Upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks to Red Roo for the giving us a heads up on the new changes.

As a platinum I am not seeing the love, but as a Gold I am liking the changes.

I would love someday as a platinum to have the option for confirmed upgrades.

 

[sr81]

Been changed now. I note that increased cabin bonus applies to bookings made on/after 17 May. Existing bookings are at the old rates....

9.5.2 For flights prior to 17 May, 2011 a Status Bonus will be applied for Eligible Flights with a Qantas (QF), Jetstar (JQ,3K and VF), American Airlines® (AA) or British Airways (BA) flight number. The Status bonus for Silver Members will be 25% of the Base Rate, 50% for Gold Members and 100% for Platinum Members. For bookings made on and from 17 May 2011, the Status bonus for Silver Members will be 50% of the Base Rate, 75% for Gold members and 100% for Platinum Members. Status Bonuses do not apply to Qantas & Partner Classic Awards.

Flights before 17 May, and bookings on/after 17 May????

I droped to SG from WP on 1 May but before this booked an FASA from HKG-MEL for Nov.

I would hope that my status bonus will be 75% but the above is not clear. Anyone got a better idea?

 

[TheStudent]

It's great to see Qantas making these changes, even though the highest status that I am looking at is Silver...

It shall knock some of the wind out of the claims floating around that Qantas is constantly downgrading service.

 

[Leumas]

Replies are coming in quick and fast, but here are my initial thoughts...

TonyHancock - When will they start looking after WP's? The answer is right there, earn to be a WP1 or become a CL.

I've said on another site that history has taught us QF tells us the 'good' news first, then quietly announces (if even that) the bad news. Let's just wait for the full details. I'd hate to see the current WP (or other levels) benefits erode because of this WP1.

The overall theme though is, yes, we asked QFF to become a Flyer programme again. They're trying to do that, but just buy the expensive ticket. It's moving away from becoming a discount Y programme.

I'm reserving judgement until the full details are known. Until then, my feeling (given my travel pattern) is pfffttt...

 

[Febs]

Can't believe the whining here....

Here are a round of QFF enhancements that are ACTUAL enhancements (and very good ones, I might add), and people are still complaining?

Now sure, us WPs don't get as much as PS/SG's, but so what? We're not being disadvantaged (except for perhaps a small % for whom the status bonus changes effect), it's just that other levels are getting even more benefits - which is great if we, as WPs, ever drop.

...and for all those people over the years who have complained about a lack of recognition above WP+SG - QFF have listened! Platinum One sounds very interesting and I can't wait to hear the specifics.

Red Roo - Can you confirm yet if the current OneWorld status levels will remain? i.e. Silver will still be Ruby, Platinum will still be Emerald etc..? The only way I can see these changes as negative is if Platinum becomes Sapphire, and Platinum One is the only Emerald tier. Hopefully that doesn't happen. If not - then job well done QFF! Ignore the whingers.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[ozmille]

Been changed now. I note that increased cabin bonus applies to bookings made on/after 17 May. Existing bookings are at the old rates....

The status bonus clause is confusing



Flights before 17 May, and bookings on/after 17 May????

So my exisiting bookings don't get the new rate:?: How ridiculous... The changes come in effect as of today so why would bookings made prior to today not be eligible? Is this the same for the status bonus increase earning rate? Can't seem to find it in the T&C's

 

[Leumas]

I droped to SG from WP on 1 May but before this booked an FASA from HKG-MEL for Nov.

I would hope that my status bonus will be 75% but the above is not clear. Anyone got a better idea?

Surely this is when you actually fly...?

 

[djfuzz]

So my exisiting bookings don't get the new rate:?: How ridiculous... The changes come in effect as of today so why would bookings made prior to today not be eligible? Is this the same for the status bonus increase earning rate? Can't seem to find it in the T&C's

My understanding of the rules was that both status and cabin bonuses apply for flights taken after 17 May - ie regardless of when you book, you earn the cabin and status bonuses that apply to you on the date of your flight (in your case, 75% status bonus and 100% cabin bonus). Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[TheStudent]

I agree with Febs, there is too much whining going on here. QFF has finally made some progress along the lines that we have been asking them too, and announcing any bad news later will place them at a disadvantage when compared with Virgin Australia's new service.

I believe Qantas is trying to hedge its position against VA, and the winner has to be the frequent flyer

 

[Leumas]

Guys,

You can have all the points in the world, it means nothing if you can't spend it or at a stroke of a key, they devalue the redemption rate.

Just saying...

 

[Keith009]

Red Roo - Can you confirm yet if the current OneWorld status levels will remain? i.e. Silver will still be Ruby, Platinum will still be Emerald etc..? The only way I can see these changes as negative is if Platinum becomes Sapphire, and Platinum One is the only Emerald tier. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

Both Platinum and Platinum One ought to be Emerald, unless a drastic watering down of 'regular' Platinum benefits is is in the works. :shock: BA has a similar tier called Gold Guest List and it's also an Emerald tier along with 'regular' Gold.

