"... we'll shortly announce a major investment to improve our Frequent Flyer program"

[serfty]

I wonder if availability for the suggested "Classic+" would book into an existing discounted revenue fare bucket such as O or I. (This is sort of what happens currently with points plus pay.)

Or perhaps it'd be set up as a sub class of existing award fare buckets such as already happens for SG/WP.

 

[RichardMEL]

I wonder if availability for the suggested "Classic+" would book into an existing discounted revenue fare bucket such as O or I. (This is sort of what happens currently with points plus pay.)

Indeed.

Or perhaps it'd be set up as a sub class of existing award fare buckets such as already happens for SG/WP.

Can you explain this a little more? In my experience the usual buckets are used eg P/U/Z/X.

 

[TheInsider]

I wonder if availability for the suggested "Classic+" would book into an existing discounted revenue fare bucket such as O or I. (This is sort of what happens currently with points plus pay.)

It will be this from what I'm hearing.

 

[smckay]

Based on my current experience with QF staff cancelling a CR leg then being told to find my own alternatives, which I did, to now have 2 legs just disappear from all airlines MMB on the same booking, I think anything Qantas do won’t make me stay with them.
Currently WP, can’t get seats on seemingly any flight past NZ in J so I’ll probably be walking away.
Too bad if I find QF are actually decent when I switch

 

[Danger]

It will be this from what I'm hearing.

If this turns out to be the case, there's likely to be a significant negative impact on the ability for platinums to request the release of an award seat.

 

[Jousams]

If this turns out to be the case, there's likely to be a significant negative impact on the ability for platinums to request the release of an award seat.

Such a shame as this is probably the most valuable benefit of WP currently.

 

[RichardMEL]

Such a shame as this is probably the most valuable benefit of WP currently.

... and P1

 

[Mr H]

Such a shame as this is probably the most valuable benefit of WP currently.

I would have thought the release of award seats ahead of the release to other members was also pretty valuable. Plus preferential seating, first class lounge access and access to a better call centre...

 

[BriarFlyer]

I would have thought the release of award seats ahead of the release to other members was also pretty valuable. Plus preferential seating, first class lounge access and access to a better call centre..

There no longer appears to be priority release -- or any release -- of award seats on major international routes. Which is what makes the opportunity to request release of these seats even more valuable.

 

[astrosly]

And access to a better call centre for WP has been severely diminished. I haven't got through to Hobart in the last eight months with many dozens of calls made.in that time for all sorts of reasons, and of course having to call back to fix what wasn't done properly.

 

[CaptJCool]

Because they know they need fix the redemption availability

The question becomes how

And at which price points ?

Because the travel industry itself (including QF staff) get access to travel industry rates we know the floor price is lower than anything released to the public

Even the reward points earn to redeem on J/F is ordinarily slow and a multiple year event and as an alternative cashback “currency” to cash there has been until now a good savings for the punter for fixed price classic rewards

However in a world being consumed by fast track churning incentives and “dynamic” auction style pricing and a focus on frequent buying instead of flying there’s some inevitability that pricing must go up - at least if something makes it possible for the “once in a lifetime” slow earners to receive their promised future reward that must be a good thing

 

[exceladdict]

Because they know they need fix the redemption availability

The question becomes how

And at which price points ?

Because the travel industry itself (including QF staff) get access to travel industry rates we know the floor price is lower than anything released to the public

Even the reward points earn to redeem on J/F is ordinarily slow and a multiple year event and as an alternative cashback “currency” to cash there has been until now a good savings for the punter for fixed price classic rewards

However in a world being consumed by fast track churning incentives and “dynamic” auction style pricing and a focus on frequent buying instead of flying there’s some inevitability that pricing must go up - at least if something makes it possible for the “once in a lifetime” slow earners to receive their promised future reward that must be a good thing

I don't want to go too far OT but I would imagine that with very heavy loads and QF (and other airlines) doing everything they can to monetise upgrades and fill cabins, using staff travel benefits would be much more difficult than say pre-pandemic (especially in premium cabins)

 

[RichardMEL]

Remember some of those staff fares and Industry Deals, like ID75 and ID90 fares (if those still exist - it's been awhile) are often discounted off the full fare rack rate, and are standby travel....

 

[CaptJCool]

Remember some of those staff fares and Industry Deals, like ID75 and ID90 fares (if those still exist - it's been awhile) are often discounted off the full fare rack rate, and are standby travel....

True

And the public service contract prices were substantially reduced (30-50% discount) because there were no frequent flyer points for their flyers

 

[Mr H]

True

And the public service contract prices were substantially reduced (30-50% discount) because there were no frequent flyer points for their flyers

They were not discounted because they had no FF points. The public service requested for no FF points to avoid tempting employees to make unnecessary trips. Plus there are theoretically FBT issues for points.

 

[Danger]

Such a shame as this is probably the most valuable benefit of WP currently.

I agree. It's the one remaining benefit that, if it was to disappear or become significantly diminished, I'd seriously consider abandoning QFF and crediting to a different oneworld program instead. Put another way, it's pretty close to being the last benefit keeping me tied to Qantas.

I would have thought the release of award seats ahead of the release to other members was also pretty valuable. Plus preferential seating, first class lounge access and access to a better call centre...

Preferential seating and first lounge access are benefits of oneworld Emerald, though, not just Qantas platinum. And as has been noted, reaching Hobart is increasingly becoming like finding an award seat on QF1/2.

 

[Mr H]

Preferential seating and first lounge access are benefits of oneworld Emerald, though, not just Qantas platinum.

Do you have an alternative programme that’s going to get you to WP?

 

[Danger]

Do you have an alternative programme that’s going to get you to WP?

I view "WP" as a Qantas thing so, no, I don't have another Qantas program.

If you mean Emerald, a very, very early thought is Iberia, which is a tough swallow as I despise the airline (partly because it's the only to ever have lost my bags twice). Maybe Alaska.

 

[jakeseven7]

View attachment 375632

Footnote * does not apply to all AFF members

 

[Mr H]

I view "WP" as a Qantas thing so, no, I don't have another Qantas program.

If you mean Emerald, a very, very early thought is Iberia, which is a tough swallow as I despise the airline (partly because it's the only to ever have lost my bags twice). Maybe Alaska.

Yes, I meant OWE. I am not sure that would be easy for Australians to achieve (or even be worth achieving) without flouting QF.