How Best to Spend 135k QFF Points if I Have No Desire to Fly on Non-Economy Flights

watwatwat on 30/08/2022 - 15:06
Last edited 30/08/2022 - 15:09

I would have gone for grocery gift cards but it might be best to wait for another 30% off sale? Based on the cadence of the last 2 sales, it may not be long before they have another?

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/693276

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/708291

If I am able to get 30% off WISH cards, a calculation from another ozbargainer shows that 130k points would render $875 in gift cards. But redeeming outside of a 30% off would yield significantly less points than this.

For flights, I don't personally see value in business and first class tickets and booking with economy seems to be difficult/undesirable due to taxes and availability of fares. And in case you are curious as to why I don't like business class: it's because I don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars extra just to be in a slightly comfier seat for hours and for a few cheap heated meals/biscuits/drinks. The airlines make higher margin on these seats and they are worse for the environment because it reduces plane capacity.

For economy flights, I see Bali Jetstar reward fare is 18k points each way plus $128 and $91 in taxes, so total of 3,6000 points and $219 return.

This is ~OK but in the Jetstar sale right now, I could just pay cash for the whole fare and get the thing for $337 return and zero points required.

So for my needs, the best bet may be to wait and see if another gift card sale comes along?

Financial Frequent Flyer Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward Points

Comments

  • CodeXD on 30/08/2022 - 15:07
    +9

    But redeeming outside of a 30% off would be significantly less than this.

    Yes, in fact, some would say it is 30% less.

  • Shadowsfury on 30/08/2022 - 15:16

    I still use points for economy flights - if the value comes to more than 1c/point. Good on you for also comparing once considering the taxes too though I do that too

    Qantas hotels nets around 0.85-0.95c/point which isn't too bad either.

  • Muzeeb on 30/08/2022 - 15:17

    Surely they can be converted to a toaster plus shipping?

  • Seraphin7 on 30/08/2022 - 15:22

    While I share your frustration and pain, there almost comes a point of use it or lose it especially with the never-ending devaluation of points.

    Without being ridiculous, I'll now use the points whenever I can and I'm really not trying to accrue them either (other than naturally through flights taken). Until such time as the bride and I decide to do a first class RTW, we've more points than we know what to do with and seem to have little avenue to use them on the flights we want.

    • watwatwat on 30/08/2022 - 15:44

      use it or lose it

      Indeed. I see this as a hot-potato and as soon as the points were granted, I want to dispose of them asap.

    • Cyphar on 30/08/2022 - 19:55
      +1

      I'm sitting on 810k QFF points that I've accrued and now that I've realized how stupid it was to keep saving them all these years and I now that I want to cash them in, I am struggling to find availability to claim them on. I hate planning a year out but I feel like there's no other choice.

      • fadeinthemix on 31/08/2022 - 10:46

        But you got a $50 voucher

  • kokita on 30/08/2022 - 16:12
    +3

    My suggestion is to post up on Ozbargain Classifieds and sell your points. I think it is more valuable than redeeming gift cards.

    • hamwhisperer on 30/08/2022 - 18:06

      I have a heck of a lot so I'm concerned I might get done by a scammer :/ I've been here a long time with no issues, but man, that's a lot of points to sell.

    • DingoBilly on 30/08/2022 - 19:33

      Completely agree with this. I've sold points at least 5 or so times without an issue.

      For the person above - if you're selling points you generally only take cash in hand or wait for the money to clear your bank account before transferring, so little risk to the person selling points.

    • falopa on 29/09/2022 - 15:14

      How do you access to the Ozbargain Classifieds?

  • hamwhisperer on 30/08/2022 - 16:23

    I saw someone sell 80,000 for $750 this week on OzB (blew me away)
    So I'm tempted to do that, if people have interest.

    P.S Agree with you, hoping to hold for 30% gift cards again, assuming it happens, if I can't sell here.

  • Drakesy on 30/08/2022 - 16:29
    +2

    Just sell them on classifieds.

    I tend to fly business using points so thats where i get my value for money, but yeah using them for economy is almost a waste.

    • hamwhisperer on 30/08/2022 - 17:13

      What do you believe the correct rate to be for them?

      • Drakesy on 30/08/2022 - 17:26
        +1

        I think you can get $0.01 per point
        But this fluctuates, maybe worth a read through of classifieds to get an estimate.

  • maverick1 on 30/08/2022 - 17:22

    off late I have been using a lot of Qantas points to book hotels, yields anything between 0.8/0.85c. Since its very hard to earn Bonvoy, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt points in Aus, I now consider Qantas points (relatively easy to collect) as primary currency to book hotels with an odd flight here and there.

    • hamwhisperer on 30/08/2022 - 22:40

      Just what kind of savings does it work out to?

  • TheCandyMan2020 on 30/08/2022 - 18:27

    I generally sell my points. I think the prices I have received have varied from $0.008 per point to $0.012 per point. It's been a while so no idea what the current going rate is.

    The buyers were people on Ozbargain, I think they actually run a business re-selling the flights. I got a flight confirmation for a guy flying first class return from Tel Aviv to New York.

    Some buyers want you to transfer the points to them (claim family relationship) others want you to book flights on their behalf by taking control of your account. The latter is riskier for you, less risky for the buyer. I was OK with it having previously dealt with the same buyer.

    Pretty sure the bigger wad of points you have to sell, the more the buyers want them - they dont want shitty small parcels. I sold 200,000 for around $2k once.

    • TheCandyMan2020 on 30/08/2022 - 18:34

      My biggest concern with them booking flights using my account was what happens if say the next 9/11 attack uses a ticket bought from my account. I could of course explain I had no idea but I might find myself renditioned and waking up in Guantanamo for a few months before they believe it.

      • holdenmg on 30/08/2022 - 19:23
        +2

        Well, OzLegal can help you, if you are allowed a phone call.

        But the starting position is if you are in Guantánamo you are a Terrorist or maybe just work there…

    • hamwhisperer on 30/08/2022 - 22:39

      How do you even transfer them?

  • coffeeinmyveins on 30/08/2022 - 21:07
    +1

    The airlines make higher margin on these seats and they are worse for the environment because it reduces plane capacity

    What an extremely odd hill to die on

    If you feel that strongly about it then don't fly AT ALL?

    • watwatwat on 30/08/2022 - 21:29
      -3

      You have a pretty dumb argument.

      So if trying to do something slightly better for the environment is "extremely odd", then why do airlines offer ability to carbon offset flights then? Why does google and skyscanner now show carbon emissions associated with each flight path? It may be of news to you that there are people out there who are interested in the good of the world.

      Anyway, I mostly prefer economy due to the significant difference in ticket prices between classes.

  • Jayharley95 on 31/08/2022 - 13:44

    What are the chances of getting banned selling points? I have 500k points to sell. And what is the going rate I should sell these for?

    • tomclancy on 31/08/2022 - 21:23
      +1

      What are the chances of getting banned selling points?

      1st transfer = 10% chance
      5th transfer = 90% chance

      what is the going rate

      Check OzBargain classifieds… around 1.0c per point

    • hamwhisperer on 31/08/2022 - 23:54
      +1

      Damn that's a collection!

  • krazek on 01/09/2022 - 09:38
    +1

    As mentioned in other comments, if you go down the path of selling points, just know you will probably only be able to get away with it a few times. They will catch you eventually, which is why I no longer sell them

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