Upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes

[ozmille]

I'll feel a little more comfortable when I see these amended to reflect Red Roo's post.

True, I was going on face value. People should be able to advise pretty quick. Anyone flying today or tomorrow who can confirm?

 

[serfty]

I've been sitting under a rock today apparently! I just got the email from QF about this, so of course came here to check for a thread and it has 126 comments already!

Will have to read through it all tonight, but my initial reaction is "it's amazing what a bit of competition can do". (I'd like an increase in the points bonus for WP though - maybe 125% would be nice?!)

So thanks must go to Virgin Australia for these changes, after all without them, it probably wouldn't have happened :shock:

Now looking forward to VA bringing on the Velocity changes as well!

I think you have misread the changes - for a WP, they are not that good; in fact they are basically neutral.

What they have further reduce the separation in benefits between SG and WP; since I am Lifetime SG, it may encourage me to finally go AA.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Red Roo, as somone who's company travel policy now stipulates that PE is the highest class that anyone gets to fly it, it still irks that the SC earn rate on a $6K PE ticket is the same as a $2.5K economy fare. Is there ever going to be consideration to separate the SC earn rates for PE fares so that they more resonably recognise the increased cost of the fares over the economy equivalent?

What route is this? Only Y class earns full economy SCs for international travel (on QF anyway), and I don't know any routes that have $2.5K Y class, and $6K PE fares.

 

[ozmille]

Red Roo, as somone who's company travel policy now stipulates that PE is the highest class that anyone gets to fly it, it still irks that the SC earn rate on a $6K PE ticket is the same as a $2.5K economy fare. Is there ever going to be consideration to separate the SC earn rates for PE fares so that they more resonably recognise the increased cost of the fares over the economy equivalent?

When I flew PE to BKK the SC's were double that of whY i.e. 60SC each way...

 

[simongr]

I was wondering when this would get asked, this is a serious downgrade compared to the old system if this happens.

Yes - this is quite a hit. Especially now as the hurdle is higher so you will lose even more SCs.

Again this is a push to more actively manage your flying and crediting. This will further push me towards AA again I think.

 

[awilcockson]

What route is this? Only Y class earns full economy SCs for international travel (on QF anyway), and I don't know any routes that have $2.5K Y class, and $6K PE fares.

Good point, I was comparing discount Y and PE. There is still a disparity in price ($5089 Y vs $7242 in PE), although not as great as I'd originally indicated.

 

[Archphoto]

In terms of points earn, the main area that Platinums can benefit from are the increased cabin bonuses in premium cabins. As a group overall, Platinums in general undertake quite a significant amount of flying in these cabins.

I held WP for 3 years - and every SC was earned flying economy.

Not everyone can afford to fly Premium, and to get WP flying discount economy takes a *lot* of miles in the air with QF - think that shows loyalty on a huge scale.

In total I spent approximately 800+ days overseas during that time - and almost every flight booked, was with QF or another OW carrier if QF didn't fly to the region.

Think the benefits for WP should reflect their commitment to flying - regardless of the cabin chosen. After all, you don't get there, by spending on your CC at Woolies, and taking a once in a while flight - you actually have to put your b*** on the seat almost 365 days a year.:mrgreen:

 

[pshepvic]

Question (apologies if has already been covered) - when they convert the fares from existing to new, does the following apply?

Jetsaver Light = Economy Starter
Jetsaver = Economy Starter Plus? or Economy Starter?
Jetflex = Economy Starter Max
Starclass Promo / Sale = Business
Starclass Full = Business Max

Other question is around baggage - I have a Jetsaver fare booked for next month HBA-MEL (ie. included baggage). I assume this will still include the baggage, but not sure if it would include points or not? I went online and it now says "this booking cannot be changed online" even though it was booked online.

 

[awilcockson]

Again this is a push to more actively manage your flying and crediting. This will further push me towards AA again I think.

I read right through the huge thread about switching to AA, and it all just seemed a bit hard. I'm about to requalify WP which will take me through to 30 Nov 2012, it might just be time to sit back consider throwing the next 18 months of earn at AA instead and see what other "enhancements" are coming the way of WP.

 

[DTM1]

I can safely say that these changes will push me towards AA and maintaining my SQ PPS status.

I will do enough to requal platinum each year, but that's it (unless the platinum 1 changes are too good to ignore). I have been averaging about 3,000 SCs per year for the past 5 or 6 years now, but the icing on the cake was the capping of the loyalty bonus - thwe only ones punished there are their most valuable members - simply does not make sense, and will alienate all the WPs between 1,200 and 3,600. That's a lot of valuable passengers.

granted, many do not have a practical alternative, but I know I will be directing more $ to SQ, and OW fares to AA membership.

what a poorly thought out strategy.

 

[oz_mark]

True, I was going on face value. People should be able to advise pretty quick. Anyone flying today or tomorrow who can confirm?

This page talks about travel before 17 May, and travel on or after 17 May, which is more in line with Red Roo's post

Frequent Flyer - Earning Points - Fly - Airline Partners

 

[AnonymousCoward]

True, I was going on face value. People should be able to advise pretty quick. Anyone flying today or tomorrow who can confirm?

I am flying SYD-SIN tomorrow in PE. Will see what it earns.

 

[Blackadder]

As a SG the points changes are a definite positive (esp with a J SYD-LAX-SYD and YUPP runs in the US coming up in August ), my only concern if QF use this as a pre cursor to raising the rates for JASA etc.

 

[Febs]

I have to admit, I never predicted being asked this question

We're not changing the equivalent oneworld status equivalents for our tiers, so yes, a QF Platinum is still a oneworld Emerald, a QF Gold is still a oneworld Sapphire and a QF Silver is still a oneworld Ruby.

Brilliant, thanks.

 

[futaris]

Frequent Flyer - Member Specials - Latest News

 

[awilcockson]

Frequent Flyer - Member Specials - Latest News

At 1 December 2011, Status credit balances relating to the calculation of the Loyalty bonus will be adjusted to recognise only those earned within the member's current membership year.

So I guess we can add "adjusted" to the vocabulary right next to "enhanced".

edit: of course, I'm sure they accidentally left of the line that said that the points that are "adjusted" at this point will be credited pro-rata at that point (i.e. if you have 300 points adjusted, the you will be credited with 3333 FF points).

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Good point, I was comparing discount Y and PE. There is still a disparity in price ($5089 Y vs $7242 in PE), although not as great as I'd originally indicated.

Hmm - I'm still curious about which route this is.

 

[ozmille]

So flying BA metal on QF flight number gives the additional status bonus and increased earn rate? Must say the website is not clear at all anymore...

 

[Archphoto]

CORRECTION

Bookings made pre and post today's announcement will attract the new earn rates for flights taken from 17 May 2011.

Great news! I booked some flights earlier this year to get a good price - those extra SCs will be most welcome.

 

[Alanslegal]

Definite downgrade :!: with the Loyalty Bonus calculations. More points are an offer at a slight increase in SC required but if you don't reach the 500 SC mark ... then its wiped clear and you start again. Soon we will be reading threads asking "How do I earn a quick 5 SC to hit my loyalty bonus (before I lose it)" !