Dump points in QFF progarm Feb or March

[pauly7]

Re: "Time to Choose"

I really do think Qantas is feeling some pain - hence the promotion that time is running out etc. .

Yes broadly I suppose - like all airlines.

We were talking about this at work (points transfer), the general feeling is that most people will actually opt to go with QFF as a default in the general population. Certainly at work people are much more familiar with the program than their banks own.... and most people involved had already ticked the QFF box!

I'm a bit suprised given the strong attitudes on here that almost 50% of people in this poll are also flicking points across as well. Would have thought it would be a bit lower than that.

 

[iqis60]

I'm keeping mine on the card, as its commonwealth gold card and they take 1.5 points for one QFF point.

Its far better for me to just purchase flights through CBA's travel plus engine when there are sales on. If I buy a domestic flight during a sale, I only use about 13K points each way, when a qantas classic awards flight is 12K in Qantas points.

The obvious bonus there is that I don't need to spend 1.5 CBA points to get 1 QFF point. But there is a less obvious benifit to booking through travel plus. As far as Qantas is concerned, I have paid for the flight, so I will get QFF points and SC's. This might net me 1000 or 2000 QFF points on a one way flight, plus maybe 20 SC's. So its like spending only 10K in QFF points for a domestic flight and getting the SC's.

There is less benifit to this if you have a 1-1 points transfer card like the CBA platinum, but skipping the fee to join the program may also be a consideration.

 

[medhead]

Re: "Time to Choose"

I'm a bit suprised given the strong attitudes on here that almost 50% of people in this poll are also flicking points across as well. Would have thought it would be a bit lower than that.

It probably would be lower but some Cards (i.e. NAB gold rewards) are automatically switching over. The the NAB gold rewards program will be closed and all those with that card moved onto the gold QFF card. The points will be transferred at the relevant rates in Feb. I'm going with that default auto option because it's not many points in my case and hopefully, the auto switch will count as direct sweep to QF and get me some small extra chance at the 1 million points draw.

My other choice is to redeem something and there is nothing worthwhile for the number of points that I have.

 

[serfty]

Well I have some cards with points that would be orphaned if I don't - I will be cleaning these accounts out and closing them.

The total amount is < 15K and that is more than an order of magnitude less than my current overall (non QFF) point balance.

 

[stryker]

I'm going with the QF sweep option on my cards, even though I really do hate Qantas with a passion.

The reason I'm doing this is that QF points can be quite handy for flights at peak times such as school holidays and xmas, when a paid fare would be expensive.

I just cringe, shut my eyes and ears and grin and bear it! And also, I avail myself of a few of those miniatures of shiraz.

 

[adrian]

Will probably go with Qantas, although I will hate having to pay another fee to Citibank for the privilege of doing so (even if it is a relatively small $19).

Don't use Qantas FF much anymore, all flight miles go to AA, but credit card points I send to Qantas as I still find it useful for the occasional one-way flight for repositioning. The taxes & charges are killers though.

 

[Mal]

I think Qantas is starting to be a little scared.... upon logging into my FF account, I am presented with a survey:

We'd appreciate if you could answer a question on the upcoming credit card changes.

Do you intend on transferring your credit card points to Qantas Frequent Flyer before 31 March 2009?

• Yes. I plan to transfer
• No. I don't plan to transfer
• I'm undecided
• I have no points to transfer

* Time to 5pm, 31 March 2009 (AEST). After 31 March 2009, some credit and charge card reward programs will no longer offer Qantas Frequent Flyer points as a reward option. Not all card reward programs are affected, but for those that are, you will need to transfer your points by 31 March (or the date specified by your card provider). To find out if your card is affected and transfer your points, contact your card provider, or for more information visit qantas.com/choose.

No prizes for guessing what my response was.

When I choose my response, I'm then given a page telling me exactly what the 'benefits' are of changing my ways. Nice try Qantas. Keep dreaming!

 

[serfty]

So the same thing, replied "nup" and the 'benefits' page appear.

Loged out then into SWMBO's and replied "Yup" and a seemingly identical 'benefits' page appeared.

I wonder what happens if you respond NOT INTERESTED

 

[PLANT]

Hey Qantas stole my poll and idea...should have copyrighted!

 

[JohnK]

I wonder what happens if you respond NOT INTERESTED

It just returns to original screen bypassing the benefits page. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Platy]

Allocated a small number of AMEX points (12,000 odd) to QFF in January and will re-assess CC strategy. Still have an ANZ QF VISA, but the thing is capped. Hmmmm, what to do!!!

