Don't convert your Altitude Points to Qantas FF Points

gizzard · #1 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2006, 07:29 PM

Why not? Because in an example that I did it was much more efficient on Westpac points usage to use their new booking system.

To accumulate points with Westpac Visa you get 1 point for each dollar spent. With Amex it is 2 points.

A one-way flight Melbourne - Sydney at the current cheapest rate (mid-week, midday etc) is $115.
Or using Qantas FF points, 8000 FF points + $47.15 in taxes.
8000 FF points is equivalent to spending $16000 on Visa (assuming the spending was after 9/03/2004 when Westpac changed their rules) or $8000 on Amex.

If you book exactly the same flight as a Red e-deal using the Altitude Award Flight Booking System you can get the flight for 8000 Altitude points + $65.39 in taxes or, to keep the taxes the same as those booking through Qantas, 10810 Altitude points + $47.13 in taxes. This is equivalent to only $10810 on Visa or $5405 spent on the Amex card.

Of course, if you still have pre 9/03/2004 points and don't have an Amex, then you are better off using the 1 FF point: $1 conversion that is still on offer

Admittedly, this is only one example but it shows that it is worth checking the new online booking option before automatically converting to FF points.

#2 (**permalink**) 3rd February 2006, 04:45 AM

hi grizzard and welcome to FFAU

you are right a lot of cases westpac poiints have it made... it starts to even out on longer flights but still worth looking at!

any other useful tips? :wink:

oz_mark · #3 (**permalink**) 4th February 2006, 09:34 PM

Also, there tends to be more flight options available when using the Westpac booking engine (although some of the options can be expensive). But as has been said, it is always worth exploring the options.

Ariel · #4 (**permalink**) 8th September 2008, 09:04 AM

Pretty useless trying to use FF points on domestic flights, because the extra $ costs are generally more than just buying a cheap fare on Virgin or Jetstar, also so limited it's very difficult to get a flight you want.
I've found much better value using Qantas FF points on travel in the US using American Airlines. There seem to be many more seats available on many more flights and the cost in FF points is quite reasonable.