Reduction in QFF Points Awarded for StarClass???

[CDS1959]

This morning I received an email from Forethought Research, inviting me to participate in a survey for Jetstar, which took approximately fifteen minutes to complete.

Judging from the questions, I'm afraid that Jetstar is unfortunately considering quite significant changes to their StarClass service, as well as a reduction in the earnings rate of Qantas Frequent Flyer Points on Jetstar StarClass flights.

I was asked approximately a dozen questions, asking me to choose between "Option A" and "Option B", and listing various permutations of "Services Features" within each Question/Option.

Service Features were as follows:

Price
This refers to the price of the Jetstar StarClass fare, with the options being:
• Standard Jetstar StarClass fare
• 5% discount on standard Jetstar StarClass fare
• 10% discount on standard Jetstar StarClass fare

Qantas Frequent Flyer Program
This refers to the earn rate of Qantas Frequent Flyer points on Jetstar StarClass
flights. The options are:
• Qantas Frequent Flyer Points at Business Class rates
• Fixed 2500 points earned per one-way flight
• Fixed 3750 points earned per one-way flight
• Fixed 5000 points earned per one-way flight

Check-in baggage allowance
This refers to the weight of check-in baggage you are allowed on Jetstar StarClass
flights. The options are:
• Check-in baggage allowance of 30kg
• Check-in baggage allowance of 20kg
• Check-in baggage allowance of 10kg
• Check-in baggage allowance of 7kg

Check-in
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for checking in at the
airport. The options are:
• Priority check-in at the airport
• No priority check-in at the airport

Immigration clearance
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for immigration
clearance at the airport. The options are:
• Priority immigration clearance
• No priority immigration clearance

Baggage and security clearance
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for baggage and
security clearance at the airport. The options are:
• Priority baggage and security clearance
• No priority baggage and security clearance

Qantas Club Lounge access
This refers to the accessibility of the Qantas Club Lounge for Jetstar StarClass
passengers. The options are:
• Access to the Qantas Club Lounge
• No access to the Qantas Club Lounge

Boarding
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for boarding the
aircraft. The options are:
• Priority boarding
• No priority boarding

Cabin service
This refers to the level of cabin service received by Jetstar StarClass passengers
onboard the flight. The options are:
• Fully inclusive cabin service (i.e. food, drinks, amenities and entertainment options
all provided)
• Non-inclusive cabin service (i.e. food, drinks, amenities and entertainment options
are not included in the fare but can be purchased separately)

Baggage handling
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for picking up their
baggage at airport. The options are:
• Priority baggage handling (i.e. Jetstar StarClass passengers receive their baggage
first on the carousel)
• No priority baggage handling

Judging from the questions, I believe Jetstar are considering reducing their StarClass fares by up to 10%, with the trade-off being that they will only award between 2500 and 5000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

If Jetstar does make these changes, I believe they will lose some business, especially considering they charge QF business class points to fly in StarClass.

I will provide updates if I receive further correspondence relating to this survey.

 

[serfty]

I received no less than seven invitations to partake in this survey; I've done two so far.

 

[v8Statesman]

I am booking a JQ *C Flight to tip my QFF account over to retain gold. If they make the changes before I arrange this, I'll be upset!

 

[serfty]

There is NO mention of changes to SC's.

Interesting though, for a one-way flight betwixt MEL and BKK the following QFF points are earned:

• CL/WP: 10,290
• SG: 8,003
• PS: 6,860
• NB: 5,716

So there's a definite cost there (perhaps QFF have increased the book cost to JQ for FF points)

 

[oz_mark]

So there's a definite cost there (perhaps QFF have increased the book cost to JQ for FF points)

One does get the feeling that QF may have increased the price of points to other partners. (SPG stopping, Citi halving the redemption rate on silver cards, Amex stopping new Ascent members from transferring). You could well be right on that point.

 

[dajop]

Sounds to me that they're trying to work out if people are travelling and paying for Star Class just for the seat, or if they want a fuller "business class" style product, not just about FF points per se.

 

[Sprucegoose]

This morning I received an email from Forethought Research, inviting me to participate in a survey for Jetstar, which took approximately fifteen minutes to complete.

Judging from the questions, I'm afraid that Jetstar is unfortunately considering quite significant changes to their StarClass service, as well as a reduction in the earnings rate of Qantas Frequent Flyer Points on Jetstar StarClass flights.

I was asked approximately a dozen questions, asking me to choose between "Option A" and "Option B", and listing various permutations of "Services Features" within each Question/Option.

