Qantas to fast track airline loyalty program status

[flydoc]

The offers keep coming:

In the same week that Qantas released a single flight requalification offer for QFF members, another Australian frequent flyer forum is reporting the imminent launch of an unprecedented fast track status match for higher tier members of 16 other airline frequent flyer programs, including Velocity.

Successful applicants will have 90 days to earn 100SC and gain SG for 12months, with lounge access and extra baggage allowance offered during the earn period.

Expressions of interest open through your QFF account until 18/12/20, with earn windows through to June 2021

Said to be launching at Qantas.com/statusfasttrack at 0800 (? AEST ?AEDT) today

 

[Mattg]

This has indeed launched this morning.

Qantas Status Fast Track | Qantas Frequent Flyer

For a limited time, we're offering eligible members the chance to move their airline frequent flyer status to Qantas to help them fast track to Qantas Gold.

www.qantas.com

The offer is open to members of the following frequent flyer programs with the equivalent of Gold or higher status:

• Air Canada - Aeroplan
• Air China - Phoenix Miles
• Air India Flying Returns
• Air New Zealand Airpoints
• ANA - Mileage Club
• Asiana Airlines Asiana Club
• Delta - Skymiles
• Eva Air Infinity MileageLands
• Etihad - Guest
• Korean Air - Skypass
• Shenzhen Airlines PhoenixMiles
• Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
• South African Airways SAA Voyager
• Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
• United Airlines - MileagePlus
• Virgin Australia - Velocity

 

[glasszon]

Too bad the fast track doesn't include Platinum status, so won't really benefit people who got VA Platinum and matched to QR Platinum earlier this year.

 

[Mattg]

Too bad the fast track doesn't include Platinum status, so won't really benefit people who got VA Platinum and matched to QR Platinum earlier this year.

If you wanted to go for Platinum, you could still apply for a Tier Accelerator challenge (that's the ongoing but unadvertised status challenge offer). But you'd have to earn 400 status credits in 90 days (rather than 100) and wouldn't get any status benefits until the challenge is completed.

 

[jakeseven7]

Game on Jayne & Bain.....


----------
Qantas launches offensive against weakened Virgin

Qantas says top tier members of other airline loyalty programs can fast track their flying status when they switch to Qantas Frequent Flyer.

People can earn 100 status credits in three months to qualify for Qantas' Gold tier, and will get 90 days complimentary lounge access.

"This is the first time the national carrier has made an offer like this and follows a large number of enquiries about joining the program from members of other domestic and international airline loyalty programs – the consequence of changes in the local market as well as restrictions on overseas travel," Qantas said in a statement

Registrations for the fast track close on December 18.

Student tested positive for coronavirus 11 days after getting pizza from shop at centre of lockdown

South Australia's Chief Health Officer Nicola Spurrier says a high-school student likely contracted COVID-19 while picking up a pizza from Woodville Pizza Bar on November 14.

www.abc.net.au

 

[kookaburra75]

Game on Jayne & Bain.....


----------
Qantas launches offensive against weakened Virgin

Qantas says top tier members of other airline loyalty programs can fast track their flying status when they switch to Qantas Frequent Flyer.

People can earn 100 status credits in three months to qualify for Qantas' Gold tier, and will get 90 days complimentary lounge access.

"This is the first time the national carrier has made an offer like this and follows a large number of enquiries about joining the program from members of other domestic and international airline loyalty programs – the consequence of changes in the local market as well as restrictions on overseas travel," Qantas said in a statement

Registrations for the fast track close on December 18.

Student tested positive for coronavirus 11 days after getting pizza from shop at centre of lockdown

South Australia's Chief Health Officer Nicola Spurrier says a high-school student likely contracted COVID-19 while picking up a pizza from Woodville Pizza Bar on November 14.

www.abc.net.au

It's a bit of a return serve in some ways. After all Virgin had their Pilot Gold scheme in 2018, and then later the Qantas Status Match - if you had a Aus Govt email address, to attract people to move to Virgin.
But now of course, with the Virgin Lounge in Canberra being "under review" and not having the frequency of flights, Virgin may become a thing of the past in Canberra, or at least a very reduced scale.

 

[SteveL]

To take advantage of this you need to register by the 18th December 2020, and then you can nominate a date to start your 90 days up until 31 March 2021.

One of the interesting things is that ground-earned status counts towards the 100 status credit requirement.

 

[The-Aviator]

Would be keen to get my VA status matched - just need to find a status run to get those 100 credits as easily as possible!

