Using points to retain Platinum ...

[boomy]

I don't like it at all. If QF starts selling status for points it will further devaluate the programme. First they will offer it to WPs who want to retain, then to SGs who are looking to jump the queue and later to anyone who is willing to use their points to buy status.

There are better ways to reduce liability, like stop making it so damn easy to earn points from anything but flying.

Having said that, since officially there is no P1 comp, if someone from QF has an interesting offer or, alternatively, if there CL status for sale I'm listening

 

[juddles]

Not long now until they just outright sell status.

....I'll note that as previous some other airlines do sell status points/miles/credits ....

Avianca have sold full status for years - last time I checked it was $2,200 USD for star alliance Gold

 

[sloth]

thats cheaper than status runs!

 

[mviy]

One can't count on getting these offers though. They may/may not be offered and if you take it presumably it would be some years before another offer is made again.

 

[RichardMEL]

Given this is anecdotal from one poster so far there's no evidence this is a "thing" at all. It may be a trial. It may be a targeted offer... it may be anything.

Let's wait and see how things pan out over the next while before jumping up and down I think

 

[dairyfloss]

Hmmm... This sounds a little like 'spear phishing' to me... watch for them to confirm all your personal details, including your QFF number and PIN, then they raid your account. I'd definitely call Qantas and verify the existence of such an offer before giving them anything which is not in the public domain.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[RichardMEL]

Hmmm... This sounds a little like 'spear phishing' to me... watch for them to confirm all your personal details, including your QFF number and PIN, then they raid your account. I'd definitely call Qantas and verify the existence of such an offer before giving them anything which is not in the public domain.

Cheers,
Matt.

Excellent advice. Unless the caller knew details of your account such as your address and your SC total etc you'd want to be sure it was QF.

If so it is an interesting way to go about it. Good thought

 

[JohnK]

And who said any seat awards were dead?

Qantas are silly. They should have kept any seat awards and taken the points and the co-payment.

Cheap [-]Platinum[/-] Gold status anyone?

 

[Basalt]

Interesting concept, though in the particular case of the OP I wouldn't say it's cheapening WP at all - the OP has earned WP 6 years in a row and many WPs on here would certainly expect a comp for their 7th year if they were short and never received one before. I believe at least one AFFer has even received a WP comp on 0 SCs, so 100,000 points is expensive compared to that! On the other hand, buying one's status bump from SG to WP (or PS to SG) with points would definitely be cheapening the status program.

 

[rocket]

Excellent advice. Unless the caller knew details of your account such as your address and your SC total etc you'd want to be sure it was QF.

If so it is an interesting way to go about it. Good thought

I have called QF FF service centre and checked it out - it is a genuine offer ... still to make a decision as to taking it up or not.

 

[opusman]

And who said any seat awards were dead?

Qantas are silly. They should have kept any seat awards and taken the points and the co-payment.

Cheap [-]Platinum[/-] Gold status anyone?

Agree 100%.

So ASAs were a shortcut to status - big deal. QF seem to be happy to hand out status willy nilly these days. Why not reclaim some points and earn some cash at the same time.

Very strange decision on their part.

 

[RichardMEL]

Agree - the strategy from this side of the fence appears flawed - moreso when other threads complain about lounge overcrowding (including MEL F being *FULL* the other day... seriously?!!) and that alone dilutes the experience status brings yet DSC promos and so on basically make this happen. it costs QF and what do they gain? not sure.

Maybe this is why I'm not in Loyalty.... I just take advantage of it !

 

[mviy]

If I had plenty of points and was in your position I'd take up the offer. Would mean would only need 1200 SC to retain WP for another year rather than 1400 to get it again.

 

[roncritch]

As I am now retired, and currently doing a lap of Australia in our motorhome, I would gladly pay 100k for another year of platinum as plan on o/s travel in the next year and love the extra benefits ( Small amount of S/C's this year means probably won't make the 3 year rule)

 

[Jet L]

I would ask for a comp if you have been WP for 6 years... that's you earning at least 7400 SCs in the last 6 years they should comp your status for free not for 100k points. I personally wound not see the value in it but I have never been WP with QF so don't ask me if its worth it but if you have an abundance of points then it might be. Do try to pull the "I have been loyal for X amount of years and held WP for 6 years"

 

[downgraded]

Are they at a peak in membership numbers at the moment and see a crash in higher status membership looming shortly. They prbably know something we don't.

 

[Hvr]

Are they at a peak in membership numbers at the moment and see a crash in higher status membership looming shortly. They prbably know something we don't.

It's a cheap way to reduce the point liability.

At the end of my membership year I probably won't get to the requisite number of SCs to retain WP. If I get such an offer I'll decline. I can use my points in far better ways.

My ten years of WP have been enjoyable but all things come to an end.

My average for the previous three years is 1200 SCs so not even eligible for the gift if based on the previous criteria.

 

[mviy]

If you change a few credit cards you could get 100,000 points and if you fly whilst WP you should get the WP status bonus.

If this offer becomes the norm it's another reason to maintain a healthy points balance.

 

[Reeldeel]

As points and SCs have always been a separate entity this is either the start of a number of discreet offers by QF or the beginning of a major change to the programme.

If it is the start of a big change then to me that obviously means the dilution of status.

Diluting status just makes the programme less attractive to frequent flyers. which is what the programme is based on isnt it?

 

[mviy]

QANTAS is looking to maximise its profits. If they believe steps like this will deliver them more profit then they'll go for it.

Since QANTAS has introduced P1, WP benefits have been squeezed. Benefits that used to be for WP are now for P1. Preferential treatment in Premium lounges that replaced separate Business and First lounges are just for P1 and CL. So the downgrade in not having a FLounge hits WP hardest as there's no benefit to being WP over SG when it comes to lounge access in e.g. BNE International.