This is pure speculation!
Possible changes to Qantas Platinum qualification.
Emirates will introduce a new frequent flyer tier - Emirates Platinum.
The bar for this Tier will be high ie 100,000 Tier Miles.
Emirates Platinum will have access to F lounges.
Qantas will be required to raise the bar for Platinum to match Emirates Platinum qualtification ie qualification @ 1800 SC's - retain @ 1,600 SC's.
I don't think raising the level to 1800 SC is entirely non-feasible. It would be taking a sword to the body, but there you go. It will probably alienate a lot of existing Platinums on this forum.
Another thought is they will raise the bar, but not that high.
100,000 Tier Miles on EK is not entirely a high bar, depending on what benefits will be afforded to Skywards Platinum. Don't forget that the majority of EK flights are long haul, which means those tier miles come in quite readily. Basically the same as QF - it's double the previous tier, Gold.
Certainly I don't immediately see the typical EK elite switching to QFF because it's an easier programme to get Platinum. Don't forget that the best benefits of a FFP are usually afforded to those who travel on the host airline.
Can't see it happening, how will they justify people getting 1800SC when almost half that is required on VA?
Because for the international traveller, the benefits between QF Platinum and VA Platinum are arguably different. Maybe they scale for the relative sizes of the benefits. There's a healthy discussion about this somewhere.
The domestic travelling Platinum, however, may be strongly thinned out.
I agree, I don't think it is possible as the outcry would be too great.
Don't say no... since when has even AFF screamed about something QF has done and there has been a backflip?
This forum probably lays into QF more than Tony Abbott lays into the Labour party. At least TA gets a reaction and someone arrested; we get nothing.
(Possibly the only exception: arrivals access for WPs into domestic lounges after ATA was removed)
The only time QF might actually listen to us in earnest is if all of us social-media-bomb QF, launch a concerted DDoS attack, led a protest at Coward Street or... simply walk away. No one has the guts, of course, even though I'm confident that the WPs alone on this board probably account for at least $20 million of revenue annually for Qantas.
Don't forget there are still several flyers / elites who fly almost without consideration and they are Platinums in their own right. They are not necessarily like us who strategise carefully our attainment / retaining of status.
