Upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes

[Red Roo]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Red Roo, can Qantas please update the FF T&Cs to reflect this. Otherwise, if we don't get the points and ring up, they'll point to the T&Cs and deny!

Just to reiterate, these will be updated on qantas.com. No doubt when those changes go live, someone here will report those promptly

 

[hgwells01]

thankyou Red Roo for the early update and Qantas for finally letting those of us stuck in regional areas earn some SC and points on Jetstar, had a look and its 25.00 to add them to my regular Melb flights each way, but it includes seat selection plus the points so i'll probably pay it when the fare is reasonably low. And i'll not say no to the extra points for Gold.

 

[nlagalle]

Red Roo,

I've read through the thread and as a platinum I find a few things annoying..

I made my status by flying most of it in Y. Only one business class seat. I know a lot of platinums are the same. So I will never reach 3600 unless we had more double SC promotions. Really after getting Platinum there is no incentive to keep crediting. Especially with the "loyalty bonus" resetting and having a limit.

Platinums got nothing, as others mentioned why not a 125% bonus?

Will plats get anything new from Qantas, because I don't see much at the moment.

 

[Red Roo]

Firstly, kudos to Red Roo for not only posting the changes here but sticking around during the day to address queries. It is good to see the airlines communicating directly with their customers through this type of forum and addressing feedback both positive and negative.

No problem. The discussion was at the bottom of page 10, when I left to give a presentation. By the time I returned, the discussion had moved to page 20, and as I was trying to reply, I noticed the site went down momentarily.

Understand there's a bit of interest around Platinum One and your comments on today's announced changes are being followed closely. I know there are quite a few throughout the organisation who are reading this discussion here.

 

[connieguy]

Understand there's a bit of interest around Platinum One and your comments on today's announced changes are being followed closely. I know there are quite a few throughout the organisation who are reading this discussion here.

Ok guys read this:

If QF were not ready to reveal the new WP AND WP1 benefits then, in my opinion, QF should NEVER have mentioned WP1. Very bad mistake.

 

[angusburns]

Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes - received an email from them today - lots of changes!

Received this email from Qantas today:

Hello Angus

At Qantas Frequent Flyer, we are committed to the continued improvement of the program and to responding to the needs of our members as we work to enhance your experience.

The following exciting changes are aimed at reflecting member feedback, with extra benefits and privileges available when you fly and bringing you new ways to earn points.

New ways to earn points

Optus to join Qantas Frequent Flyer
Optus and Qantas have announced plans to create a loyalty alliance that will allow Qantas Frequent Flyer members to earn points across Optus Consumer and Small Business services. The planned alliance, further details of which will be released in the coming months as agreements are finalised, is set for launch later in 2011 and unites two of Australia's most recognised brands. To register your interest and to be informed of any further developments - click here

Earn points and Status credits on new Jetstar fares
From 17 May 2011, you can be rewarded every time you travel on an eligible Jetstar flight, with the option to add points, Status credits and other benefits to your base fare for an additional cost. Members who select to add a Plus or Max bundle to their Starter or Business fare on Jetstar will earn points and Status credits. For details visit qantas.com/jetstar

epiQure by Qantas Frequent Flyer: New wine and food community exclusive to members
Coming soon: Enjoy the finest of wines, recipes from Neil Perry and another way to earn points. Qantas will shortly be launching epiQure by Qantas Frequent Flyer an online community for members passionate about food and wine.


Flight benefits and changes
Increased Cabin bonuses
From 17 May 2011, we are increasing Cabin bonuses to give you even more points when you fly Qantas: your Cabin bonus will increase from 10% to 25% in Premium Economy, from 25% to 50% in Business and from 50% to 100% in First when you fly Qantas (with a QF flight number on your ticket).

More Status bonus points for Gold and Silver Frequent Flyers
From 17 May 2011, we are increasing the Gold and Silver Status bonuses to give you even more points when you fly Qantas. The Gold Status bonus will increase from 50% to 75% and the Silver Status bonus from 25% to 50% when you fly Qantas (with a QF flight number on your ticket).

