Major 2025 Qantas Frequent Flyer program changes

[Mr H]

Based on my understanding, it would be priced at the new pricing if you changed it post 5 August

That is not what the Q&A says: "Existing Classic Flight Reward bookings will retain the conditions in place at the time the booking was made. Any changes to Classic Flights Rewards booked before 5 August 2025, will not be charged the new points levels."

 

[levelnine]

This might be a silly question but does that mean that with the devaluation, CR points redemption now going to be pretty close to CR+ and in certain situations even cheaper if tickets are on sale (pending route and date)?

Yes, the gap between them will narrow, assuming prices for flights stay the same (which, of course, is a big assumption).

 

[RooFlyer]

I know how excited the AFF doom squad got when they saw that subject line

The world hasn't ended, yet....

Nah, the headline was fine - it wasn't until I saw 'enhancement' in the text that a shiver went up my spine.

Isn't it funny how we've long held that word to be a negative, and it still the case?

As for the changes - not unreasonable I think (pending seeing the actual changes); cost of providing the Award seats would have risen quite a bit since the last devaluation. But charging J and F more, and not Y in some instances smacks of revenue-raising rather than the need to cover costs.

EDIT: On a re-read, You were probably referring to this thread, not the e-mail, sorry. But my other comments stand

 

[ozflier]

Still no sign of classic award or business class seats internationally !

 

[offshore171]

We've updated the headline to be a bit more direct than before: Qantas Devaluing Classic Rewards & Upgrades in August 2025

"Qantas Devaluing Classic Rewards & Upgrades in August 2025" isn't quite accurate.

It is the points that are being devalued.

The Classic Rewards & Upgrades are being made more expensive

 

[ChrisMars]

How to make CR+ more attractive? By devaluating CR. Simple.

 

[elanshin]

"Qantas Devaluing Classic Rewards & Upgrades in August 2025" isn't quite accurate.

It is the points that are being devalued.

The Classic Rewards & Upgrades are being made more expensive

And devalued depends on pov. If you generate all your points flying F from SYD - LHR then this is an increase.

 

[mviy]

Also hit for J and F not Y which i think definitely helps out a lot in softening the blow.

as someone who only wants to use points to fly J or F long haul, being more generous for Y does not help at all.

 

[Pcoder]

I was expecting something like this would happen soon, so last year I did a Oneworld RTW J and have used up a fair few points.

Yes, it sucks, but on the points part I'm okay on that has we have had significant inflation since 2019. I think the carrier charges are the main gripe as some like the Emirates ones on long haul are just too much and its way too close to a cash fare.

Probably one reason why we didn't get any Status changes is unlike airlines like BA, who have most of their network with high amounts of competition and lower priced fares, Qantas does have a lot of relatively expensive routes and altering it to cash based might be more of a risk that people just cutting back expenditure, rather then spending more for the perks.

I'm hoping the BA changes turn out to either be no improvement or a failure as it should hopefully stop other airlines getting the idea.

 

[RooFlyer]

How to make CR+ more attractive? By devaluating CR. Simple.

The slow elimination (or as good as) of CRs continues.

 

[Michaael]

must have just been qantas board members of the focus group for these changes when they came up with the wording. Seems the new CEO and the board as basically the same as the old CEO and the board.

Just because they are silent on revenue based status credits does not mean it wont be happening.

Flying reward on EK in a premium cabin is dead now, its cheaper to just buy a cash economy fare than the "taxes" are and just suck it up in economy

 

[Captain Halliday]

That is not what the Q&A says: "Existing Classic Flight Reward bookings will retain the conditions in place at the time the booking was made. Any changes to Classic Flights Rewards booked before 5 August 2025, will not be charged the new points levels."

Would you mind sharing a link?

I feel like I might need a screenshot of that sometime after August!

 

[Michaael]

The slow elimination (or as good as) of CRs continues.

CR will be like the corded telephone or floppy disc in the near future.........history

 

[Lynda2475]

Obviously would have been better for QF to raise surcharges by a smaller amount across the board than to put all the burden on J and F passengers, considering how much easier whY awards are to come by; and higher points cost already paid.

Also points earn increases on QF metal should happen in international too not just domestic.

I only redeem points for J so all I really want to know is what is the new price of a J OWA?

Making points cost lower for Jetstar redemptions is a cheap shot, cause LCC redemptions are poor use of points and not where most want to use.

Hoping the other non announced change are a return to predictable CR seat release with guaranteed number of seats on each flight.

 

[offshore171]

Also points earn on QF metal should happen in international too not just domestic.

Already does. I daresay some people earn the bulk of their points flying QF International

 

[Lynda2475]

Already does. I daresay some people earn the bulk of their points flying QF International

No they have specifically stated the increased points earn is only on domestic.

 

[RB001]

Would you mind sharing a link?

I feel like I might need a screenshot of that sometime after August!

If you've received the email, it's on the page that the "Learn More" button takes you to.

 

[elanshin]

I will give QF credit where credit is due. They did an announcement for this and its a 6month notification.

Gives us plenty of time to try and burn more if we can.
The industry trend lately have just been to announce immediate devaluations more and more. (Or in the case of flying blue last week, not even announce it and just sneak it in).

 

[RB001]

No they have specifically stated the increased points earn is only on domestic.

On base points, yes - but:
"Members who hold Silver status and above will also enjoy an increase in Status Bonus points when booking in premium cabins on all Qantas marketed flights."

 

[gaz0303]

Expected a devaluation at some point, so glad I just redeemed 5 Y rtns to Europe during a school holiday period. I was expecting the goal posts to move for lifetime gold as I am almost there.