Point Hacks' purchase of AFF

[encryptededdy]

I think the change as many people have posted and commented on has been a lot of the people actually flying frequently (mostly for work) have declined in number on here in terms of their contribution on AFF, but not in real life necessarily - and these people are finding the content less relevant these days.

As probably the youngest member (both by join date and probably age) to comment in this thread so far , I've never seen a pre-covid AFF. Out of curiosity, what sorts of content used to exist that are actually relevant to those flying frequently for work, but no longer exist?

As a general comment though, I personally find the most enjoyable part of this forum to be when a new member posts a question and everybody trips over themselves to give a great answer , even when it's something that has probably been asked a few times before. I'm part of a few other online communities where there's super strict rules about never asking a question again that's even been slightly answered by another thread, and I'm glad we don't really enforce that here. It's just a little bit sad when sometimes said new member never logs back in to acknowledge the advice...

 

[andye]

The new owners get a name-check in this "expert" article in the Herald

Are frequent flyer points worth less now? How to get the best value from your points

Tried using frequent flyer points to book air travel lately? You may have found you need a lot more of them.

www.traveller.com.au

I almost think QF commission these articles so that the general public redeem naively. Even say a 118 points/$ hotel redemption is a better value one than a 92 point/$ one

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The new owners get a name-check in this "expert" article in the Herald

Are frequent flyer points worth less now? How to get the best value from your points

Tried using frequent flyer points to book air travel lately? You may have found you need a lot more of them.

www.traveller.com.au

I almost think QF commission these articles so that the general public redeem naively. Even say a 118 points/$ hotel redemption is a better value one than a 92 point/$ one

There’s also a subtle move to ‘reprice’ awards in that article away from ‘classic’ to the ‘pay with points’. Only once does the costing of points mention ‘because no classic awards are available’.

It now sets the expectation that an economy trip to London will cost ~320000 points… and I guess those finding a classic award - if they even know they exist anymore - sing the virtues of a ‘bargain’ on the QFFF site.

 

[OATEK]

Like many who have commented, joining AFF changed the way I travel. It is 5 years since I last travelled for work, and back then it was all in Y on QF as per company policy. Since joining AFF I have been able to find paid J that did not break the bank, until Covid of course, and visited most places on my bucket list. I have got to the point where I enjoy occasionally being able to help others, such as with EF searches or my own experiences, and will happy to keep going with that for the forseeable.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I and many others think there has been a massive change in direction of AFF anyway, completely unrelated and prior to the PH acquisition.

We’ve lost so many ‘real’ frequent flyers, air warriors, the executive/senior business premium high flyers over the years as the forum became more about getting 50 points for buying a donut, the endless whine threads and a growth in members who very clearly don’t fly anywhere near as much as the members who used to contribute.

I think it’s just a reflection of changing times really, nothing you can really do I suppose - it is what it is, but though I do wonder where all those high flying members went, some still exist but rarely post, we have a group of us who still catch up outside of AFF and we often consider starting a ‘new’ private ‘AFF’ with a different membership base… but everyone who likes the idea is too busy with corporate life to start it

Anyway I’m sure the PH era will see this forum become ever more wide and even less about actually flying frequently (as has been happening anyway) and everyone can make their minds up whether to stick around or not!

I think it's also because the nature of the programs has changed. As they have become finely honed shopping loyalty and customer behaviour analysis programs where flying is almost an afterthought, many of the true 'hacks' which arose because those running the programs were still trying to work out how to run them best have been weeded out.

10 to 20 years ago, these sorts of forums were more focussed on those true hacks which generated real value, like:

- buying USD$800 worth of miles in a US carrier program and then redeeming them for 1st class flights worth many thousands because they still had reasonable award charts (I once bought $800 worth of AA miles and redeemed them for a New York - Singapore First Class worth at least $5000)
- the old QF Any Seat Award where you could get full status credits and points by redeeming points (there used to be a thread of people bragging about getting first class status credits for the cost of points not much more than first class classic award pricing)
- getting AA miles from promotions back when AA counted all miles earned towards lifetime status (and Delta as well)
- flying round Australia with unlimited stops in Business class for 45,000 QFF points
- legendary US activities like being able to purchase dollar coins from the US Mint on a credit card for which you get points, and then redepositing them in full to pay off the credit card. Or the Pudding Guy. Or the guy who hired a bunch of people to repeatedly fly a cheap fare somewhere in SE Asia to earn him millions of miles.

AFF is still great for all the travel related advice, but 50 points for a donut or 100 points for linking to some app aren't really "hacks" of any real value like you used to find.

 

[serfty]

- flying round Australia with unlimited stops in Business class for 45,000 QFF points

It was actually 37½K points and capped at 11,000Km (and little or no +++.

... but they almost predate AFF ...

 

[MARTINE]

Since we’re talking the old days ~ it seems bordering on the supernatural that ‘mystery flights’ were offered for not many points and and a fun day out. Had some lovely lunches at Bathers pavilion balmoral beach w Sulyd friends because most flights out of Melb usually went to Sydney!
I suppose mystery flights still exist in a modified format
- will my paid seat exist?
- will the flight be cancelled?
- will my luggage arrive?
- will I sleep on the floor at the airport?!?!?!

