Qantas extends current status Until at least March 2021

[codash1099]

This is good from QF. Curtailing my DONE4 about 5 flights in meant that I w miss requalifying for WP by 40 SCs.

my next wish is for a prompt refund for the balance of the DONE4 and waiving of the cancellation charges.

 

[Pushka]

And right there is precisely the corner Qantas now painted them into. Not much more to give without handing over the keys to the farm.



100% agree that extending by 12 months is a TERRIBLE approach at this point in time. I believe Qantas are too early to make such a big move. Plenty of other airlines have a "look after those who need the status now...and let's see how it plays out over the coming weeks/months" approach - which is perfect.

Essentially, Qantas is betting that travel restrictions will remain in place for the next 6months++.

However, if travel restrictions are lifted and the world 'goes back to normal', Qantas will lose so much revenue from ticket sales (loyalty members can make up to 50% of all ticket sale purchases), that smart analyst will ask why Qantas didn't need to disclose a revenue warning to the ASX prior to gifting out status to the entire member base. [Bookmark this post for future reference]

What Qantas could have done better is to gift out status credits instead of extending the status expiry. That would have the same desired outcome of status extensions and would provide incentive for many members to spend-more to hit the next tier, and provide recognition to lifetime silver/gold who don't currently hold a higher status.

From my perspective right now - Qantas may have really messed up on this one.

There are only two benefits for Qantas:
- Forces Velocity to do the same, which will hurt Virgin Australia even more [smart, if this was the approach]
- Short-term sugar-hit from the PR boost

This is a good read: Should Airlines & Hotels Extend Elite Status in Times of Crisis?

There is no way on earth that any kind of normality will resume in 6 months. We havent even started the true crisis stage yet.

 

[Mac502]

There is no way on earth that any kind of normality will resume in 6 months. We havent even started the true crisis stage yet.

Well then extend everyone’s renewal by 12 months.

 

[Pushka]

Well then extend everyone’s renewal by 12 months.

It's a work in progress. No need to announce that just yet.

 

[Moii]

Shoot. I joined the party too late. My card has an expiry of April 2021 already =(

 

[DC3]

Well then extend everyone’s renewal by 12 months.

I can see the logic in that suggestion. It would be very easy to implement and very easy to understand.

Based on what QF has said so far, there’s room for hope. Anyway, happy for those who are getting an extension.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Yay, bronze for another year!

 

[DC3]

Yay, bronze for another year!

So, you got the extension then?

 

[AshM]

So this is going to sound a bit like sour grapes but my platinum status expired at the end of Feb so I missed out on the extension by essentially 24 hours.

That’s fair enough - and I’d cop it on the chin - but to get an email from Qantas saying they’ve done me the great favour of extending my new lower gold status for 12 months is a dead-set kick in the nuts... since I’m already lifetime gold.

Perhaps they’ve worked out how to extend my life by 12 months?

 

[justinbrett]

As stated earlier I already requalified for WP and reset at the end of the month - so no extension.

I already have enough forward bookings between May-Sep to requalify again for WP. However, these are dropping like flies. I requalified this year with 2000 SCs.

If this drags on and I don't make WP next year I shall be very angry!

 

[wandering_fred]

I'll join the group of former WPs (having been given (ie dropped to) SG on 01 March) bemoaning their fate.....
Will I be able to get my next ~290 SC this year to earn LTS given my flights are now (re)booked for Sept 2020?
Stay tuned in for next week's exciting developments in the "Perils of Wandering Fred"

Involuntarily holding off on wandering
Fred

 

[DC3]

As stated earlier I already requalified for WP and reset at the end of the month - so no extension ...

As things progress, we may get our extensions, even though currently excluded.

Maybe QF is still to work through all of this. Can only hope as it would be great to get it.

 

[CaptJCool]

My year ticked over on 29 Feb 2020 so this year is WP and it’s extended now until Feb 2022 Which might get me close to LTG...

 

[Tropic]

There was always going to be winners or losers. Or at least winners and non-winners.

Already requalified WP in Jan for next year - Aug 2020 to Aug 2021. Well that was a waste of money Dont do CCs so thanks for the double kick in the teeth QF. Why not just a simple status freeze?

 

[justinbrett]

So thinking aloud... my profile was already at Mar 21.

Wording of the email says "To give you one less thing to worry about right now, your Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum status will automatically be extended for 12 months. The extension will be actioned in two phases - if your membership year ends". There's no Asterix, caveat, terms & conditions etc. Just a link to a Q&A.

I think I should hold them to the words of the email.

 

[DC3]

Already requalified WP in Jan for next year - Aug 2020 to Aug 2021. Well that was a waste of money Dont do CCs so thanks for the double kick in the teeth QF. Why not just a simple status freeze?

Yes. My money would be on the 12 month extension. Easy to implement.

 

[DC3]

.... Wording of the email says "To give you one less thing to worry about right now, your Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum status will automatically be extended for 12 months. The extension will be actioned in two phases - if your membership year ends". There's no Asterix, caveat, terms & conditions etc. Just a link to a Q&A.

I think I should hold them to the words of the email.

You are probably onto something there. I’m still hopeful that we will all get what we deserve.

Hang on. Maybe I should have put that slightly differently.

Edited

 

[CaptJCool]

So thinking aloud... my profile was already at Mar 21.

Wording of the email says "To give you one less thing to worry about right now, your Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum status will automatically be extended for 12 months. The extension will be actioned in two phases - if your membership year ends". There's no Asterix, caveat, terms & conditions etc. Just a link to a Q&A.

I think I should hold them to the words of the email.

From FAQ
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

 

[Captain Halliday]

So thinking aloud... my profile was already at Mar 21.

Wording of the email says "To give you one less thing to worry about right now, your Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum status will automatically be extended for 12 months. The extension will be actioned in two phases - if your membership year ends". There's no Asterix, caveat, terms & conditions etc. Just a link to a Q&A.

I think I should hold them to the words of the email.

And the email says... “automatically extended by 27 March 2020;”.

So you can chase them up for your extension to March 2022 in ten days.

As can I.

Good pickup.

 

[Tropic]

Actually just a few SC off LTG, and am planning to no longer chase QF status as my QF WP runs out in Aug 2021. So this doesnt affect that plan. Just hope there's still One World members to fly then...