Sensible conversation about QF FFP alternatives

[anna2103]

Can we start a sensible conversation on alternatives given that many of us will look to leave QF with the latest enhancement. As a starting point any tips on the following might help people

* any good OW frequent flyer programs to credit QF flights to (and any pitfalls)
* the best credit card to be able to convert to other OW programs
* any useful hotel program etc


The real experts on this forum will hopefully be able to consolidate advice for people, ideally for different types of travellers ie those that travel mainly in Oz vs overseas, Y vs J flyers etc.

Qantas and OW experts...........opinions please

 

[suparockin]

Can we start a sensible conversation on alternatives given that many of us will look to leave QF with the latest enhancement. As a starting point any tips on the following might help people

* any good OW frequent flyer programs to credit QF flights to (and any pitfalls)
* the best credit card to be able to convert to other OW programs
* any useful hotel program etc


The real experts on this forum will hopefully be able to consolidate advice for people, ideally for different types of travellers ie those that travel mainly in Oz vs overseas, Y vs J flyers etc.

Qantas and OW experts...........opinions please

Already started one...

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lyer-program/fly-qantas-but-credit-58915.html

 

[Cynicor]

Already started one...

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lyer-program/fly-qantas-but-credit-58915.html

Not quite the same- as everyone knows QF flights (from WA) are no longer an option anyway. My thoughts are have a look at MH, especially for availability on their own flights. Not sure what earn is like, nor status, as I push points from my AMEX.

 

[Himeno]

A lot of people will suggest AA, but with AAdvantage members being unable to access AA lounges on most US trips turns me off that idea.

 

[drron]

A lot of people will suggest AA, but with AAdvantage members being unable to access AA lounges on most US trips turns me off that idea.

That's when being a LTG or LTQP with QF comes in handy.Still get AC access even on domestic AA flights and crediting to Aadvantage.

 

[Himeno]

That's when being a LTG or LTQP with QF comes in handy.Still get AC access even on domestic AA flights and crediting to Aadvantage.

I'm 2885SC away from LTG. With recent travel patterns (since 2010), that's 1.2 years away on the old earn rates. So would have been doable in a year depending on getting the required leave from work (all my travel is self funded). With the new rates, that's closer to 2 years away.

 

[Isochronous]

Does BA have the same SC thresholds as QF?

 

[Deleted member]

The only sensible thing I can come up with at the moment is to do nothing. I suspect the changes (enhancements) are stage one, QF may see results (unintended consequences) that force them to rethink some of the changes.
The power of social media today can have a devestating beffect on companies and their buisness strategy

 

[Himeno]

Does BA have the same SC thresholds as QF?

I don't think so. My understanding is that BA resets their tier point count and "year" each time you go up a level.

 

[JohnK]

Why not wait and see the full impact of the changes before making a decision?

By the way as a self funded traveller purchasing the cheapest fares possible on Qantas flights none of the other Oneworld partners come close to attaining the equivalent of Platinum status.

 

[ian_baker58]

The only sensible thing I can come up with at the moment is to do nothing. I suspect the changes (enhancements) are stage one, QF may see results (unintended consequences) that force them to rethink some of the changes.
The power of social media today can have a devastating effect on companies and their business strategy

I would agree...
They may well tweak it after 6-9 months, but it would likely take at least 6 months for the fall-out to take some effect when current (significant) point-holders burn what they have and migrate to other options.

In the meantime there will I predict be significant damage to the already damaged brand...

Seems to me that a certain Irishman doesn't really care - he's hell bent on running the flying kangaroo like RyanAir anyway... The more people who hate him the better he seems to like it...!

 

[Himeno]

In the meantime there will I predict be significant damage to the already damaged brand...

Qantas dropped from 14th to 17th on a ranking of the top 100 Australian brands.
Qantas falls from 14th to 17th place in Brand Australia rankings | B&T

 

[marki]

Why not wait and see the full impact of the changes before making a decision?

By the way as a self funded traveller purchasing the cheapest fares possible on Qantas flights none of the other Oneworld partners come close to attaining the equivalent of Platinum status.

Strong interesting statement there JohnK then again your almost at 25000 posts
It must be true
All those kick backs are working for platinum .....

 

[tyrolean]

I don't think so. My understanding is that BA resets their tier point count and "year" each time you go up a level.

That changed some time ago. Now they have the year similar to QF.
You need 600 TPs for BA Silver that equals QF Gold and 1500 TPs for Gold that equals QF Plat. 4 Segments are enforced. 100% Miles on BA and AA. TPs are similar to SCs, but with fewer Steps. Shorthaul gets 10 in Disc. Eco, 20 in Flex Eco, and 40 in Business.

Good Program if you fly a lot in Premium Classes. Lifetime Emerald (Gold) is a nice goal.

 

[wandering_fred]

Why not wait and see the full impact of the changes before making a decision?

By the way as a self funded traveller purchasing the cheapest fares possible on Qantas flights none of the other Oneworld partners come close to attaining the equivalent of Platinum status.

Given that you commute almost weekly BNE-SYD I think your analysis is valid. It also confirms the Sydney centric nature of QF. If you fly international premium cabins or cheapish economy flights twice a week, QF is a very easy program on which to earn/keep status. People residing in PER (and not having FIFO jobs) would have a very different perspective. And that perspective has been seriously reinforced with the recent changes.

And yes I am considering the impact of the changes. I am not happy with the lack of soft landings on AA, albeit tempered by my LTG status. And AA's website recently has been almost as unreliable as QF's for my planning efforts. I wonder if CX will give be a status match to Silver. Or at least a free MPC account to go with my Asia Miles number that I have never assigned to a flight. I'll need answers by mid-May when I have a trip scheduled.

Happy wandering

Fred