Velocity vs QFF: Which costs less to get a reward flight?

[Highflyer787]

G’Day All,

I received an email from Velocity Rewards the other day trying to point out just how much better than the new and revamped Qantas Frequent Flyer Program it is. It got me thinking, just how much do you have to spend to get a free flight? The results surprised me a little.

Assumptions
All flights were for the 13th of October, and were searched on 10th July 08, and were compared with Red-e-Deals and Virgin Blue Promo Fares (one way). Frequent Flyer status was compared with Bronze level with QFF, and Red Level with Velocity (5 pts per dollar spent) and exclude taxes.

MEL-SYD
Virgin Blue
Requires 6900 points. Fare of $119.00 (595 points per flight)
Total 12 flights required = 7140 pts
Total cost 12 flights @ $119.00 = $1428

Qantas
Requires 8000 points (Classic). Fare of $138.00 (1000 points per flight)Total 8 flights required = 8000 pts
Total cost 8 flights @ $138.00 = $1104.00

Winner: Qantas (difference $324)

MEL-BNE
Virgin Blue
Requires 10900 points. Fare of $159.00 (795 points per flight)
Total 14 flights required = 11130 pts
Total cost 14 flights @ $159.00 = $2226

Qantas
Requires 12000 points (Classic). Fare of $179.00 (1000 points per flight)
Total 12 flights required = 12000 pts
Total cost 12 flights @ $179.00 = $2148.00

Winner: Qantas (difference $78)

MEL-PER
Virgin Blue
Requires 16900 points. Fare of $255.00 (1275 points per flight)
Total 14 flights required = 17850 pts
Total cost 14 flights @ $255.00 = $3570

Qantas
Requires 18000 points (Classic). Fare of $307.00 (1682 points per flight) Total 11 flights required = 18502 pts
Total cost 11 flights @ $307.00 = $3377.00

Winner: Qantas (difference $193)

Now with domestic sorted, what about international???

SYD-LHR (Assumes Departing SYD on 13/10, and departing LHR on 24/10)
Virgin Atlantic
Requires 128000 points. Fare of $2466.30 (21110 miles per return flight)
Total 7 return trips required = 147770 pts
Total cost 7 return trips = $17264.10

Qantas
Requires 128000 points (Classic). Fare of $2288.18 (QF31 & QF32), with 21172 miles earned
Total 7 return trips required = 148204 pts
Total cost 7 return trips = $16017.26

Winner: Qantas (difference $1246.84)

Given that Qantas seems to always be more expensive, I’m quite surprised of the results that have appeared.

What does everyone else think of these?

HF787

(For the record, I am a member of both Frequent Flyer Programs and generally fly on cheapest flight of the day and I don’t work for either airline)