Upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes
May 19, 2011, 4:17 pm
#151
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,550
I have no problem with the new PO level, I really do not care if there are higher status members than me, eg. I dropped from NZ GE to NZ G as there really was little benefit to me to retain GE. I would not think of engineering my travels to try to go for it, I have beetter things to do with my time and money.
However QF devalued WP with the last changes, massive increase in fares for JQ (which I need to use in order to maintain status) and still no JQ acknowledgement of QF status.
Many of the additional earnings are not related to Status levels, WP travel economy or plenty of Zone 1 Business Class which has no additional benefits.
Without any increase in the value proposition of WP over SG I can see some WP dropping to SG and taking competitors instead, not something I thought QF would want. I will retain WP for my next membership year, will get LTS but I do wonder about retaining WP for the year after, my last EK Business Class trip a few months ago left me unimpressed but will still monitor their sales.
However QF devalued WP with the last changes, massive increase in fares for JQ (which I need to use in order to maintain status) and still no JQ acknowledgement of QF status.
Many of the additional earnings are not related to Status levels, WP travel economy or plenty of Zone 1 Business Class which has no additional benefits.
Without any increase in the value proposition of WP over SG I can see some WP dropping to SG and taking competitors instead, not something I thought QF would want. I will retain WP for my next membership year, will get LTS but I do wonder about retaining WP for the year after, my last EK Business Class trip a few months ago left me unimpressed but will still monitor their sales.
Dave
May 19, 2011, 4:24 pm
#152
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: DJ, QF, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 2,984
I'm waiting for them to devalue points due to higher (cash) fare prices. Increased fuel costs aside (which they've already addressed with QFF), the points needed to redeem flights haven't really changed (or have I missed it).
I'm not sure the way they hand out points like there is no tomorrow (pun intended
) is sustainable. Surely there aren't many people who will spend 60000 points on something that only costs a couple of hundred bucks...?
I'm not sure the way they hand out points like there is no tomorrow (pun intended
) is sustainable. Surely there aren't many people who will spend 60000 points on something that only costs a couple of hundred bucks...?
May 19, 2011, 5:25 pm
#153
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
Programs: QF Gold, VA Plat, IHG Plat Amb, LCAH Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,845
My daughter who has taken 12 years to reach over 350 lifetime SC's and who's account is showing:... will have that change on December 1st to 500.
QFF are going reap a huge windfall through the forced "Breakage" of this benefit.
NB: It's obvious Qantas know this particular change is an overall material degradation to the Program for members - that's why they are giving the six months notice as per their T&C's.
QFF are going reap a huge windfall through the forced "Breakage" of this benefit.
NB: It's obvious Qantas know this particular change is an overall material degradation to the Program for members - that's why they are giving the six months notice as per their T&C's.
Someone that does 900 SC a year will be worse off, but someone that does 1000SC a year will be better off. For someone that is quite variable, then it is a bit harder to work out.
May 19, 2011, 5:33 pm
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,991
You are taking the comment that was related to the Platinum level and then suggesting that it was designed to apply to all
Those with No status and many with silver have lost out on the accrual of status bonuses. This is irrelevent to the suggestion that Platinum members are losing out on benefits which I was replying to
Those with No status and many with silver have lost out on the accrual of status bonuses. This is irrelevent to the suggestion that Platinum members are losing out on benefits which I was replying to
May 19, 2011, 5:39 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,991
I would say it is but not for all members. Some members will be better off, and some will be worse off. Everyone needs to work it out for their individual circumstance.
Someone that does 900 SC a year will be worse off, but someone that does 1000SC a year will be better off. For someone that is quite variable, then it is a bit harder to work out.
Someone that does 900 SC a year will be worse off, but someone that does 1000SC a year will be better off. For someone that is quite variable, then it is a bit harder to work out.
It's not unlike Telcos changing from "per 30 second or part thereof" charging to "one minute or part thereof" charging. There will be exceptions but overall the company will have a better bottom line.
Consider the earning of 900 SC's in a "Year"; post Dec 1 against before.
