Heads up about program changes

[OATEK]

I am so happy that I don't have to read this thread in its entirety, or the new webpages (that keep changing) or worry about how many SC's my domestic trips will now give me after 1 July 2014. I'm just going to concentrate on re-qualifying VA Platinum and throw the bones to QF.

I will make sure I maximise JASA bookings and use my $1,500 in vouchers that might help me re-qual QF Gold until 28/2/16, but can't see myself re-qualing after that (soft landing to Silver and my QP Lifetime will help until I slowly reach Lifetime Gold).

There is a huge loss of incentive in the new rates. Instead of qualifying QF Gold early next year, based on forward bookings, I will have to settle for retaining silver. And I won't work hard on QFF earning, just where it suits. Have already begun booking trips where I am applying BFOD and that includes some intra-Europe trips. Currently a real eclectic mix of bookings, including VA and other alliances. So my JASA in August will probably be my last hurrah with QF, as next international booked with AY, and BA/CX front-runners for the Europe trip after that. I am only small fry, but in the end it will all add up I reckon.

 

[serfty]

I'm curious - does anyone here:- ...

Put's hand up!

For my situation, QFF is still the easiest way of earning *O Emerald.

But ... see here:

May I ask why you are still crediting to QF serfty? To retain/attain WP?

WP is good, but from this year my aims will be 1.2K WP and just that ...

I am currently examining AAdvantage options - a Platinum Challenge can be achieved with a $1580 with a PE return to HKG or QF.

Qantas flight deals | International flight specials from Melbourne

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm curious - does anyone here:-

- Do more than 4 international trips annually
AND

- Have Lifetime Gold with QF
AND

- Is QF Platinum or higher
AND

- Will continue to credit their FF travel and points to Qantas Frequent Flyer?


If EU centric - BA program is far superior to QFF (much higher points/avioz earning on CC than on QFF, 30% cheaper fares, more upgrades, GGL that blows P1 away)
If US centric travel - AA with 90%+ upgrade rates for exec plat combined with LTG for lounge within USA
If middle east centric - Emirates treats their Golds better than QF treats Platinums. Also higher CC earning @ citibank into skywards than QFF.
If Asia centric and doing >100 segments or >120K BIS - CX Diamonds have near 90% op-up rates. Also better earning into ASia miles from aus CC than QFF.
If AU Domestic centric - VA program gives ~100% more points than QFF if you fly on flexible rates or in biz. On some routes VA give more SC after July 1, and award redemptions are significantly cheaper.

Apart from familiarity, fear of change, not knowing of better options and thinking it's too difficult - I'm honestly at a loss at why anyone matching this criteria would continue crediting to QFF...

Did I miss something?

I satisfy for first 3 of the criteria and will credit only one more trip to the US on QFF to ensure Plat again for next year (and hence probably the following year again with expected comp.) - only because I'm nearly there now (3 months into membership year) , so no point in wasting that. That gives me a clear year to accrue on (probably) AA to ensure seamless 1W Emerald; 4 sectors a year on AA should be OK.

But I'm in also the category where I'm not 'centric' to any region. I go to USA/Canada about 4 times a year, Asia a couple of times and Europe once or twice and am already flying Virgin domestically where I can. I'm struggling on BA Vs AA scheme - I have just secured a UK address, so will need to look more closely at BA.

 

[Himeno]

Put's hand up!

For my situation, QFF is still the easiest way of earning *O Emerald.

From my research of the other oneworld programs, the same goes for me. But with my travel patterns, I'll only get around 1800 SC instead of the 2510 I have this year.

I asked QF if they had any answers to the questions we've been asking for the last 2 months. They replied "we're doing our best to update qantas.com. In the interim, members can contact our FF team"
So... the questions were asked 2 months ago. New earn rules start in 4 weeks, and they still don't have answers?

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Put's hand up!

For my situation, QFF is still the easiest way of earning *O Emerald.

But ... see here:

I am currently examining AAdvantage options - a Platinum Challenge can be achieved with a $1580 with a PE return to HKG or QF.

Qantas flight deals | International flight specials from Melbourne

Do I read this right ??????????????????

credit to AA and do i return trip to HKG and you are Emerald in OW ?? surely it can't be that easy ?? can it ??

how does a Platinum challenge work with AA ??

 

[Princess Fiona]

Do I read this right ??????????????????

credit to AA and do i return trip to HKG and you are Emerald in OW ?? surely it can't be that easy ?? can it ??

how does a Platinum challenge work with AA ??

