In many cases they are way beyond the top end, especially for premium cabin redemptions. So expect further erosion of points value as this enhancement is implemented.

However - although there is a lot of good expensive stuff coming - this is different to the Skybed in that this is not an upgrade to an existing product but a diversification of the product - QF should see improved profitability and less strain on the fleet (more flexibility to deal with issues) as the new product comes on board - so there doenst need to be an increase in redemption rates (and I am not sure people could stomach pay 1,000,000 points for a F return to LHR for two ;))

I am just relieved that I switched to AA but still earn enough on my amex to "pay" for 4 F upgrades a year - more than enough :)

It seems that the AA program is more generous, is there a link which shows a comparison? (Did a search but nothing came up)

I move to the US later in the year, currently less than 400 SC from Platinum by 31 December, should I start earning in AA instead?

Unless you have some kind of affinity for the Flagship Lounges at LAX and ORD, you should continue earning w/AA and enjoy the benefits of QF Gold, namely AAdmirals Club (and in select cities BA Terraces lounge) access + free drinkies.

QF Plat + AA Plat = go for it.

QF Gold + AA Plat = good too.

QF Gold + AA Gold = ok, but not too many upgrAAdes...

Get a BD credit card and earn 2 miles per pound which gets closer to bridging the gap. ;)

Well as someone that had several hundred thousand QF miles expire under the old rules as there was no availability and now sitting on over half a million and cannot get a redemption from LHR to SYD in October (according to the QF computer) in any class, then it does not matter if they charge a million miles for a redemption on the A380 on the Kangaroo Route.

When are QF going to realise that I cannot book a redemption flight 300+ days in advance? Still, as it is an Australian frequent shopper programme and not a 1W frequent flyer programme for redemption, then what do you expect?

Try calling the Platinum desk. They are usually very good at looking at alternate routings and even opening up seats for plats.

yes they have been known to request (and obtain) a seat from revenue management for plats on occaison. i know someone that this was done for. worth a try i guess. spotwelder you're getting used to those seats down the back of the bus now aren't you? :(

I don't know that we have "sucker" written all over us.. but closer to "captive audience" - given that DJ, while they do have velocity, it really can't compete in this area (IMHO) and the foreign airline loyalty programs would only capture a small percentage of customers, and anyone who is high enough yield to QF for them to care about (read J and F buying passengers) would be locked into QFF anyway.

Of course we know anytime the word "enhancement" is used it's BAD for the customer!

yep, back of the bus for me most of the year. I think it has been one AA YUP F sector, three I class sectors on BA and four sectors cuckoo clock airways. That gives a hit rate of 6%. As my osteopath would say, you are spending more on getting your back fixed from all this long haul Y flying than you are on airfares.

Mind you, I have just applied for a job in New Zealand and hope to get an interview so that I can get the four sectors for renewal in that way as NZ domestic run up and down the country. It might be a better way than overnight to SYD, a couple of CBRs and back to the UK in the afternoon as the cheapest way to do it for London based. Apparently asking the powers that be to arrange for a big crash in Australia so that I can get four sectors in might be unethical.

Why not? I am thsi week planning a RTW AAward booking in July next year. Frankly with my travel schedule, wife's work commitments and locking the rest of teh overases family, if I didnt book 330 days+ in advance I wouldnt be able to confirm the vacation. My UK family have already complained that I couldnt commit to a tarvel date early enough for them!

aircraft crashes - you're probably right. though we do seem to be doing a good job at train and ferry crashes on our own already :(

They've been great in my experience - organised some seats in J to Rome & back for the MIL a couple of years ago, along with some more recent domestic J awards. Top marks.

Any Seat Award
 

I hope this hasn't been posted already. If yes, please delete. It came with a QF E-Mail today.

"From mid 2008 exciting new benefits are planned, including increased seat availability for when you want to fly with our new Any Seat Awards. We're also planning to expand our extensive family of partners and our reward range, so you'll be able to earn and redeem points in a variety of new ways."

It was an a newsletter for "The Business Traveler" from Qantas.

The interesting part read:A pertinent section of the Terms & Conditions reads:So expect an announcement six months earlier; I guess any time from November.