Qantas Club Price Rise

[UpTheFront]

As I have previously indicated, I have this feeling that SG and WP (especially WP) will soon become a lot more difficult to attain or retain.

I think you're right. But don't forget there are always other OW FF programs to consider. I'm with AAdvantage (though I almost never fly AA metal) and find it easier to maintain SG but harder to reach WP than with QF, although it all depends on your travel habits I suppose. If you do lots of short-haul domestic J travel then the Qantas program bumps you up faster; if you do mostly long-haul, especiallly in a mix of classes, then AA wins hands down... not to mention that points are worth 2-4 times as much when it comes time to redeem.

So if you're concerned about losing free lounge access, remember that unless you fly a large majority of your miles domestically (thereby forcing you onto nothing but QF flight numbers), Qantas isn't your only option to get status.

 

[ditto]

Thanks to all for a very interesting debate.

I have only stepped foot into the Qantas Club on one occasion several years ago when I received a comp pass from Qantas. A very enjoyable experience I must admit.

Personally I would not pay for membership as Qantas is not always my preferred airline domestically or internationally and because of such, I am never going to gain access through status points nor through booking class. I even feel a little guilty when I travel on an QF award flight as most of my points are accrued through credit card spend than flying on QF.

However, I can sympathise with all who have access on all levels. I agree with the suggestion that there should be seperate lounges for paid membership and for membership earned through status/booking class. So much is easier to come by in today's world simply by having available funds. Not a lot of recognition is given to loyalty.

As for run riot kids, those signs saying 'leave your parental responsibilities at the door' are obviously invisible to those of us without kids. As a former cafe owner I always felt that many parents thought the cost of childminding was included in the cost of the coffee. Thank you to those who do demand and expect good behaviour from your children, it is a pleasure to be in your company.

I'm also interested to know if anyone thinks their should be a minimum dress code on planes - particularly at the pointy end - but I will start a new post for that.

 

[beardoc]

I even feel a little guilty when I travel on an QF award flight as most of my points are accrued through credit card spend than flying on QF.

I don't feel guilty about this at all - I keep on amassing points and can't do much with them as being a Bronze QFF, I don't often get upgrades, even when I want them.

I really wish that the "million miler" things that the US FF programs get where points accrued on credit cards and promotions count, allowing you Lifetime Status, etc., by accruing a million miles in the program. QANTAS don't give you anything other than the points...

 

[Dave Noble]

I really wish that the "million miler" things that the US FF programs get where points accrued on credit cards and promotions count, allowing you Lifetime Status,

AA does it, but not all the US carriers. iirc, only flown UA miles count towards UA LT status for example

Personally, I think it is strange that AA gives lifetime status based on non flown miles; have seen someone go from nothing to LT GOld with only stepping onto an AA flight about once

Dave

 

[beardoc]

AA does it, but not all the US carriers. iirc, only flown UA miles count towards UA status for example

Personally, I think it is mad that AA gives lifetime status based on non flown miles; have seen someone go from nothing to LT GOld with only stepping onto an AA flight about once

Dave

Why, though? After all, they're not using the Gold status if they're not flying that much - for AA why not just take their money and run?

 

[littl_flier]

AA does it, but not all the US carriers. iirc, only flown UA miles count towards UA LT status for example

Personally, I think it is strange that AA gives lifetime status based on non flown miles; have seen someone go from nothing to LT GOld with only stepping onto an AA flight about once

Dave

I have a colleague who as a Manager in the US had approx $60k spend go through his card every week because nationally, all staff members on his assignments had to book their travel on his card. In less than 6 months he had LT status and he'd only flown AA once, when his UA flight was cancelled and he was reaccomodated.

Having said that, he barely used the benefits so AA was the winner here.

 

[JohnK]

Does not seem fair to hand out lifetime status based on credit card spend alone regardless of whether the person makes use of the status.

 

[simongr]

If you do lots of short-haul domestic J travel then the Qantas program bumps you up faster; if you do mostly long-haul, especiallly in a mix of classes, then AA wins hands down... not to mention that points are worth 2-4 times as much when it comes time to redeem.

Not sure I agree re the qualification to top tier - I fly pretty much exclusively long haul J and under AA it has been much harder to qualify - on my monster trips I could be WP on one trip and under AA I just qualify after two trips...

I certainly agree on the redemption benefits though

 

[NM]

Not sure I agree re the qualification to top tier - I fly pretty much exclusively long haul J and under AA it has been much harder to qualify - on my monster trips I could be WP on one trip and under AA I just qualify after two trips...

I certainly agree on the redemption benefits though

I agree. This year I could have easily requalified my Qantas Platinum status, but instead chose to earn on AAdvantage even though I am unlikely to make it to Exec Platinum status. But as an AA Platinum I have earned more points than I would have with Qantas and those points will convert to much more valuable awards that they would have with Qantas. So I have chosen to forgo status for rewards.

