Losing QFF points and calling in the media

[MEL_Traveller]

Off topic slightly but my Hhonors expired last year. Close to 100,000 points collected over 10+ years disappeared just like that. They were my hard earned points and I sent email to get them back but now in same position.

Does buying points extend their validity? They sell them for USD10 per 1000. Hilton has a handful of properties for just 5000 points per night to redeem, mainly in asia. I wonder if there are any in Thailand where you go?

 

[OATEK]

My view is that QANTAS is not a bank managing point-currency as a business. Some point offers from businesses will expire in weeks/months if not used and the fact that QF points persist if you make an effort is pretty fair.

 

[JohnK]

Does buying points extend their validity? They sell them for USD10 per 1000. Hilton has a handful of properties for just 5000 points per night to redeem, mainly in asia. I wonder if there are any in Thailand where you go?

Buying points does indeed extend expiry. KUL has the cheap Doubletree and BKK Doubletree is also cheap but we hardly ever stay in BKK.

Hilton Pattaya is ridiculously expensive for a reason. No Hiltons in Chiang Mai.

 

[RichardMEL]

Had you considered burning some of those points to stay in Pattaya?

 

[JohnK]

Had you considered burning some of those points to stay in Pattaya?

At 40,000+ points/night? Awful use of points. Hotel is excellent but can be had on special between $150-$200/night.

I am trying to save these points for our family RTW trip in a few years time and hoping I can find some of these good value redemptions.

 

[RichardMEL]

At 40,000+ points/night? Awful use of points. Hotel is excellent but can be had on special between $150-$200/night.

I am trying to save these points for our family RTW trip in a few years time and hoping I can find some of these good value redemptions.

OT now but on the one hand you say the property is "ridiculously expensive" then say it can be had on special which I assume means you're happy with the price. If the special is not available when you want then isn't that what points are for?

 

[JohnK]

OT now but on the one hand you say the property is "ridiculously expensive" then say it can be had on special which I assume means you're happy with the price. If the special is not available when you want then isn't that what points are for?

It gets a little confusing. 40,000 points for 1 night is ridiculously expensive in my opinion. Also I wouldn't spend $150-$200/night very often.

I'd rather try and hold out for those 4,000 point or 8,000 point redemptions but need to somehow keep account active.

 

[bad]

Very heated debate going on with views polarised. Being of course BAD is not my nature. I would have thought a little more sympathy from people who have had or have chronic conditions. Cancer means a lot of things but it can mean tragedy. Depression by it self can be awful. A public-ally listed in Australia for profit company should not only look at the dollars.......although it has a mandate to do so. Many things are also done in the name of charity. Little things like helping people when they are down. I have not known Qantas to be completely without heart except once when it was attacked from within by it's unions and having to ultimately shutdown inn 2011. This caused 70,000 people to be stranded. That low point then and compared to know is diametrically different and totally more promising optimistic now. The share price also low of 90c then to $6.27 today.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

... but need to somehow keep account active.

I thought you said above that buying points keeps the account active? in that case, USD10 once a year would do that for you (HHonors buy points scheme).

 

[love_the_life]

Very heated debate going on with views polarised. Being of course BAD is not my nature. I would have thought a little more sympathy from people who have had or have chronic conditions. Cancer means a lot of things but it can mean tragedy. Depression by it self can be awful. A public-ally listed in Australia for profit company should not only look at the dollars.......although it has a mandate to do so. Many things are also done in the name of charity. Little things like helping people when they are down. I have not known Qantas to be completely without heart except once when it was attacked from within by it's unions and having to ultimately shutdown inn 2011. This caused 70,000 people to be stranded. That low point then and compared to know is diametrically different and totally more promising optimistic now. The share price also low of 90c then to $6.27 today.

My point about the big C as being just like any other (often) serious illness is not made in order to be unsympathetic. Yes, it's awful. But it's a bit like reading about celebrities who have 'escaped death' or had a 'fight for life' when there are many many other non-famous people who have had the same, coped and just got on with it. I get annoyed with people who want special consideration when the vast bulk in similar situations have managed. Call me heartless if you like. You think this debate is heated? Boy you ain't seen nuthin'

 

[Pushka]

My point about the big C as being just like any other (often) serious illness is not made in order to be unsympathetic. Yes, it's awful. But it's a bit like reading about celebrities who have 'escaped death' or had a 'fight for life' when there are many many other non-famous people who have had the same, coped and just got on with it. I get annoyed with people who want special consideration when the vast bulk in similar situations have managed. Call me heartless if you like. You think this debate is heated? Boy you ain't seen nuthin'

Agree. I think I posted similarly about AFL footballers and one who had testicular cancer. But several here pointed out that it highlights an important public health issue. So I picked up me stumps and slunk away.

