Upset Qantas FF silver member

[Alex2211]

Has anyone else had this problem?
I had 520 Qantas staus credits that expired on the 31/1/2020 on the 1/2/2020 I earned another 200 status points, which would have made 720 status points and given me gold status. I ranf FF and they said that because there is a day difference all they could do to get me past the line and get gold status is charge me 80,000 points which seems ridiculous!
Thanks Qantas after more than 30 years you finally made me go to Virgin once my membership expires.

 

[opusman]

To be honest I'm surprised they offered you the option to buy Gold; anecdotally that's only ever been an option when you fail to requalify, not fail to qualify in the first place.

 

[Tropic]

Welcome to AFF Alex2211! Look forward to your contributions to this great community.

 

[Daver6]

Was your flight that earnedyou the 200 SCs actually on the 1st of Feb? Or did you fly in Jan and they posted late?

If the latter, I think you have a good case. Otherwise, I'm not really seeing that you have a case. The rules are very clear.

 

[Alex2211]

Thanks all for the prompt replies.
I lost the 520 points on the 31st Jan and I flew on the 1st Feb which earned me an additional 200 SC.
I agree the rules are clear and I should have flown on the 31st Jan and this would not be a problem, what upste me was that when I rang the call centre they wanted to trade off 80,0000 points for gold....didn't seem right.

 

[levelnine]

what upste me was that when I rang the call centre they wanted to trade off 80,0000 points for gold....didn't seem right.

Why? That's a very fair deal, especially considering it is generally not offered to people obtaining Gold for the first time (only renewals).

 

[mannej]

Sorry but this is one area that QF is consistent, membership anniversary date is a constant.

The 80k offer is the standard offer from QF for those who have not retained gold.

 

[TheInsider]

Thanks all for the prompt replies.
I lost the 520 points on the 31st Jan and I flew on the 1st Feb which earned me an additional 200 SC.
I agree the rules are clear and I should have flown on the 31st Jan and this would not be a problem, what upste me was that when I rang the call centre they wanted to trade off 80,0000 points for gold....didn't seem right.

So you know the rules and the rules around anniversary dates, yet you are upset that they applied the rules that are the same for everyone and angry that they offered you the opportunity to stay gold for a set amount of points?
I mean your anniversary date is once per year. Yes it's upsetting, but you simply didn't do enough flying in the required amount of time, it's that simple.

 

[eminere]

Thanks Qantas after more than 30 years you finally made me go to Virgin once my membership expires.

Hope VA satisfies your travel and frequent flyer needs.

 

[DC3]

Do people have a Plan C if VA folds at some point, considering year after year of financial losses.

 

[Pushka]

I would have jumped at that offer to be honest. Gold is a fantastic level if you fly a lot especially internationally.

 

[RichardMEL]

Soooo you're upset because QF followed the FF program correctly and would not make an exception for you?

Good luck over at VA or some other place. I mean seriously?!!

I may be harsh but sorry this is your planning not QF being unfair or wrong.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Playing Devil's Advocate I'd suggest after 30 years as a Qantas frequent flyer one should know the rules of the Frequent Flyer program.

 

[samh004]

I would have jumped at that offer to be honest. Gold is a fantastic level if you fly a lot especially internationally.

I also would have jumped at that offer too.

Trouble for the OP is, if their regular flying year (to 31st Jan) usually only covers 500SC then they would need to be smarter in the future to even re-qualify. Attaining and keeping status requires a certain amount of forward planning. In this case, bringing the Feb 1st flight forward by 1 day would have solved the problem. A status run would also have worked.

Jumping ship to Virgin (Australia) because Qantas was nice enough to offer to trade 80k points for Gold this year seems like a foolish decision, but if the VA route, service and lounges work for you, no worries. I know they don't work for me, so I have never been able to maintain VA status.

 

[DC3]

OP could do worse than taking advantage of the current QF DCS offer. Status for half the price.

 

[RichardMEL]

And yes, I agree, giving the Gold status offer for 80k points, given it actually would be a status UPGRADE and not a retain for 80k points is very generous IMO. I think the offer was very fair and reasonable - unlike the expectations of the OP.

 

[UP4014]

I would have taken the 80K offer, sucked it up and been on my way to gold for the next year.

Unfortunately 30 years of loyalty is not what's its about, it's rewarding you for the next 12 months based on the previous 12 months.

After 30 years at the rate of 466.6 you'd be life time gold even if you never made gold once in that time.

 

[Borisdog]

You might be loyal to QF but the reality is they’re a business and they, really, are there to get you from A to B safely. No more than that.

i would suggest that if you haven’t made LTG after 30 years then you’re not perhaps making the best use of the program to maximise your status. Good luck with VA, they don’t work for me but I hope they do for you.

 

[Tallfont]

Surely after 30 years with QF you should be approaching Lifetime Gold?

 

[drron]

Welcome to AFF Alex.Don't worry about most of the responses.Fairly typical when some one criticises QF.OK to be told once or twice but everyone needs to have their say.
I hope you stick around.You will find lots of advice and hints for more productive flying and most are actually quite helpful.