Qantas rolls out Classic Plus Flight Rewards

[dylarr]

Some of the combinations popping up are definitely a "no-brainer" test.

 

[levelnine]

I saw QF11/12 and AA LAX/LHR legs. I'd probably take that combo if I had a need to be in the UK then. Which I don't.

Which dates? All I see is CX flights out of Australia. Surprised Qantas has released classic awards to partners — usually the batch releases are for Qantas members only.

Post automatically merged: Apr 8, 2024

Some of the combinations popping up are definitely a "no-brainer" test.

View attachment 377952

Giving you a nice reminder of how bad the new system is. Don't worry, those comparisons will all disappear once the classic awards evaporate and are never seen again.

 

[smckay]

So this is not a good addition in any way at all?

In what mindset would you have any thoughts that CR+ is 'good'?
Hugely higher points cost which is only good for people with a lot of points, and even then, someone with that many points to burn would be plain stoopid to think that using triple the points to get to their destination would be good. Sure, someone will need to go somewhere on a date but for me I can plan 12 months ahead and can be flexible with my holiday dates so I'll stick to the CR lottery thanks.
If you really are an insider then perhaps you need to read the room and implement what some of us want. Decent lounges, an acknowledgment from cabin crew, planes that are not literally held together with tape as my last return flight was and some decent customer service that don't cancel rewards flights (twice) and then blame you for taking nearly 2 hours trying to find replacement flights that are just not there. Heck, if this is Platinum life I'm really sorry for the poor people.

 

[SCM]

Quite ridiculous, is this not basically just the "anytime points" prices rebranded? It's not quite as much, but you also pay a lot of fees so...

I think we need some serious competition for frequent flyers here, the gates are wide open for VA to benefit - if only their new CEO seizes the opportunity.

 

[Bayside Flyer]

I suspect that I will be waiting for the guru's on AFF to sus the changes and report back. I am not as up to speed on these things as I once was.

 

[smckay]

Which dates? All I see is CX flights out of Australia. Surprised Qantas has released classic awards to partners — usually the batch releases are for Qantas members only.

Post automatically merged: Apr 8, 2024

Giving you a nice reminder of how bad the new system is. Don't worry, those comparisons will all disappear once the classic awards evaporate and are never seen again.

all this for 578,400 points and $2,128.04 cash.

You can put your CR+ right where the Irish sun don't shine

 

[justin23]

I think if these CR+ earnt SC's or even half SC's they'd be far more appealling. Then again i feel these are aimed at Points Club and not FFer's with status.

 

[levelnine]

all this for 578,400 points and $2,128.04 cash.

You can put your CR+ right where the Irish sun don't shine

Oh I thought you were talking about Qantas classic awards being available on AA.com, which would have been highly unusual (for a batch release).

 

[Easy Tiger]

View attachment 377954


all this for 578,400 points and $2,128.04 cash.

You can put your CR+ right where the Irish sun don't shine

sounds a little painful...

 

[levelnine]

For anyone using seats.aero, Ian has already updated it to accommodate classic plus:

 

[elanshin]

Overall as I stated in the other thread, CR+ is "ok" it still represents value for money. Just not exceptional value for money.

You're not getting 3-4c per point as you would with some CR. But 1.5c is generally more than your cost. It would keep the punters a bit happier.

CR+ is not necessarily the problem everyone is anticipating. Rather that CR+ will lead to CR disappearing. Whilst I can see that happening in some future, this is still speculation for now. I'd say continue to earn and burn if you're in that mode. If you're starting out a family member or friend into FF world, maybe reassess but overall at this point there is still reasonable value in the QFF program based on the earn rate and reward availability especially once you get off this rock or on OWA.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Quite ridiculous, is this not basically just the "anytime points" prices rebranded?

It definitely is, but with more flights seemingly thrown in.

 

[levelnine]

But 1.5c is generally more than your cost.

One has to wonder how many people can regularly generate the number of points needed to redeem Classic+ seats on long-haul premium cabins, especially for more than 1 person, at a cost of less than 1.5c/pt.

