I've built up around 450k qantas points which I'm aiming to redeem for 2 x business class classic reward return flights to Europe, if I ever find availability for the times I fly.
I'm wondering if I should change programs before I start saving up for the next reward flight.
What is the best program these days for classic reward availability to Europe? (on a decent business partner airline). Qantas seems to have quite low availability.
Amex? Virgin?
Or should I stick with qantas?
I'm generally only interested in redeeming for Europe classic rewards, bc I travel there yearly to visit family.
I generally only earn on personal spending, sign up bonuses, domestic flights, and occasional international flight.
Opinions regarding the "best program" are highly subjective -- it's like asking what the "best car" to drive is. Having said that, KrisFlyer is a pretty good all-rounder in my opinion.
It requires (slightly) fewer points to get to Europe in business than Qantas (116,000 points for a one-way business reward on Singapore Airlines), and additional taxes/charges are much lower than Qantas.
Generally good availability.
Easy to accrue points via Amex
If you don't have quite enough points, you can transfer from Velocity (though you'll lose about 35% of your points in the process).
It's part of Star Alliance and SA availability within Europe is quite good, and points required are quite reasonable (12500 KF points for an economy flight anywhere within Europe).
KrisFlyer is excellent in terms of reward availability, even more so when you book in advance.
In dollar terms, I paid about $110 in taxes and fees to fly from Brisbane to Europe in business class on Boxing Day last year, as KrisFlyer no longer levies 'carrier charges' when booking Singapore Airlines flights. A quick search showed that on the flights I took, there were at least 8 business class seats open for booking using KrisFlyer miles: I only needed two, but that's also something to keep in mind.
Depending on where you are based, and the level of membership you are with Qantas, I believe availability will be very different. I live in Adelaide and am a bronze member. I find difficulty in getting availability on Qantas metal in business class to Europe. But it appears that Cathay Pacific has availability though. Taxes are probably around $350. Krisflyer on the other hand, has business class availability not dependent on status. All on first-come first-serve basis, very good availability if one can plan one's holidays months in advance. Taxes are only $124, generally much lower than Qantas.
Should have mentioned I am QF silver, ex gold, but not likely to get back up to regular gold.
No status with virgin, kris, Asia miles or skyward.
It sounds like swapping my Amex to a flexible points card could be the way to go.... But is flexible Amex still better (following the recent devaluing changes) for transferring and redeeming Singapore flights - compared to earning through Velocity earning cards? There may have been a recent Ausbt article on the impact of the Amex changes, but if so I missed it
I already has KrisFlyer points which I purchased with Velocity points a couple of years ago but have only Qantas points now. Is there any way to convert some of these to KrisFlyers at all? I also find availability hard with Qantas to find seats. Any help would be great. Want to travel in July/August next year.
Generally speaking, you're better off with AsiaMiles/CX availability to Europe...but the question is: which credit card is best for accruing AsiaMiles?
Most carriers go to Heathrow, so if you are planning to go to London first, that is fine and any carrier which gives best value is OK. If you have points with Qantas then you are stuck with OW or Emirates or other partner airlines. I don't think Singapore is one. Personally I try and avoid London so Emirates is best for me. I have used Qantas points on Emirates as codeshare ( I need the SCs) to go to Glasgow and depart Madrid. Paid for Iberia but might have used points
KrisFlyer is excellent in terms of reward availability, even more so when you book in advance.
In dollar terms, I paid about $110 in taxes and fees to fly from Brisbane to Europe in business class on Boxing Day last year, as KrisFlyer no longer levies 'carrier charges' when booking Singapore Airlines flights. A quick search showed that on the flights I took, there were at least 8 business class seats open for booking using KrisFlyer miles: I only needed two, but that's also something to keep in mind.
Good advice, particularly the bit about booking in advance. No good booking a flight after it's departed! 🙋
I already has KrisFlyer points which I purchased with Velocity points a couple of years ago but have only Qantas points now. Is there any way to convert some of these to KrisFlyers at all? I also find availability hard with Qantas to find seats. Any help would be great. Want to travel in July/August next year.
If you earn your points through some Westpac cards you can switch between ff programs.