 

[Hvr]

the old QF Any Seat Award where you could get full status credits and points by redeeming point

JASAs and FASAs, those were the days. Did some great trips on them, as I also did on AA points.

 

[Princess Fiona]

JASAs and FASAs, those were the days. Did some great trips on them, as I also did on AA points.

I like the new PC ones though, especially the OW versions

 

[QF WP]

Had a good meeting on Tuesday morning with the CEO and met all the PH team. I’m very comfortable with AFF as part of their stable, they want it to remain doing what we do because we are in a different space than their SM sites. They want to support us doing what we are doing now.

 

[ellen10]

Like it has been previously said. Joining AFF certainly changed and enriched my travel in a very good way. I enjoy reading trip reports and shared photos, love the "view from my office" thread and many more, including the wine thread! I have tried to contribute when I can and value the input from many others. I am so glad I stumbled across AFF many years ago.

 

[mandja]

I recall hearing that either the comparison website iSelect bought Points Hacks or people affiliated with iSelect purchased it (and hence now own AFF).

Yes. correct. The buyers are a small Venture Capital firm (MSC Advisory) founded by the former owner (and founder of iSelect). I think they also own pay.com.au

 

[Hvr]

So, is there an official take over date?
Will there be an announcement from the new owners?
And will there be a get together somewhere, i.e. "a meet and greet'?

And importantly, a thank you and farewell for @Admin who has created a wonderful site and done a magnificent job bringing it all together for so long?

 

[QF WP]

@Hvr, the official takeover date was 1 September. Not sure if there is going to be an official announcement, but a number of them have AFF handles and at least 1 has been long term members. A M&G with the new team - again, only they can answer that.

Completely agree with you on the latter message. He's off having a mini-break now.

 

[jakeseven7]

What about the information that is held about us? Will it result in push advertising from PH
What is the privacy policy/transfer of information process?

Although it hasn’t changed, Privacy Policies can be easily changed overnight. They do have to notify you though.

 

[Daver6]

I've been thinking about this for a while now pondering why PH would purchase AFF. Conclusions I've come to

1) AFF is quite profitable so purchased a going concern to earn revenue
2) AFF is break-even/marginally profitable. PH believe they can make it more profitable. Either through advertising/membership fees
3) PH believe there is a lot of useful data in AFF that they can benefit from and hence make PH more profitable.

Personally I hope its option 1 or 2. Option 3 makes me thing more articles will be published based on discussion by AFF members. In some ways it feels that the IP generated by member discussion is then "given away for free" to the public in PH articles. I'm well aware anything we write here is in the public domain. However, most people take away information from this forum but also contribute too.

Of course there is probably a 4th and 5th option too that I haven't considered.

At the end of the day if people don't like this change, they'll speak with their virtual feet. So it will be in the interested of PH to not mess things up

Congrats to @Admin on the sale and looking forward to the future.

 

[oz_mark]

Personally I hope its option 1 or 2. Option 3 makes me thing more articles will be published based on discussion by AFF members. In some ways it feels that the IP generated by member discussion is then "given away for free" to the public in PH articles. I'm well aware anything we write here is in the public domain. However, most people take away information from this forum but also contribute too.

Articles have appeared in various places based on discussions here, and not just at PH.

 

[SYD]

I've been thinking about this for a while now pondering why PH would purchase AFF. Conclusions I've come to

1) AFF is quite profitable so purchased a going concern to earn revenue
2) AFF is break-even/marginally profitable. PH believe they can make it more profitable. Either through advertising/membership fees
3) PH believe there is a lot of useful data in AFF that they can benefit from and hence make PH more profitable.

Personally I hope its option 1 or 2. Option 3 makes me thing more articles will be published based on discussion by AFF members. In some ways it feels that the IP generated by member discussion is then "given away for free" to the public in PH articles. I'm well aware anything we write here is in the public domain. However, most people take away information from this forum but also contribute too.

Of course there is probably a 4th and 5th option too that I haven't considered.

At the end of the day if people don't like this change, they'll speak with their virtual feet. So it will be in the interested of PH to not mess things up

Congrats to @Admin on the sale and looking forward to the future.

My initial assumption was something along the lines of 3) and the ability to monetise the discussion, ideas and solutions. If that’s the case, then some ”enhancements” to AFF to give back to the community via loyalty or award points or prizes *might* be a positive?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Very much ho hum to me - what will be will be - it all makes up the ‘rich tapestry of life’

The only thing I would like see is new owners display the same exquisite diligence in choosing which Electric Bicycles they choose to buy as last owners did

 

[MARTINE]

I've been thinking about this for a while now pondering why PH would purchase AFF. Conclusions I've come to

1) AFF is quite profitable so purchased a going concern to earn revenue
2) AFF is break-even/marginally profitable. PH believe they can make it more profitable. Either through advertising/membership fees
3) PH believe there is a lot of useful data in AFF that they can benefit from and hence make PH more profitable.

Personally I hope its option 1 or 2. Option 3 makes me thing more articles will be published based on discussion by AFF members. In some ways it feels that the IP generated by member discussion is then "given away for free" to the public in PH articles. I'm well aware anything we write here is in the public domain. However, most people take away information from this forum but also contribute too

Congrats to @Admin on the sale and looking forward to the future.

agree

I mucked up my first reply to option 3 edited to the gist of content data from AFF is valuable but demographic data even more so (subject to privacy policy of course)