Qantas to fast track airline loyalty program status

[FlyingKangaroo]

As reported last week, I've had an issue where my membership period renewed 2 months into my challenge. I crossed over 100 SCs after my renewal date, but the gold upgrade was applied to the previous year, not the new one. That meant ~11 months of gold but also meant the clock had started ticking on gold retention even before I'd completed the initial challenge.

The QFF team in Manila is polite and understanding, but can't do anything about. I've been waiting for a "specialist" to fix the problem "within 24 hours." 10 days later including another follow-up and promise of "24 hours", nothing has happened.

Perhaps the timing was too good to be true, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the fuss despite my stubbornness, if this is the standard to be expected. (Is it?) I have a number of trips to NZ I need to book for work and am tempted to simply stick with Star Alliance as most of my travel in normal times is to the US and Asia, not domestic.

Luxury problems, I know, but it all just seems a bit silly.

 

[z28]

A bit of an odd one:

My membership year ends May 31. I did my FastTrack from March 31 - June 30. I ticked over 100 yesterday and while I see my online account already showing Gold which is nice, it shows the status as being valid only until May 2022.

...

My membership ends April 30, I got my 100 points about 2 weeks before you and Gold was given till April 2023.

My membership card and a gold "100 years" bag tag showed up in the post this week. Nice touch considering i'd previously had gold tags so I wasn't expecting any.

How long do you have to wait for the goodie bag ?

 

[exceladdict]

As reported last week, I've had an issue where my membership period renewed 2 months into my challenge. I crossed over 100 SCs after my renewal date, but the gold upgrade was applied to the previous year, not the new one. That meant ~11 months of gold but also meant the clock had started ticking on gold retention even before I'd completed the initial challenge.

The QFF team in Manila is polite and understanding, but can't do anything about. I've been waiting for a "specialist" to fix the problem "within 24 hours." 10 days later including another follow-up and promise of "24 hours", nothing has happened.

Perhaps the timing was too good to be true, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth the fuss despite my stubbornness, if this is the standard to be expected. (Is it?) I have a number of trips to NZ I need to book for work and am tempted to simply stick with Star Alliance as most of my travel in normal times is to the US and Asia, not domestic.

Luxury problems, I know, but it all just seems a bit silly.

I guess it depends if you can requal another year or two on QF/OW, and then use that for a status match back to *A when the world gets back to normal.

How long do you have to wait for the goodie bag ?

About a month from the qualifying flight.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

My membership ends April 30, I got my 100 points about 2 weeks before you and Gold was given till April 2023.

Thanks for the data point. It's definitely a mistake and one even QF seems to acknowledge. Just a bit wild how much effort it's taking to try to fix it.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Happy to report the above issue was resolved. Yes, it took four phone calls and two e-mails, but we got there. Gold now correctly applied to the remainder of my current membership year, which started June 1, rather than retrospectively to last year, and that means I'm set until June 2023.

Just in time to go... oh. Nowhere.

 

[Cddc]

Ticked off my 100 (well 115 to be precise) Status Points yesterday on two legs.

Was impressed to see how quick the points posted etc. Will see how long it takes to shift to Gold.

I'm in the fortunate basket as my QF date is May 31 so I'll have two full years almost to the day. Although to be honest, not sure how much I'll use it, was reminded why I jumped ship from QF to VA.

In the same boat. The VA service and comp. econ x for plat. might keep me rusted on. As someone on the taller side the extra leg room is number 1 in my books. I don't care too much for free drinks and snacks as I usually eat in the lounge beforehand, plus you can take sandwiches from the lounge anyway. Although lifetime gold, frequency, oneworld and lounges in more locations are calling. Like you I'm going to mix it up for a few months before committing.

 

[QF WP]

Received mine as well - much better packaging than the old envelope that was starting to burst by the time I got it

 

[clifford]

Received mine as well - much better packaging than the old envelope that was starting to burst by the time I got it

I have a bit of an issue with the status challenge , it being Covid. I have booked several tickets to get me over the 100 SC line, but have had to cancel them due to Covid issues. I have another booking for the next couple of weeks, but will also likely be cancelled for the same reason.

Will Qantas possibly give me an extension if I can't book a flyable trip, or should I just give the whole thing away?

