriving themselves of revenue from those of us who would have upgraded paid tickets but will now be flying on rewards.

Dave

 

[arun]

One way to get additional points -
If you are travelling overseas, get some foreign currency from the moneychanges that give QF points.

I am not sure how their charges (and exchange rates) compare with ATM charges overseas.