May 19, 2011, 6:50 pm
#156
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,522
May 19, 2011, 7:26 pm
#157
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Perth, WA, Australia
Programs: QF Gold, VA Plat, IHG Plat Amb, LCAH Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,845
From a point accounting perspective, I don't know if they are making a provision somewhere in the acounts as you gain SC's, but if they do, I imagine there is an awful lot that is set aside for the infrequent traveller.
May 19, 2011, 10:16 pm
#158
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF Lifetime SG, LH HON, OZ Lifetime Diamond +, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 14,367
May 19, 2011, 10:44 pm
#159
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,550
Fares which were jetflex have had a huge hike too. Jetflex SYD-MEL was $269, now $339 , so a 26% price rise
26% is a huge price hike imo
Last edited by Dave Noble; May 20, 2011 at 4:02 am
May 19, 2011, 11:49 pm
#160
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Perth
Programs: QFF WP
Posts: 560
Would make this more of an elite bonus than a loyalty one as only (predominantly) SG & WP members will qualify
May 20, 2011, 3:46 am
#161
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
I don't just mean that. Previously, the normal Starclass fares were refundable. Now need to purchase a Business Max to get the same flexibility ( which is a much more important aspect tp me than miles ) . Before $1299 got a full flexible starclass HNL-SYD, now need to pay $1299
Fares which were jetflex have had a huge hike too. Jetflex SYD-MEL was $269, now $339 , so a 26% price rise
26% is a huge price hike imo
Fares which were jetflex have had a huge hike too. Jetflex SYD-MEL was $269, now $339 , so a 26% price rise
26% is a huge price hike imo
Base Fare Old: $60 JetFlex Old $200
Starter New: $65 Starter Max $240 with 20kg checked baggage $255.
Starter New: $80 Starter Max $240 with 20kg checked baggage $255.
So from some observation the add on cost is not fixed, there seems to be a price point for each of the add ons.
For me comparing prices with NZ I can get a better product for the same price most of the time.
May 20, 2011, 3:49 am
#162
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,419
One interesting question would be: if Plat is now the second to top tier, might we expect a new Lifetime Plat? Say, 28,000 SCs?
That may be worth putting a few miles to QF again.
The Plat+ benefits will have to be pretty compelling to lure us back from CX Diamond.
But do applaud the final realisation by QFF that Plat hasn't been cutting it for a while, and that an awful lot of people reach 1,200 SCs quite easily.
That may be worth putting a few miles to QF again.
The Plat+ benefits will have to be pretty compelling to lure us back from CX Diamond.
But do applaud the final realisation by QFF that Plat hasn't been cutting it for a while, and that an awful lot of people reach 1,200 SCs quite easily.
but rather it is newly disclosed by QF.
May 20, 2011, 5:13 am
#163
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF Lifetime SG, LH HON, OZ Lifetime Diamond +, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 14,367
If people were wondering why QF doesn't know the number of P1s: One reason of course is that the number won't be published anyway but also that the qualification criteria is not yet clear.
While QF announced a requirement for 3600 SCs they have reported on AFF that there might also be requirements in terms of SCs obtained on QF flights.
So some people sitting at 3600 SCs now have their hopes up only to be disappointed when they find out in November that 2000 of the SCs needed to be on QF. Not a good PR strategy in my opinion going out to the world with a proposal which list the requirements but no benefits and even then to say that the published requirements are actually incomplete.
I am sitting at almost 2400 SCs for the year with 2/3 of my membership year still to come. Now do I book more QF flights hoping that I make P1 and that the benefits will be worth it or do I book flights on *A?
While QF announced a requirement for 3600 SCs they have reported on AFF that there might also be requirements in terms of SCs obtained on QF flights.
So some people sitting at 3600 SCs now have their hopes up only to be disappointed when they find out in November that 2000 of the SCs needed to be on QF. Not a good PR strategy in my opinion going out to the world with a proposal which list the requirements but no benefits and even then to say that the published requirements are actually incomplete.
I am sitting at almost 2400 SCs for the year with 2/3 of my membership year still to come. Now do I book more QF flights hoping that I make P1 and that the benefits will be worth it or do I book flights on *A?
Last edited by DownUnderFlyer; May 20, 2011 at 5:19 am
May 20, 2011, 10:52 am
#165
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
As was once written about being contacted out of the blue by QF about a new status, I do not remember the benefits but I think one was a special QF A380 flight in F
