Qantas extends current status Until at least March 2021

[pippen_2k]

I just went up a status tier 2 days ago and received an email from Qantas stating that due to covid they will not be sending out physical cards for the short term. I was told to use the digital card which they send me a link for i.e I am guessing using digital will be the way forward.

 

[Pushka]

I just went up a status tier 2 days ago and received an email from Qantas stating that due to covid they will not be sending out physical cards for the short term. I was told to use the digital card which they send me a link for i.e I am guessing using digital will be the way forward.

Thanks. We never received any notification. That policy is fine with digital as long as the information gets passed all the way along the line. I'll keep my old one in my wallet anyway. Will save a lot of money.

 

[calmelb]

My year end also April 2020.

Digital Frequent Flyer cards only for April, May and June according to this link:

Status Support | Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas is offering eligible Frequent Flyer members additional support including a 12-month status extension and the ability to rollover Status Credits to help with maintaining their tier. Details here.

www.qantas.com

May change in the future...

How will that work for those who have the QCash Cards. They normally only expire 3 months after your membership year (meaning anyone who is actually using it is stuffed)

 

[Aeolus]

My year resets today and I requalified for WP to May 2021 a while back. Considering flights have not been back to normal yet, what are the chances that QF might consider extending the WP to May 2022?

 

[Brettmcg]

My year resets today and I requalified for WP to May 2021 a while back. Considering flights have not been back to normal yet, what are the chances that QF might consider extending the WP to May 2022?

In exactly the same boat (except for being P1). Requalified until May 2021 back at the start of January, so have really missed out on two-three months of benefits in the previous year, and will likely not be able to make use of benefits until international flying resumes, which could be as late as September/October.

Can't believe QF are keeping quiet on this. They handed out an extra 12 months to a whole bunch of FF who hadn't even come close to requalifying, but aren't looking after those who had actually done the right thing and sured up their status for another year.

Their Status Extension page states:

My membership anniversary date is in March 2020, so while the extension will take my membership year to March 2021, I still may not be able to fly for much of this year. Will Qantas consider additional support to help me retain next year?

The situation is constantly evolving, as is our response. We will review whether additional support is required closer to the time.

Hasn't been updated since March though. I'm taking it up (again) with the SST in the next few days.

 

[Pushka]

In exactly the same boat (except for being P1). Requalified until May 2021 back at the start of January, so have really missed out on two-three months of benefits in the previous year, and will likely not be able to make use of benefits until international flying resumes, which could be as late as September/October.

Can't believe QF are keeping quiet on this. They handed out an extra 12 months to a whole bunch of FF who hadn't even come close to requalifying, but aren't looking after those who had actually done the right thing and sured up their status for another year.

Their Status Extension page states:



Hasn't been updated since March though. I'm taking it up (again) with the SST in the next few days.

MrP had already requalified back in March with end of year being April. The extension meant nothing to him and he can't requalify as likely there will be at best, just 3-4 months come April 21. Can't see international travel happening until early 2021.

 

[justinbrett]

Same for me, over 2000 SCs last year, requalified in Jul for a Apr-Mar membership year.

Haven‘t flown since Feb. Two domestic and one round the world trip cancelled by Qantas. I’ve done everything possible - I flew last year when I could, I had forward bookings this year. I also would have attained LTG with my forward bookings. There’s no hope of me requalifying for WP this year, or even SG.

 

[Aeolus]

Hasn't been updated since March though. I'm taking it up (again) with the SST in the next few days.

Can you please report back what SST has to say? Like you, I’m a bit miffed receiving the generic email that they have extended my status when infact they didn’t. If QF is not doing the right thing by remediating this, I’m not going to bend over backwards to renew WP and will just rely on LTG after May 2021.

 

[Lat34]

How will that work for those who have the QCash Cards. They normally only expire 3 months after your membership year (meaning anyone who is actually using it is stuffed)

I wondered the same thing about using the QCash mastercard. For me a digital card is fine until international travel re-starts. Perhaps physical cards could be issued on request if necessary?

 

[ozflier]

My year resets today and I requalified for WP to May 2021 a while back. Considering flights have not been back to normal yet, what are the chances that QF might consider extending the WP to May 2022?

I'm in virtually the same position- I am hoping .

