Qantas rolls out Classic Plus Flight Rewards

[33kft]

Cant say I'm surprised, seats on most trunk domestic routes are still down compared to pre-covid

Keeping in mind the claim above is that this has changed in a year since CR+ was released, specifically.

I find it very hard to draw any conclusion from this observation given the following:

• It's used to confirm a vibe regarding what it is claimed QF are doing with CR inventory, ie vibes based confirmation of vibes based policy changes
• It's based on an analysis of inventory at release time, where we don't even reliably know the release time anymore since COVID
• We all know what has happened to demand and points balances through and post COVID and that's the other unobserved variable here which has an equal effect on available CR inventory to reduction of inventory

But again, we're specifically talking about since CR+ was released and not since COVID. I think the only two ways that we could be sure this is the case are:

• Someone's just happened to have been collecting inventory data from EF or similar before the introduction of CR+ past the introduction of CR+ (hence why I asked... I'd love for this to exist)

or

• It's so pervasive as to be clear and not just a casual observation.

Guess time will tell if this becomes apparent to us all

 

[Berlin]

I’ve been booking CR seats every year for PER-MEL for Xmas as soon as they are released. So it’s an observation based on lots of experience.

This was bound to happen. The sole reason to introduce those coughty+ rewards in the first place. Essentially a super dooper mega devaluation of Qantas points in my eyes, has already been the same internationally.

But you now can get 30% off points if you waste them on Qantas wine…

 

[OATEK]

The Australian has picked up on the discussion as to whether CRs are being reduced in favour of Classic Plus.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/qantas-defends-difficulty-in-finding-classic-rewards-seats-as-frequent-flyers-speak-out/news-story/443bdbe61b3ecf18a23621d84fd4095b

 

[RooFlyer]

The Australian has picked up on the discussion as to whether CRs are being reduced in favour of Classic Plus.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/qantas-defends-difficulty-in-finding-classic-rewards-seats-as-frequent-flyers-speak-out/news-story/443bdbe61b3ecf18a23621d84fd4095b

At the time, the new product was cautiously welcomed by frequent flyer experts despite concerns Qantas might adjust the spread of Classic Rewards seats in response.

Steve Hui of iflyflat.com.au said that would appear to be the case, as frequent flyers are unable to book a single Classic Rewards seat in business class on Sydney-London or Melbourne-London for the whole of 2025.

I saw that and was wondering if @Mattg had come to the same conclusion.

 

[WilsonM]

I saw that and was wondering if @Mattg had come to the same conclusion.

AUS-LHR in J has been pretty much missing for NB except in seat drops since 2023. Nothing has really changed tbh (not a good thing).

What's more telling is the lack of AUS-US QF rewards - I think there's 4 SYD-LAX J rewards in the calendar? This seems lower than normal, especially considering US tourism isn't the strongest it's ever been, while capacity is still quite high. But there previously have been seat drops, so maybe the numbers balance out there.

To be completely fair, we don't know if Qantas is doing this, and it'll be very hard to prove it beyond "well I couldn't find it, so therefore it doesn't exist". The Australian and Steve Hui exist for a media headline, and that's exactly what they got. But no sort of actual analysis was completed.

 

[SYD]

I’ve been waiting to book a one way back from one of the regional mid-haul ports in December 2025 and nada across the previously reasonably reliable options eg CGK, MNL etc). The outbound was released as per a sort of new and enhanced cycle but nothing at all back to Oz across December so far (not even in whY).

 

[Amanad78]

I’ve been waiting to book a one way back from one of the regional mid-haul ports in December 2025 and nada across the previously reasonably reliable options eg CGK, MNL etc). The outbound was released as per a sort of new and enhanced cycle but nothing at all back to Oz across December so far (not even in whY).

I can see KUL to PER and a couple of dates to ADL in December with MH. Business x 2 seats.

And a couple of Jetstar business from SIN to MEL early December.

But that's about it! Nothing on QF at all, but I'm only NB

 

[SYD]

But that's about it! Nothing on QF at all, but I'm only NB

Alas, as NB you wouldn’t see stuff far out.

All of November 2025 (for a couple of Asian ports) dropped during the first half of December with plenty of availability. December is still MIA…. I’m going to have to call to get seats released (hopefully) at this rate…

 

[drron]

I’ve been waiting to book a one way back from one of the regional mid-haul ports in December 2025 and nada across the previously reasonably reliable options eg CGK, MNL etc). The outbound was released as per a sort of new and enhanced cycle but nothing at all back to Oz across December so far (not even in whY).

Well VA have J awards from both. Much more MEL than SYD. currently only to 11/12.
but looking at KF on most days until the end of December there are saver awards on those routes so probably will be able to pick up on Velocity on a few more days in December.

 

[OATEK]

Well VA have J awards from both. Much more MEL than SYD. currently only to 11/12.
but looking at KF on most days until the end of December there are saver awards on those routes so probably will be able to pick up on Velocity on a few more days in December.

Yes, but doesn't help those that are primarily QFF pts holders.

