Loyalty Bonus changing from 1 July 2013

[chrisb]

For those of us who are silver or bronze the loyalty bonus lost all meaning during the last restructure anyway. If you're only getting enough SC for silver you're probably not going to get the 500 needed for a loyalty bonus.

BTW, I'm in the middle of engineering a trip to get platinum next June. Half the SC on QF, half on AA. It's becoming a serious concern that QF will change the rules before we fly. This change also means we will get 1 loyalty bonus not 3.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Qantas must be trying to wring as much profit as possible out of the Frequent Flyer program as they can... further limiting all those pesky 8,000 point bonuses will only help.

 

[jetlagger]

Qantas must be trying to wring as much profit as possible out of the Frequent Flyer program as they can... further limiting all those pesky 8,000 point bonuses will only help.

Considering that QFF program is the most profitable asset in the company - moving the 'goal posts" in the scheme is certainly almost always a one sided 'enhancement" .

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Considering that QFF program is the most profitable asset in the company - moving the 'goal posts" in the scheme is certainly almost always a one sided 'enhancement" .

I'd imagine that the number of people for whom this bonus is the primary driver of their use of QFF is small. Even before the change, if you're earning 2,000 SCs and maxing out your bonuses, 8,000 points each time probably is small fry compared to the points you are earning generally. So they probably figured they can reduce the cost of having to hand out these 8,000 lots by just restricting it to QF coded fares, and no one in their 8 million strong frequent flyer base would really notice other than the few of us on a site like this.

 

[jetlagger]

I'd imagine that the number of people for whom this bonus is the primary driver of their use of QFF is small. Even before the change, if you're earning 2,000 SCs and maxing out your bonuses, 8,000 points each time probably is small fry compared to the points you are earning generally. So they probably figured they can reduce the cost of having to hand out these 8,000 lots by just restricting it to QF coded fares, and no one in their 8 million strong frequent flyer base would really notice other than the few of us on a site like this.

Good work.. - Points Scheme Investigator :mrgreen:

 

[anat0l]

I know this "enhancement" affects everyone but I see it as further diluting Platinum benefits.

On the other hand, for those at the P1 level this "enhancement" is more of a 'chaff and wheat' defining change (to put it bluntly, perhaps not in the best way).

Ah well.... let's hope with this EK join-up that there will open up a lot more avenues to earn on QF codes (i.e. lots of codeshares), thereby somewhat balancing out this change.

This change really is only affecting those who build up / rely on other oneworld members heavily (and, dare I say it, Jetstar, e.g. through Starter Plus or Max fares). Just means that those of us racking up an easy Platinum through AA.... well, you get the idea

 

[kevrosmith]

Every give a wave to Red Roo... perhaps gauging the general response so far...

 

[anat0l]

Every give a wave to Red Roo... perhaps gauging the general response so far...

...

Ah look what you did, you scared him off

 

[jetlagger]

Ah look what you did, you scared him off

He has gone to the 'boardroom" :shock:

 

[markis10]

BTW, I'm in the middle of engineering a trip to get platinum next June. Half the SC on QF, half on AA. It's becoming a serious concern that QF will change the rules before we fly. This change also means we will get 1 loyalty bonus not 3.

The changes are effective from July 1???

 

[chrisb]

The changes are effective from July 1???

The trip runs from June through August.

More to the point, what other changes are coming, particularly in relation to qualification for status. They made the change to 3 month notification for a reason.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Good work.. - Points Scheme Investigator :mrgreen:

I would put nothing past QFF. There was analysis on frequent flyer programs a while back by CAPA (Centre for Aviation - can't find the direct link) which stated that it was the most profitable program in the world, earnings something like 24 cents per member vs. 8-10 cents for the major US FF programs. And having experienced US programs, it's clear that profitability gap for the airline is an inverse value gap for FF members. These sort of tweaks are no doubt attempts to increase their earning number by QFF. This one's as sneaky as for example forcing you to only be able to 'direct earn' on credit cards - QFF can count on your credit card company paying them every month for the points you earn, rather than having to wait until you decide to convert them from Amex, Diners or whoever.

 

[Red Roo]

For those of us who are silver or bronze the loyalty bonus lost all meaning during the last restructure anyway. If you're only getting enough SC for silver you're probably not going to get the 500 needed for a loyalty bonus.

BTW, I'm in the middle of engineering a trip to get platinum next June. Half the SC on QF, half on AA. It's becoming a serious concern that QF will change the rules before we fly. This change also means we will get 1 loyalty bonus not 3.

Hi ChrisB,

This change to the loyalty bonus will not impact the SC you earn to retain your tier. So your plan to reach Platinum on QF and AA is not affected.

Cheers
Red Roo

 

[chrisb]

Hi ChrisB,

This change to the loyalty bonus will not impact the SC you earn to retain your tier. So your plan to reach Platinum on QF and AA is not affected.

Cheers
Red Roo

My comments were directed at what else might be coming next year. If you want to let us know what else is changing feel free.

 

[Red Roo]

Ah well.... let's hope with this EK join-up that there will open up a lot more avenues to earn on QF codes (i.e. lots of codeshares), thereby somewhat balancing out this change.

That is the plan.

 

[jetlagger]

That is the plan.

Your comments & response are always appreciated.

 

[Red Roo]

My comments were directed at what else might be coming next year. If you want to let us know what else is changing feel free.

No more 'enhancements' (as you like to call them) in the plan I am aware of. Hard to speak for a year from now but the plan is always to improve the program. I hate giving bad news as much as you all hate receiving it!

 

[JohnK]

Ah well.... let's hope with this EK join-up that there will open up a lot more avenues to earn on QF codes (i.e. lots of codeshares), thereby somewhat balancing out this change.

Only if you have an interest in that alliance and you travel to Europe regularly.

I suspect for most people this "enhancement" will simply be further loss of benefits.

 

[anat0l]

That is the plan.

I probably should've put 'a lot more' in bold to make a more obvious point

 

[Must...Fly!]

Not too fussed as I can't get a bonus with this new system anyway

Perhaps this is an indication that EK codes will earn QFF/SC?

In any case in last years 'enhancement' clearly was poorly designed. They should have changed it then to 5,000 points per 500SC on QF marketed and JQ/3K marketed & operated flights.

I don't think anyone could have been too annoyed with that change.