To transfer or not transfer to QF

[Traveloving]

Hi everyone

I would really appreciate any help I can get with my dilemma. I have most of my points in Amex MR and some points in Skywards. My travels could take me anywhere so I really would like maximum flexibility. I realise that Velocity with Amex can give me access to Skywards so I am leaning towards leaving the points there, but do you think Amex MR will offer less value once QF is out of their program? and my points will be stuck in there?

Your expert opinions would be much appreciated.

 

[futaris]

The only way to get points into Skywards from Membership Rewards is via SPG.

Transfer 61,000 MR to 20,000 SPG.
Transfer 20,000 SPG to 25,000 Skywards miles.

You can do smaller amounts, but if you need a minimum of 2,500 SPG to transfer from SPG.

Redemption on Emirates is possible using Velocity Rewards points, but it is a separate program.

How many points are you earning (per year), and what do you want to redeem for?

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF traveloving

The answer to such a question depends upon your individual circumstances.

I suggest you read and understand the many posts in this particular (deadline) forum and see if you can work out what advice mirrors you and what may be the best option.

There is advice here that would cover most situations.

 

[JohnK]

I realise that Velocity with Amex can give me access to Skywards so I am leaning towards leaving the points there, but do you think Amex MR will offer less value once QF is out of their program? and my points will be stuck in there?

Difficult question to answer but in my opinion I do not think Amex will change the redemption rates for other FF programs once QFF leave MR.

For what it is worth I am leaving all Amex points in my MR account....

 

[Traveloving]

Difficult question to answer but in my opinion I do not think Amex will change the redemption rates for other FF programs once QFF leave MR.

For what it is worth I am leaving all Amex points in my MR account....

Thanks for your response. What makes you think Amex won't change redemption rates? They really will no longer have reason to offer good value as they do now to offset Qantas.

 

[ANstar]

Thanks for your response. What makes you think Amex won't change redemption rates? They really will no longer have reason to offer good value as they do now to offset Qantas.

They will still need to be competitive. You can still switch to a Qantas direct earn card AFTER 31st March. (you just can't use your points befre that date to transfer into QF).

If anything once QF have you locked in, I'd say their is less incentive for them to be compeitive

 

[oz_mark]

Thanks for your response. What makes you think Amex won't change redemption rates? They really will no longer have reason to offer good value as they do now to offset Qantas.

The catalogue I just received quotes poit values valid through to October 1 so any change would be at least 6 months away. Not to mention, that nothing really stops them changing the earning rate on the Qantas cards either, given enough notice.

 

[Traveloving]

Thanks everyone. Some very good points.

Does anyone know much about Velocity and Skywards partnership? if I have 100,000 poins in Velocity, can I transfer that to Skywards? will it still be 100,000 points? and vice versa?

 

[ANstar]

There is no transfer between Velcoity and Skywards.

you can use Velcoity points for Emirates flights however.

 

[Traveloving]

There is no transfer between Velcoity and Skywards.

you can use Velcoity points for Emirates flights however.

Ok thanks Anstar. Good to know. Can I combine Skywards points with Velocity points to pay for Emirates fares? I would call Velocity to enquire but they are closed weekends!

 

[ANstar]

Ok thanks Anstar. Good to know. Can I combine Skywards points with Velocity points to pay for Emirates fares? I would call Velocity to enquire but they are closed weekends!

I don't think so You would need to to 2 sepearate bookings

ie Australia - Dubai return with Velcoity and then Dubai - Paris with Skywards or something like that.

 

[Traveloving]

I don't think so You would need to to 2 sepearate bookings

ie Australia - Dubai return with Velcoity and then Dubai - Paris with Skywards or something like that.

Thanks Anstar - you've been a huge help

 

[gibspmuh]

Keep in mind if you're interested in crediting points to Skywards going forward that you might like to consider getting Emirates Citi Platinum - Citibank Australia - earning 1.5 Skywards points per dollar along with other benefits relating to Emirates (a free chauffer ride per year when flying Emirates and free lounge access once a year).

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for your response. What makes you think Amex won't change redemption rates? They really will no longer have reason to offer good value as they do now to offset Qantas.

I still think Amex needs to be competitive and Qantas was only of the many airlines available to transfer MR points.

There is still the option to transfer to Velocity, Air New Zealand, Singapore, Thai, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian, Virgin Atlantic frequent flyer programs.

 

[ANstar]

Qantas extends frequent flyer deadline after 'customer service issues' | Travel News | News.com.au

Qantas extends the deadline due to customer service issues...

Please - we've had 6 months notice!

 

[kamchatsky]

Qantas extends frequent flyer deadline after 'customer service issues' | Travel News | News.com.au

Qantas extends the deadline due to customer service issues...

Please - we've had 6 months notice!

What wrong with that? Surely they are a business trying to get every customer under the sun

Oh well I only have Citibank Gold .... So I don't even have that option!

 

[JohnK]

It would appear that the credit card points transferred to QFF before the transfer deadline was not as high as Qantas expected....

 

[Mal]

It would appear that the credit card points transferred to QFF before the transfer deadline was not as high as Qantas expected....

... but only because the banks couldn't handle the load of last minute phone calls

Not unexpected of course. Although, if I was a financial institution, I would be absolutely peeved off with Qantas. Think of the countless millions it has cost various financial institutions to inform their customers, change IT systems, deal with the phonecalls and from tomorrow (or soon after) start dealing with the 2nd round of calls from those who live under rocks.

 

[JohnK]

... but only because the banks couldn't handle the load of last minute phone calls

I guess we won't really know one way or another without any inside knowledge. I will stick with my assumption that the response to the deadline was not up to Qantas' expectations....

 

[Mal]

Qantas have the following up now:
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Program News - Transfer Points to Qantas Frequent Flyer

Transfer Points to Qantas Frequent Flyer

As members are aware the deadline for transfers of points to Qantas Frequent Flyer from some cards is 31 March 2009.

We understand that some members have been finding it difficult to contact their card providers to arrange point transfers to Qantas Frequent Flyer. Exceptionally high demand has caused some customer service issues.

In the interest of our members, for those who have tried to transfer or opt-in before 31 March and have experienced customer service difficulties, Qantas Frequent Flyer will accept point transfers from any card provider for a limited time after today's deadline of 31 March.

During this period any transfers made after 31 March are at the discretion of the card provider, so members will need to contact their card provider as soon as possible.

Was quite fun watching the countdown timer count down to 1 second, and then go blank!