Take off for less [selected international classic rewards]

[MEL_Traveller]

The marketing material refers to 'Qantas points' and 'carrier charges'... almost like 'carrier charges' are a universal concept like government taxes (and quite outside of QF's control).

They should refer to them as Qantas imposed charges, and perhaps explain how they are calculated, and why they apply.

 

[JohnK]

Agreed. However, the disparity in the award booking fees between the same intl award bookings between QF and VA is quite astounding (as pointed out by the SMH article referred to earlier)

Agreed although there is limited or expensive use (for me) of those VA points.

I don't expect to see the day when fuel surcharges are completely gone from Award tickets... there is definitely room for more movement though.

Happy to receive some of those 1 million points anytime... cousin right?

The wife might have to say something about that. Can't wait to go round the world on my long awaited golf trips and she'd love to come along to make sure I stay focused on golf.

 

[Mattg]

Considering that I suggested a member use Points + Pay :shock: recently to fly to Europe in Y as it would be better value than a classic award... these changes were much-needed.

While they're at it, how about fixing up the redemption zones for flights within Australia, so that flights between 600 and 750 miles cost the same number of points as flights under 600 miles? The point & status credit earn is the same, after all...

 

[medhead]

Another steaming pile of excrement from the flying kangaroo.

Here's my favourite piece from the SMH article:
So why would you pay 50,000 points and $426 for a return Perth-Singapore fare when you could buy a discount ticket for $561 and save your points for a future flight or upgrade?
Qantas, aware that many customers were making the calculations and booking sales fares rather than using up frequent flyer points, is now lowering the number of points and accompanying fees needed to book flights to many of its international destinations.

So Qantas ever-so-slightly adjusted the so-called "Fuel Fine" because they realised that the plebs had finally worked out the scam.
Qantas lowers cost of international flight reward redemptions

You're not going to get an upgrade on a $561 fare from PER to SIN. Probably looking at a $1000 fare to be eligible to even enter the upgrade lottery. So a better comparison would be 50000 +$426 vs $1000, or perhaps $1000 + 25000

 

[medhead]

Considering that I suggested a member use Points + Pay :shock: recently to fly to Europe in Y as it would be better value than a classic award... these changes were much-needed.

Ssshhh, don't tell people that SC can be earned cheaper than on classic awards. :shock:

While they're at it, how about fixing up the redemption zones for flights within Australia, so that flights between 600 and 750 miles cost the same number of points as flights under 600 miles? The point & status credit earn is the same, after all...

That was kinda the point of my comment about simpler and fairer. Long overdue for them to bring the award zones into line with the simpler and fairer earning zones.

 

[mviy]

Would have preferred a reduction in points needed for J travel as J provides better value, but a positive change nonetheless.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Have to say though, I would still be paying 56000 points + $500-something for a SIN-SYD-SIN flight, where the current sale is $650.

 

[opusman]

Have to say though, I would still be paying 56000 points + $500-something for a SIN-SYD-SIN flight, where the current sale is $650.

At that redemption rate you're better off buying toasters.

 

[Danger]

I started off fairly impressed by this move but I've read the thread and now concur with what appears to be the majority view: token and not much at that.

I will, however, say it's a win for Perth. Who would have thought? First a Business lounge that was promised more than half a decade ago, then this. What next? A refurbed international lounge?

Will 2016 be the year Qantas reclaims 'enhancement'?

Here's some information from qantas.com, including FAQs: https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/classic-flight-rewards-for-less

Yes, this is a permanent change to Qantas International Economy Classic Flight Rewards effective 11am today (6 January 2016).

I'll give Qantas full points for not shying away for the fact that this is a limited and select change. No less than five of the FAQs begin with "No" and are a 'negative' answer but I appreciate the fact Qantas is up front about it and isn't just spitting out the good stuff. It's balanced.

RedRoo would you or your team be able to list some examples - which could possibly generate you some good press - how you are "reducing the points required for selected International Economy Classic Flight Rewards with some of our partner airlines, including American Airlines®, Emirates and Fiji Airways"?

This will be very interesting. I wonder when it will be announced.

Another steaming pile of excrement from the flying kangaroo.

Here's my favourite piece from the SMH article:
So why would you pay 50,000 points and $426 for a return Perth-Singapore fare when you could buy a discount ticket for $561 and save your points for a future flight or upgrade?
Qantas, aware that many customers were making the calculations and booking sales fares rather than using up frequent flyer points, is now lowering the number of points and accompanying fees needed to book flights to many of its international destinations.

So Qantas ever-so-slightly adjusted the so-called "Fuel Fine" because they realised that the plebs had finally worked out the scam.
Qantas lowers cost of international flight reward redemptions

It's a very good point. The cost (points and taxes) of a PER-SIN redemption on QF are ridiculous in comparison to the cost of a paid flight. Unless you're literally counting every dollar you have or have points to burn, it's a no-brainer to pay rather than redeem.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

This change does nothing to alter the fact that I'm not chasing QFF points anymore and will only credit there when there are no other better alternatives.