Service Features were as follows:

Price
This refers to the price of the Jetstar StarClass fare, with the options being:
• Standard Jetstar StarClass fare
• 5% discount on standard Jetstar StarClass fare
• 10% discount on standard Jetstar StarClass fare

Qantas Frequent Flyer Program
This refers to the earn rate of Qantas Frequent Flyer points on Jetstar StarClass
flights. The options are:
• Qantas Frequent Flyer Points at Business Class rates
• Fixed 2500 points earned per one-way flight
• Fixed 3750 points earned per one-way flight
• Fixed 5000 points earned per one-way flight

Check-in baggage allowance
This refers to the weight of check-in baggage you are allowed on Jetstar StarClass
flights. The options are:
• Check-in baggage allowance of 30kg
• Check-in baggage allowance of 20kg
• Check-in baggage allowance of 10kg
• Check-in baggage allowance of 7kg

Check-in
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for checking in at the
airport. The options are:
• Priority check-in at the airport
• No priority check-in at the airport

Immigration clearance
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for immigration
clearance at the airport. The options are:
• Priority immigration clearance
• No priority immigration clearance

Baggage and security clearance
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for baggage and
security clearance at the airport. The options are:
• Priority baggage and security clearance
• No priority baggage and security clearance

Qantas Club Lounge access
This refers to the accessibility of the Qantas Club Lounge for Jetstar StarClass
passengers. The options are:
• Access to the Qantas Club Lounge
• No access to the Qantas Club Lounge

Boarding
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for boarding the
aircraft. The options are:
• Priority boarding
• No priority boarding

Cabin service
This refers to the level of cabin service received by Jetstar StarClass passengers
onboard the flight. The options are:
• Fully inclusive cabin service (i.e. food, drinks, amenities and entertainment options
all provided)
• Non-inclusive cabin service (i.e. food, drinks, amenities and entertainment options
are not included in the fare but can be purchased separately)

Baggage handling
This refers to priority treatment of Jetstar StarClass passengers for picking up their
baggage at airport. The options are:
• Priority baggage handling (i.e. Jetstar StarClass passengers receive their baggage
first on the carousel)
• No priority baggage handling

Judging from the questions, I believe Jetstar are considering reducing their StarClass fares by up to 10%, with the trade-off being that they will only award between 2500 and 5000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

If Jetstar does make these changes, I believe they will lose some business, especially considering they charge QF business class points to fly in StarClass.

I will provide updates if I receive further correspondence relating to this survey.

The upside is their planes havent fallen out of the sky. I dont think JetStar can afford to be too complacent. If they maintain the serice levels as they are they will find that groups such as us have the potential to be solid revenue earners for them

 

[v8Statesman]

Sounds to me that they're trying to work out if people are travelling and paying for Star Class just for the seat, or if they want a fuller "business class" style product, not just about FF points per se.

I'd pay 10% more for better food and better service in *C. I know it wouldn't cost them 10% more to do it either, but the value to me would mean I would be happy to pay it.

 

[Ric]

Personally, not too worried about the reduction in points awarded but reductions in SCs??? Now thats a whole different scenario which might cost them!!

 

[NM]

Personally, not too worried about the reduction in points awarded but reductions in SCs??? Now thats a whole different scenario which might cost them!!

I think it is perfectly reasonable to reduce the SC earning to that of the newly defined Premium Economy rate. Star Class is more closely aligned in both price and product with the QF Premium Economy offering, so it seems to make provide similar points and SCs as they do for the Premium Economy fares. Providing business class earning rates is not in line with the price or service.

 

[oz_mark]

Sounds to me that they're trying to work out if people are travelling and paying for Star Class just for the seat, or if they want a fuller "business class" style product, not just about FF points per se.

Certainly sounded to me as though they were trying to get a feel for what they could cut with minimum impact to the people booking StarClass. Find out what they are most sensitive to. Depending on how people responded, it might be the meat pie that goes!

 

[Batesy]

I did the survey yesterday, I suppose most of my responses were skewed towards having a full cabin service. For me its about the on-board experience and any status credits or points are a bonus. I am WP so lounge access is never a problem so this probably skewed my responses as well.
I have had a lot of communication with Jetstar recently since they axed the SYD-KUL route so I think this is why I was asked to participate.

I used the comments section at the end to have another rant about the route changes and poor way that JQ/QF have handled them, any chance I get to bash them about mucking up my travel plans I will take.

 

[serfty]

... I have had a lot of communication with Jetstar recently since they axed the SYD-KUL route so I think this is why I was asked to participate. ...

I think my 7 invites relates to the 7 star class bookings I have made and flown up to July.

 

[bambbbam2]

I think they should be playing up the fact that StarClass is cheaper than DJ Y+ and you don't have to pay for food like DJ!

 

[Ric]

NM,

Fair point but I think the key is in your statement below and I would add "product" to make it price, service and/or product.

Providing business class earning rates is not in line with the price or service.

Cheers!

Ric

 

[oz_mark]

Providing business class earning rates is not in line with the price or service.

Charging business class redemption rates is even more out of kilter!

 

[NM]

Charging business class redemption rates is even more out of kilter!

indeed correct

 

[dajop]

I think they should be playing up the fact that StarClass is cheaper than DJ Y+ and you don't have to pay for food like DJ!

Yeah, and compared to DJ Y+, the frequency and number of domestic routes available in star class is so extensive and so convenient.

 

[taswegian77]

i received about 7 surveys as well, had to complete them by today at 6pm so only got 1 completed. never mentioned anything about the points etc so might never got to that survey. i have flown star class 7 return MEL-BKK this year to date with at least another 7 to go, I do hope the status quo remains.