Very disappointed about Qantas FF program

[GrahamBRI]

Maybe QF should be forced to have a minimum number of award seats available on each flight (QF operated). At least that way there is some transparency.

100% agree they (and all airlines) should have transparency of their award seats.

Not sure about forced to have a fixed number. If they just had transparency, then competition would drive the customers to the more rewarding programs....... at the moment, I think the airlines are using their brands to attract their customer base and relying on the obscurity of their availability to not lose customers.

 

[andye]

430k QF points (the cost of the proposed trip) is also an unimaginably high sum for the vast majority of members and its no surprise that its taken the OP a while to accrue that many
However there are members who might earn that many just by paying a single tax bill (or by opening 4 credit cards).

 

[Daver6]

QF can already say this is true - Classic Plus Redemptions, or even Points+Pay if stretching the truth as far as it goes.

I intended class awards.

 

[SydneySwan]

Maybe QF should be forced to have a minimum number of award seats available on each flight (QF operated). At least that way there is some transparency.

Yes Yes Yes. I have been saying this on this forum for years. BA do this, VS used to do this, AY do this.

Check out this thread on Finnair reward availability.

Thread 'Finnair Guarantee Minimum Classic Reward Seats per Flight'

Oct 28, 2023

Finnair have announced improvements to their classic reward availability.

https://www.finnair.com/au-...

Go to the dropdown for guaranteed seats for award flights and it outlines the minimum award seats per flight.

Within Europe - 4Y and 2J
To Asia, North America and Dubai - 4Y, 2PE and 2J.

It is about time Qantas did the same.

• SydneySwan
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Other Airlines & Frequent Flyer Programs

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When the Morrison Govt was dishing out money to Qantas during Covid, he should have got reward seat guarantees in return - a huge missed opportunity.

 

[kelvedon]

When the Morrison Govt was dishing out money to Qantas during Covid, he should have got reward seat guarantees in return - a huge missed opportunity.

IMO the taxpayer funds should have been in return for equity, which could now have been sold given it’s a profitable business again, thus reimbursing the taxpayer. And I’m not talking about jobkeeper which went to the employees

 

[SydneySwan]

IMO the taxpayer funds should have been in return for equity, which could now have been sold given it’s a profitable business again, thus reimbursing the taxpayer.

That as well. Or as a loan that needed to be repaid but I was trying to stay at least vaguely on topic.

 

[Big John]

IMO the taxpayer funds should have been in return for equity, which could now have been sold given it’s a profitable business again, thus reimbursing the taxpayer. And I’m not talking about jobkeeper which went to the employees

Fully agree. Would have been satisfied with the Federal Govt having a minority stake of, say 3%-5%.

This would have been on par with the Pendals and Blackrocks of the world.

 

[DC3]

I suspect the vast majority of QFF members end up using Points + Pay thinking they are falsely thinking they are "saving" money...

Oh. That would be a worry.

 

[DC3]

We're flying to Nairobi in May. I booked our flights in October last year. We're flying Brisbane-Sydney-Johanessburg return with Qantas. We're flying Kenyan to Nairobi that we have booked separately. As a platinum I was able to book premium economy return on points for my partner. Back in October business was also available on the dates that we were looking. I know this doesn't help you, but it isn't a rort. Status gets you access to seats, not 1,000,000 points.

Yes. A bit of planning/ research goes a long way. Enjoy.

 

[bPeteb]

Yes. A bit of planning/ research goes a long way. Enjoy.

We will.

Slight spanner in the works on Wednesday morning when QF cancelled our scheduled SYD-JNB flight and moved is to the day before. Of course they didn't move our connecting flights from Brisbane to Sydney so that flight was after we left for JNB.

Three hotels had to be changed but all refundable/changeable. This is another thing we always do now.

All sorted within a couple of hours.

 

[Big John]

Three hotels had to be changed but all refundable/changeable. This is another thing we always do now.

Same. I always choose this option for Qantas Hotels.

This option is always more expensive, but the flexibility and peace of mind it gives is worth the premium.

 

[Shmart33]

Or maybe simply fly part way on QFF points to Dubai and then book a separate paid booking to Nairobi? Just have travel insurance cover in case of delays or changes.

 

[SydneySwan]

Welcome @Shmart33! First post after being a member for nearly 12 years!

 

[Shmart33]

Welcome @Shmart33! First post after being a member for nearly 12 years!

Thanks, not sure what happened to my older ones but I am happy to start again at the bottom!

 

[Catweazle]

Qantas don’t fly to Nairobi, so you’re reliant on Emirates releasing reward seats.

There seems to be plenty of availability for economy seats, but if EK don’t release business seats on the route, there’s not much Qantas can do.

The onus is on you to select your loyalty programs based on the strengths and coverage of the airline. It would be similar to joining VA’s velocity and then complaining they can’t get reward seats to Auckland.

I've found much the same frustration when trying to book SYD - JNB.

Back in 2018, these could be had for about $400-something in taxes & fees if booked with points. Last minute change of plan saw me in Alaska instead, however.

These days I can rarely find that route available in general.

OP – might flying through Addis Ababa (ADD) be an option? Another thought: Are there any flights via SCL? Yes, that sounds backward but seats seem readily available SYD - SCL last I checked.

There's plenty of social media out there promoting how easy it is to earn and redeem points (not just QF specific) which is contributing to this general and unrealistic perception that there will be award seats available all the time for the flights you want.

These 'influencers' and their posts and videos, make it seem so easy - where in reality it is not.

I wonder how much they're getting back for their influencing efforts?

 

[andye]

I've found much the same frustration when trying to book SYD - JNB.

Back in 2018, these could be had for about $400-something in taxes & fees if booked with points. Last minute change of plan saw me in Alaska instead, however.

These days I can rarely find that route available in general.

OP – might flying through Addis Ababa (ADD) be an option? Another thought: Are there any flights via SCL? Yes, that sounds backward but seats seem readily available SYD - SCL last I checked.


I wonder how much they're getting back for their influencing efforts?

Its pretty easy to do so if you are host a website accruing oodles of points via CC referrals in multiple currencies and you want to go somewhere/anywhere instaworthy
Premium redemptions to a specific place within a short time window are always going to be hard, and even more so if you want multiple tickets