 

[basso]

At that redemption rate you're better off buying toasters.

I've got a houes full. Don;t need anymore.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

This change does nothing to alter the fact that I'm not chasing QFF points anymore and will only credit there when there are no other better alternatives.

Best move I ever did was to change my focus from simply chasing QFF points to instead chasing the best possible earn to burn ratio. Being free to use various FF programs allows one to optimise earn and burn including earining points in two FF programs at once sometimes.

This does still mean aquiring QFF points as for some deals the earn/burn ration stacks up (including when points can only go to QFF). A big benefit however too from this change has been"availibility". It is way way easier in general to get J/F on other programs.

 

[awkwardpaws]

Best move I ever did was to change my focus from simply chasing QFF points to instead chasing the best possible earn to burn ratio. Being free to use various FF programs allows one to optimise earn and burn including earining points in two FF programs at once sometimes.

This does still mean aquiring QFF points as for some deals the earn/burn ration stacks up (including when points can only go to QFF). A big benefit however too from this change has been"availibility". It is way way easier in general to get J/F on other programs.

lovetravellingoz - Could you elaborate what you mean by earn-to-burn ratio?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

lovetravellingoz - Could you elaborate what you mean by earn-to-burn ratio?

"earn-to-burn ratio" What it costs to aquire a point/ by the cost to redeem in points

Note one should also factor in:
*$ costs such as fuel taxes. Some programs like SQ's Krisflyer have similar fuel fines, whereas others such as somearab and USA based programs can have much lower fuel fines or none at all. When redeeming partner awards you can sometimes gain access to less fuel fines.
* Your time to aquire. For my some point earns are simply not worth my time such as some surveys as an example.

Earn:

You can earn at diffeerent rates. With credit cards their are all sorts of different earning rates subject to what is purchased ona range of cards. ie Hotels. Restaurants, Supermarkets. Buying Gift Cards can sometimes allow higher rates to be gained than if one bought at that business direct.

It is not just credit cards though. Different airlines allow different earn rates of points for flights, and their are all sorts of different bonii for purchasing different things.

ie number of programs have online malls that earn points. Some with the same shops. Earn rates can be different, and sometimes short term short term bossting (ie say doubling) can mean that one program may be better than another.

Burn:

The same redemption can have different costs in points and fuel fines/ airline fees with different programs. (ie not all programs are equal)

ie Redeem a partner award with SQ on VA for MEL-NS and it is 11K in points and no $ costs. Redeem direct with VA and point cost is much higher and you also have to pay $ in fees.

One FF program is not always necessari;y better than another. Particular routes may be better on one and not another due to how the system is run and award tables structured. Some are region based. Some are distance based. Region based ones often have anomolies due to how the regions are constructed.


By watching all the various earns and burns one can improve ones overall earn/burn ratio.

Add to this things like credit card tranfers bonus specials, or redeeming etc to further improve ones average.

By being in multiple programs with multiple earning opportunities such as different credit cards one can significantly improve ones overall earn to burn.

 

[ellen10]

I too was excited when I got the email.
But the more I read the less enthusiastic I am.

 

[awkwardpaws]

By being in multiple programs with multiple earing opportunities such as different crredit cards one can significantly improve ones overall earn to burn.

Thanks for the explaination lovetravellingoz, agree that each program has its own pros&cons. recommend that you have at least an idea of how to use the points are are collecting, otherwise, you might disappointed..

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Thanks for the explaination lovetravellingoz, agree that each program has its own pros&cons. recommend that you have at least an idea of how to use the points are are collecting, otherwise, you might disappointed..

Unfortunatey the majority of QFF punters get a rude shock when they earn QFF points for years with the vague notion that they will use them one day for a "free" flight only to discover the magnitude of the fees and lack of availability to fly when they want.

As per one of Covey's Laws: Begin with the end in mind.

 

[dajop]

Have to say though, I would still be paying 56000 points + $500-something for a SIN-SYD-SIN flight, where the current sale is $650.

Thats because it appears that ex-AU surcharges have decreased, but not the surcharges for flights ticketed from "away" ports. SIN-MEL-SIN attracts $491 SGD in surcharges, which at yesterdays ER (ignoring the big drop today) was $477 AUD. MEL-SIN-MEL is $281 AUD. With $131 in genuine government and airport taxes, that means SIN-MEL-SIN has surcharges of $346, yet MEL-SIN-MEL $150. RedRoo, care to explain why surcharges are more than double for the same flights in opposite direction?

This abysmal approach just makes me cynical about anything QF says or does.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Qantas is run by an incredibly greedy CEO who will never 'give back' his fuel fines unless forced to.

I suspect the shareholders would disagree with you.

 

[medhead]

I suspect the shareholders would disagree with you.

The shareholders who haven't had a drink out of Qantas for a number of years?