Heads up about program changes

[ketsuzei]

Surely it's just because Cruiser has posted his location in the ToTT thread, rather than analysing out persona Stayangel accounts?

If you say so. I don't like the appearance, and I'm pretty sure we'd hold the other side to a higher standard.

 

[medhead]

I like what you have to say on this forum a lot.

But this sort of comment doesn't bode well for the privacy policy, and I don't like the asymmetry of you knowing everything, and the site having no name, phone number, or physical address posted.

I'd say it's vastly more likely because they know each other personally IRL. All those things you list are true but it is also true that some of us do have each other's real name, phone number and etc.

With the amount of points accrued going up (in most cases, excluding maybe economy) and therefore more points being floated, I foresee a devaluation coming on the redemption side.

I'd be inclined to believe that sheer number of economy seats means the points taken away is equal or larger than the points given.

 

[Foreigner]

This may have been covered in thread but is the minimum 1,000 points still in place?

 

[drron]

So we have just completed a Circle asia trip.The first 5 flights were before 1/7.The last flight was on 3/7-MH KUL-BNE.It has now posted for mrsdrron with the new SCs for partner airline-60.The same as received for MH BKK-KUL on 30/6.
The trip was booked 12 months ago.
Do we just wait the 30 days and trust it is corrected?
Without the old SC earn she will just fall short of requalifying WP.

 

[QPProletarian]

So we have just completed a Circle asia trip.The first 5 flights were before 1/7.The last flight was on 3/7-MH KUL-BNE.It has now posted for mrsdrron with the new SCs for partner airline-60.The same as received for MH BKK-KUL on 30/6.
The trip was booked 12 months ago.
Do we just wait the 30 days and trust it is corrected?
Without the old SC earn she will just fall short of requalifying WP.

Depends on when you booked the ticket more so than when you flew.

 

[dajop]

This may have been covered in thread but is the minimum 1,000 points still in place?

It is now 800 points (for discount economy/economy), 1200 points (for flexible economy and Y+) or 1400 points (for business).

 

[serfty]

Depends on when you booked the ticket more so than when you flew.

I guess that may not be an issue, unless it was not ticketed until April?

So we have just completed a Circle asia trip.The first 5 flights were before 1/7.The last flight was on 3/7-MH KUL-BNE.It has now posted for mrsdrron with the new SCs for partner airline-60.The same as received for MH BKK-KUL on 30/6.
The trip was booked 12 months ago.
Do we just wait the 30 days and trust it is corrected?
Without the old SC earn she will just fall short of requalifying WP.

 

[Foreigner]

It is now 800 points (for discount economy/economy), 1200 points (for flexible economy and Y+) or 1400 points (for business).

Thanks.

.....

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

SYD-ADL in flexible economy now gleans only 20 SCs and 1200 points.

Sorry RedRoo, that's not simpler or fairer. Business trips on Flexi fares now going to the other guys. Your system is idiotic, as I spend more to earn less? Unlikely.

 

[lovestotravel]

SYD-ADL in flexible economy now gleans only 20 SCs and 1200 points.

Sorry RedRoo, that's not simpler or fairer. Business trips on Flexi fares now going to the other guys. Your system is idiotic, as I spend more to earn less? Unlikely.

Indeed !!!!

Looking at a heap of MEL-SYD-MEL flights for July and early August, and lack of sale fares at the moment, means I'll be paying $145 min for 800 points and 10 SC on QF.

Virgin is $119 for 1041 points (Gold Member) and 10 SC

An extra 241 points per flight which I value at $10, and the ability to use on Etihad and their A380's next year...

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Plus the saving of $26 per flight so $36 of "lost value" for me each way

Yes a sale will come soon but probably not for the dates I need

Worth it for slightly better food in the J lounge on QF, probably not as for each MEL-SYD-MEL flight I am $72, I'll could just buy a egg and bacon roll and be happy and a pie and still be $60+ in-front, or just suck up the VA food offerings....

Now if QF were offering the old 1000 points, I'd 100% stick with them.

The only small saving grace is the Acquire program, but it's a pain to manage and something else to deal with

 

[boomy]

Some routes earn more such as BNE-MEL or BNE-ADL which now earn 1,400 points.
Just trying to see the glass half full...

 

[Mr_Orange]

SYD-ADL in flexible economy now gleans only 20 SCs and 1200 points.

Sorry RedRoo, that's not simpler or fairer. Business trips on Flexi fares now going to the other guys. Your system is idiotic, as I spend more to earn less? Unlikely.

It seems the change to the domestic distance zones was designed specifically to just push certain routes under the new limit for the lowest tier of earn and therefore punish the commuters and regular business travellers. It seems pretty cynical and stupid to me. It's possible QF could not have made the changes any more of slap in the face for their supporters if they tried (maybe short of closing QFF).

