Will the devil be in the detail?
 

Interesting reference from the BA forum

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...cle2193038.ece

Does this mean I need to get those four segments to ensure I keep my QF status and raise my mileage point balance?

Happy wandering

Fred

I read this not long ago, and it concerns me somewhat.

Seems to be saying we'll make all seats available for awards (good thing), but significantly increase the number of points required to redeem them (bad thing) - though that (redemption price) part is speculation by someone outside QF.

I think I'd prefer the status quo. I have a bunch of points and I'll plan, within the parameters of QFF, to use them the best way I can (for me).

I certainly don't want the redemption 'price' doubling as is suggested in the article.

Anyway, apart from the fact that the article is quoting GD as saying they'll make all seats available for redemption, the rest is speculation, so who knows what may eventuate.

One would imagine that the amount of points required for redemption would be reflective of what fare buckets were available at the time you wanted to redeem. If only expensive (i.e. fully flexible) were available, then I would assume you would pay more points.

Anyway, it is all speculation till we see the details.

That's my guess. NZ Airpoints has had this for a few years and seems to have worked (for them). DJ set up Velocity on similar lines (albeit less transparent).

QF already has one of the worst burn rates in the industry for premium cabin awards. This will just make it farcical. Might work ok for for Aus domestic economy cabin redemptions, but can't see it working for long-haul premium cabin awards.

Perhaps it will be structured in a similar fashion to AA with its MileSAAver & AAnytime awards.

http://www.aa.com/apps/AAdvantage/Vi...tnersContent#2

Effectively AAnytime awards cost double the AAdvantage miles of a MileSAAver award.

I actually wouldnt mind this - I just wish this sort of thing could be done across OW - I don't have burning desire to fly for pleasure but when I do - I would liek to be able to get exactly what seat I want - on whatever airline and if necessary "pay" the premium...

Many airlines have a program like that. Usually the "price" of the seat only depends on the distance and the class flown, not on the actualy fare bucket. But QF could always come up with some surpirses.