Has anyone had success with the call-up "Marginal" xASA's?

[Princess Fiona]

I have done enough to be Platinum in 2015. Mrscove is lagging. Then there is 2016 to think about but there is still time.

Mrscove should be right with a soft landing I think

 

[amaroo]

I guess it matters if WP makes it easier to get Classics...

Q - if you have EF access - do you need status? Sure, you cop the phone fee....but in the scheme of things that's bugger all.

 

[Rebekkap]

I've got 162,000 points (plus some change) and was wondering about booking a masa to the LOTFAP after 31 October, which is the end of my status year - I've never booked one before. I believe there's a spreadsheet somewhere? Could someone please point me at it and tell me what to say when I call?

thanks
rebekkap

 

[JessicaTam]

I've got 162,000 points (plus some change) and was wondering about booking a masa to the LOTFAP after 31 October, which is the end of my status year - I've never booked one before. I believe there's a spreadsheet somewhere? Could someone please point me at it and tell me what to say when I call?

thanks
rebekkap

The link is in the first post of this thread.

 

[hossein_au]

Will admit - this one confused me!

My bad for my poor choice of words; the discussion was about why there was/is no availability in X, U, and P fare buckets where traditionally there had been relatively plenty in previous years. I argued it could be because Qantas was/is holding off their release, awaiting the demise of MASA. You then had an example of having to pay some more money, albeit small amount, in order to secure MASA. When I said this was exactly my point, I was referring to the fact that you had to pay extra in order to secure MASA (versus booking classic awards). Later on in the thread, the conversation turned into the difference in price of MASA versus classic and whether this was a cheap way to attain or retain WP. I argued this was not the cheapest route to WP.

You say "...anyone with means can easily earn 398,000 QFFP for nothing...". With all due respect, this might be your perspective, but from the floury of activity around miles runs, manufactured spending, etc, it seems you are in the minority to earn points for nothing. Many people seem to be willing to pay CC surcharges, etc in order to obtain points which means they value points more than CC surcharges (which average around 1.5% across various cards). For me, for example, having around 400,000 points does not come around for free or even cheaply; if you have got them for nothing, good on you (and I really mean it).

 

[Rebekkap]

The link is in the first post of this thread.

Thank you

 

[Wannabee]

Just booked my final JASA, SYD - SIN for May 15 to use up the last of my points. Call was answered by the premium section, I had the spiel ready but the lady knew exactly what I was after. She did mention the 'marginal' word and she did say that the premium centre in Melbourne are all pretty good at these given that it is mostly Platinums that use them as they see the benefit in them at retaining status.

It's a real shame these are going as it seem the call centre is pretty good at booking them now with 7 days to run.

On another note, does anyone know why there is no U class in the new table? I really hope I haven't stuffed this up as I thought if I booked a JASA prior to 01 Jul when they are no longer available then I will still earn points and SC albeit at the new simpler and fairer rate.
http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/fairer-flying#changes-to-earn

 

[amaroo]

My bad for my poor choice of words; the discussion was about why there was/is no availability in X, U, and P fare buckets where traditionally there had been relatively plenty in previous years. I argued it could be because Qantas was/is holding off their release, awaiting the demise of MASA. You then had an example of having to pay some more money, albeit small amount, in order to secure MASA. When I said this was exactly my point, I was referring to the fact that you had to pay extra in order to secure MASA (versus booking classic awards). Later on in the thread, the conversation turned into the difference in price of MASA versus classic and whether this was a cheap way to attain or retain WP. I argued this was not the cheapest route to WP.

You say "...anyone with means can easily earn 398,000 QFFP for nothing...". With all due respect, this might be your perspective, but from the floury of activity around miles runs, manufactured spending, etc, it seems you are in the minority to earn points for nothing. Many people seem to be willing to pay CC surcharges, etc in order to obtain points which means they value points more than CC surcharges (which average around 1.5% across various cards). For me, for example, having around 400,000 points does not come around for free or even cheaply; if you have got them for nothing, good on you (and I really mean it).