An improved upgrade experience
In late 2011 we plan to roll out a smoother, more convenient points upgrade request and notification process, including SMS confirmation of upgrade requests (for eligible Qantas flights with a QF flight number).

Changes to the Loyalty bonus
From December 2011, you will earn a Loyalty bonus of 8,000 points for every 500 Status credits you earn within a single membership year - up to a maximum of four Loyalty bonuses per membership year. This will replace the current bonus of 5,000 points for every 450 Status credits. For details visit qantas.com/latestnews.

Changes to using points for surcharges, fees and taxes
Due to ongoing volatility in fuel prices, from 1 July 2011, when using points for surcharges, fees and taxes on eligible Australia and New Zealand Domestic Classic Award flights, the points required will increase from 3,000 to 4,500 points per segment.

For further details please visit qantas.com/latestnews. Thanks for joining us on our journey.

 

[medhead]

They might as well say that you require Silver or above to qualify for the loyalty bonus, because from December onwards a Bronze member will never receive it.

They should because it would be consistent with the current platinum benefit of additional awards at 2400 SC

 

[JohnSydney2000]

Serfty,
I totally agree this rips any concept of loyalty out of this already diluted benefit (remember the original upgrade credits that this poor imitation replaced ). My son's situation is very similar to your daughter's situation (with slightly smaller numbers). He has been a member for a number of years, slowly adding towards his next loyalty bonus. In exchange, Qantas is going to wipe his balance out to nil on 1st December 2011 as I understand it.

I'm glad you're exited.

My daughter who has taken 12 years to reach over 350 lifetime SC's and who's account is showing:... will have that change on December 1st to 500.

QFF are going reap a huge windfall though forced "Breakage" of this benefit:evil:.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Dear Red Roo,

I have been plat for about 10 years and lifetime gold.

I currently earn close to the mythical new 3600 SC limit per annum.

You want me to stay and not be tempted to go to Cathay or Singapore?

Simple - give me Chairman's lounge for my 3600 SC.

Demanding things without even a 'please' mark you as someone who should not be invited to become a CL member.

There are way too many people on this site whose sense of entitlement has become a chip on their shoulder ....

 

[MattinCBR]

Understand there's a bit of interest around Platinum One and your comments on today's announced changes are being followed closely. I know there are quite a few throughout the organisation who are reading this discussion here.

Hi Red Roo (and lurkers from Qantas),

I am one of your 3600 SC+ FF's, I had a look this afternoon at my currently booked travel and will have reached 3600 Status Credits by November (FF Year ended at the end of April), I know how many SC's worth of travel I have booked because I sat down and started working out if I should start posting miles to AA after i hit 1200 SC's in the next week or so, last year i earnt a smidge over 5000 SC's.

I am excited that QF is introducing a new level beyond platinum.

That excitement will continue if there is a reasonable level of actual benefit to the new level. It will dissapate pretty quickly if the benefits are all tied up in terms of "more personalised service" and "concierge services" - those things are fine, but are often poorly delivered, or not delivered at all.

I would expect that the hard benefits would be those things that make spending your life onboard your planes more pleasant, and are likely to focus on international services rather than domestic.

Some of the things I would think would be easy to do for Platinum One would be an extension of the services provided to CL, so 2 guests in the F lounge (and J Lounge), kerbside meet+greet, host assistance through from kerb to lounge. Assistance in the Baggage Hall and making connections at the other end. Spa appointments etc in the lounge.

I would probably expect that there be some bonus of some sort with earning/retaining Platinum One, I would hope that there would be a menu of choice for those bonuses - and that they exceed the "value" of the 2400 level.

I really would expect that you should fix before you jump into this is the delivery of already promised services - Priority Boarding on Domestc Flights is a prime example.

My only other suggestion is that you should be open about what the service upgrades we should expect are, and what our expectations of them should be. For example (and this is only one example of many i could think of), I always enjoy the brief chat with the CSD when I'm in economy on an international flight, but i never quite know what it's appropriate to ask him/her for when they offer to do "something" for me - and my last 4 flights in J or PY no one has said hello at all - not absolute codification, but I'm sure the nice Qantas PR people who come up with your web text/brochures could work out something that gave us at least some idea.