 

[glass]

Just saw today how Qantas has NO seats already for Jan 2010. Asia miles however has many seats thru the year.

So no, that's decided me to keep my amex points in mr, visa will unfortunately be QFF. So my 300k points in MR will stay there and let me choose whatever airline has flights.

go away QFF.

 

[Mal]

I do like the email I received from Velocity today. Sums up my views quite well:

If you're a QANTAS Frequent Flyer you may have recently received communications suggesting that you consider moving points earned with credit and charge cards to their program by the end of March.

You don't have to do anything of the sort

* You can keep reward points with your bank or charge card provider 'til whenever you wish (within the bounds of your program of course).
* The way we see it, it seems unfair that someone else is suggesting what you do with your points. That's a choice for you alone to decide.
* And just to set the record straight, the act of doing nothing (not moving those credit and charge card points) does not mean you're about to lose them. All it means is that you prefer having a say in the matter of your points and how you choose to use them.

We believe in the simple things

Like giving you, our Members, the right to decide how to use the points earned with your credit and charge card reward programs. We don't believe in telling you what to do (although we're not shy of enticing from time to time - as with our current out-of-this-world bonus Points promo - but that's another story).

So please don't be spooked by the QANTAS changes. Just remember that what you do with your points - and when you do it - is completely up to you.

The Velocity Team


PS: Just remember that we're always here as a transfer option, with our massive range of flights and a loyalty program that can get you right around the world - Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, V Australia^, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue.

 

[medhead]

I do like the email I received from Velocity today. Sums up my views quite well:

Yes a good email to the point. Shame they forget that NAB customer can't just keep their points with the bank.

 

[iqis60]

Had a chat with a friend of mine who works in the managment section of QFF about the points transfer deadline last night and he had a few interesting things to say.

For those of you who replied to the "Time to Choose" survey with "unsure", expect a personal phone call. I asked him if they would be offering any sweetners, and he declined to answer....

I also asked him if there was going to be a push going on in the last few weeks and he indicated there would be. Of course I asked him if there were going to be any sweetners and again he was evasive.

In the end he indicated that it would be probably worth my while to wait until the final week or two to transfer points to see what comes up.

 

[dajop]

Yes a good email to the point. Shame they forget that NAB customer can't just keep their points with the bank.

Yes, but NAB customers can go to another bank and still have the option of earning points for using in velocity or other programs. With QFF it doesn't matter which bank you're with, you elect for QFF and you automatically eliminate all other FF programs...

 

[medhead]

Yes, but NAB customers can go to another bank and still have the option of earning points for using in velocity or other programs. With QFF it doesn't matter which bank you're with, you elect for QFF and you automatically eliminate all other FF programs...

Yeah, NAB customers can choose another program but no matter what, their existing gold rewards points are going to qantas. The NAB program is closing and going direct sweep. No choice, no hanging onto existing points to transfer to DJ.

 

[anat0l]

I transferred 100k MR points to QFF today, because I want to be ready in the cat bird's seat to pounce on any zone 10 F awards if the availability opens up, or if I can be bothered to bug QFF every day from now on. I probably should have waited at least another month like everyone and "play hardball" in case QF caves in and gives everyone a good deal on transfers.......

I still have a considerable balance of MR points remaining (thank you Amex's flawed promo - plus many more points in arrears); I won't transfer these yet because there aren't too many other awards I'm think of burning on QF.

I also still have about 50k CBA Standard Awards points, both of which burn to QF or Velocity at the ****house rate of 2 CBA points to 1 FF mile (but Velocity currently has a 25% bonus on transfers). I think these will become QF points eventually because there's nothing else to use CBA Awards points on (and no I am not buying a toaster).

I don't like QF's game more than any one else on this forum, but going full on Velocity isn't a solution that would work for me. I will most probably keep points in my MR account for my hotel programs.

 

[dajop]

Yeah, NAB customers can choose another program but no matter what, their existing gold rewards points are going to qantas. The NAB program is closing and going direct sweep. No choice, no hanging onto existing points to transfer to DJ.

Yes NAB seem to be out on their own as far as direct sweeps go. But I guess you never had other FF program options with existing NAB rewards points, unlike some of the programs such as Altitude (I think Westpac learnt their lesson as far as direct sweep goes following the AN collapse).

 

[medhead]

Yes NAB seem to be out on their own as far as direct sweeps go. But I guess you never had other FF program options with existing NAB rewards points, unlike some of the programs such as Altitude (I think Westpac learnt their lesson as far as direct sweep goes following the AN collapse).

True, I can't really complain as the NAB CC is only costing me about $24000 a year.*


*the interest on my loan package