 

[Lat34]

I'm in virtually the same position- I am hoping .

Me too, keeping everything crossed

 

[woodborer]

Can't believe QF are keeping quiet on this. They handed out an extra 12 months to a whole bunch of FF who hadn't even come close to requalifying, but aren't looking after those who had actually done the right thing and sured up their status for another year.

Done the right thing? You mean were in a position to have done it, rather than others who were not in a position to.

I don't think others are doing the wrong thing, just not able to do it.

 

[codash1099]

I'm in virtually the same position- I am hoping .

Ditto. Would have requalified if flights hadn't been cancelled part way through a DONE4 due to COVID-19. As it was the credits earned on the emergency return took me withing 40 of requalification. Should probably have claimed ORC but since I'm already LTG, I don't see any real value in submitting myself to QF's tortuous processes.

 

[RichardMEL]

2 comments:

1. Re the SST. Remember they are more a part of marketing than loyalty. Likely they know very little more than we do at this point and are not really in a position to influence policy decisions.

2. I know people are annoyed with lack of anything out of QF recently and as each month passes more and more people are put in a more unfair situation in terms of time to earn status for the next year let alone those qualified as above....

my thought on this is that QF have already indicated they will review. Until general flying in any kind of significantly closer to normal begins it seems premature for them to say or do anything because nobody knows when that will really be. Let's say they announced tomorrow that everyone with anniversaries to July 31 will get another year... Your anniversary is September but you can't fly till November? You're back in the same situation as people are now.

I am sure they will wait until there's more normalcy to take further action. I feel given they have indicated things are under review and it's always changing they're aware of people stuck in various states of difficulty status wise. They will have to do something further. I am confident they will but the timing is going to be very difficult. It's so hard to know...

.. And let's say, for example, things reopen more fully by November and QF decide to make an adjustment then.. Any particular member may not, for many reasons, fly again until June next year (again for example) and will still find whatever QF do in that situation to be unfair, but to those that can fly from Dec 1 more normally it will likely be fine. My point: they'll never be able to make everyone happy with the current rolling anniversary system (as opposed to a defined year end for everyone such as many other programs use where blanket extensions are more fair in my view).

I reckon we just have to sit back and give it time till the travel outlook looks more clear. I am confident (but obviously can't be sure) QF will again take action for status members. We'll just have to wait and see (and I am also confident again not everyone will be happy with whatever is done - or not)..

Personally I just roll with it. I am grateful for my own status extension even though I probably will not fly for .. quite a long time.. but that's my situation. I also think there are more important things to focus on right now as Covid still is a big issue, the economy and jobs is a huge issue for many and all the rest. Either way getting through is the prime issue and when we have the luxury to travel for business or pleasure going forward that will be a good day. The rest will follow IMO

 

[Brettmcg]

Done the right thing? You mean were in a position to have done it, rather than others who were not in a position to.

I don't think others are doing the wrong thing, just not able to do it.

Sorry, that was poorly phrased by me initially.

My frustration is actually borne out of the fact that QF sent me an email crowing that they had 'extended my status until 2021' as if it were some kind of grand gesture. It was especially irritating given I had forked out plenty of cold hard cash to already retain that status until end of May 2021.

2 comments:

1. Re the SST. Remember they are more a part of marketing than loyalty. Likely they know very little more than we do at this point and are not really in a position to influence policy decisions.

I understand that, but currently they are really the only platform/conduit available to communicate this message back. I know how active they are/can be, and I would have a fairly high level of confidence they will pass on the feedback to decision makers.

2. I know people are annoyed with lack of anything out of QF recently and as each month passes more and more people are put in a more unfair situation in terms of time to earn status for the next year let alone those qualified as above....

my thought on this is that QF have already indicated they will review. Until general flying in any kind of significantly closer to normal begins it seems premature for them to say or do anything because nobody knows when that will really be. Let's say they announced tomorrow that everyone with anniversaries to July 31 will get another year... Your anniversary is September but you can't fly till November? You're back in the same situation as people are now.

Personally I just roll with it. I am grateful for my own status extension even though I probably will not fly for .. quite a long time.. but that's my situation. I also think there are more important things to focus on right now as Covid still is a big issue, the economy and jobs is a huge issue for many and all the rest. Either way getting through is the prime issue and when we have the luxury to travel for business or pleasure going forward that will be a good day. The rest will follow IMO

Agree, however if you're going to restart marketing campaigns encouraging people to 'plan now and book with confidence' you send a signal to customers that you believe a recommencement of some kind is not far away.