Anyone flying QF LH in premium cabins for work or leisure are generating QFFP at a decent rate.

Business BNE-SYD-LHR-SYD-BNE reaps 80,200 for a WP including a bonus 8,000 QFFP

If you purchase that J fare with the right CC you earn 3 x the fare....lets say $9K or 27,000 QFFP. That one return J flight to London reaps > 100,000 points. The cost over and above the cost of the fare to get that 100,000 points is a flat $30 CC fee that QF charges. If you can do it with OPM you've got 100,000 points for around the cost of a bottle of wine.

IMHO the J cabins are awash with QFF members generating huge amounts of QFFP for very little or zero personal financial cost.

IMHO the F cabins are awash with QFF members earning >2/3 the way to WP for the bargain top-up price of $450....the lucky ones got to double that bonanza with a DSC offer and ended up >1/2 way to WP1.

Anyone actively buying points should terminate QFF with extreme prejudice - it's a dog of a scheme for these types of flyers http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../maybe-ill-give-up-qff-60995.html#post1068154

 

[OATEK]

On another note, does anyone know why there is no U class in the new table? I really hope I haven't stuffed this up as I thought if I booked a JASA prior to 01 Jul when they are no longer available then I will still earn points and SC albeit at the new simpler and fairer rate.
http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/fairer-flying#changes-to-earn

There is a footnote to cover JASA earn in U. Covered much earlier in the thread.

 

[Gold Member]

From July 1, Business Class domestic JASAs earn status credits at the new earn rate of 'Business Flexible' which is ~10-15% more then than regular business earn.

 

[hossein_au]

Anyone flying QF LH in premium cabins for work or leisure are generating QFFP at a decent rate.

Business BNE-SYD-LHR-SYD-BNE reaps 80,200 for a WP including a bonus 8,000 QFFP

If you purchase that J fare with the right CC you earn 3 x the fare....lets say $9K or 27,000 QFFP. That one return J flight to London reaps > 100,000 points. The cost over and above the cost of the fare to get that 100,000 points is a flat $30 CC fee that QF charges. If you can do it with OPM you've got 100,000 points for around the cost of a bottle of wine.

IMHO the J cabins are awash with QFF members generating huge amounts of QFFP for very little or zero personal financial cost.

IMHO the F cabins are awash with QFF members earning >2/3 the way to WP for the bargain top-up price of $450....the lucky ones got to double that bonanza with a DSC offer and ended up >1/2 way to WP1.

Anyone actively buying points should terminate QFF with extreme prejudice - it's a dog of a scheme for these types of flyers http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../maybe-ill-give-up-qff-60995.html#post1068154

I am in a different position, having obtained and retained WP by flying LH a lot on my own budget and hence in discount economy (did not use DSC, status run, MASA, etc to obtain WP). Flying for work is now an exception rather than the norm, and even then, only SCs are earned (no QFF points on flights for work). So, my earn rate is through either flying LH in discount economy and in my everyday shopping on CCs.

I do realise Qantas has decided to value the less frequent flyers in premium cabins (such as yourself) over the more frequent flyers flyers at the back of the bus (such as me). And that's cool; they have a business to run and have decided raw revenue today is more important to them than long lasting customer relationship, albeit with lower near-term peak spend (hence my suggestion elsewhere that they should rename their frequent flyer program to high spender program). I respect it is their right how they run their business, but I also expect them to understand I also have the right to choose, or just simply walk away from them. I was exclusively with Qantas for more than a decade, but starting this year I have moved all but one of my CCs to earn non-QF points. I have also burnt most of my hundreds of thousands of QFF points I had accumulated over many years. I have left some points in the kitty, just in case I fancy flying Qantas on Classics or if there is absolutely no alternatives.

