The
Sydney Morning Herald article quotes Hudson as saying classic plus "will add four times the amount of access to seats than Classic Rewards with more choice and more destinations". There’s also this from the email to members: “It [classic plus] also means greater availability, so you can fly to
more places, more often, including during peak travel periods” (my emphasis). Aren’t both of these statements an admission that Qantas doesn’t release award seats on some routes at all? Otherwise, how else can “more” be quantified?
The email sent also included the footnote, “*Accurate as at 4 April 2024.”. But that’s the only asterisk in the email, so it’s not clear what exactly is accurate as at 4 April.
Genuinely surprised that no other changes/'enhancements' have been bundled in with this change. Or am I just being cynical...
Agreed. If this is the extent of the changes
and Qantas is not deceiving us that the availability of classic seats won’t be reduced, I’m breathing a sigh of relief. History has taught us that’s unlikely to be the case, but I’m nonetheless trying to remain optimistic at this point.
Nothing has changed in regards to that
I think there is a change, though. There’s now more competition in those buckets, by virtue of the fact there are more options to get one of those A, I, D, T, N or Q seats. Whereas previously it was pay cash or request a seat, it’s now pay cash, request a seat or pay an inflated price in points. It’s like having 100 tickets available to a concert. Those tickets could once only be purchased by people over 45. Now, people under 45 can purchase them, too. But there’s still only 100 tickets available.
Just saw ....
3 July SYD-JFK J CR 144,600pts +$392
vs.
5 July SYD-JFK J CR+ 649,700pts + $702
That's absolutely flippin' ridonculous in anyones language.
The stupid points cost aside, it’s interesting that the taxes and surcharges are higher on the rewards plus option. This means that while you might be getting one cent per point on the
points component, the overall out of pocket is worse.
On the same cynical note, and considering also the mix between domestic and international. Is the 5 million number the count of what is redeemed, or what is made available? The number of available could be vastly increased if every unsold domestic economy seat was made available as X class 31 minutes before departure. Lots and lots of available reward seats to report, but not many of them getting redeemed for some reason (another reason to ditch CR - so many don't get used, no-one wants them
)
So, just to be clear, you’re expecting hopeful passengers with bags packed and plans sorted to be crowding check-in halls with the hope of snatching up a seat with 60 seconds to go before bag drop closes?
This
Point Hacks article says, “Classic Plus redemptions are also subject to the same fees and taxes as Classic Flight Rewards” but then includes a table saying the “fees and taxes” are “payable on top”, which strikes me as contradictory. The investor presentation shows the taxes and surcharges are higher on classic plus than they are on classic.
This
Point Hacks article says, “If a commercial sale fare ends up being cheaper in points with Classic Plus than a standard reward seat, the Classic Plus will show up instead.” This strikes me as potentially problematic for those who aren’t on the ball, given changes to classic plus require payment in cash (in addition to the 5K fee). The article goes on to say, “On the rare occasion you want the standard Classic Reward fare rather than a cheaper Classic Plus fare (perhaps to combine with another similar fare), you may need to call Qantas to book it.” That’s a pain in the bum, considering the incompetent overseas call centres. What’s the change you’ll end up with a classic plus in this situation?
