Qantas Points Club Discussion

[Mr H]

True in some, perhaps many, cases but I earn a large number of points without card churning and I’m sure others do as well

You would be the absolute exception. The only legit (ie non-gaming) way I could see of achieving PC+ or a higher tier would be through channeling business spend through a business credit card. I doubt that a higher tier of PC membership would encourage significantly more people to do that.

 

[downtheback]

True in some, perhaps many, cases but I earn a large number of points without card churning and I’m sure others do as well

If I may ask, how? Through spend and signups I can somewhat qualify for PC, but would like to make that PC+

 

[exceladdict]

Gosh, so many great comments to reply to, I love this forum and thread.

Can the same 100 status credits be rolled over indefinitely if one re- qualifies every year for PC plus , or is it rolled over only once ?

It’s up to 100 status credits earned in the prior membership year, but yes, as long as you have earned them, they will roll over as a PC+ member.

I have a feeling someone posted an example, I thought it was PC+ (but may have been status support related), that SCs won't be rolled over twice.

Eg. If you:
- Earn 100sc and attain PCP in year one,
- roll over 100sc and then earn PCP again, but don't but don't earn any seperate SCs in year two,
- then you don't get a re-rollover in year 3.

But would love to be wrong so please do reply here if I am!

Certainly buying the promotional gift cards at Woolworths and converting via the everyday rewards program as already mentioned is also a good option to add to the points pile.

Yes, about 130k converted this year from a few years of purchases (alongside other wwr promos)

I’m considering the ideas/mechanisms people have that aren’t really involving changing your health fund or telco etc (as no everyone will be in a position to do so). But maybe it’s redundant…

I feel like there are strategies things dotted in this thread, alongside other threads like the ATO thread, and generally threads for the various promos that come along (CCS, wine, transaction accounts, etc). Often reposted on the various blogs or ozb too.

I suspect the credit card companies would object. There’s a very fine balance to be struck between QF marketing their points to banks as an incentive to recruit loyal customers, and QF encouraging churning. IMO the PC+ already sits on the wrong side of that balance (ie I don’t believe it is reasonably attainable without churning) and higher levels would make it obvious that QF were encouraging gaming of the system - plus would be of interest to very few customers.

I think that any further tiers would mainly appeal to business owners members who put spend through their personal cards, but QFs strategy is probably to push these to the QBR program, which I believe doesn't qualify for PC?

I feel like any further major benefits (other than maybe SCs on successful upgrades or being able to gift the PC+ Lounge membership to family) would probably add too much to status dilution by inflation?

 

[DejaBrew]

Eg. If you:
- Earn 100sc and attain PCP in year one,
- roll over 100sc and then earn PCP again, but don't but don't earn any seperate SCs in year two,
- then you don't get a re-rollover in year 3.

That’s actually what I was trying to suggest, but may not have explained clearly. They should keep being applied year on year assuming PC+ is retained AND you earn 100+ new SC through the year.

 

[Mr H]

I think that any further tiers would mainly appeal to business owners members who put spend through their personal cards…

That in and of itself is gaming. Mixing personal and business spend can be an attractive short term strategy but can have big consequences.

 

[SYD]

but QFs strategy is probably to push these to the QBR program, which I believe doesn't qualify for PC?

I have an AMEX QF Biz card - probably the predecessor to the QBR card but my points earn counts towards PC. I’ve not seen anything to suggest the QBR card doesn’t?

Of course, the additional QBR points from flights, wine and stays don’t count but the base earn do.

 

[NM]

I have managed to attain PC+ last year and will again this year, with one new credit card in each year (is that considered churning?) and no business spend. Yes, I have purchased some points that come with a free carton of wine a few times. And we did some bathroom renovations that were almost totally put on credit cards. But there is no way I would be able to attain any higher tier if there was one (I assume ~750K would be next tier after 150K, 350K current tiers). I expect the only people getting close to that would be those who can earn points for business spending pr business/travel expense reimbursements from an employer.

And at the same time I have managed around 100K Amex points that do not transfer to QFF points. Most Amex points come from the 3X bonus points for supermarket spending and buying discounted gift cards for grocery, fuel and booze purchases. Those points will be laundered through Marriott Bonvoy to keep my AAdvantage miles alive and well, even though its not a great value exchange these days,

 

[levelnine]

I suspect the credit card companies would object. There’s a very fine balance to be struck between QF marketing their points to banks as an incentive to recruit loyal customers, and QF encouraging churning. IMO the PC+ already sits on the wrong side of that balance (ie I don’t believe it is reasonably attainable without churning) and higher levels would make it obvious that QF were encouraging gaming of the system - plus would be of interest to very few customers.

Australians banks have really started to clamp down on churning lately:
- NAB gone from 12 to 18 months between applications
- NAB purchasing Citibank and soon to eliminate Citi's cards as a set of cards to churn
- ANZ reducing sign-up bonus offers
- Amex reducing sign-up bonus offers
- Banks starting to refuse to prorata refund annual fees

Presumably because churning is costing them too much.

Must be a point of contention for QF because it results in less profit for QF. One of the more interesting dynamics at the moment in this space in my opinion.

 

[exceladdict]

That’s actually what I was trying to suggest, but may not have explained clearly. They should keep being applied year on year assuming PC+ is retained AND you earn 100+ new SC through the year.