 

[wallacej]

I agree. This year I could have easily requalified my Qantas Platinum status, but instead chose to earn on AAdvantage even though I am unlikely to make it to Exec Platinum status. But as an AA Platinum I have earned more points than I would have with Qantas and those points will convert to much more valuable awards that they would have with Qantas. So I have chosen to forgo status for rewards.

Now that is interesting.

Most of my flights that are done with QF are paid for by my employer, and they generally use points to pay for my travel (100% domestic) so I don't often accumulate points or status for that matter....

My point earn from QF generally comes about with my Thrifty car rentals and the odd "cheap flight" that my employer does pay for... the rest of my travel is on DJ..

My question is, if I am not interested in status with QF, and I am a QP (paid for member) would I be better having my account with AA rather than QF? And for the few times I have a paid for flight with QF, quote my AA number?

Obviously I can still use the lounge and get the other QP member benfefits.

All of my travel since Jan 1 2007(48 domestic flights this year) have either been paid for on DJ (30 flights), paid for with points on QF (17 flights), paid for with money on QF (1 flight).

Obviously I am a member of Velocity, and not being able to change my employers view on which airline I can travel with, I am happy to collect on the Velocity program (do not accumulate hotel points, company owns apts in each state)...so back to my question,

Now you have my history-

1/ should I continue to accumulate my points with QF or should I change to AA...
2/does Thrifty link to AA also?

 

[JohnK]

1/ should I continue to accumulate my points with QF or should I change to AA...

You have had 1 paid QF flight in 9 months. Assume that you have 3 or 4 paid QF flights a year. You will not have status in either program. With the QFF program you will receive a minimum of 1,000 FF points per flight where as with the AA program you will receive a minimum of 500 FF miles.

2/does Thrifty link to AA also?

Yes. It appears that it only earns 50 AA miles per each paid rental day. Thrifty - AA Advantage Partners.

Not to offend our loyal AAdvantage members, and I could be wrong again anyway, but I think QFF is the better program to credit the few paid QF flights you have a year as well as your hotel stays, car rental and credit card spending.

 

[beardoc]

Does not seem fair to hand out lifetime status based on credit card spend alone regardless of whether the person makes use of the status.

What about the guy that got it based on buying chocolate pudding?

 

[NM]

My question is, if I am not interested in status with QF, and I am a QP (paid for member) would I be better having my account with AA rather than QF? And for the few times I have a paid for flight with QF, quote my AA number?

AA is most beneficial when comparing AA Platinum status with QF Gold (and even Platinum sometimes), due mainly to the 100% status bonus miles and the better points/miles burn rate.

If you are not going to be able to attain, and preferably retain, AA Platinum status then the advantage of AAdvantage is likely to be marginal. AA Gold does still earn at a higher rate than QF Silver (50% vs 25% status bonus), but other factors then come into play such as minimum earnings per flight and the type of awards to be redeemed.

QFF still has the lowest points redemption for short Australian domestic awards. AA is a minimum 20,000 miles for any award in or between Australia and NZ. But that is return and does not incur fuel fines. With QF, you can redeem one-way SYD-MEL type awards for 8000 points, so perhaps more opportunities for low-value awards on QF if your overall points earning is low.

AA is not string for miles earning from rental cars and hotel partners. And there are few non-flying bonus opportunities for people based outside USA. So if you are not able to earn your miles from flying (it is a frequent flyer program after all) and unable to attain and retain status, AAdvantage may not be the best program.

 

[simongr]

What about the guy that got it based on buying chocolate pudding?

Don't forget the cheese wheels

I agree as well that AA is not for you. If I was spending as much on my Amex as I was earning on flights I would be considering a switch back but I earn 3 times as many points flying as I do on Amex. Amazing for me to think that if I had stuck with QF I would be lifetime silver by now and likely be LTG next year - I wouldnt be flying around the world in J on an aaward though

 

[JohnK]

What about the guy that got it based on buying chocolate pudding?

I vaguely remember reading something about this on FT. Didn't he have to buy a lot of chocolate pudding during some promotion? I would still class this in the same category as credit card spending.

I still think that only actual flying should count towards status.

 

[NM]

I vaguely remember reading something about this on FT. Didn't he have to buy a lot of chocolate pudding during some promotion? I would still class this in the same category as credit card spending.

I still think that only actual flying should count towards status.

Search for "pudding guy" and you will find lots of info.

 

[beardoc]

I vaguely remember reading something about this on FT. Didn't he have to buy a lot of chocolate pudding during some promotion? I would still class this in the same category as credit card spending.

I still think that only actual flying should count towards status.

No - he got "million miler" status, as I understand, which gave him lifetime status, etc. with AA.

 

[simongr]

photos

Why do they need AA Gold life status that badly?

 

[Evan]

Why do they need AA Gold life status that badly?

Is that the sort of question to be asking here ?

That is so completely insane and funny ! atleast it was for a sort of good cause

E

 

[simongr]

I actually think the iDine guy is worse - all points earned from mostly "restaurant" chains and eating out - have a salad man!