Nizar

Hi guys,

The "enhancement" that was announced back in June but effective from today was supposed to bring:
- 5 million more award seats annually (though I realise this could be for mostly domestic routes and mainly for Y) and of course this can only be for QF metal flights
- An increase in amount of FF points needed by upto 15%
- A reduction in the amount of taxes/surcharges by as much as 15%

I am keen to book in DXB-MEL in F for Feb.

The cost yesterday was 144k per person (which has been the cost for years) plus $1449.68 for two adults and one infant.
The cost today is 162,800 points per person plus $1463.88

So the amount of points has gone up which was expected but I would have thought that there would be some reduction in the cash cost involved as QF has stated.

Does anyone know what's going on ?
I haven't tried other routes etc.

Mwenenzi

DXB-MEL in F would be on EK. May/may not make a difference
144,000 to 162,800 is a 13% increase

Nizar

Understand the percentage increase in points cost and was expecting that.
What I don't understand is why the cash cost wasn't reduced.

Agree that EK metal may be a factor.

Johnny Rocket

Economy, Melbourne to Los Angeles

Before changes: 90,000 points required, $513 fees

After changes: 83,800 points required, $393 fees


Premium economy, Melbourne to Los Angeles

Before changes: 144,000 points required, $793 fees

After changes: 162,600 points required, $603 fees


Business class, Melbourne to Los Angeles

Before changes: 192,000 points required, $943 fees

After changes: 216,800 points required, $703 fees


First class, Melbourne to Los Angeles

Before changes: 288,000 points required, $943 fees

After changes: 325,600 points required, $703 fees

og

Fees may well change if fuel prices escalate.

Mwenenzi

But when fuel decreased the fees did not
Remind again what AJ's salary/bonus was last year?

henrus

Most of the additional 5 million seats will come from brining new partners online:

It's only an additional 1 million seats which will be added to the 5 million total. Most of these are on the followign partners:

Air France/KLM (between and Asia and Europe only), Air New Zealand (NZ domestic only), Bangkok Airways and China Airlines (to/from Australia only).

Nizar

Do you know if AF F would be bookable using QFF points say La Premiere ex-SIN ?

RTWFF

henrus

Whilst nothing's been announced I'd highly doubt it. AF only releases first class awards to members in their own program and even then you need to hold silver status.

Based on this I'd expect bookings to only be available in Economy and Business + maybe Premium Economy but that remains to be seen as they haven't announced a launch date for booking on AF yet.

Assuming the points are the same as all other Qantas partners, a one way flight will cost 45,000 Qantas points in Economy and 104,500 points in Business with taxes likely to be SG$308 ex SGD however that'll depend on Qantas charging the carrier fuel surcharge (and if they don't it'll only be SG$49).

Dave Noble

What is particularly delicious about those Melbourne to LAX award prices is that Qantas is just inventing a new surcharge for the awards

For a roundtrip paid business class ticket on Qantas from MEL-LAX, the taxes charges are

$201.22 in taxes
$35 in YR fare disguised as taxes for a total of $236.22 in taxes/charges

Given that there is no published fee listed for fares, can Qantas legitimately charge another $467 where there is no documented fee that is applicable

flybie

Isn't part of the change is 10% discount on Economy award ticket? I did the search but still shows the old amount of miles required for economy. Do I need to something or check any box to see the new discount?

Sydfly

I'm seeing the same as mentioned above for a one-way Syd-Sin. The cost of taxes was $334 and now it's actually gone up to $343 and the miles have gone from 90k for First to 102.6k. SThis was also for an Emirates/QF combination via Melbourne. So it appears that QF has added another $10 in mysterious taxes to the awards and they promised to lower the taxes!

og

It’s the CEO’s remuneration surcharge.

Dave Noble

SYD-SIN - Carrier imposed surcharge for cash bookings
On Emirates : $0
On Qantas : YR $17.50 non stop or $35 via Melbourne

Actual taxes non stop $92.22 , via Melbourne $79.45

Where does the other $228.55 come from

Unless Qantas has started publishing a co-payment requirement for award travel, there seems to be something very untoward going on