 

[ab156]

Hmm... busy day all

Firstly, thanks to Red Roo for popping in and staying involved. All feedback from the board is meant to be constructive no doubt

Reading over all this and the Joyce quotes I am getting a bad feeling as a 4yr WP (and on target to hit it again). WP+ is way out of my earn potential so nothing for me to aspire to. The lack of transparency for WP / WP+ in the current announcement infers either a lack of planning or bad news. I doubt it is the first.

I am anticipating the loss of FLounge access and potentially Business Class lounge in the near future. Will attempt to "store" some credit on Thursday Uncertainty is a bad thing when dealing with expenditure - the uncertainly over one of the final cherries on the QFF cake makes planning for end of year trip more interesting.

What I do see is a VERY attractive SG offering - so attractive it may entice PS to strive to SG and some WP to drop to SG. Only question is: can the lounge network handle it?

 

[m_ratt]

I'm going to put my hand up as another person very disappointed in the change to Loyalty Bonus calculation.

As noted previously, it immediately becomes unavailable to anyone of Bronze status.

Based on AVERAGE annual status credit accumulation over a number of years this is only of advantage to people earning 500-710, 1000-1430, and 1500-2870 status credits per year

Below 500, 730-990, 1450-1490 and above 2890 status credits per year are all worse off.
720, 1440, 2160 and 2880 see no change.

Change ranges from ~10,000 points per year better off (@2000SC) to ~5,000 per year worse off (@490SC).

Anyone care to guess at a statistical distribution for members SC earn/year?
I doubt Qantas will be worse off from this change.

 

[Danger]

Correct, as per today, QF codeshare flights attract QF status and cabin bonuses.

For flights flown post 17 May 2011, the changed cabin/status bonuses apply.

If I've understood this correctly then, for example, QF303 PER-JNB on SA would earn the status bonus. If so, I think this is something worth promoting. But maybe I've misinterpreted.

Hi Red Roo (and lurkers from Qantas),

I am one of your 3600 SC+ FF's, I had a look this afternoon at my currently booked travel and will have reached 3600 Status Credits by November (FF Year ended at the end of April), I know how many SC's worth of travel I have booked because I sat down and started working out if I should start posting miles to AA after i hit 1200 SC's in the next week or so, last year i earnt a smidge over 5000 SC's.

I am excited that QF is introducing a new level beyond platinum.

That excitement will continue if there is a reasonable level of actual benefit to the new level. It will dissapate pretty quickly if the benefits are all tied up in terms of "more personalised service" and "concierge services" - those things are fine, but are often poorly delivered, or not delivered at all.

I would expect that the hard benefits would be those things that make spending your life onboard your planes more pleasant, and are likely to focus on international services rather than domestic.

Some of the things I would think would be easy to do for Platinum One would be an extension of the services provided to CL, so 2 guests in the F lounge (and J Lounge), kerbside meet+greet, host assistance through from kerb to lounge. Assistance in the Baggage Hall and making connections at the other end. Spa appointments etc in the lounge.

I would probably expect that there be some bonus of some sort with earning/retaining Platinum One, I would hope that there would be a menu of choice for those bonuses - and that they exceed the "value" of the 2400 level.

I really would expect that you should fix before you jump into this is the delivery of already promised services - Priority Boarding on Domestc Flights is a prime example.

My only other suggestion is that you should be open about what the service upgrades we should expect are, and what our expectations of them should be. For example (and this is only one example of many i could think of), I always enjoy the brief chat with the CSD when I'm in economy on an international flight, but i never quite know what it's appropriate to ask him/her for when they offer to do "something" for me - and my last 4 flights in J or PY no one has said hello at all - not absolute codification, but I'm sure the nice Qantas PR people who come up with your web text/brochures could work out something that gave us at least some idea.

Some very good points, MattinCBR, especially on getting the existing benefits right, like priority boarding, first.

Again, if I can reiterate and echo others' calls for more information on this Platinum One level to be announced very soon. I'm well above 2400 SCs for my year with about five months to go. I really would like to know when Platinum One will be introduced and if it will be active immediately. For example, say it's introduced on 1 October 2011. If I have 3600 or above SCs come 1 October, will I get Platinum One straight away? Similarly, if don't quite have it but achieve it within my current membership year, will I get it then? Basically, I'm asking if, like my private health insurance, there'll be a waiting period!