I really hope they see sense because they really have p1ssed everyone off with this latest round of enhancements/simplifications.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Some routes earn more such as BNE-MEL or BNE-ADL which now earn 1,400 points.
Just trying to see the glass half full...

Fair enough, but these are few and far between compared to all the reductions. It's like taking away Little Johnny's PS4 and giving him a Nintendo Game Boy instead.

 

[ketsuzei]

It's like taking away Little Johnny's PS4 and giving him a Nintendo Game Boy instead.

Good analogy. I think you'll find Little Johnny keeps on playing regardless.

 

[serfty]

Some routes earn more such as BNE-MEL or BNE-ADL which now earn 1,400 points.
Just trying to see the glass half full...

Except that this WP used to earn over 1700 points between MEL and BNE.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Except that this WP used to earn over 1700 points between MEL and BNE.

Enjoy your Game Boy serfty .

 

[JohnK]

Indeed !!!!

Looking at a heap of MEL-SYD-MEL flights for July and early August, and lack of sale fares at the moment, means I'll be paying $145 min for 800 points and 10 SC on QF.

Virgin is $119 for 1041 points (Gold Member) and 10 SC

An extra 241 points per flight which I value at $10, and the ability to use on Etihad and their A380's next year...

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Plus the saving of $26 per flight so $36 of "lost value" for me each way

Yes a sale will come soon but probably not for the dates I need

I mostly agree with your points and I think that is not a good sign.

Firstly there is a reason why Virgin is cheaper. It is not Qantas. On domestic Qantas does all little things better. From in flight service to service recovery to customer service to terminals to lounges and lounge offerings etc. To me Qantas feels professional. And before anyone tries to correct me I have witnessed first hand a few times Virgin's attrocious efforts at service recovery, in flight service, lounges.

As far as international goes there really is no comparison. Virgin's international services are very thin.

So I now earn more Velocity points on cheaper airfares. Great. But what do I with them? I have no desire to go to LAX and certainly no desire to go to AUH or fly Etihad. Toasters? If someone on AFF would start gloating how easy it was to redeem Velocity points to go to SE Asia on SQ and received great value for money then I may start showing some interest in Velocity.

And what is disturbing right now is the lack of Quality sales. Every year Qantas would discount school holiday periods if you booked well in advance. Not this year. And Virgin is following suit. I am not spending $145 on a SYD-BNE airfare. Yes I know Virgin is still cheaper but I will travel less weeekends. I can't see how that could be better for any airline.

Interesting times.

 

[moa999]

We are at the end if a capacity war that almost sent both airlines broke domestically. I would not expect much from sales this year.

 

[medhead]

I mostly agree with your points and I think that is not a good sign.

Firstly there is a reason why Virgin is cheaper. It is not Qantas. On domestic Qantas does all little things better. From in flight service to service recovery to customer service to terminals to lounges and lounge offerings etc. To me Qantas feels professional. And before anyone tries to correct me I have witnessed first hand a few times Virgin's attrocious efforts at service recovery, in flight service, lounges.

As far as international goes there really is no comparison. Virgin's international services are very thin.

So I now earn more Velocity points on cheaper airfares. Great. But what do I with them? I have no desire to go to LAX and certainly no desire to go to AUH or fly Etihad. Toasters? If someone on AFF would start gloating how easy it was to redeem Velocity points to go to SE Asia on SQ and received great value for money then I may start showing some interest in Velocity.

And what is disturbing right now is the lack of Quality sales. Every year Qantas would discount school holiday periods if you booked well in advance. Not this year. And Virgin is following suit. I am not spending $145 on a SYD-BNE airfare. Yes I know Virgin is still cheaper but I will travel less weeekends. I can't see how that could be better for any airline.

Interesting times.

Those things you list are mostly the same on both airlines. You mention a couple of items that you've personally experienced, are you projecting those experiences onto everything about the airline? I've personally had brilliant service recovery from VA. Perhaps you've just suffered your well known bad luck.

You are of course correct there is comparison on international, since we're comparing domestic. But there is always SQ as a partner.

 

[DaveB]

As a mere PS and only flying for recreation, QF does nothing for me.
I can understand blocking some seats for possible future passengers with status but I have flown one too many Row 3 QFd flights where the meal choice inevitably becomes soup or cheese plate with service rushed (even SYD to ADL) as they take their time with the passengers and fellow staff in Row 1.
Small sample sizes but the dozen or so flights the family have done since with VA have all been great. Sure the lounges are not as good but are fine for our simple tastes. Also like not having to manage around
JQ as per our recent trip to Hamilton where the four of us were able to fly VA J together with only one ticket 'bought'.