Will JB "match" what AJ has done to Affers?

[Melburnian1]

My apologies if this question has been asked already - with a quick search I could not find a similar query - but do AFFers believe that there is a good or little chance of JB at VA partly or fully copying the changes that AJ at QF has just made two days ago to the QF FF program?

Both airlines are losing money.

On the one hand, JB may believe that he has much custom (including the elusive high yielding, constantly flying AFFers and others) to win from QF with these changes the latter has made (despite QF increasing the points earnt for higher priced fares) but on the other, JB or his Board may believe that the Velocity FF program of VA has some elements that are costly to VA without producing the requisite revenue in return.

What do AFFers think?

 

[MarkD]

I think the QF changes have brought QF to a similar system as VA. So not really sure they need to respond

 

[Melburnian1]

If that's true, MarkD, what incentive apart from general annoyance is there for air travellers to swap from QF FF to Virgin Australia Velocity as their FF program of choice?

 

[MarkD]

There is no incentive. People will stay where they are and will bend over and take whatever each respective airline chooses to insert

 

[serfty]

I agree with MarkD - there's no incentive - Qantas has been reducing soft product domestically to match VA.

As for usage it depends who's paying.

I prefer to travel "with status" but no, I will not "bend over".

For me who is self funded these days I am OK with having each of *O(QF), *A(NZ) & VA's hybrid status for now. I will maximize my status earning opportunity with the travel I do. If that requires an additional sector, so be it.

 

[Melburnian1]

You are making me think of that vile liquid drunk prior to a particular procedure, MarkD.

QF (and VA) do their FF program 'surgery' (called 'Enhancement') on patients when the latter are mostly fully awake. Ouch. And Medicare doesn't even give one a partial refund.

 

[serfty]

You are making me think of that vile liquid drunk prior to a particular procedure, MarkD.

No - nothing like that ... Just the odd segment in Business or First class at as little cost as possible.

 

[samh004]

I don't think AJ has done anything to AFFers specifically, perhaps to the members of the program as a whole, wherever they are... that said, the changes are meant to push people to book less sale/discount economy fares. Qantas will still sell all their cheap tickets, but will probably revamp their booking screens to entice you to upgrade to a better bucket now. If they manage to upsell, they'll make more money in the fare war. So in a sense, I think VA might be interested to see how this plays out, as on the face of it there's promise.

 

[dk4]

Agree with what others have said, that Qantas has effectively realigned its domestic earn zones, for status credits, to a similar level to VA's. (Both airlines now have points burn zones, out of sync with SC earn zones.)

Domestic points earn on VA is based on $ spent (not distance), and the VFF points increase fast, if you are top tier and spend big!!! So Qantas had to do something, to offer their big spending customers more reward.

Personally, I think the whole QFF overhaul is a stepping stone towards eventually (simplifying and) linking QFF points earn to spend as well.

 

[Simo]

IMHO,

They might adapt some of the changes to VFF.

 

[Hvr]

Well I know VFF will never introduce life time status. I'll get LTG by mid-June and it will be a nice fall back for when things quieten down on the personal self funded travel side now I have no work travel.

As for the future well que sera sera.

 

[JohnK]

If that's true, MarkD, what incentive apart from general annoyance is there for air travellers to swap from QF FF to Virgin Australia Velocity as their FF program of choice?

There is no incentive for me to swap all my flying to Virgin.

Even with the changes I am better off on Qantas as a Platinum and purchasing the cheapest airfares. Qantas points are still worth a lot more than Virgin points even with the current devaluation.

 

[greenfish]

There is no incentive for me to swap all my flying to Virgin.

Even with the changes I am better off on Qantas as a Platinum and purchasing the cheapest airfares. Qantas points are still worth a lot more than Virgin points even with the current devaluation.

You often say that about QF points, but I don't quite see how. VA/EY reward flights to the UK for example, are the same points but vastly lower copayments than QF. Reward availability is much better too.

 

[JohnK]

You often say that about QF points, but I don't quite see how. VA/EY reward flights to the UK for example, are the same points but vastly lower copayments than QF. Reward availability is much better too.

But you need to transit the Middle East?

SQ awards on VA are more expensive than KrisFlyer awards. Same for VS but that is no longer an option.

Qantas has a much better lounge network worldwide. And I can use my points for Oneworld awards although I don't know how much longer these will be available.

 

[greenfish]

But you need to transit the Middle East?

SQ awards on VA are more expensive than KrisFlyer awards. Same for VS but that is no longer an option.

Qantas has a much better lounge network worldwide. And I can use my points for Oneworld awards although I don't know how much longer these will be available.

No argument about Qantas superior lounge network. And you're right, it is now hard to avoid transiting the middle east on VA (though avoiding the middle east costs a lot more points on QF as you have to use OW rewards). The fact that SQ offers different value redemptions to VA is no different to comparing QF and AA or many other OW partners.

But nonetheless, for Y and J fares to most destinations, VA is the same or cheaper than QF in points, and has taxes that are at most 1/3rd those charged by QF. In most instances, lounge access is available (though not as nice, or as pleasant as the QF or OW lounges)

I think what you're trying to say is QF points are more valuable to you than VA points, which is fair enough.

However this is not my experience. With the demise of JASAs, QF rewards are unappealing. They just aren't particularly good value when compared to VA.

 

[serfty]

... Qantas points are still worth a lot more than Virgin points even with the current devaluation.

To you maybe.

To most others probably not.

Compare 188K Velocity points + $137 with 192K QFF Points + $980 for a round trip business fare SYD/LAX.

Economy?

Compare 94K Velocity points + $137 with 96K QFF points + $880 for a round trip economy fare SYD/LAX.

MEL-SYD in economy/ business with "+++" ?

QF 8000 / 16000 + $35

VA 6900 / 13800 + $21

 

[Fruitcake]

To you maybe.

To most others probably not.

JohnK has previously posted that he values Velocity points at 0.5c.

Given that points can be redeemed in near-infinite quantities for points plus pay seats at 0.8c/pt, if T&Cs of Velocity and AFF allowed it, if he has any VFF points, I'd make him an offer.