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Should Qantas Sell Status Credits? is an article written by the AFF editorial team:
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You need a fair chunk of PC/+ flights to hit status. PER-MEL in U is half that of J, so it's still 9 return trips to hit gold. DSC promotions are the much bigger threat to devaluing the concept of SC.That you can earn SCs by having enough points (via Points club classic reward redemptions) devalues the concept of SCs enough already.
SCs should only be earned from flying for it to truly be a frequent flyer program, rather than some generic consumer loyalty program.
I think the top up circumstance and the "more dollars than time" circumstance. Someone who has money to burn but not quite influential enough to be CL. They'd probably happily drop 10k on WP as a business expense for their irregular flying, so they can then visit the F lounge on an annual family trip.The point of status credits is to encourage people to fly - esp with QANTAS or on QANTAS code shares.
While that remains the point, how would it make sense for QANTAS to sell them ? (Other than in limited circumstances such as topping up if you are just about to miss).?
Agree, a firm option for retain is probably the sweet spot.As noted above, having status is only really helpful for those flying (except in programs which provide extra on ground perks, like linked status in hotel brands), so if one did buy up to say Platinum, but only actually flew infrequently, then the effect is probably marginal. I would also suspect that those who would be inclined to buy large amounts of SC would either be typically motivated to buy up to retain (eg: Gold) which makes sense if one might fall a bit short, or those looking to earn high status for a spend without putting one's BIS.
VA lets you ”Buy” SCs via Flybuys. Something like a max of 10 SCs per month? (1x SC per $100). So never enough to let you ”buy” WP but maybe enough to incentivise punters to jump on a plane to gain/attain status.Maybe just a maximum number of say, 50 if you end up just shy of qual or requal.
No.
That you can earn SCs by having enough points (via Points club classic reward redemptions) devalues the concept of SCs enough already.
SCs should only be earned from flying for it to truly be a frequent flyer program, rather than some generic consumer loyalty program.
QF has a way to go to get near VA. VA also has credit card tie-ins where SCs are awarded for spend (ie Amex Velocity Plat gives 100SCs for 50k spend). Plus they often have SCs for credit card signups, most recently 200SCs. Our family took full advantage of that and the 3x SC promo and locked up WP for the year for a relatively small outlay. Now we just need to fly somewhere to actually use it.VA lets you ”Buy” SCs via Flybuys. Something like a max of 10 SCs per month? (1x SC per $100). So never enough to let you ”buy” WP but maybe enough to incentivise punters to jump on a plane to gain/attain status.
OT, but there are other posts/threads here with recent experience of being comp’d status when short a couple of SCs. But you need to call up.Interesting thread, and timely for me, I'm going to end up literally 1 point shy of maintaining Platinum unless I do a status run next week.
The idea of $100 for 5 points as per the article is cheaper then a 'status run' and better for the environment (as I don't have any 'nice to see' destinations in mind).
I don't think purchasing a small amount of points would offend the 'must fly to earn' school of thought.
Agree…… but noting if I paid a hefty sum for status with Qantas, I will still be loyal to them, to get the return on my investment and the perks of the status. Accor and IHG, both offer options to “buy” status and I for one have been a frequent user of their paid programs. So I think there should be a model that could work for Qantas.The point of status credits is to encourage people to fly - esp with QANTAS or on QANTAS code shares.
I carbon offset my status runs……. to get green status and more status creditsWould reduce global warming from needless status runs.