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

[kookaburra75]

As someone with high status and a lot of points, I just tried to get one way economy MEL-CBR CR on Sunday 16 June for a family member - zero availability. The red-e deal was almost $300. Equivalent on Virgin was $180. So Seat Son will be flying on Virgin this time. I suspect I will be following suit pretty soon.

That's what MrsK and I have been experiencing for some time now, for any flight out of or back to Canberra - even allowing for the silly season when Parliament is sitting. Virgin and even Rex have entered into our mix of flight options.

 

[Hampton Mike]

As someone with high status and a lot of points, I just tried to get one way economy MEL-CBR CR on Sunday 16 June for a family member - zero availability. The red-e deal was almost $300. Equivalent on Virgin was $180. So Seat Son will be flying on Virgin this time. I suspect I will be following suit pretty soon.

Every day in June, except that particular one, I can see CFR for 8,000 points + taxes on a QF flight.

On 16 June you can get CFR on a JQ flight for 6,400 points + taxes.

 

[aikman]

Every day in June, except that particular one,

I thought this type of thing only happens to me. It's almost like QF knows that I need to travel on that one particular date and are intentionally denying me a CR seat.

 

[MooTime]

So many conspiracies on here all talking like they are fact.

The changes to CR+ maybe just be that. Maybe they may add bag only fares, something completely different to the frequent flyer program, who knows. Maybe they may make more fare classes 'flexible', maybe they may makes less fares 'flexible'. Maybe they'll change the fare rules around.

Hilarious...... Your making as many conspiracy theories too, just putting the word "maybe" Infront of your conspiracies.

 

[RooFlyer]

So many conspiracies on here all talking like they are fact.

Maybe Qantas might

shortly announce a major investment to improve our Frequent Flyer program​

 

[JohnM]

Between mid-January 2024 and end of January 2025, I had/have 34 QF J CR sectors booked in Aus & NZ (17 for each of myself and PJM) (including SYD-CHC-SYD in EK J.)

(Before anyone asks, there was no CR F availability around that time. I've flown EK A380 F long-haul before, so that didn't overly concern me, but I would have liked to take PJM for an F ride.)

And we're in PER.

To that extent, I can't complain - and I have now burned my points stash to <100K for the first time in maybe 20 years or more.

Planning well ahead has been key, but I've noticed that not being so much the case this year compared with last year. U availability has been very erratic.

I've had some flexibility, but not a lot, as we are largely booking to go on tours/voyages, so again T-353d has generally been the key. Any reduction in T-353d releases in favour of more random or last-minute releases under some new 'simpler and fairer'-type scenario will generally not suit me. C'est la vie.

I did have to book a PER-SYD in X at c. T-353d, but at least that's tolerable on an A330. But after a few weeks some U opened up, so I did an UPG. So it's worth keeping a watching brief.

 

[kamchatsky]

At this rate, maybe the next best option is to redeem CR on Y long haul. Whilst CR J/F is preferred, I just cannot see QF opening up premium CRs in the next announcement (whenever that will be).

 

[Saab34]

So it is advisable to book Jetstar classic rewards as soon as possible?

Got a couple need to lock in for H2.

 

[elanshin]

At this rate, maybe the next best option is to redeem CR on Y long haul. Whilst CR J/F is preferred, I just cannot see QF opening up premium CRs in the next announcement (whenever that will be).

Oh im almost certain there are. There are some flight routes that shouldn't be busy in the period I'm looking at and there aren't even Y CR awards open atm.

 

[smckay]

Is there a comparison on Award programs on here?
I am considering loosing QF as an airline but wonder if the alternates are much better.
As a bronze, I think we managed more J flights more direct into Europe 5+ years ago. Now as a Platinum I am on a flight next month which is syd-hnd (qf) -x- hnd-hel -x- hel-ams (both ay) and that was a struggle to find. 36 hours in a plane albeit J all the way.
My main reason for staying with QF is they've never dropped one but the service on and off the plane is not as good as what a bad day on Cathay is.

 

[am0985]

Lots of comparisons to US airlines with major devaluations...but for those US airlines were their frequent flyer operations so profitable?

QFF is a hugely profitable scheme for Qantas, for other airlines this might be a lot more marginal. There would be much less incentive to gut the program and make big changes if it's so successful.

In the last decade we have seen very little in the way of actual devaluations of the QFF program even as schemes around the world were devaluing theirs. Points required for redemption have moved a bit but not all that much considering inflation over this time.

CR seats are less available but it's difficult to say this is an actual devaluation. This is largely a post Covid thing with other carriers (including partner airlines) having far fewer reward seats available and this is at least as much a function of supply/demand as anything else.

PC and PCP are genuine enhancements to the program that don't need scare quotes around the word either.

The last time I raised this point someone argued with me by saying we had seen significant devaluations in this time and the inability to invite non flying guests into the lounge was a prime example (!)...maybe Qantas have decided to change tack and a gradual sweeping devaluation is needed but it'd seem like an odd move for such a profitable program.