Even a lot of points whales will be spending ~1-1.5c/pt to acquire their millions of points through surcharges/fees/etc. They were relying on redemption values of 3+c/pt to make it worthwhile.

 

[elanshin]

One has to wonder how many people can regularly generate the number of points needed to redeem Classic+ seats on long-haul premium cabins, especially for more than 1 person, at a cost of less than 1.5c/pt.

Even a lot of points whales will be spending ~1-1.5c/pt to acquire their millions of points through surcharges/fees/etc. They were relying on redemption values of 3+c/pt to make it worthwhile.

I'd argue the opposite. The real point hackers earning millions are churning like mad and doing sign up bonuses everywhere. those should be well below 1c per point cost.

It's only a small subset that are churning millions through business expenses which you have to also remember isn't really costing 1-1.5c it's that minus taxes. I've done a fair bit of mathing on my business spends and sometimes I use the card, sometimes I don't. Also it's possible none of it is their actual money as well - the whole employees fight each other to use the company card in their name for points problem.

And remember it's not always Europe or US (the ultra long haul) that can be redeemed. Trip to Bangkok? Bali? New Zealand (heck as examples show, its right now cheaper on CR+ than CR)?
Maybe Tokyo or Seoul?

I think we're all looking at the extremities and best / worst case scenarios. Overall, i still think its just "ok". Not this great shiny thing that QF touts it to be, but will serve it's purpose and have value here and there. I'm probably not going to be the target audience for this and I doubt most of AFF will be either, but there will be a crowd for it.

Again the real concern is if this will lead to CR being reduced in the future.

 

[OATEK]

One has to wonder how many people can regularly generate the number of points needed to redeem Classic+ seats on long-haul premium cabins, especially for more than 1 person, at a cost of less than 1.5c/pt.

Even a lot of points whales will be spending ~1-1.5c/pt to acquire their millions of points through surcharges/fees/etc. They were relying on redemption values of 3+c/pt to make it worthwhile.

I imagine that QF have a very cleat picture of how many people can regularly generate the number of points needed to redeem Classic+ seats.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Even though I had a long ongoing saga last year with my business OWA and getting there, I'm glad I was able to redeem and take that trip now given the devaluation of points and introduction of CR+.

 

[RooFlyer]

I wonder if Qantas has upped the cost of their points to customers (as in banks, stores etc), to cover the cost of this "$100mill investment"? And if so, will those merchants be a little less generous giving 'em out?

 

[2infinity]

For the most part its, a) great marketing spin for Qantas with all the free advertising; b) a way to reduce the amount of points out there without providing any additional benefit.

I think it would be a rare day for me to ever use CR+ for a flight.

 

[urngdawgs]

The release in reward flights allowed me to snag a previously unavailable HKG-SYD Y in mid-July, and swap my LAX-SYD flight in AA Y to QF J in Oct, took a while to communicate the change properly to the call centre but got there in the end - happy with whatever they’ve done today!

 

[cgianna]

ABQ is alive and gathered even more power.

Anything But Qantas.

I've been a very loyal Qantas FF for decades, lifetime Gold and currently have 1.6M pts.
It is nigh on impossible to attain a BC seat to get anywhere in Europe, USA or key Asian cities like Singapore or HK. They have debased the value of FF points so much they are now worthless.

For 15 years from 2005 to 2019, I travelled BC to Europe or the USA with my family of 4 every single year (sometimes twice). I always booked well in advance with my FF points to get the first 2 FF BC seats. I didn't mind doing it so long out from the date as it allowed me to plan. On average over that time, the points required were approx 125,000 to Europe and 108,000 to the US - one way. An extremely reasonable rate of approx 3-4c per point, given the cost of a return BC seat averaged approx $8K for those legs. Now QF charge $15,000 for a BC seat ( I got one recently on Singapore from Melb to Paris return for $7,000, again 10 months in advance) -

I have discounted the value of the FF pts to zero - they are worthless.

The Qantas board who think the short term profits and bonuses they collected by completely screwing the customers and downgrading every service imaginable, will soon find out that decades long loyal customers have deserted them in droves. I'd rather sit on hold for 6hrs waiting for Telstra to answer a call than ever fly with Qantas again.

A disgraceful company.