 

[drron]

Yes, but doesn't help those that are primarily QFF pts holders.

That's my point. I find Velocity much easier to get awards to places I want to go.

 

[OATEK]

That's my point. I find Velocity much easier to get awards to places I want to go.

I just didn't think it was hugely helpful to those who have a nice bank of QF pts but not enough for Classic Plus. I am sure people will be looking hard at the VA/QR tie up and the perhaps improved chances for rewards through that arrangement, but that is a whole other topic.

 

[Berlin]

That's my point. I find Velocity much easier to get awards to places I want to go.

Yep, unfortunately I found this too since post Covid. However, I can’t stand flying VA for multiple reasons so I just use Velocity to transfer some Amex points over if I need them for an SQ redemption or similar. This strategy has worked quite well for me.

 

[SYD]

Well VA have J awards from both. Much more MEL than SYD. currently only to 11/12.
but looking at KF on most days until the end of December there are saver awards on those routes so probably will be able to pick up on Velocity on a few more days in December.

Yes, I can get SIN-SYD on SQ around the time I need using my VFF points but I earn SCs on QF and could access the QF F lounge or QR J lounge. But it’s a fallback.

 

[ANstar]

Qantas has something like 18 million members chasing a few seats..

Lets say they release 2 J seats on each US/EU flight lets assume all are daily for the sakes of calculating) 3 x LAX, 2 x DFW, 1 x JFK, 1 x SFO, 2 x LHR, 1 x CDG = 10 daily flights x 2 for the return - 20 sectors per day x 2 J seats each sector x 365 days = 14,600 seats... Thats not much for all the people chasing them.

SQ on the other hand have a much larger network and only around 4 miliion members chasing those seats... I'm guessing thats part of the reason its easier to redeem on VA/SQ etc.

I see QF now as more of an idea program.. they tease you with all these First and Business awards and in reality they are very difficult to get on CR. Your most likely to find CR+ a year out these days. The above is one of the reasons I've jumped ship - even as a LTG.

 

[RooFlyer]

SQ on the other hand have a much larger network and only around 4 miliion members chasing those seats... I'm guessing thats part of the reason its easier to redeem on VA/SQ etc.

The contrast with SQ/Krisflyer is startling. If you want business class in or out of Australia, 6 months out you can still see (or I did) multiple choices for the day you want to fly. Closer in, its tougher, but they are still there with flexibility. I dislike their business class bed, but can arrange day flights pretty easily.

 

[muppet]

The contrast with SQ/Krisflyer is startling. If you want business class in or out of Australia, 6 months out you can still see (or I did) multiple choices for the day you want to fly. Closer in, its tougher, but they are still there with flexibility. I dislike their business class bed, but can arrange day flights pretty easily.

Very true!

One difference however is few options to earn 1 KrisFlyer per $1 on credit cards. I think most are close to around 1:3 aren’t they?

This makes KrisFlyer points rare which helps as well.

 

[dairyfloss]

SQ on the other hand have a much larger network and only around 4 miliion members chasing those seats... I'm guessing thats part of the reason its easier to redeem on VA/SQ etc.

While still smaller than QFF, as of their 2023/24 annual report, SQ reports now having over 8.8M members in KrisFlyer (with recent growth a particular highlight). That said, it's even more impressive how easy it appears to be - by comparison to QFF - to [generally] find and secure what you need from their program.

Cheers,.
Matt.

 

[SYD]

Qantas has something like 18 million members chasing a few seats..

But not all on the same day and not all premium seats. Many are happy with whY.

HOWEVER, everyone OW and QF partner airline is also in play at some point for whatever CR scraps (if any were released).

Lets say they release 2 J seats on each US/EU flight lets assume all are daily for the sakes of calculating) 3 x LAX, 2 x DFW, 1 x JFK, 1 x SFO, 2 x LHR, 1 x CDG = 10 daily flights x 2 for the return - 20 sectors per day x 2 J seats each sector x 365 days = 14,600 seats... Thats not much for all the people chasing them.

Traditionally, it’s 4x J seats (or more).

Happy to be corrected on that but that’s been my experience when actively looking for specific sectors.

SQ on the other hand have a much larger network and only around 4 miliion members chasing those seats... I'm guessing thats part of the reason it’s easier to redeem on VA/SQ etc.

Again, all *A, VA and other partners are in play for those seats but having a lot of Oz sectors does make them attractive to Oz flyers.

I see QF now as more of an idea program.. they tease you with all these First and Business awards and in reality they are very difficult to get on CR. Your most likely to find CR+ a year out these days. The above is one of the reasons I've jumped ship - even as a LTG.

There are some QFi routes (as mentioned earlier) where seats are (or were) being released but yes, not releasing to the old schedule is a PITA for those of us who plan ahead and like to DIY.

EVERY time I get a chance to do a QFF survey, I take the opportunity to complain about the lake of CR seats.

EVERYONE here should do likewise. Those seats are still there. They’re not being snapped up quickly because they were never released….