Also the value of QFF as a program is also based on what partner airlines make available. If CRs gradually go and so do partner awards then the frequent flyer model as a whole will be dying, whatever Qantas do won't make that much difference. If we still see good availability from partner airlines then it might still be worth collecting those Qantas points.

 

[I love to travel]

Lots of comparisons to US airlines with major devaluations...but for those US airlines were their frequent flyer operations so profitable?

QFF is a hugely profitable scheme for Qantas, for other airlines this might be a lot more marginal. There would be much less incentive to gut the program and make big changes if it's so successful.

In the last decade we have seen very little in the way of actual devaluations of the QFF program even as schemes around the world were devaluing theirs. Points required for redemption have moved a bit but not all that much considering inflation over this time.

CR seats are less available but it's difficult to say this is an actual devaluation. This is largely a post Covid thing with other carriers (including partner airlines) having far fewer reward seats available and this is at least as much a function of supply/demand as anything else.

PC and PCP are genuine enhancements to the program that don't need scare quotes around the word either.

The last time I raised this point someone argued with me by saying we had seen significant devaluations in this time and the inability to invite non flying guests into the lounge was a prime example (!)...maybe Qantas have decided to change tack and a gradual sweeping devaluation is needed but it'd seem like an odd move for such a profitable program.

Also the value of QFF as a program is also based on what partner airlines make available. If CRs gradually go and so do partner awards then the frequent flyer model as a whole will be dying, whatever Qantas do won't make that much difference. If we still see good availability from partner airlines then it might still be worth collecting those Qantas points.

Re your comment

Lots of comparisons to US airlines with major devaluations...but for those US airlines were their frequent flyer operations profitable?

Yes they were and are if you read the investor docs.

 

[elanshin]

Is there a comparison on Award programs on here?
I am considering loosing QF as an airline but wonder if the alternates are much better.
As a bronze, I think we managed more J flights more direct into Europe 5+ years ago. Now as a Platinum I am on a flight next month which is syd-hnd (qf) -x- hnd-hel -x- hel-ams (both ay) and that was a struggle to find. 36 hours in a plane albeit J all the way.
My main reason for staying with QF is they've never dropped one but the service on and off the plane is not as good as what a bad day on Cathay is.

I'd argue the service on a plane is still fine. They look after you without pampering you. Off the plane, whole different ball game.

I've actually had a couple of shockers with CX post covid. They got hit hard with covid and HK issues and it shows. I'm not sure how much they'll recover to where they used to be (if ever again).

 

[am0985]

Re your comment

Lots of comparisons to US airlines with major devaluations...but for those US airlines were their frequent flyer operations profitable?

Yes they were and are if you read the investor docs.

Sure they're profitable (not sure how profitable they were) but Qantas extracts considerably more FF revenue per passenger than DL/UA/AA. This is from a Forbes article.

It generates proportionally far more revenue than other airlines on this list if we ignore Southwest who aren't really comparable.

Would be interested to see how that translates to profits, maybe others can help here but there appears to be a marked difference.

 

[I love to travel]

Increases to legroom charges, changes to Row 4 selection on most domestic flights

Looks like Row 4 and certainly other so called.extra leg room seats are seeing a price rise on QF. https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-extra-legroom-seats

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Along with QF club price increases this is not looking promising for anyone hoping this enhancement will be good.

The one advantage I have of losing my QF SG in October is that I can now truly do BFOD.

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

As someone with high status and a lot of points, I just tried to get one way economy MEL-CBR CR on Sunday 16 June for a family member - zero availability. The red-e deal was almost $300. Equivalent on Virgin was $180. So Seat Son will be flying on Virgin this time. I suspect I will be following suit pretty soon.

Jetstar but CR ?

 

[chrispy3276]

So is April 18th looking like announcement day given QC and legroom changes take effect from that day (plus any other changes I can't recall)?

 

[oz_mark]

So is April 18th looking like announcement day given QC and legroom changes take effect from that day (plus any other changes I can't recall)?

IIRC Some pre-purchased additional baggage fees are going up

 

[Seat0B]

Every day in June, except that particular one, I can see CFR for 8,000 points + taxes on a QF flight.

On 16 June you can get CFR on a JQ flight for 6,400 points + taxes.

Thanks but….

1. That JQ flight was not there when I booked 3 days ago

2. Neither were the 5 hour versions of MEL-SYD-CBR

The message on the search simply said no flights available.

3. I’d rather pay $180 on Virgin than go on Jetstar.

4. Yes I know there are flights on other days in June but this is to connect from an international flight arriving at 0430 on 16 June. On a 6 day trip to Australia. So another day doesn’t suit.

5. Yes I know I can pay for a seat.

My point was that even as a WP you can’t even get a simple domestic CR when you need it.

 

[Seat0B]

Jetstar but CR ?

Thanks but see above reply