And finally, thank you again Red Roo for sticking around today (and hopefully beyond) to answer questions and respond to feedback.

 

[clifford]

Demanding things without even a 'please' mark you as someone who should not be invited to become a CL member.

There are way too many people on this site whose sense of entitlement has become a chip on their shoulder ....

O ye, pity the self-righteous.

As for me, I see nothing positive in these changes for myself. Most of my SC's are earned through flying JQ Star Class, and now that this no longer earns miles / SC's, I'll be spending my money elsewhere.

I have a feeling that the Irishman in charge of Qantas has probably shot off one of toes with these cynical changes.

 

[pshepvic]

Well your guess is wrong, because that's what they are going to do!

Frequent Flyer - Member Specials - Latest News

They're not reducing it to zero, they are simply wiping off the SC's not earned in that current membership year.

For example, mine ends at the end of August. Based on current bookings, by 30 Nov I will have earned 480 SCs during that year, plus will have 10 more from the previous year, total of 490. They will wipe off the 10 SC earned in the previous membership year, not the total 490 that is sitting there.

 

[chorse]

But as I referred to in my earlier post, it's not rewarding WP frequent flyers who (either select, or are made to) travel in Y.

It's rewarding the WP frequent fliers who only travel in Y+, J or F.

Spot on mate. Dreaming if you are going to hit this if you aren't flying J or F already. Y+ is pushing it.

 

[reflector]

Just a general observation:

For all the complaining of the vocal minorities here, there's going to be exponentially more people out there who aren't obsessed with exploiting the FF programs to their maximum. And these people will be platinums, golds and silvers as well, and I think the vast majority of them will be pretty impressed with the benefits announced today.

For every one of the platinums stating that they don't care about platinum1, many more will seek to attain it, just because they want to be top tier.
We, as well informed frequent flyers look to the intricacies of the program to determine its value to us. However many will make that value judgement based on "feeling special" "being elite" and many other emotional/non logical feelings.

At the end of the day, though we here may pick it apart and criticise the portions of the changes designed to bring cost savings to QF, on the surface, it's a good step in the right direction, and for the majority of the public in the program, they'll feel like they're getting something and feel "valued."

It's not just about us in here.

 

[Robert K]

Airlines don't really make much money from people flying coach. So it doesn't make sense to 'reward' (spend money on) WPs who only fly coach.

 

[pshepvic]

It's all very well for everyone to jump on and start criticising QF for not releasing all the info about WP1 straight away, but all we need to do is look back in time (not very far) to see that QF are not the only ones in the airline industry using this strategy.

A few months ago VA announced J class and a few other enhancements, but a big part of that was the "more to come". A couple of months later, we started to see more of that, and the wait wasn't really that painful. There is still a lot more to be announced by VA, and IMHO I think QF have released a lot more with this announcement than VA did with their first announcement (plus a lot of it is happening NOW, not in the future like with VA).

It's all a marketing strategy, whether you love it or hate it, time to get over that and look at what we actually know, and put some constructive feedback on here about what else QF could do (because clearly they are reading - people have said for sometime that there is no incentive above 2400 SCs - and whilst we don't know the detail, it's definitely coming, so they are definitely listening). Good to see some people have offered constructive feedback already, which is going to be the best way to get the program improved.

 

[serfty]

They're not reducing it to zero, they are simply wiping off the SC's not earned in that current membership year.

For example, mine ends at the end of August. Based on current bookings, by 30 Nov I will have earned 480 SCs during that year, plus will have 10 more from the previous year, total of 490. They will wipe off the 10 SC earned in the previous membership year, not the total 490 that is sitting there.

Not a good example; assuming you cross 450 SC's mid November, you would have earned 5K.

Now you have 30 since august and 10 from beforehand giving 40 counting with 410 until you next 5K.

If no further earn, then on 2nd December you will have 30 counting and 470 to go until an 8K earn.


It's obvious Qantas see this as a material degradation to the Program for members - that's why they are giving the six months notice as per their T&C's.