My personal circumstances will allow me to start flying again as soon as flights become available, indeed I have already made a handful of tentative MEL-SYD bookings. I don't think it is unreasonable to be making further announcements or at least flagging that something will be announced soon, especially as the initial batch of status extensions were announced before Australia was truly and significantly impacted by COVID-19.

If QF don't come to the party on this one, I think it's probably the perfect time to free myself of the golden handcuffs and book on product, price and schedule.

 

[JRWhite]

I realise that Frequent flyer status tier is not fundamentally important at the moment, but I also fee very forgotten and let down by Qantas and I am questioning my future loyalty. I am not an Australian Resident, so as it stands – there are no on ground offers or promotions.

I was about to attain Plat 1, prior to the grounding and I was also left stranded and $5K out of pocket to get home as a result. I don’t blame Qantas for this but they offered no assistance at all, other than being cut off from phone line constantly after already waiting a hour or more on expensive international roaming calls.

On top of that. It was a nightmare to get the promised refunds on bookings, which were originally promised to me within 2 weeks. The bookings were twice put back into credit by Qantas and took 8 weeks.

I am not an Australian Resident, so as it stands – there are no on ground offers or promotions.


Qantas telling me they have extended despite the obvious fact I had already retained Plat is annoying. What Qantas have actually done is remove attaining Plat 1 one off the table and to make sure it remains out of reach for the time being.

 

[sudoer]

I was about to attain Plat 1

How far off? Have you already attained the necessary 2700 QF SCs?

 

[JRWhite]

How far off? Have you already attained the necessary 2700 QF SCs?

Another 700 Status credits to Plat 1. Yes to Qantas 2,700. I had 1,100 of pending status credits with Qantas across 8 Bookings in April and May

I have been earning between 2,200 and 3,200 SC a year for the last three years. almost exclusively with Qantas and Jetstar. I decided to book a few extra trips to attain Plat 1 this year. I accept that COVID is beyond Qantas's control and that I will not attain Plat 1.

But what Qantas have managed to do is alienate me

 

[RichardMEL]

JRWhite,

Welcome to AFF!

This is an aside but if you're not resident in Australia P1 is probably of less value to have than for people within Oz. If you read the very long thread on P1 experiences you may also find it's not the holy grail it may seem to some. However I digress...

I understand you feel alienated. Given your bookings that you had which would have got you there have you tried contacting QF regarding this? If the attain is that important to you and you can prove you had the booked trips (ie PNRs, which it sounds like you can since you got refunded) there may be some grounds for credit. Unfortunately QF is very hard line when it comes to P1.

I understand your frustrations with the refund process (but you got there in the end - you're hardly alone in the long time it takes to have gotten refunds) but you were also a fair way off P1 also. Yes, you'd gotten Platinum by a wide margin, and like many others the extension is of no help.

I still feel, as I have posted above, that QF will do more in this area and hopefully help you and many others feel less forgotten. Obviously I don't know this as any kind of fact but I feel it quite likely.

And if, for example, you're resident in somewhere like NZ then you obviously have other options to take your spend to.

 

[JRWhite]

RichardMEL

Just the first time I posted on the site. Yes, I am a NZ resident, although I did live in Australia for a number of years and contract to an Australian company. The benefits I was interested in for Plat 1 were the upgrade priority and getting my wife complimentary Platinum.

I can accept missing out on Plat 1, but what has me really annoyed is being left stranded without even an offer of assistance, the international toll calls to Qantas call centres being cut off after waiting 1-2 hours.

A Qantas rep suggested I ask the question to Qantas regarding Plat 1 but this was just a further waste of time.

I will still likely need to fly enough between Australia and New Zealand when the borders reopens to retain Platinum if I stay loyal to Qantas despite trips to the UK, Singapore and Dubai being on hold for the immediate future but I do feel let down by Qantas and Qantas has effectively removed any incentive to attain Plat 1.

I am not sure if Air NZ has treated frequent flyers any better but if they were to match my status, my family and I may switch loyalty.