Points + $$$$

[jwak]

Has anyone else had the survey from Qantas Listening Post enquiring about your thoughts on using points + cash to secure ff seats. Seems a bit ominous to me.

JK

 

[Maca44]

Yes, received it the other day and even sent emails to Qantas to confirm that Ian Nicholson is in fact the Market Research Manager at Qantas. It looks like they are trying to get different views on whether they should go down the same road as Air NZ with the airpoints as a lot of the question appeared to be connected to that issue. The other point they were looking at is what we would do if AMEX and other cards were to transfer points directly to QF and whether we would reduce our spending, cancel the card etc.

 

[Soundguy]

The other point they were looking at is what we would do if AMEX and other cards were to transfer points directly to QF and whether we would reduce our spending, cancel the card etc.

Ooooh, yes! Cancel unless there were no other options....

A little OT but I wish I could get one of the US based Mastercards which generates AA points, but of course this is not viable. (Err... my own I meant, not a stolen one! ;-)

 

[JohnK]

Has anyone else had the survey from Qantas Listening Post enquiring about your thoughts on using points + cash to secure ff seats. Seems a bit ominous to me.

Haven't received survey but the "enhancements" do not sound good.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

BMI has points + cash program and it is one of the most generous FFPs of all - even better than us-based ones.

Awards cheap - eg round trip in F Oz/NZ to europe is 100,000 miles + gbp 680 (50,000 miles + gbp 340 in economy).
Earning high - can be up to 625% x miles (with generous minimum miles).

So points + cash doesn't necessarily have to be bad. But I doubt QFF is considering anything as generous as this.

 

[oz_mark]

Points + Pay is relatively common in many rewards programs and obviously gets some support. Possibly it will help the once a year flyer to get a reward. Of itself, I don't see a problem with the idea.

 

[dajop]

What's the fuss about? The points+ pay option already exists. Return trip to UK? Fine that's 128,000 pts + $500? One way Melbourne to Sydney? No worries that's either 14,500 pts or 8,000 pts + $45.

 

[jwak]

Points + Pay is relatively common in many rewards programs and obviously gets some support. Possibly it will help the once a year flyer to get a reward. Of itself, I don't see a problem with the idea.

My issue is that I am concercerned we will see a reduction of "pure points" seats replaced with "points + pay".

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

My issue is that I am concercerned we will see a reduction of "pure points" seats replaced with "points + pay".

BMI has both mileage awards and miles+cash awards. They both come out of the same inventory, and this applies whether or not the award travel is on BD or other partner airlines.

 

[oz_mark]

My issue is that I am concercerned we will see a reduction of "pure points" seats replaced with "points + pay".

Given that it has come up as market research I would say at this tme they are determining whether it is an inititaive worth pursuing. In my view it just provides another option.

The details of course will be in the implementation.

 

[codash1099]

Given that it has come up as market research I would say at this tme they are determining whether it is an inititaive worth pursuing. In my view it just provides another option.

The details of course will be in the implementation.

Exactly. There's no point getting hot under the collar in response to market research. If anything, we should acknowledge the fact that our views are being sought (although not mine).

 

[Yada Yada]

The example used in the survey was not at all generous, e.g. 16,000 points + $100 for a SYD-MEL. However they were asking if this would be acceptable if it meant that all seats were available rather than just award seats.

I can't see the point - at $100 I can find a SYD-MEL flight and I actually earn points!

 

[JohnK]

The example used in the survey was not at all generous, e.g. 16,000 points + $100 for a SYD-MEL.

I am alittle confused. Is this one way or return?

SYD-MEL is currently 8,000 points + ~$50 in taxes and surcharges one way and 16,000 points + ~$100 in taxes and surcharges return. So what is different with the new proposal? Points + pay + taxes and surcharges?

 

[simongr]

I wonder though how many people really understood the cost ratio in points+pay when they replied to the survey. Interesting I assume the "all seats available" option will only be open to points+pay. It would be nice if they introuced this and everyone had access to more seats because of it

 

[Yada Yada]

I am alittle confused. Is this one way or return?

SYD-MEL is currently 8,000 points + ~$50 in taxes and surcharges one way and 16,000 points + ~$100 in taxes and surcharges return. So what is different with the new proposal? Points + pay + taxes and surcharges?

Memory is fading on the specifics of the questions already , but my understanding of what they were trying to learn was whether QFF's would be interested in using points + pay to obtain a seat when all award seats were taken. Not a bad idea, but the $ in the example seemed a bit high to me.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

The example used in the survey was not at all generous, e.g. 16,000 points + $100 for a SYD-MEL. However they were asking if this would be acceptable if it meant that all seats were available rather than just award seats.

I can't see the point - at $100 I can find a SYD-MEL flight and I actually earn points!

If it is any seat available for points + pay then in some circumstances (such as last minute purchase) it may be useful. Eg if the only paid seats are $420 then would value points at 2c each, not great but better than not being able to use the points at all.

 

[Yada Yada]

If it is any seat available for points + pay then in some circumstances (such as last minute purchase) it may be useful. Eg if the only paid seats are $420 then would value points at 2c each, not great but better than not being able to use the points at all.

Yes, I agree - in certain circumstances this system may be quite acceptable for some. Those who have large points balances to burn might also be happy to spend them this way too.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Note this test of any seat awards is very different to how it works at NZ. NZ has all points only, no pay part in cash and part in airbucks (except oddly international "taxes"). Furthermore the number of airbucks required relates to the paid fare rather than a flat amount.