Dreaming of swapping your winter woollies for a sun-drenched European escape? You’re not alone! More and more travellers are plotting great escapes to the Mediterranean, the French Riviera, or perhaps a cheeky gelato on the Amalfi Coast.
But what if we told you that you could get there without forking out thousands for a plane ticket? Yes, really—if you know how to play the points game.
We’ve all heard about frequent flyer points, but for many, they seem like a mysterious currency reserved for business travellers or the ultra-organised. Enter Julian Ludekeans, a Sydney-based travel guru who’s saved a staggering $500,000 on flights over the years—all by mastering the art of points.
He’s flown around the world in business and first class, and now he’s sharing his secrets so you can do the same.
So, which program is better for Aussies wanting to jet off to Europe: Qantas Frequent Flyer or Virgin Velocity?
Virgin Velocity: The Surprising Winner for Europe
Julian’s research might surprise you: Virgin’s Velocity program is currently the best way to get to Europe on points, especially if you’re eyeing those coveted business class seats. Why? It all comes down to partnerships and availability.
Virgin Velocity has teamed up with Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines—two of the world’s top-rated carriers, especially for business class. These airlines consistently release reward seats, making it much easier to actually use your points for those long-haul flights to Europe.
Plus, Velocity’s taxes and fees are generally lower than Qantas’s, so you’re not hit with a nasty bill at checkout.
Julian’s tip: ‘Velocity has become particularly strong for going to Europe in business class. The quality is there, and there’s a lot of consistent availability to use Velocity points. Their taxes and fees are really reasonable, too.’
Qantas Frequent Flyer: Still a Heavyweight, But With Caveats
Qantas is the granddaddy of Australian frequent flyer programs, and for good reason. With over 30 partner airlines—including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and American Airlines—Qantas offers more destinations and flexibility.
Their OneWorld alliance is especially handy for trips to the USA and Asia, and their lounge network is second to none.
But here’s the catch: when it comes to Europe, finding a business-class Classic Reward seat on a Qantas-operated flight can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Julian, a Platinum One member, recently couldn’t find a single business class reward seat to Europe for the entire year ahead. Ouch!
Qantas says seats are released daily and are snapped up quickly, especially in premium cabins.
So, if you’re set on flying Qantas metal to Europe, you’ll need to be flexible, persistent, and maybe a little bit lucky.
Diversify Your Points Portfolio
Julian’s golden rule? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Both Qantas and Virgin have their strengths, and the savviest travellers use both programs to maximise their options.
For Europe, Virgin Velocity is currently the frontrunner, but for the USA, Asia, or round-the-world trips, Qantas might be your best bet.
How to Earn Points Like a Pro
You don’t need to be a frequent flyer to rack up serious points. Julian has earned most of his points through credit card sign-up bonuses, everyday spending, and even health and car insurance. Flights and hotel stays help too, but the real magic is in leveraging your everyday expenses.
But a word of caution: always weigh up the true cost of earning points.
If you’re spending more than you normally would just to chase points or paying hefty credit card fees, you might be better off saving your cash.
Top Tips for Booking Reward Flights to Europe
- Plan Ahead: Reward seats, especially in business class, are snapped up quickly. Start searching as soon as your travel dates are set—ideally 11-12 months in advance.
- Be Flexible: If you can travel mid-week or outside peak periods, you’ll have a better shot at snagging a seat.
- Consider Partner Airlines: Both Qantas and Virgin allow you to use points on partner airlines, which often have better availability.
- Watch Out for Fees: Taxes and surcharges can vary wildly. Virgin Velocity generally has lower fees for Europe, but always check before booking.
- Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to use points from both programs, or even book one-way tickets with different airlines to maximise availability.
The Bottom Line
There’s no single ‘best’ frequent flyer program—it all depends on where you want to go and how flexible you can be. For Europe, Virgin Velocity is currently the easiest and most cost-effective way to fly in style using points, thanks to its strong partnerships and lower fees. But Qantas still shines for other destinations and offers a broader network.
The real secret? Get savvy about earning and using points, diversify your memberships, and always keep an eye out for new opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Virgin Velocity points are often the best option for Australians wanting to fly to Europe in business class, especially thanks to strong partnerships with Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines that offer good seat availability and reasonable taxes.
- Qantas Frequent Flyer has excellent strengths for flights to the USA and Asia, with more partner airlines and versatile options, but business class reward seats to Europe can be very hard to find.
- Travel expert Julian Ludekeans recommends diversifying between Qantas and Virgin Velocity, rather than relying on just one program, to take advantage of each scheme’s unique benefits.
- While earning points through credit cards, insurance, and shopping can save you thousands, it’s important to consider if the effort and cost required to accumulate points outweigh the value of the rewards.
Have you managed to score a dream trip using points? Which program do you prefer—Qantas or Virgin? Share your tips, tricks, and travel tales in the comments below! Let’s help each other make those European summer dreams a reality—without breaking the bank.