If I can fly MEL-LAX in J with 125,000 VA points plus ~$100 fess versus 128,000 QFF points plus ~$1,000 in fees, I don't really give a hoot if I am served sloppy pasta (QF) or sloppy sandwiches (VA) in the lounge; I can eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant before or after the flight and still have change left. I have flown both, and to me, the hard and soft products on board are on par. You see, I am not precious... I don't care if my favourite champagne is replaced with my second favourite, I'm sure I'll survive...

 

[Wannabee]

From July 1, Business Class domestic JASAs earn status credits at the new earn rate of 'Business Flexible' which is ~10-15% more then than regular business earn.

Thanks. I could see no footnote as mentioned above.

 

[Gold Member]

Thanks. I could see no footnote as mentioned above.

No worries. In keeping with the 'Simpler' theme, there is a footnote, but it doesn't describe how business domestic is treated on the new earn table.

I cancelled several domestic JASAs I booked last month for travel prior to July 1 and rebooked for post July 1 to earn more status credits.

 

[Newk]

No worries. In keeping with the 'Simpler' theme, there is a footnote, but it doesn't describe how business domestic is treated on the new earn table.

I cancelled several domestic JASAs I booked last month for travel prior to July 1 and rebooked for post July 1 to earn more status credits.

legend!

 

[hossein_au]

From July 1, Business Class domestic JASAs earn status credits at the new earn rate of 'Business Flexible' which is ~10-15% more then than regular business earn.

Really? That'd be great if correct. I remember vaguely people on AFF were saying JASAs will earn at the lower business rate rather than Flex?

 

[medhead]

From July 1, Business Class domestic JASAs earn status credits at the new earn rate of 'Business Flexible' which is ~10-15% more then than regular business earn.

That's not exactly correct, assuming you're referring to Australian Domestic not US domestic. Post 30 June ASA booked in C and J will earn flexible business. ASA booked in D, I and U (only if booked before 1 July) will earn as Business.

So marginal ASA will still earn at business levels. The changing of the distance requirement for Australia domestic flights means that the SC earning can be upto 33% lower. For example ADL-SYD booked prior to the announcement (end of March sometime) earns 60 SC. Booked post the march cutoff date it earns 40SC. Edit in fact Flexi Business only earns 45 SC on the route.

Any route between 601 miles and 750 miles, and 1201 miles and 1500 miles, and >2400 miles will earn less

I'd strongly suggest people check the actual earning before they cancel and re-book. There is a risk they'll earn less.

 

[Wannabee]

No worries. In keeping with the 'Simpler' theme, there is a footnote, but it doesn't describe how business domestic is treated on the new earn table.

I cancelled several domestic JASAs I booked last month for travel prior to July 1 and rebooked for post July 1 to earn more status credits.

My JASA is an international not domestic so don't know where that fits in

 

[OATEK]

Thanks. I could see no footnote as mentioned above.

Have a look here - it lists X, Z, U and P fares booked as an ASA as earning.

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

 

[hossein_au]

Have a look here - it lists X, Z, U and P fares booked as an ASA as earning.

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Has anyone noticed there is no Flex Economy, Flex Pre Eco, Flex Bus, or Flex First in the table?? How come the new fairer and simpler calculator has entries that do not appear in the earn table at all??!! Has anyone at Qantas heard about database design (normalisation, etc)?

 

[amaroo]

<snip>

If I can fly MEL-LAX in J with 125,000 VA points plus ~$100 fess versus 128,000 QFF points plus ~$1,000 in fees, I don't really give a hoot if I am served sloppy pasta (QF) or sloppy sandwiches (VA) in the lounge; I can eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant before or after the flight and still have change left. I have flown both, and to me, the hard and soft products on board are on par. You see, I am not precious... I don't care if my favourite champagne is replaced with my second favourite, I'm sure I'll survive...

I couldn't agree with you more! I think I'll end up going BAEC for flights and SQ for point dumps.