Hi All,
Some answers to your questions.
Why Km to miles?
1 km = 0.62 miles
1 mile = 1.61 kms
All Qantas’ major partners distribute points based on miles (Cathay, BA, AA, etc), in fact all major carriers Europe, Asia and North America use miles for measuring points for flying. The change means closer alignment to partner programs –earning and redeeming can be more closely aligned across partner programs.
How many points do I earn?
Although points for flying are now distributed based on miles – the total number of points issued will be higher due to the following changes:
1. Minimum earn of 1000 points (1250 for business/first)
2. Full earn on discount economy (used to be 70%)
3. Tier bonuses
Also all tiers will earn more points on average – that is Bronze’s are not losing out to Platinum’s – this is because full earn impacts mostly non-tiers while tier bonuses have the greatest impact on Platinum’s. So forgetting about how points are measured you will on average receive more under the new system.
What about existing points?
No change. A point is a point is a point – the same in the new and old system. That is credit cards still transfer on a one to one basis and you earn the same number of points for hotels, rental car hire, etc. The only difference is that the number of points earned for flying will be calculated based on miles rather than kms + the above changes to earning points for flying (together these will mean more points on average for flying).
Tier credits?
Unfortunately because of Qantas’ network (lots of very short and lots of very long routes) they need to maintain a system that rewards both short and long haul travel on an equitable basis. If it was based on distance travelled you would have to do 25 trips SYD-MEL to get the same recognition as 1 SYD-LHR – under the tier credit system the ratio 6:1.
The tier credits issued for most flights has increased (especially short and medium haul flights – like SYD-PER) and the introduction of lower retain and a lower attain level for Platinum make achieving recognition levels easier.
Value of short versus long?
I like to think of value as number of trips required to earn a free one. The changes are designed to even out the structure/number of trips across the network. For example:
· It used to take most members 27 SYD-CBR economy trips to earn 1 free redemption on the same route; it now takes only 10 trips.
· It used to take most members 17 SYD-MEL economy trips to earn 1 free redemption on the same route; it now takes only 10 trips.
· It used to take most members 6 SYD-LHR economy trips to earn 1 free redemption on the same route; it now takes only 5 trips.
Stopovers?
Most programs only have rewards point-to-point – some are even zonal and you have to put to rewards together to get to your destination – if you want to go to two destinations too bad or get two redemptions. Qantas wanted to make a fairer system that maintains flexibility for holidays while also giving everyone a fair go at redemption seats. In the past some members were taking up to 40 flights on one redemption, which makes it harder for other members else to get their redemption. The 10,000 point fee for additional destinations gives members flexibility and provides fairer basis for access to seats – a fairer balance between no stopovers (most programs) and QF’s old system.
Happy to answer any other questions – please post them below.
Cheers… Bruce