Losing QFF points and calling in the media

[GoldCanyon340]

Lots of sayings we use make no sense. And sprouted by the radio and media. ‘Tributes pouring in’ etc etc.

A wave of euphoria.

 

[RichardMEL]

This was an opportunity for Qantas to show that it had some heart but they have completely trashed their brand for the sake of some points which technically have no value anyway.

Not true. Points have a liability associated with them and a "value" to QF Loyalty... it might only be a cent per, or probably less, but they definitely have a value and are accounted for on the books.

 

[Deleted member]

Lots of sayings we use make no sense. And sprouted by the radio and media. ‘Tributes pouring in’ etc etc.

Hard "WON" I think is more accurate. people need to think before typing any old thing

 

[Pushka]

Hard "WON" i think is more accurate. people need to think before typing any old thing

I’ve noticed just recently that with my iPhone it types in cr#p (inserting letters, completely different words than what I’ve just typed) when posting and if you are in a hurry and don’t check it stays there.

 

[ffhound]

Hard “Worn” reputation? What does that mean?

Sorry, Typo,

 

[Happy Trails]

Hard "WON" i think is more accurate. people need to think before typing any old thing

Like using a lower case 'i' for example.

 

[rock86]

The accountants are going to hate this.

Na, just adds to the list of already stupid accounting standards for some transactions we have to deal with already

Given that points have none or little value its amazing that Qantas is prepared to sacrifice its reputation this way.

Not true. Points have a liability associated with them and a "value" to QF Loyalty... it might only be a cent per, or probably less, but they definitely have a value and are accounted for on the books.

As Richard has pointed out, loyalty programs certainly have a value. And in respect to QFF points, it is even more pertinent considering that many companies pay QF Loyalty for the right to issue QFF points to their customer base.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

As Richard has pointed out, loyalty programs certainly have a value. And in respect to QFF points, it is even more pertinent considering that many companies pay QF Loyalty for the right to issue QFF points to their customer base.

And the income received for points can be used to calculate the possible yield for an award seat in inventory optimisation algorithms. So to say the points have no value is quite incorrect.

 

[RichardMEL]

And of course when one redeems points for an award - be it a QF flight, a partner flight, or even a toaster the merchants of those goods are paid for those services (even if it's QF loyalty paying QF International, for example, there's still a price paid). Now sure, agreements between partners (eg: that AA F award seat is going for a fraction of the list price, but it is still yield to AA who are prepared to "sell" that award seat for a certain value)... or even redeeming a myer gift card, or toaster again has a value.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And of course when one redeems points for an award - be it a QF flight, a partner flight, or even a toaster the merchants of those goods are paid for those services (even if it's QF loyalty paying QF International, for example, there's still a price paid). Now sure, agreements between partners (eg: that AA F award seat is going for a fraction of the list price, but it is still yield to AA who are prepared to "sell" that award seat for a certain value)... or even redeeming a myer gift card, or toaster again has a value.

A typical 'true' award seat (not a premium or anytime award) is generally a seat the airline doesn't think it is going to sell anyway. That's why award seats aren't available on all flights. So the airline goes from making nothing, to making something. And on QF and other airlines that charge fuel surcharges, that amounts to a pretty big profit.

AA and partners who don't charge fuel surcharges may not be making as much money, but they;re still making it. Either through selling points (to banks, credit cards, partners etc) or through BIS flying and loyalty to the airline to accrue sufficient points for a premium award.

 

[Deleted member]

Like using a lower case 'i' for example.

Touché

 

[UP4014]

And the income received for points can be used to calculate the possible yield for an award seat in inventory optimisation algorithms. So to say the points have no value is quite incorrect.

Can you please arrange a flight for me using your points. No of course not under the rules. They have no value in this example.

They appear to have a value to you but it's not guaranteed it is only a promise to exchange them with you at the airlines discretion.

They have a perceived value based on a promise to pay.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

They appear to have a value to you but it's not guaranteed it is only a promise to exchange them with you at the airlines discretion.

They have a perceived value based on a promise to pay.

Whether they have a value to me or any other member of the public is neither here nor there.

Each commercially sold QF seat, whether it be sold for cash or points, has a perceived yield for QF and that yield amount *can* be used to optimise the fare mix to extract the maximum revenue for each uplift. These algorithms are complex; I wrote them.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

When you read a lot of these tales of woe on Facebook the major thing stands out is that a huge majority of people assume the only way to not lose points is to fly. One recent post read "my employer books VA, so I haven't flown QF at all in the past 18 months" etc etc.

