Qantas Frequent Flyer Program Changes

[Nick]

Just wondering what everyone thinks of the latest changes that have been introduced to the Qantas FF program as of today and the changes that will be phased in next year.

If you haven't read about these changes, check out the following link:
http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/newsOffers/news/2003/jun/programChanges

Some of the changes will be welcomed I'm sure, but for those who don't fly regularly, the new requirement of 450 status credits = 1 upgrade credit, as opposed to the current 250 status credits, will take a lot longer to achieve.

I'll be interested to hear what everyone thinks, especially from those who hold Platinum status and for those who are lower down the scale like me :cry:

 

[swissbignose]

Remember that full economy status credits are offered with a lot more fares now. The move to increase to 450 SC per upgrade is just eliminating those flyers who spend as little as possible to fly from receiving perks that should be reserved for the more revenue-generating clients.

If anything, this move will just heighten the "mileage-run" challenges! At least there has been no move (yet) by QANTAS to increase the tiers by which one achieves recognition!

 

[QF WP]

Excellent thought process there, swissbignose. You have it in one!! SC chasing is now more important - I suppose I'm lucky because I fly mostly K fares (or more particularly, KISOX fares - but being careful which to choose), so SC's are about to rise.

Add to that the BA additional % (particularly handy when BA's WT+ is such a better offer than QF's Y on Asian or Kangaroo route), qualification should be a dream.

 

[dajop]

Add to that the BA additional % (particularly handy when BA's WT+ is such a better offer than QF's Y on Asian or Kangaroo route), qualification should be a dream.

What is everyone's interpretation on the BA status bonus? In the economy cabin after Jan 1 (let's face it who flies full Y internationally, if you are paying full Y u might as well pay for J) - you get 0.25 points per mile. Platinum gets 100% bonus - is that another 0.25 points per mile or is that 1 point per mile (ie is the total earn 0.5 points or 1.25 points)? If you take the more generous interpretation, for those less than Platinum the maximum earn is 0.75/0.5 points per mile (gold/silver) or 0.85/0.6 (gold/silver in WT+).

Still better off (for points anyway) if on a QF flight or codeshare if there is one available, regardless of status.

 

[QF WP]

Still waiting on the booklet to be able to run through some examples and chat to the friendly crew at QF Premium Desk in Camberwell. An interesting conundrum as I will need to know the exact rule as I am flying BA WT+ next month MEL/SIN/LHR/SIN with other sectors on QF.

 

[thadocta]

One thing to remember here is the relationship between points upgrades andd upgrade credits.

As an example, looking at the old regime, it would take 50 paid zone 1 flights in discount Y to get a zone 5 upgrade - 50,000 points. Those same 50 <1000 mile flights would accrue you 2 UC's at 250 SC's each.

Now, you need 90 zone 1 flights in discount Y to get that same zone 5 upgrade - 90,000 points. And guess what, those 90 flights would get you exactly 2 UC's at 450 SC's each.So no change there in relation to the number of flights you need to make as far as relationship between UC's and points required goes.

Where they are trying to reward those flying on the more expensive Y fares is as follows:

Those doing their zone 1 flights in a fare which will receive full Y SC's will, for their 90 zone 1 flights, receive 1800 SC's, or 4 UC's. Previously, they would have received 900 SC's, or 3 UC's and most of the way to their fourth.

So those flying on the higher value discount Y fares will be better off, those flying on the deep discount fares will be worse off - but they aren't worth much to QF anyway.

Dave

 

[QF WP]

Dave, excellent response and well structured argument. Of course, one upside is the relationship of those Flexi Saver fares now giving double SC's than before thus easier to obtain and retain Plat. Does that mean you'll join us?? :wink:

 

[icemann]

So...just to ask a question

How do BA WT+ and QF J class compare against each other, in terms of pricing and service ? I understand from Lindsay that QF full Y is not as good as WT+, but if you can pay a little more for QF J, then how does J compare to that (or even BA J Class ?)

How does the points work then - does BA still do full points (1 per mile) in the J cabin ?

 

[shillard]

So...just to ask a question

How do BA WT+ and QF J class compare against each other, in terms of pricing and service ?

Not in the same league. Whilst WT+ is far better than QF Y (in-seat laptop power, leg & shoulder room, etc) it's nothing like a real J product.

And the price reflects that. Others will no doubt correct me, but from memory WT+ on the roo route is $2500 or so, J on either QF or BA is three times that.

 

[thadocta]

What about as far as points go, Scott?

Looking at SYD-LHR for example, Y is 110K, WT+ is 137,500 and J is 220K - upgrading from Y to J will be 180K points.

So is J sufficiently better that it is worth forking out either 180K points to upgrade (after also forking out around $2K) or 220K for an award flight, or is WT+ good enough that the 137K (or thereabouts) for an award booking will make it all worthwhile?

Dave

 

[QF WP]

Well, an intriguing debate between friends. Well, shillard the cost for my BNE QF MEL X/BA SIN BA LHR X/BA DUB BA LHR X/BA SIN X/QF BNE is Gross $3,840. If you were able to book in T class (disc WT+), I still think the fare is around $2.8K to $3K. Still, minor semantics on the numbers.

The points earned and status credits aren't shabby either, as QF Dom is in H Class, BA WT+ in W, BA LHR/DUB ret is Y, and QF 52 is H. I'm happy about that, as it will push me mid-way between Gold and Plat (with my other flying to date). Trip to USA in Dec/Jan plus domestic flying will see me Plat again easy by 28 Feb.

