Heads up about program changes

[SeatBackForward]

So they've realised that status is being earnt from xASA's, and also by flying on competitors that are part of Oneworld, and then minimising or removing these options. Is this an attempt at retaining patronage with Qantas or an active drive *to* the competitors???

SC earn flying on MH/CX to KUL/HKG in J used to earn 240 SC's now, this will be reduced to 120 SC's!So I need to fly these routes twice as often to retain my status? Unless the price has halved, this is highly unlikely to happen.

I know I will personally be reviewing my strategy and choices in flying now.

 

[opusman]

Wow, just wow. Talk about a massive devaluation. In what way could alienating their most frequent flyers be a good idea for Qantas's business?
Joyce really has lost the plot.

 

[Globetrotter]

I find the Qantas Frequent Flyer program confusing enough. These changes make me want top myself!

 

[dfcatch]

So between SYD-CNS I lose status credits in EVERY fare class.....

Perhaps I missed the enhancement??

I'm already starting to no longer reserve my judgement and I'm only on the 2nd tab......

Poor form Red Roo..... Poor form.

 

[Dino84]

Please see this link for the details: Frequent Flyer - Fairer Flying

Seem to be getting a 404 error from the link, though judging by the responses not being able to see it may not be a bad thing :-|

Mostly fly on Red E-deals with the odd MASA here and there so looks like my flying will be adversely impacted by this. Though I'm probably not the biggest revenue raiser for Qantas the current scheme is what kept me mostly away from their competitors however I have the feeling VA might now see a bit more traffic from me, especially as their DRW schedules have dramatically improved over the last few years.

Scott.

 

[Lisee]

All those tables, definitely do not try to explain a 'simpler' frequent flyer program. This has definitely changed my flying behaviour, as I expect it will for most.

I just received the email from Qantas... "We're changing the way you earn when you fly‏"... read the email, looked at the tables, realised the non-simple simpler programme combined with death of MASA's means that QF were spot on with the title of their email.

As a WP earned purely from the cheapest economy seat possible (work travel) + a few MASA's (leisure travel), these changes mean I cannot maintain status & hence there is no reason for me to fly QF. So Qantas really have changed the way I earn when I fly because I will not be earning or flying with them anymore; quite a change from an average of minimum two flights per week in 2013. In looking for any positive in this for me, the only comfort I can take is an end to regular battles with my work Finance Dept as cheapest QF seat was often not in line with BFOD. Other than that it's a complete loss for Qantas & for me!

Such a shame...

 

[ReLoad]

There is no way that the new earn table is "simpler".

And I can't find anywhere were short/medium and long is defined for domestic flights??

You are amazingly correct on that one! - Whoever came up with this system didn't read the book on KISS.

 

[Myrna]

You will be protected from thess changes as your tickets were booked prior to Mar 27.

Have been wondering if this is true? Status credit points will be earned based on old policy if flights booked before this change today - for flying after 1 July 2014.

 

[samh004]

I'm sorry Red Roo, but those earn tables are doing my head in. By no means are the simple.

I seriously hope this project has been running longer than today, because from first glance it seems absolutely horrendous. I do understand that minimum points and adjusting the program had to happen to offset those rorting the system, but whoever is responsible for this effort shouldn't have a job.

And I can't find anywhere were short/medium and long is defined for domestic flights??

I assume flights that previously earned 10SC at discount economy are "short". Those that earned 15 are "medium", and those that earned 20 are "long". Makes sense.

So I guess if you transit and change flight numbers you still get two lots of points.

Thankfully...

 

[Ansett]

Whilst we all knew thought that JASA may go despite the constant reassurance from Qantas this new Earn Table is the worst thing I have ever seen..


Qantas Thank you its been good whilst it lasted but now its time to say Good Bye........



I have over 600K points and these will be gone Soon and I will increase my spend on Star Now. All that is needed is for VA to join Star and QF will be a dead duck...

Very Very Disappointing

 

[Comoman]

Have been wondering if this is true? Status credit points will be earned based on old policy if flights booked before this change today - for flying after 1 July 2014.

How do QF know when you booked your flights with partner airlines?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Wow, just wow. Talk about a massive devaluation. In what way could alienating their most frequent flyers be a good idea for Qantas's business?
Joyce really has lost the plot.

Who loses out? People who fly on partner airlines, but QF has to provide status. People who fly on MASAs, which are probably loss making.

At least Economy international flyers don't need to book full Y to get full status credits now. Only NOQ earn the lowest SCs, and YBH get full, and everything else some inbetween level

 

[SeatBackForward]

I'm wonder if internally at QF these changes were called "FARER FLYING".

 

[ReLoad]

You are amazingly correct on that one! - Whoever came up with this system didn't read the book on KISS.

There is a lot to dissect here, but I did giggle at DFW being classified as West Coast USA, say that to a Texan and you'll be summarily put to death

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Screwing over your most loyal customers is not where I would start if I were in financial trouble. There will be great flocks of members now moving their SC and points earn to other far superior programs, including those of OneWorld competitors. Time to dump direct earn QFF cards, in favour of more flexible options.

 

[benjy]

I started to read the new status credit tables and points earn and started to get a headache.... so much information and not enough formatting!

I'll have to take a closer look when I get home. This new "Points and SC" is definitely not simpler , the old points table was much more easier to understand.

I'm hoping I get a whole lot of points between now and June so I can book another MASA before they are taken away .

Thanks for the heads up though Red Roo.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Who loses out? People who fly on partner airlines, but QF has to provide status. People who fly on MASAs, which are probably loss making.

At least Economy international flyers don't need to book full Y to get full status credits now. Only NOQ earn the lowest SCs, and YBH get full, and everything else some inbetween level

So why be part of an airline alliance?

 

[suparockin]

Screwing over your most loyal customers is not where I would start if I were in financial trouble. There will be great flocks of members now moving their SC and points earn to other far superior programs, including those of OneWorld competitors. Time to dump direct earn QFF cards, in favour of more flexible options.

That was my first thought, am going to desert my Earth Black ASAP.

 

[theozflyer]

An important point to make is that any booking made after today as a MASA for travel after 1 July will not credit with any points or status credits because it will credit under the new system. The new system excludes classic award buckets from 'earn'.

See the qantas website:

"Existing bookings beyond July 2014For members with a booking made prior to 27 March 2014 in a fare class impacted by these changes for travel on or after 1 July 2014, we will automatically credit your account within a month of flying with the Qantas Points you were entitled to when you made your booking."

 

[RooFlyer]

This stinks. Just stinks.

Go to blazes, Qantas.

Edit: I nearly always go Business (D) internationally, so will be marginally better off, but it still stinks overall. I know Air Canada's scheme well - it also give point in proportion to level of fare. Its much easier to devalue in increments when you have about 15 categories, rather than a few. that's what happed with Aeroplan - chisel here, chisel there, hooping no-one (or few at a time) notices.

this IS the thin end of a nasty wedge.