Heads up about program changes

[katiebell]

QF also said they would review the comments people have been sending them about it since they announced the SC earn changes. ie, while it is reasonable to have lower partner earns on routes QF operates (eg, SYD-NRT, MEL-HKG), it is not reasonable to have lower earns on routes QF does NOT operate (eg HKG-JFK, NRT-LHR, MIA-SCL, ICN-HKG).

or routes like MEL-NRT, ADL-HKG, PER-SIN

 

[katiebell]

I wonder what QF would do if the ACCC revokes permission for the EK/QF tie up (review late next year) or don't renew it past March 2018.

Maybe we should all be writing to ACCC saying that this tie-up is decreasing competition for us (quite true as QF pulls out of more & more routes)

 

[Himeno]

The thing that gets me is that table that says business has increased to asia. This seems to be just plain wrong. Misleading?

Yes it is. Asia, in all classes, are either less or the same, on Qantas Group.

 

[Himeno]

Maybe we should all be writing to ACCC saying that this tie-up is decreasing competition for us (quite true as QF pulls out of more & more routes)

We'd need to prove some clear evidence.

 

[moa999]

Yes it is. Asia, in all classes, are either less or the same, on Qantas Group.

Any of the Flex business classes have increased.

 

[katiebell]

We'd need to prove some clear evidence.

I would have thought no QFi from PER was a decrease in competition. Also, no ability to fly QFi from BNE, ADL or PER to LHR. No QFi to FRA.

 

[mannej]

I would have thought no QFi from PER was a decrease in competition. Also, no ability to fly QFi from BNE, ADL or PER to LHR. No QFi to FRA.

But there is the ability to fly from those ports to LHR using QF, one option is via codeshare, the other is through connecting via MEL or SYD. There are people who do this.

 

[katiebell]

But there is the ability to fly from those ports to LHR using QF, one option is via codeshare, the other is through connecting via MEL or SYD. There are people who do this.

codeshare is not the same as flying QFi so definite loss of flights and options to FRA. PER-MEL-LHR just does not make sense: again loss of competition

 

[amaroo]

Qantas delays new points earning scheme for partner airlines - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Looks like it has been delayed.

Interesting read including the linked articles thanks for posting.

 

[katiebell]

A new idea for a simpler and fairer FF programme:

For those who hae LTG or LTS why not start the SC year with a balance equal to that need to qualify for SG or PS respectively? These FF already have this status (through years of loyalty). This way the LTGs might just keep flying QF as there is now a chance of retaining WP which will be otherwise lost with the degrading of OW earning.

 

[TonyHancock]

A new idea for a simpler and fairer FF programme:

For those who hae LTG or LTS why not start the SC year with a balance equal to that need to qualify for SG or PS respectively? These FF already have this status (through years of loyalty). This way the LTGs might just keep flying QF as there is now a chance of retaining WP which will be otherwise lost with the degrading of OW earning.

...or alternatively just credit the the OW program that suits best.

The reality for me is that Justin at QF made it quite clear he does not want my spend so I will take it elsewhere. Simpler and Fairer as far as I am concerned. I understand and see no need for QF to change their view. It is simply a commercial decision. QF no longer wants to play nicely in OW but others do.

 

[ketsuzei]

A new idea for a simpler and fairer FF programme:

For those who hae LTG or LTS why not start the SC year with a balance equal to that need to qualify for SG or PS respectively? These FF already have this status (through years of loyalty). This way the LTGs might just keep flying QF as there is now a chance of retaining WP which will be otherwise lost with the degrading of OW earning.

It actually makes a little sense given their decision not to dangle any sort of lifetime WP carrot.

Once I hit LTG, if I'm not sure I'll hit WP then I have no incentive to credit anything. So my optimal number will be whatever I actually need to fly as a bare minimum, plus zero.

But I'm pretty sure QF no longer want people who "game the system" in that way, i.e. make rational decisions based on their available options and budget constraints.

 

[Himeno]

Any of the Flex business classes have increased.

nope. SYD-NRT used to get 140SC. It now gets 120 in D and 135 in J.

 

[medhead]

Any of the Flex business classes have increased.

Changes at a glade table here: Frequent Flyer - Fairer Flying
This states that Business has increased. Flex business is a separate listing, also stating that points earn has increased. However, Points earn for both business and flex business SYD-SIN is lower. Therefore, no the points earn does not increase under these changes. The use of the term "Increased" is pretty much misleading.

Status credits is a different matter, but I think I was referring to the points earn. (perhaps not)

 

[katiebell]

I have just tried to calculate points/SC on a recent RTW trip: not possible for many sectors and no way to select an airline other than QF (important as the QF flights on sectors where there is still a QF flight did not connect with the flights on the following/preceding sectors so I could not have flown QF even if I wanted to and will still be penalised but I'm not able to find out by how much using ht points calculator...

 

[katiebell]

If dumping QF FF in favour of BA ExecClub is there any risk of losing everything for breaching the T&C by using an address where you are not resident?

3.1.1. British Airways reserves the right not to enrol individuals with resident addresses in certain countries and/or regions.

24.1. In addition to any other rights or remedies it may have British Airways reserves the right at any time in its absolute discretion to terminate the Membership of any Member and/or (if applicable) the right of any Member to use the Card if a Member commits Fraud, Misconduct, is given a banning notice or withdraws their consent under Clause 4.

Also, Lifetime status is not necessarily for life:

7.2. British Airways reserves the right to change or withdraw Lifetime Status for both new and existing Lifetime Status Members

 

[woodborer]

This states that Business has increased. Flex business is a separate listing, also stating that points earn has increased. However, Points earn for both business and flex business SYD-SIN is lower. Therefore, no the points earn does not increase under these changes. The use of the term "Increased" is pretty much misleading.

DO you want to throw some numbers at this to support your assertion? Having just done a compare and contrast of the simpler and fairer calculator with the current calculator, a Business flight, on Qantas, using a QF flight number, yields more points at all status levels on the new system. For example, a WP flying SYD-SIN will get 13,000 on the new, while 9,770 on the old. (In Flex business, the margin is greater)

 

[medhead]

DO you want to throw some numbers at this to support your assertion? Having just done a compare and contrast of the simpler and fairer calculator with the current calculator, a Business flight, on Qantas, using a QF flight number, yields more points at all status levels on the new system. For example, a WP flying SYD-SIN will get 13,000 on the new, while 9,770 on the old. (In Flex business, the margin is greater)

You could be correct. I put more than one route into the old calculator. Obviously it was too complex and I need the simplicity of the new calculator that only allows one route. Qantas, removing operator error.

 

[Mwenenzi]

If dumping QF FF in favour of BA ExecClub is there any risk of losing everything for breaching the T&C by using an address where you are not resident?

The other IAG owed airline, Iberia, which also use avois as the ff currency, has no such restrictions. IAG owns BA and Iberia.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The other IAG owed airline, Iberia, which also use avois as the ff currency, has no such restrictions. IAG owns BA and Iberia.

Does IB have a lifetime Plat equivalent and a 'soft landing' set up?