MilesBuzz! - One World's 1st initiative: tax ff's

One of the founding members, QF, has just announced that from June all ff's will be levied a biennial "service charge" of $20. Unless paid, no more FF points can be accumulated - the account is suspended.
The charge does not apply to elite members. However, under the new tier system it takes 43 discount economy domestic flights [up to 1K] or 29 discounted transcontinental flights to get to the lowest blue elite status. F & J pax get there much quicker.
Oneworld promised harmonisation of FF schemes. Is this idea now being taken up by AA, CP, CX, BA?

Haven't heard anything on the other carriers, and let me guess, the miles still expire??

I think the simple answer to your question (however retorical) is no..

BA certainly cant't charge from membership of it's FF scheme - this would be illegal in the UK.

However, if I were in your shoes I would be extremely 'unhappy'!

For comparison it takes 47 domestic 'full-fare' journeys to achieve silver in the BA (UK) Exec Club and 34 to renew. No points/miles at all for discounted fares (interestingly Qantas domestic flights credited to BA earn exactly the same points).

I think this is a seriously bad move by Qantas, and the whole concept of charging for FF scheme membership is wrong.

However, it is clearly not a OneWorld initiative. As a point of interest I do not recall OneWorld talking about "harmonisation" they talked about ease of earning and redeeming rewards and Elite level benefits existing across all members.

Based on what you have said I would be tempted to collect miles through another OW member when travelling on Qantas.
MF





[This message has been edited by Merry Flyer (edited 01-17-99).]

I agree with Merry Flyer. I doubt if AA would go along with such changes.