Should, or do? I agree they should, but haven't had confirmation if it happens in practice?

I have an AMEX QF Biz card - probably the predecessor to the QBR card but my points earn counts towards PC. I’ve seen anything to suggest the QBR card doesn’t?

Of course, the additional QBR points from flights, wine and stays don’t count but the base earn do.

Do the points go direct to your QF account, or to a QBR account? I was under the impression points transferred from QBR to a QFF account don't count towards PC. If they did, then the QBR-earning cards become much more appealing

Australians banks have really started to clamp down on churning lately:
- NAB gone from 12 to 18 months between applications
- NAB purchasing Citibank and soon to eliminate Citi's cards as a set of cards to churn
- ANZ reducing sign-up bonus offers
- Amex reducing sign-up bonus offers
- Banks starting to refuse to prorata refund annual fees

Presumably because churning is costing them too much.

Must be a point of contention for QF because it results in less profit for QF. One of the more interesting dynamics at the moment in this space in my opinion.

Yes, I wonder whether it's due to current economic circumstances (eg. perhaps people don't need as much encouragement to use credit), an increase in cost of FF points to pay major acquisition bonuses, or some other factor.

 

[SYD]

Should, or do? I agree they should, but haven't had confirmation if it happens in practice?


Do the points go direct to your QF account, or to a QBR account? I was under the impression points transferred from QBR to a QFF account don't count towards PC. If they did, then the QBR-earning cards become much more appealing


Yes, I wonder whether it's due to current economic circumstances (eg. perhaps people don't need as much encouragement to use credit), an increase in cost of FF points to pay major acquisition bonuses, or some other factor.

Points from my AMEX QF Biz card spend goes direct to my personal QFF account and count towards PC (along with my other QFF earning CCs).

My QBR accounts earns bonus pts from flying, QF wine/hotels but the base points go to my personal QFF.

Yes, if I transfer QBR points to my personal QFF account, they do not count towards PC.

If the current QBR AMEX sends points direct to QBR account, I wouldn’t take it up personally.

 

[ChrisMars]

Australians banks have really started to clamp down on churning lately:
- NAB gone from 12 to 18 months between applications
- NAB purchasing Citibank and soon to eliminate Citi's cards as a set of cards to churn
- ANZ reducing sign-up bonus offers
- Amex reducing sign-up bonus offers
- Banks starting to refuse to prorata refund annual fees

Presumably because churning is costing them too much.

Must be a point of contention for QF because it results in less profit for QF. One of the more interesting dynamics at the moment in this space in my opinion.

Look at the bright side. With inflation, we pay more for goods, and earn more points. Yeaaaa

 

[Mr H]

Look at the bright side. With inflation, we pay more for goods, and earn more points. Yeaaaa

Yeaaaa nah. With inflation we just reach our monthly points cap on Tuesday rather than Thursday.

 

[SamParker]

Hi All,
A quick question - I am a PC Club member and just did a Classic Rewards flight. The status showed that I would earn 52 points (for my flight from Syd to London). The first leg is now complete but I haven't been credited with the SCs yet. With normal flights, I get credited immediately. The return for next week says the same i.e. I should earn 52 SC points.
How long is the wait for these SCs to come through? Should I be calling the call centre already to try to get these points?

 

[sudoer]

With normal flights, I get credited immediately.

With domestic flights yes, international isn't always instant.

How long is the wait for these SCs to come through?

They'll probably arrive within a few days. Technically Qantas say "up to 14 days"

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/claim-missing-points.html

Should I be calling the call centre already to try to get these points?

When was the flight? Just confirming you flew with QF, and not BA or another carrier?

 

[cjd600]

Hi All,
A quick question - I am a PC Club member and just did a Classic Rewards flight. The status showed that I would earn 52 points (for my flight from Syd to London). The first leg is now complete but I haven't been credited with the SCs yet. With normal flights, I get credited immediately. The return for next week says the same i.e. I should earn 52 SC points.
How long is the wait for these SCs to come through? Should I be calling the call centre already to try to get these points?

I flew LAX-SYD QF12 One World Award on 11 May, no SCs as yet

 

[SamParker]

With domestic flights yes, international isn't always instant.



They'll probably arrive within a few days. Technically Qantas say "up to 14 days"

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/claim-missing-points.html

When was the flight? Just confirming you flew with QF, and not BA or another carrier?

Yes, QF1 to London. Heading back next week on QF2.
This will mean I either make Platinum or just miss out before my year resets (that's why I'm so nervous about it)
Okay. I will wait two weeks from next Friday before I call them.

 

[SamParker]

I flew LAX-SYD QF12 One World Award on 11 May, no SCs as yet

Oh wow. So a long wait then.
As long as I get it before I reset at the end of June!

 

[SYD]

I flew LAX-SYD QF12 One World Award on 11 May, no SCs as yet

I flew QF12 on 10 May - SCs arrived next day. Similarly, QF 11 over - SCs posted later that day.

Both QF Classic Rewards.

 

[SamParker]

I flew QF12 on 10 May - SCs arrived next day. Similarly, QF 11 over - SCs posted later that day.

Both QF Classic Rewards.

Thanks... so would you recommend I call the call centre?

 

[SYD]

Thanks... so would you recommend I call the call centre?

Does your member year reset this month (May)? If so, that could be a legit reason to call and explain. If your member year ends June, you could wait the 14 days before calling - if required.