I agree with thadocta that the maths doesn't add up, I'd rather pay 137.5K than 220K for prehaps a lesser meal and sleep. I suppose it's all about justification.

Once I realised just how superior the WT+ was (after flying WT+ to SIN and return in J last year for $850SDL), QF lost me on the Kangaroo route. BKK, SIN and HKG will probably also be in WT+ for me from hereon after.
Icemann and others, if you can afford more than Y but less than J, want the additional legroom and amenities as shillard pointed out, it's a perfect fit IMHO.

 

[icemann]

I can agree with Lindsay on this point - I have been on some QF flights in coach from BKK, SIN and HKG, and the bathrooms are dirty, the food is average and very much more so is the legroom and service. The QF SE Asia run in coach is pretty shabby IMHO.

$850 SDL is a very good price. Was that booked well in advance or spur of the moment ?

I've never flown WT+, but will be considering it strongly on the next oz to SE Asia trip (personal funding), but if the company is paying, I'd still go J.

 

[sully]

Well I have been spying on you guys for long enough and so it is time to put the glasses down and join the party. It has been interesting watching what you have to discuss and I thank the venerable members for their tips and ideas.

I am prompted to respond to icemann in regards to WT+. My company's policy is largely to send us on Y for most flights, however for long haul we are able to use this option. The seats are far superior and while the food service etc is the same as in the back I don't think this is too much of a problem. Personally I think the BA service is better than the roo boys and girls but the piece de resistance is that they serve Fullers London Pride, what a damn fine ale.

Cheers

 

[QF WP]

$850 SDL is a very good price. Was that booked well in advance or spur of the moment ?

One of my best friends lives in SIN and has introduced me to his QF contact in SIN QF Res. They contacted me and the timing was right for a trip (late June 02), so visited clients over 3 days and ran amok over the weekend.

I've never flown WT+, but will be considering it strongly on the next oz to SE Asia trip (personal funding), but if the company is paying, I'd still go J.

Totally agree with paid J - no comparison to WT+ which is humbled in it's presence. I am lucky to be able to afford WT+ for both, but alas can't upgrade on BA yet...so hope tht my Plat status gets me op ups. BA 2 from 3 in the past year.

 

[QF WP]

Sully, allow me to welcome you to AFF on behalf of all who post here!! Great to see you jumping off the fence and contributing because that's what BB's are all about - sharing information.

See we agree about WT+ and thanks for the tip about Fullers London Pride. Might have to sample one of everything on board, both to LHR and back in a little over 4 weeks! Don't think that will be a problem but certainly won't be doing a David Boon. Everything in moderation...except flying

 

[sully]

Thanks Lindsay, I had some expectation that I would be welcomed by either you or Shillard, given your input to this site. I may be in the UK in the next 4 weeks as well, so we should arrange to meet for a beer if the times co-incide.

 

[QF WP]

Sully, I'm there on my honeymoon (in Ireland) for most of the time but I'm in London for 8 hours at a pub near Paddington Station. If we are on the same flights:

Mon Sept 1 - QF 617 BNE/MEL Dep 11.50am Arr 2.10pm, connecting to
Mon Sept 1 - BA 18 MEL/SIN Dep 4.15pm, Arr 10.00pm
Tue Sept 2 - BA 18 SIN/LHR Dep 11.35pm Arr 6.20am +1, connecting to
Wed Sept 3 - BA5953 LHR/DUB Dep 9.05am, Arr 10.20am
Wed Sept 10 - BA5964 DUB/LHR 12.10pm, Arr 1.25pm
Wed Sept 10 - BA17 LHR/SIN Dep 9.15pm, Arr 5.20 +1, connecting to
Thu Sept 11 - QF52 SIN/BNE Dep 10.20pm, Arr 07.40am +1

 

[icemann]

Sully, I agree.

On QF - I cannot STAND VB, and will drink Tooheys/Fosters at a pinch in QF coach. Give me a West End. On the other hand, the QF flights over from FRA used to have Karlsberg Ur Pils. Even when I am in J class, I find that the range of beer/spirits only goes up to include JW Black, Baileys etc. There's no crownies.

British Lounges (BA) have Stella, Newky Brown Oh yes.

 

[shillard]

Sully, I agree.

On QF - I cannot STAND VB, and will drink Tooheys/Fosters at a pinch in QF coach. Give me a West End. On the other hand, the QF flights over from FRA used to have Karlsberg Ur Pils. Even when I am in J class, I find that the range of beer/spirits only goes up to include JW Black, Baileys etc. There's no crownies.

British Lounges (BA) have Stella, Newky Brown Oh yes.

Icemann, you haven't been keeping up with the beer threads on FlyerTalk. Crown is just re-packed VB, real men drink Boags.

When Shillard International Airlines takes off (I can call it SIA, because I will bury those monkeys), we will only serve Boags Premium and Boags light. All other beers will be verbotten.

 

[sully]

I really don't want to hijack this website and turn it into a beer appreciation society (mind you it isn't a bad thing to appreciate, along with pretty ladies and footy). Nevertheless I will state that I believe most of our Aussie brews are pretty poor, including Boags. Give me a James Squire (NSW), Goat Beer or Grand Ridge (Vic), Coopers (obviously) or a Little Creatures (WA) any day.

My only other membership of a forum is on the excellent site known as ratebeer.com where you will find over 200,000 reviews for more than 20,000 beers worldwide. I have rated 300 which only represents 10% of the beers rated by some on that site.

Mind you, the best beer is often the one that is in front of you, especially when it came free from the QF lounge.

Hic (I mean cheers).