Qantas increases points required for Emirates rewards

[MEL_Traveller]

Not that I looked into this in detail but on premium cabins, it looks like an extra 11'000 points but correct me if I'm wrong but the Fees have reduced by about ~$100 also. Seems fair to say it's net net little impact given 10'000 roughly equals $100? (I am setting aside the act of doing combination partner bookings, that is definitely a bummer)

Ah, but where can I earn 11,000 points for $100 of spend?

 

[CaptJCool]

Well these get closest esp with a $50 off discount voucher.




Otherwise you’d need go back to the days of the 1 cent packets for 10 points .... woolies Radelaide Joseph (?)

 

[eminere]

In the June Qantas Points EDM I received this morning:

Emirates Classic Flight Rewards
To bring Emirates in line with other airline partners, the points needed for Classic Flight Rewards will increase for bookings from 1 Sep 20. This follows a reduction in Emirates carrier charges by up to 50%, saving members $200 - $500 per return journey to Europe depending on the class of travel.

Links to the updated Partner Classic Flight Reward table.

 

[Danger]

In the June Qantas Points EDM I received this morning:

Links to the updated Partner Classic Flight Reward table.

This, "... in line with other airline partners ..." is a bit disingenuous. It implies all airline partners are treated the same (not just for points redemptions), which they are not. How long before we see "To bring Emirates in line with other airline partners, lounge access on EK flights will no longer be provided"?

On the other hand, Qantas is being quite open with the fact that, in Qantas Frequent Flyer, you can't have both low redemption charges and low surcharges. It's one or the other.

 

[Mattg]

This notification was quite predictably right at the bottom of the monthly newsletter email that barely anybody reads!

On the other hand, Qantas is being quite open with the fact that, in Qantas Frequent Flyer, you can't have both low redemption charges and low surcharges. It's one or the other.

Except for AA and FJ flights.

 

[CaptJCool]

Love the logic

Because we Reduced the cash component of your classic reward by $500, we raised the spend you need to make to raise the extra points you now need to earn to access the reward by $22,000.

That’s a fair trade indeed !

 

[ramamba]

Just changed our EK F award booking to Europe to next year and will be getting a $500 refund (in 8 to 10 weeks no less).

Decided not to cancel as we booked last year before devaluation and also have a free QF domestic connection, similar bookings would be quite more expensive under the new rules.

Do i understand correctly that i still have until 31 August to make further changes to the departure date if there's availability to avoid the change fees and not pay any extra points?

 

[tallie]

Anyone planning on booking a flight before the change to get the included tag flights At the lower price? I’m thinking F BNE - SYD - CHC next year when the bubble is open mid year. Think I would only fly if it was A380 and bar/shower operating. Thoughts?

 

[Danielb56]

Early last year my wife and I flew Business on Emirates to Cairo and off memory the points were in the low 100k. I think somewhere around 115,000 (approx.). When I tried booking flights late last year for our intended trip to Greece and Italy (Sep-Oct202) I noticed some changes -1. It was more difficult trying to find Business class seats with Emirates. 2. The other options they gave us that was 'more direct' was often via Shanghai with China Eastern and the points were around 166k. 3. I eventually was able to book more reasonable flights with Qatar, Cathay, British etc. but the points were much high than before. Even though they have reduced carrier charges (which are minimal) the cost of using points has increased. I only use points for flights and not shopping as the value for shopping is ridiculous. But now Reward Flights are catching up to shopping online in that it is become more less value for money...typical Qantas though in their communication with 'loyal customers' - 000.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Anyone planning on booking a flight before the change to get the included tag flights At the lower price? I’m thinking F BNE - SYD - CHC next year when the bubble is open mid year. Think I would only fly if it was A380 and bar/shower operating. Thoughts?

Waste of time having a shower on a flight that is 3 hours from wheels up to wheels down. Even though the food in F on trans Tasman is only what is served in the J cabin, the F cabin is quiet and private and the standard of alcohol is FAR higher than J. Ditto for the bar really but I'm not a fan of the communal bar anyway: it only serves J booze and if you want the top notch stuff the crew has to go and get it from up the front.

The F cabin really is a haven and it's nice to spend a long time in it, so much so that J feels like a bit of a zoo when you go for a walk to stretch your legs.

 

[Melburnian1]

Love the logic

Because we Reduced the cash component of your classic reward by $500, we raised the spend you need to make to raise the extra points you now need to earn to access the reward by $22,000.

That’s a fair trade indeed !

Why would anyone be surprised?

With all airline FF schemes, it's a very unequal 'match' between carrier and passenger(s). A one-sided game where it can be unwise to build up too big a stash, as at any time the value of points can be downgraded.

BFOD won't suit everyone who uses AFF but while most may salivate over increasing scheme points balances, BFOD is a strategy I've used to save a lot of money over the years, arguably more than in 'staying loyal' to one first tier airline.

 

[tallie]

Waste of time having a shower on a flight that is 3 hours from wheels up to wheels down. Even though the food in F on trans Tasman is only what is served in the J cabin, the F cabin is quiet and private and the standard of alcohol is FAR higher than J.

Thanks for the feedback and I didn’t know about the food options. But I think the drinks and space will make up for it!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

With all airline FF schemes, it's a very unequal 'match' between carrier and passenger(s). A one-sided game where it can be unwise to build up too big a stash, as at any time the value of points can be downgraded.

BFOD won't suit everyone who uses AFF but while most may salivate over increasing scheme points balances, BFOD is a strategy I've used to save a lot of money over the years, arguably more than in 'staying loyal' to one first tier airline.

I think there's two different concepts in your first sentence. Agree hoarding points can be a dangerous game, but disagree that there is always a very 'unequal match' between carriers and passengers. This is what sites like AFF are supposed to excel at... finding the value in these schemes. Lifemiles for example has its problems, but it's not an unequal match... huge benefits to the passenger with cheap prices for awards (AUD1800 return business class to Thailand non-stop on TG. Or AUD1800 Lufthansa first class one way USA-Europe-Asia are two examples, and those miles can be bought today, fly in 24 hours). US Airways was another example. Alaska Airlines another. All cheap to buy points and some very low redemptions, with generous stopovers.

Agree BFOD is a good strategy, and I use that too, combined with points purchases and awards where those are more cost effective.

 

[mrmerc500]

Just changed our EK F award booking to Europe to next year and will be getting a $500 refund (in 8 to 10 weeks no less).

Decided not to cancel as we booked last year before devaluation and also have a free QF domestic connection, similar bookings would be quite more expensive under the new rules.

Do i understand correctly that i still have until 31 August to make further changes to the departure date if there's availability to avoid the change fees and not pay any extra points?

Would love to make an Award Booking before the end of tomorrow to avoid the increase but what are the chances of travelling to Europe in 1 year?

This is a recent article saying that UK, Germany & Ireland is likely an option by mid next year

Considering the PCR test that is required, seems to be unrealistic to transit there right now especially as a tourist.

Qantas boss reveals when Aussies could be able to travel overseas

Qantas boss Alan Joyce on Thursday announced the airline's international flights will likely resume in July 2021, after the federal government ordered a travel ban in March.

www.google.com.au

 

[PLM]

I may need to see my therapist after reading this thread.