Another QF Frequent Flyer Change - Classic Award Priority Availability

[medhead]

Where you would expect it, in the terms and conditions of the program for the last 10 years AFAIK, it was benefit back in 1999:

20.6 Classic Award seat allocation
20.6.1 Qantas may at its discretion make available to Platinum and Gold Members additional allocations of Classic Award seats.

Yes found it, thanks. Amazing what search the T&C does.

I think I would now say:

Well, I found some vague statement that they may do something if they feel like it. Not much of a benefit, IMO.

 

[Flashback]

It is not a suggestion that PS would get the same "extra" availability as a WP. But "may" get extra availability over a bronze.

So essentially devaluing frequent spenders :mrgreen:

 

[MarcB]

Well, I found some vague statement that they may do something if they feel like it. Not much of a benefit, IMO.




There is nothing in the benefit you've quoted that talks about requesting an award seat. It is so vague that it can mean just about anything. I'm sorry but I can't see how effectively saying Qantas reserves the right to determine how they sell seats on their aircraft is a devaluation of anything.

Because this isn't about how they sell seats, it's about the level of benefits they offer to each status of pax. The less differentiation between the benefits offered to each status group, the less valuable higher status becomes. If silver members were suddenly able to use the Qantas Club, then Gold members might think there was very little point in aiming for that Gold status (assuming the QF Club was the basis of their aim for Gold). I know this seems like an extreme example, but the underlying principle is the same. If you don't sufficiently differentiate between status members, then what is the point of having a higher status? Think of it as benefit creep.

 

[straitman]

Maybe now is a good time to include the text from todays email,

[FONT=&quot]Preferential access to Qantas Classic Award seats[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]To reward our most frequent flyers, Platinum and Gold members receive preferential access, when available, to selected Qantas Classic Award seats[/FONT][FONT=&quot]4[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. From 4 May 2011, Silver members will also receive this benefit. On selected flights, your preferential access may be above the access available to Silver and Bronze members, making it easier to use your points to fly. [/FONT]
​

 

[drewbles]

Maybe now is a good time to include the text from todays email,

[FONT=&quot]Preferential access to Qantas Classic Award seats[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]To reward our most frequent flyers, Platinum and Gold members receive preferential access, when available, to selected Qantas Classic Award seats[/FONT][FONT=&quot]4[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. From 4 May 2011, Silver members will also receive this benefit. On selected flights, your preferential access may be above the access available to Silver and Bronze members, making it easier to use your points to fly. [/FONT]
​

I've read this over and over, and from what I can gather, this is just meaning that the classic availability that was previously only visible by SG and WP (online) is now going to be opened for PS.

This is not relating to the ability for a WP to ring and request a seat to be made available (of course incurring the 2500 point fee) where a seat is not showing as available for redemption. I've used this facility a few times and it's extremely beneficial. It would be a shame to see the benefit diluted to include PS (Sorry PS not meaning offence, just it seems to be something that should be made available to people who have actually qualified for WP).

 

[Deleted member 18152]

If a WP requests that a classic award seat be opened up for them, are they then allowed to 'buy' it via the AnySeat system?

Also, if a WP or SG sees a classic award seat that is provided as part of the 'priority availability' can they 'but' it via the AnySeat system? (Just like a NB can buy any classic seat via AnySeat...)

Cheers!

 

[moa999]

I read it as PS pref availability over NB

but they may also have a WP/SG pref over PS
i.e creating three tiers of availability

 

[Bundy Bear]

Methinks it's to cover their butt if they decide to allow significantly more award availability for frequent flyers rather than frequent spenders.

Now with the JASA (J Any Seat Award) those frequent spenders can use them to reach Silver of 300SCs then they can get a spoils of the PS and above in award availability. :idea:

 

[serfty]

Now with the JASA (J Any Seat Award) those frequent spenders can use them to reach Silver of 300SCs then they can get a spoils of the PS and above in award availability. :idea:

Of course, Qantas with that clause reserve the right to vary award availability depending upon one's status.

i.e. a particular Flight may have 4 award seats available for a WP, but only 2 for a PS.

 

[cove]

This leads me to ask if JASA availability is better for WP vs PS and do you get lower point offers than PS on redemptions on JASAS ?
Had a tight situation to get back to PER on Jan 2nd from the Sydney New Years Eve fireworks and had to go JASA thru Adelaide then on to Perth for a lot of points.
We may end up Gold by default thru lack of availability.

 

[k_sheep]

Shouldn't we be applauding the fact that silvers actually get some iota of a benifit? Not much of one of course, and certainly doesn't make up for lack of domestic check in benefits!

 

[Deleted member 18152]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, however, in terms of preferential seats I'm not noticing many extra First Class seats for Platinum members vs. Bronze. Is this normal? Perhaps one in every 10 is not available to bronze (i checked).