 

[ozmille]

My understanding of the rules was that both status and cabin bonuses apply for flights taken after 17 May - ie regardless of when you book, you earn the cabin and status bonuses that apply to you on the date of your flight (in your case, 75% status bonus and 100% cabin bonus). Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The T&C's here seem to suggest that the booking date will be taken into consideration and everything booked before 17 may will attract the old earning rates;

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

 

[sr81]

I think these changes are good and for a newly minted SG I am very happy with the extra 25% and 8000 loyalty points.

Looking forward to hearing about any new upgrade instrament but for the moment I think QF have been doing some listening and are looking to improve.

Let's remember that these changes will have very little effect on your everyday flyer (even one with WP). They will simply see that they get more points - basically a win.

Thanks RedRoo for engaging. Good to have you around.

 

[connieguy]

Just to reiterate, full Platinum One details will be revealed later this year, it's not a benefit taking effect from today.

Thanks for that. Should be there (3,600 SCs) in about 8 - 9 months, so lets hope the details are released by then.

Are any details available on any partner gold re-qualification requirement changes?

Seems one effect of the new WP1 may be to try to stop WP1s going for or being able to maintain AA EXP at the same time. Sure hope the new WP1 benefits align with those AA gives to their EXPs such as unlimited domestic US upgrades to F (no J on domestic AA) and 8 system wide international J upgrades per year.

 

[aus_flyer]

My understanding of the rules was that both status and cabin bonuses apply for flights taken after 17 May - ie regardless of when you book, you earn the cabin and status bonuses that apply to you on the date of your flight (in your case, 75% status bonus and 100% cabin bonus). Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

You're wrong.

Red Roo, as someone who plans well in advance, I'm very disappointed that the increased cabin bonuses only apply to "bookings made on and from 17 May 2011"

(as per Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions )

Again, there's nothing that benefits me as a WP that isn't benefiting all other tiers.

 

[Danger]

Red Roo, many thanks for posting this information. Your contribution is appreciated.

In regards to Platinum One, the final proposition is being refined and we are hoping to be in a position to make further announcements later this year. May 17 doesn't apply here specifically to this change.

Just to reiterate, full Platinum One details will be revealed later this year, it's not a benefit taking effect from today.

While I understand from your posts that Platinum One isn't being introduced today, Qantas has nonetheless announced the target (ie. 3600 status credits). Effectively, you've given people something to aim for but without giving them the full armoury to do so. I'm being perhaps a bit too metaphorical but what I'm essentially saying is, please at least let us know when the 3600 goal will become active. As someone above 2400 status credits and about 60% through my membership year, I'm very keen to know whether this goal is something I should be aiming for. What would really annoy me is if I was to aim for the 3600 (admittedly, somewhat blindly as I don't know what the benefits are), only to reach it and find out 'Platinum One benefits will become active from 1 January 2012'.

Here are a round of QFF enhancements that are ACTUAL enhancements (and very good ones, I might add), and people are still complaining?

Now sure, us WPs don't get as much as PS/SG's, but so what? We're not being disadvantaged (except for perhaps a small % for whom the status bonus changes effect), it's just that other levels are getting even more benefits - which is great if we, as WPs, ever drop.

Fair call, Febs. While I agree with many posters here that there appears no enhancement to Platinum, I take the point that it, ceteris paribus, it hasn't been devalued either.

Red Roo - Can you confirm yet if the current OneWorld status levels will remain? i.e. Silver will still be Ruby, Platinum will still be Emerald etc..? The only way I can see these changes as negative is if Platinum becomes Sapphire, and Platinum One is the only Emerald tier. Hopefully that doesn't happen. If not - then job well done QFF! Ignore the whingers.

I'm also very keen to hear this. In fact, if Platinum One became the new Emerald and so on, that would certainly be a phenomenal devaluation of the entire program. On a similar note, how do we consider Platinum One? Is it the new 'top tier' or do we just treat it like Chairmans Lounge as being almost a separate program?

 

[ozmille]

You're wrong.

Red Roo, as someone who plans well in advance, I'm very disappointed that the increased cabin bonuses only apply to "bookings made on and from 17 May 2011"

(as per Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions )

Again, there's nothing that benefits me as a WP that isn't benefiting all other tiers.

Same here, most of my travel has been locked in for a long time. And made some bookings yesterday as well

 

[connieguy]

Same here, most of my travel has been locked in for a long time. And made some bookings yesterday as well

Likewise.

 

[sr81]

[=odoherty;436356]You're wrong.

Red Roo, as someone who plans well in advance, I'm very disappointed that the increased cabin bonuses only apply to "bookings made on and from 17 May 2011"

(as per Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions )

BOOOO! That's not cool. Why do that, it is just being cheap.

 

[TheStudent]

I supspect that there will be no devaluation of the tiers going on, RedRoo has already released some of the bad news - increased surcharges on award bookings, so perhaps we can take this on face value?

Again, I believe QFF is trying to bolster its position against VAA, and hence will not do anything to further weaken the frequent flyer programme