Originally Posted by
Dave Noble
While people will accept the low value of the local FF programmes, why would the airline change? there isn't any real justification for increasing the price of awards other than 'because we can' ; if QF found a huge impact against it from changes, it might react, but whilst it works for QF, the best thing to do imo is to collect points to where it gets the best return
Yes, Dave, IMO a well founded position.
And probably no surprise that QF FF is announcing these changes fresh on the heels of those in VA Velocity.
In terms of members' reactions, it's interesting to note that the BA shake up is focused on status and received considerable online blowback. Maybe some traditional FFers care generally far more about their ease of attaining status rather than the devaluation of redemption value of their points. FWIW I ditched chasing status years ago - I've hardly used my QF LTG card (travel in premium anyway).
One assumes that the vast majority of QFF membership has been recruited through the Everyday Rewards conduit, turnover low numbers of points (this addressed by the QF changes to make it easier to redeem for domestic JQ) and simply lack program savvy.
And yes, to your position about best returns. Ironically, QF FF is the program in my own portfolio in which I can easily accumulate points fast (high numbers of points at high earn rates with reasonable uncertainty (non flying earn)).
Similarly, despite the changes to tier definitions, BA still offers extraordinary redemption values for low numbers of Avios on certain routes / airlines opening the door to tidy net returns.
For FFers the VA Velocity changes impacted both earn rate and redemption rate with the overall impact of substantive devaluation on net return.