The fact that all you need to do if you have no flying in 18 months is to place one order through Epicure seems to be lost on most people.

 

[drron]

Ah spell checkers.Temporarily residing in LOTFAP at present and my computer has taken a dislike to u.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When you read a lot of these tales of woe on Facebook the major thing stands out is that a huge majority of people assume the only way to not lose points is to fly. One recent post read "my employer books VA, so I haven't flown QF at all in the past 18 months" etc etc.

The fact that all you need to do if you have no flying in 18 months is to place one order through Epicure seems to be lost on most people.

I guess it depends how people are earning points in the first place. If their sole earning activity has been through flying they probably have a good excuse in that regard... it is still referred to as a 'frequent flyer number' and 'frequent flyer program' by many passengers and front-end airline staff.

QF Loyalty may refer to it as 'QF points' - inferring wider earning opportunities - but not all the public may not have grasped that.

It might be fair to say that if people were aware of alternative points earning opportunities, say through credit cards, their points probably won't expire and they wouldn't find themselves writing on social media?

 

[juddles]

Maybe I will need a flame suit, but for Christ's sake!

So they did not do ANYTHING that earned points for 18 months, then in the next six months they did not even read email, nor earn points.

It seems that anyone who has ever flown Qantas deems themselves to be a valuable "frequent flyer" ! I used to not like the way that Qantas "hid" points warnings in other useless emails, but it appears they now send a very distinct and clear email about it - I personally believe that is all they can be expected to do. Follow-up calls, etc? Rubbish.

Forgive me also if I feel that their story does not have the "ring of truth". Are they seriously saying that after six months being too unwell due to illness to access email, that they then went through reading all their old emails???? Come off it.

I would back a wager that says that they only noticed the problem when they eventually went to use some points.

Qantas is a business, and they went OUTSIDE their terms and conditions to try to give a solution to the people's problem. (BTW, I personally don't disagree that points should be forever. But I also would like a zillion other companies to do things more favourable to customers)

And the usual Qantas bashers talk about how they use this sort of stuff to maximise PROFITS. Ah, no, they need to do this to minimize LOSSES, due to the very high wages they have to pay staff in an internationally super-competitive business, where all most customers give a stuff about is the online price they compare through the web..(where they demonstrate their real loyalty which is to their wallet)..!!!!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Maybe I will need a flame suit, but for Christ's sake!

So they did not do ANYTHING that earned points for 18 months, then in the next six months they did not even read email, nor earn points.

It seems that anyone who has ever flown Qantas deems themselves to be a valuable "frequent flyer" ! I used to not like the way that Qantas "hid" points warnings in other useless emails, but it appears they now send a very distinct and clear email about it - I personally believe that is all they can be expected to do. Follow-up calls, etc? Rubbish.

Forgive me also if I feel that their story does not have the "ring of truth". Are they seriously saying that after six months being too unwell due to illness to access email, that they then went through reading all their old emails???? Come off it.

I would back a wager that says that they only noticed the problem when they eventually went to use some points.

Qantas is a business, and they went OUTSIDE their terms and conditions to try to give a solution to the people's problem. (BTW, I personally don't disagree that points should be forever. But I also would like a zillion other companies to do things more favourable to customers)

And the usual Qantas bashers talk about how they use this sort of stuff to maximise PROFITS. Ah, no, they need to do this to minimize LOSSES, due to the very high wages they have to pay staff in an internationally super-competitive business, where all most customers give a stuff about is the online price they compare through the web..(where they demonstrate their real loyalty which is to their wallet)..!!!!

I think this goes back to how pax earn their points. Someone who has only earned points through flying culd probably be excused for not flying for 18 months while they were undergoing chemo. If they were already earning points through other means such as credit cards they probably wouldn't be in the position of losing them in the first place.

Checking emails? A 73 year old may not have the capacity to read emails on a tablet in hospital. Nor be particularly concerned about Qantas points offers (the specific email notification seems to be new).

Yes it's an internationally competitive business, but I'm not moved by having to pay for cabin crew wages given the emplyment of Thai nationals on Thai salaries, Jetconnect contracts, and UK based staff ex LHR. AU domestic wages might be high, but so are fares at $2000 for a return MEL-SYD.

 

[get me outta here]

I am surprised that there are still people who do not have a Woolworths rewards card attached to QF.

 

[amaroo]

Guess who forgot about a couple of loyalty bonus emails didn't realise there was a 3 month deadline - learn something everyday! SWMBO doesn't feel any need to call in the media .... she figures I can just transfer + an appropriate penalty.