PS (sheepishly) I'm already BA GOLD till Sept 22.

 

[QF WP]

Well, the worst that can happen is that you approach them and ask - they have already extended once because of COVID. Perhaps if there are enough people similarly affected, they will give a further extension.

 

[squeeze72]

Husband not happy after receiving 120k points last month on his Amex card and after 2.5 weeks of chasing up to find out when his status credits will be applied and promised they would send the 'documents' to Qantas here we are on the last day of his status match from Virgin plat with no status credits in sight (he has made 2x fights and has 40sc from in air). Being in Melbourne is been a little hard to fly.
Last few days on to Amex and Qantas being pushed from pillar to post to hear 1. They don't extend status matches, and 2 points from credit card spends don't count. Which i know to be false as I got mine through the Qantas platinum card.
Any suggestions AFF brains?

 

[SeaWolf]

Well, I got an email last night extending my Fast Track deadline till the end of September. Didn't even have to ask.
It might have been triggered because I had a trip booked last week that I had to cancel at the last minute because of the Sydney lock down.

 

[squeeze72]

Well, I got an email last night extending my Fast Track deadline till the end of September. Didn't even have to ask.
It might have been triggered because I had a trip booked last week that I had to cancel at the last minute because of the Sydney lock down.

Yes, so did Hubby!
Maybe someone checks in on here? Or just common sense with Melbourne folk?

 

[QF WP]

No, they don't check in here anymore, we're not as important to them as their other SM streams . Just common sense for Qantas - they aren't giving away anything until flying after Fast Track is met and even then, their bottom line revenue will vastly outweigh what they are giving for Gold status. They realise lockdowns have reduced capacity for some to be able to travel towards the expiry date of their Fast Track (they also know cancellation and change of flight date data) and are hoping that extending will engender those with loyalty to continue to spend with QF before September (and away from VA). Fast Trackers then will have a higher status, better seating options, more FF points and once they start flying (assuming majority of flyers will get vaccinated), they will be positively predisposed to consider flying QF (also helps that VA are in a weaker position now).

For those of us that have achieved the Fast Track upgrade, we know that we have until the end of the next full membership year - for some like me, I'm pushing for LTG (helps to have DSC available as well). Now when SYD and MEL come out of lockdown, I'll have a number of trips to do to both before the end of the year - but schedule and cost are the highest priority for me (having elite status with both, seating is actually better for me on VA). To each their own though...

 

[henrus]

No, they don't check in here anymore, we're not as important to them as their other SM streams

They don't post on here anymore but someone reads these threads frequently. Recent posts and examples (all within the last month) have shown this to be the case.

Regardless the fast track is a long-term way for Qantas to gain high-value customers. As of 20 May 2021, "almost 20,000" people had applied for the status match with all of these people obviously flying frequently on QF's competitors so it's within their best interest to keep these people happy and engaged.

 

[edman]

There is a 50SC deal for filling up with BP at least $50, 5 times by 30 Sep. Would there be any reason these don't count towards the fastrack quota?

 

[Mattg]

There is a 50SC deal for filling up with BP at least $50, 5 times by 30 Sep. Would there be any reason these don't count towards the fastrack quota?

This is not clear yet. From the offer T&Cs, the 50 status credits would not count towards "any Status Accelerator". But I'm not sure if this offer falls under that category.

 

[Mattg]

According to this page:

The Qantas Status Fast Track has been extended for all current Status Fast Track participants. They now have until 30 September 2021 to earn the required Status Credits to upgrade to Qantas Gold status.

 

[henrus]

Just received the latest July edition of the Qantas magazine. I'd received gold status from this promo and the letter with the magazine started with, "as a new gold member". Quite a nice gesture for people completing the status match.

 

[AFF Editor]

There is a 50SC deal for filling up with BP at least $50, 5 times by 30 Sep. Would there be any reason these don't count towards the fastrack quota?

Qantas has just confirmed that the status credits from the BP offer would count towards the Status Fast Track requirement.

 

[pippen_2k]

Back to Bronze. Worst day of my life.

After I lost my status, Qantas sent me an email giving me an additional month to book a flight and get back to Silver. I need to go to Melbourne in Oct so I took the bait. I'm back baby!