Originally Posted by
CO Insider
Hi Wx4caster, we're still formalizing the details, but yes they will be changing. What I can say is that the cost to Continental for these rewards has increased significantly, and this unfortunately will have be reflected in the reward amounts. On a positive note, the process to book these rewards will improve. At the time the change is implemented, all of our frontline agents will have the ability to book Qantas rewards in real time (as opposed to having to make a request and having to wait for the response).
Thanks for the heads up, Scott. If the costs for providing the rewards have increased significantly, it raises the question of how fast the revenues associated with earning miles have grown.
Miles are earned for flights and lots of non-flight activities (credit cards, hotel stays, etc.) Are the revenues from non-flight activities keeping pace with the increases in fares and surcharges we pay to CO for actually flying on the airline on a per capita basis?
These changes are disheartening, but what else is new? I've seen the first class cabins shrunk to make the possibility of an EUA negligible; the legroom in the Elite section of coach pales vs. UA's Economy Plus; the BusinessFirst seating is no longer a superior product vs. other carriers; and my number one heartburn producer, obtaining the elusive businessfirst upgrade on an overseas flight. I've increased my CO miles this year solely because DL is offering BE flights in I class out of JFK that have suited my travel requirements very nicely. Miles flown on CO is way down this year, for all of the reasons stated.
That said, I do appreciate your posting the information so we've got some lead time if we elect to use any full-tilt mileage bonuses.