 

[marki]

My point about the big C as being just like any other (often) serious illness is not made in order to be unsympathetic. Yes, it's awful. But it's a bit like reading about celebrities who have 'escaped death' or had a 'fight for life' when there are many many other non-famous people who have had the same, coped and just got on with it. I get annoyed with people who want special consideration when the vast bulk in similar situations have managed. Call me heartless if you like. You think this debate is heated? Boy you ain't seen nuthin'

Agree. I think I posted similarly about AFL footballers and one who had testicular cancer. But several here pointed out that it highlights an important public health issue. So I picked up me stumps and slunk away.

You guys not doctor's are you?

 

[JohnK]

I thought you said above that buying points keeps the account active? in that case, USD10 once a year would do that for you (HHonors buy points scheme).

Yes it does and I will need to remember to do that.

 

[marki]

well done have to keep that in mind too.

 

[Pushka]

You guys not doctor's are you?

Nope. Just people who’ve had multiple personal experiences with cancer and who just got on with the job without the fanfare.

 

[love_the_life]

Nope. Just people who’ve had multiple personal experiences with cancer and who just got on with the job without the fanfare.

As does almost everyone else in the same situation.

 

[bad]

Nope. Just people who’ve had multiple personal experiences with cancer and who just got on with the job without the fanfare.

Both of you never had depression then ? just got on with the job....how can you when all there is is darkness. The whole point is you cannot get on with the job and any fanfare.

As does almost everyone else in the same situation.

Everybody is unique and a since when does a love_the_life presumably know everybody's situation.

I think the situation is not that clear......HOwever I do have a lot of respect for both of you

 

[Pushka]

Both of you never had depression then ? just got on with the job....how can you when all there is is darkness. The whole point is you cannot get on with the job and any fanfare.


Everybody is unique and a since when does a love_the_life presumably know everybody's situation.

I think the situation is not that clear......HOwever I do have a lot of respect for both of you

We have had a very close relative, very close, who suffered major depression. As major as it gets. So while not personally experienced we still had to keep our business running in the midst of significant despair, stress and grief. If something had slipped during one of those times then I’d just be pleased I’d made it to the other side and the points were really quite meaningless in the overall scheme of life.

I’d also agree with love_the_life that most people with cancer just get on with the process of healing and not look for a sympathy out from big companies. And again just be thankful they’d made it to the other side.

Honestly, when one suffers a major life illness whatever that looks like, do Qantas points really matter?

 

[love_the_life]

Both of you never had depression then ? just got on with the job....how can you when all there is is darkness. The whole point is you cannot get on with the job and any fanfare.


Everybody is unique and a since when does a love_the_life presumably know everybody's situation.

I think the situation is not that clear......HOwever I do have a lot of respect for both of you

I don't 'presumably know everyone's situation' and never said I did. I made a general statement that almost all (as in most) people do manage to get on with life when facing serious illness. Depression as an illness itself has not been mentioned at all in any of those who lost points (and called in the media). It can be incredibly debilitating and people are unable to function at all. But I still don't see it as a reason to reinstate points if there has been not account activity for 18 months.
The people in the first case didn't manage to check their email. I wonder what would have happened if there were important messages from other entities that they missed as well. With the latest lot of complaints where people were not ill, some of the mail went to spam and so they missed seeing it. Their points should be reinstated?
My take on the whole thing is that people shouldn't expect special treatment.
Anyway, people have different views on what constitutes a fair thing, and that's their right.

 

[marki]

So someone who has had Cancer then depression and after that a heart attack survived might be a little down on his luck then gets kicked while down by getting his million points wiped that he won earlier on a morning show. Would this person be deserving ?
\When would you two ....Pushka and Loves the life.........be a little more sympathetic to such a person. If I was a Qantas executive this sort of letter would move me. If it was written. (hypothetically)