AA plat is QF SG/ OWS

Exec Plat on AA is OWE, there is no challenge available for that AFAIK

 

[ketsuzei]

A bit tricky to follow... given that serfty is LTG, the significance of a Platinum challenge is what exactly? A leg-up towards Exec Plat?

 

[Flashback]

It's not as easy as it used to be, IIRC needs to be booked on the AA codes now at a minimum to even qualify. The only thing with AA also is that there are no soft landings anymore, if you don't requalify then it's back to whatever you did qualify for.

 

[legroom]

A bit tricky to follow... given that serfty is LTG, the significance of a Platinum challenge is what exactly? A leg-up towards Exec Plat?

I did this challenge last year.

At minimal cost, there are some minor advantages.

When you book domestic AA flights, your preferred status is reflected immediately with seat selection etc..

Plus when you credit QF flights to AA, IIRC there is also status bonuses.

18 mo for ~$150 IIRC

No, it is not a leg up to AA Exec Plat. You have to qualify through the front door there.

 

[amaroo]

It's not as easy as it used to be, IIRC needs to be booked on the AA codes now at a minimum to even qualify. The only thing with AA also is that there are no soft landings anymore, if you don't requalify then it's back to whatever you did qualify for.

I looked at doing it a few months ago. Looked like you could do it via QF and a bunch of other OW carriers - seemed pretty easy to meet the challenge. Retaining the thing and moving to AA Exec is another story....

I decided to wait and see....

 

[NM]

A bit tricky to follow... given that serfty is LTG, the significance of a Platinum challenge is what exactly? A leg-up towards Exec Plat?

One of the benefits of AA Platinum (OneWorld Sapphire) include 100% status bonus miles for most flights, meaning you earn miles faster once you reach AA Platinum status level. Also can receive most of the same benefits as QFF Gold without needing to show the card since its printed on the boarding pass and noted in the reservation.

 

[serfty]

It's not as easy as it used to be, IIRC needs to be booked on the AA codes now at a minimum to even qualify. ...

That has not been the case for some years, you can do it on QF, IB, BA, JL as well as AA
See this thread: www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/american-airlines-aadvantage/aa-platinum-challenge-mileage-earning-8595.html

One of the benefits of AA Platinum (OneWorld Sapphire) include 100% status bonus miles for most flights, meaning you earn miles faster once you reach AA Platinum status level. ...

This!

- O class between MEL and SYD credited to AA without status earns 120 miles, as an AAdvantage Platinum earns 1000 miles.

 

[Shan Man]

My first booking under the new simpler and fairer earning rates.

If i fall 200points short of a toaster this year I will be upset.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi Red Roo, given that it's now less than a month until the new changes take effect do you have any idea when the partner earning table will be released?
I note that it appears a shorter, simplified Partner SC chart is on the website but cannot find a link to points earning.

 

[Danger]

Hi Red Roo, given that it's now less than a month until the new changes take effect do you have any idea when the partner earning table will be released?
I note that it appears a shorter, simplified Partner SC chart is on the website but cannot find a link to points earning.

And this one too, please.

I'm currently investigating this with the Loyalty team, and hope to have an update asap.

 

[eminere]

Hi Red Roo, given that it's now less than a month until the new changes take effect do you have any idea when the partner earning table will be released?
I note that it appears a shorter, simplified Partner SC chart is on the website but cannot find a link to points earning.

+1

Have a OW flight on 1 July.

 

[Himeno]

Hi Red Roo, given that it's now less than a month until the new changes take effect do you have any idea when the partner earning table will be released?
I note that it appears a shorter, simplified Partner SC chart is on the website but cannot find a link to points earning.

Not to mention the issue about getting fewer SC on partners when QF doesn't fly that route (and we have no choice but to use the partner airline) and the issue of most AU-Asia flights earning less then current in everything except W and discount economy, both of which QF Loyalty said they would review...


The delays and uncertainty created by QF with the entire downgrade/revamp of the QFF program has been causing delays in confirming my travel plans.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Not to mention the issue about getting fewer SC on partners when QF doesn't fly that route (and we have no choice but to use the partner airline) and the issue of most AU-Asia flights earning less then current in everything except W and discount economy, both of which QF Loyalty said they would review...


The delays and uncertainty created by QF with the entire downgrade/revamp of the QFF program has been causing delays in confirming my travel plans.

plenty of other tasty fish in the ocean

 

[Twister292]

I was about to pull the trigger on ANZ QFF Black card...till I read this thread.

Time to change my NAB QFF card to VA and keep the ANZ rewards black card for VA points....

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

plenty of other tasty fish in the ocean

It's a refreshing change crediting recent OW flights to AA and having the equivalent miles flown credit, rather than the equivalent of a medium sized shop at Woolworths...