 

[dk4]

It's a bit of a return serve in some ways. After all Virgin had their Pilot Gold scheme in 2018, and then later the Qantas Status Match ... with the Virgin Lounge in Canberra being "under review" and not having the frequency of flights...

Yes and no, the dynamic is very different now. Virgin was on a drive to increase business by taking the fight to Qantas. So they were trying hard to appear as a seductive alternative (by improving service elements).

But now... they have halved their owned lounge network (which wasn't particularly big to start with), been seen serving instant noodles as a meal in business class, announced they will reduce what was an already meagre onboard complimentary F&B offer in economy... I think there may be a truck load of VA's most profitable customers actively looking to jump ship.

 

[SteveL]

Hmm, would the Status Credits count from the Qantas Health Insurance offer as mentioned in this thread?
50 SC bonus with new Qantas health insurance policies [sign-up by 30 Nov 2020]

 

[SeaWolf]

I hate to say it, but I'm going to take QF up on this offer.

The major reason we have such high quality domestic service in Australia is because of pressure from VA. Things like barista coffee in the lounges and high quality business class seats on Perth to SYD/MEL/BNE are all because of VA. So I think no matter if you're loyal to QF or VA we're all going to worse off in the future. We're already seeing cutbacks in QF's service levels. I'd expect the full service future of QF to look more like 'full service' in the USA.

This pilfering of VA's top spending customers will only hasten the process.

I've been pretty loyal to VA over the years but it's all just too uncertain about what their future looks like and so it makes good sense for me to hedge my bets and give QF a bit of a run as well. VA isn't even operating SYD-CBR at the moment and that's my highest frequency route. With the uncertain future of the VA lounge in CBR as well I think it's time to at least have the QF Gold in my back pocket. Hopefully VA will keep its standards high, but just in case...

 

[UP4014]

Too bad the fast track doesn't include Platinum status, so won't really benefit people who got VA Platinum and matched to QR Platinum earlier this year.

They don't really have to do they, if you think the offer isn't good enough stay Platinum at Virgin.

My suggestion would be to sign up then give QF a call, they can sometimes offer up extras in exchange for flights in a set period.

 

[sudoer]

Hmm, would the Status Credits count from the Qantas Health Insurance offer as mentioned in this thread?
50 SC bonus with new Qantas health insurance policies [sign-up by 30 Nov 2020]

According to the T&C, yes.

Are there any types of Status Credits that won’t count towards my goal?
Most types of Status Credits earned within the 90 day period will contribute to the Qantas Status Fast Track, including those earned in the air and on the ground. However, Status Credits earned from Loyalty Bonus, rollover Status Credits and any gifted Status Credits will not count toward your 100 Status Credit goal.

 

[dylarr]

Hmm, would the Status Credits count from the Qantas Health Insurance offer as mentioned in this thread?
50 SC bonus with new Qantas health insurance policies [sign-up by 30 Nov 2020]

The Q&A on the Qantas site states that status credits earned on the ground count towards the fast track so I would say this includes the Qantas Health Insurance offer.

Based on this (for eg), you could sign up to Red Energy for 30 status credits and a nab or Qantas Premier credit card with 75 status credits and earn the 12 months of Gold without even setting foot on a Qantas aircraft (given that the 4~ flight requirement doesn't apply either).

 

[Jousams]

have put in an EOI - here's hoping they come back to me soon. Have got some VA flights booked over the weekend that i'd be happy to switch to QF.

 

[AIRwin]

Have got some VA flights booked over the weekend that i'd be happy to switch to QF.

Are they fully refundable?

 

[Jousams]

Are they fully refundable?

award bookings - running down the FF balance.

 

[AIRwin]

award bookings - running down the FF balance.

There will be a cancellation fee though:

Virgin Australia | Bring on Wonderful

Fly with award-winning service and great value fares to popular destinations across Australia. We can't wait to welcome you onboard Virgin Australia soon.

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

 

[Jousams]

There will be a cancellation fee though:

Virgin Australia | Bring on Wonderful

Fly with award-winning service and great value fares to popular destinations across Australia. We can't wait to welcome you onboard Virgin Australia soon.

experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com

perhaps the last disappointment after 10 years of disappointment as WP/SG with VA?

 

[Matt_01]

Too bad the fast track doesn't include Platinum status, so won't really benefit people who got VA Platinum and matched to QR Platinum earlier this year.

Why would they, IMO VA platinum is comparable to QF gold.