Do you mind telling me which Westpac cards? I gave up using Amex as it locked me into transferring points to one of my preferred airlines but when I couldn’t get seats on my first choice, I was unable to switch points to second choice. The points were tied up and I had no flight!
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Best redemption program for Europe rewards
PG44
PG44
Member since 28 Feb 2018
Total posts 36
Hi,
I've built up around 450k qantas points which I'm aiming to redeem for 2 x business class classic reward return flights to Europe, if I ever find availability for the times I fly.
I'm wondering if I should change programs before I start saving up for the next reward flight.
What is the best program these days for classic reward availability to Europe? (on a decent business partner airline). Qantas seems to have quite low availability.
Amex? Virgin?
Or should I stick with qantas?
I'm generally only interested in redeeming for Europe classic rewards, bc I travel there yearly to visit family.
I generally only earn on personal spending, sign up bonuses, domestic flights, and occasional international flight.
Thanks
Sibelius
Sibelius
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Aug 2017
Total posts 181
Opinions regarding the "best program" are highly subjective -- it's like asking what the "best car" to drive is. Having said that, KrisFlyer is a pretty good all-rounder in my opinion.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
KrisFlyer is excellent in terms of reward availability, even more so when you book in advance.
In dollar terms, I paid about $110 in taxes and fees to fly from Brisbane to Europe in business class on Boxing Day last year, as KrisFlyer no longer levies 'carrier charges' when booking Singapore Airlines flights. A quick search showed that on the flights I took, there were at least 8 business class seats open for booking using KrisFlyer miles: I only needed two, but that's also something to keep in mind.
Soon
Soon
SilkAir - KrisFlyer
Member since 07 Dec 2017
Total posts 18
Depending on where you are based, and the level of membership you are with Qantas, I believe availability will be very different. I live in Adelaide and am a bronze member. I find difficulty in getting availability on Qantas metal in business class to Europe. But it appears that Cathay Pacific has availability though. Taxes are probably around $350.
Krisflyer on the other hand, has business class availability not dependent on status. All on first-come first-serve basis, very good availability if one can plan one's holidays months in advance. Taxes are only $124, generally much lower than Qantas.
PG44
PG44
Member since 28 Feb 2018
Total posts 36
Thanks all! Very helpful.
patshaw
patshaw
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 21 Jun 2019
Total posts 2
I already has KrisFlyer points which I purchased with Velocity points a couple of years ago but have only Qantas points now. Is there any way to convert some of these to KrisFlyers at all? I also find availability hard with Qantas to find seats. Any help would be great. Want to travel in July/August next year.
phil h
phil h
Member since 06 Mar 2017
Total posts 8
Generally speaking, you're better off with AsiaMiles/CX availability to Europe...but the question is: which credit card is best for accruing AsiaMiles?
EdS
EdS
QF
Member since 21 Jul 2016
Total posts 25
Most carriers go to Heathrow, so if you are planning to go to London first, that is fine and any carrier which gives best value is OK. If you have points with Qantas then you are stuck with OW or Emirates or other partner airlines. I don't think Singapore is one. Personally I try and avoid London so Emirates is best for me. I have used Qantas points on Emirates as codeshare ( I need the SCs) to go to Glasgow and depart Madrid. Paid for Iberia but might have used points
rambo
rambo
Member since 23 Oct 2017
Total posts 3
In dollar terms, I paid about $110 in taxes and fees to fly from Brisbane to Europe in business class on Boxing Day last year, as KrisFlyer no longer levies 'carrier charges' when booking Singapore Airlines flights. A quick search showed that on the flights I took, there were at least 8 business class seats open for booking using KrisFlyer miles: I only needed two, but that's also something to keep in mind.
Good advice, particularly the bit about booking in advance. No good booking a flight after it's departed! 🙋
rambo
rambo
Member since 23 Oct 2017
Total posts 3
If you earn your points through some Westpac cards you can switch between ff programs.
patshaw
patshaw
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 21 Jun 2019
Total posts 2
Thanks for the helpful hints!
Never Qantas
Never Qantas
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 1
Do you mind telling me which Westpac cards? I gave up using Amex as it locked me into transferring points to one of my preferred airlines but when I couldn’t get seats on my first choice, I was unable to switch points to second choice. The points were tied up and I had no flight!