Will Qantas have a March 2023 double status credit promotion?

[AIRwin]

My partner and I

Double Cheesey Mac?

 

[Cheesey Mac]

Double Cheesey Mac?

I mean, two types of cheese has always made for a better macaroni in my house lol

 

[mviy]

Always read the T&Cs for new offers just in case QF changes the conditions compared to last time. If they do make a significant change to the rules it is sure to get pointed out in the relevant thread on AFF as well.

 

[dairyfloss]

Always read the T&Cs for new offers just in case QF changes the conditions compared to last time. If they do make a significant change to the rules it is sure to get pointed out in the relevant thread on AFF as well.

On this… I’m expecting that if we do see a DSC offer, that it would allow the use of gift vouchers and travel credits, and not only be limited to totally new bookings.

There continues to be an amount of press on the volume of credits and vouchers out there, and it wouldn’t be a good look if they were to make an offer now that restricted use to new bookings. Most likely anything booked now would also be higher than fares 2-3 years ago for QF anyway; so it’s still beneficial to both cash and [future] flown revenue metrics.

This would only be something we see in 2023, while the pandemic credits remain valid.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

On this… I’m expecting that if we do see a DSC offer, that it would allow the use of gift vouchers and travel credits, and not only be limited to totally new bookings.

There continues to be an amount of press on the volume of credits and vouchers out there, and it wouldn’t be a good look if they were to make an offer now that restricted use to new bookings. Most likely anything booked now would also be higher than fares 2-3 years ago for QF anyway; so it’s still beneficial to both cash and [future] flown revenue metrics.

This would only be something we see in 2023, while the pandemic credits remain valid.

Cheers,
Matt.

When have they ever refrained from doing something because "it wouldn't be a good look"?

 

[dairyfloss]

When have they ever refrained from doing something because "it wouldn't be a good look"?

When it will benefit them?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

When it will benefit them?

You do remember when they grounded the entire airline to break the pilot strike?

 

[dairyfloss]

You do remember when they grounded the entire airline to break the pilot strike?

I do… I’m not saying they always do what looks good. But if it benefits them to do so, then they might well

 

[Tropic]

Perhaps the market is a glut of SGs and WPs who have had extension after extension, and now with all the talk of lounge upgrades, QF is happy for those numbers to come down a bit.

This probably true and why we unlikely to get DSC promo anytime soon...

 

[elanshin]

This probably true and why we unlikely to get DSC promo anytime soon...

By that logic they wouldn't have run a DSC last year and then handed out status extensions like candy to everyone. Many of those people no longer have extensions this year and will need to earn their status again. If flyers start losing status then that customer is more likely to not book QF when faced with an option without status factored in.

At the end of the day DSC is an exercise in forward booking and another promotion. If anything is to really affect it, its their current cashflow balance, their current q1 earnings for their earnings report.

 

[dairyfloss]

I reckon QF finance will be getting nervous about now that some government official will come along and tell them that they must extend validity of pandemic-related flight credits and vouchers to a future date, or into perpetuity, and so they would be very keen to realise stalled revenue as soon as possible, even if it’s at the cost of a few more bums on some well-worn lounge seats. A DSC offer that allows for any and all funding sources, including flight credits and vouchers, so long as flights are completed by 31-Dec-2023 could do the trick quite nicely for them.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Tropic]

If flyers start losing status then that customer is more likely to not book QF when faced with an option without status factored in.

Though commonly stated, this is often not the case. Don't underestimate the power of the golden handcuffs...most are playing the LTG long game with or without DSC promos. Also lots of status holders are employer funded and may have limited discretion when it comes to non-private travel.

 

[RichardMEL]

IMO the big difference between last year and this year is the demand profile.

A year ago oz was still coming out of major lockdowns and restrictions were still in place in some places. People were hesitant to travel and QF was ramping up services, but in a tough environment to figure out who might actually fly and where hey could go in a still shifting, but settling environment over time. At any rate, for a number of reasons, QF wanted to stimulate demand and used all those tools to do it. Now of course they were almost too successful in some respects as the ramping up of capacity was slow to meet the pent up demand and related issues like outsourcing of bag handling and other below the wing services couldn't cope for a great deal of time, leading to the issues we all know so well from last year (it has improved a great deal imo both from what I've experienced and seen - but still not perfect of course).

This year, demand is still through the roof and QF honestly can't meet it in some places (look at international, delays to 787's, A380 issues, etc). Look at the airfares globally (not just QF, though they've not been shy in keeping many high it's true) reflecting the demand/supply situation in general. Thus QF really doesn't need t use demand levers right now.

As reported earlier in the thread, QF's financials recently noted the high demand profile and strong outlook for the near and medium term. Again an indication that QF probably doesn't need a DSC promo.

Yes, the recent points club and plus bonus points promos do fit the moul of a demand lever but the target, as discussed, is those who usually book less travel (yes, I accept many high status folks, such as myself, are also PC/+ members due to spend on flights). To me the specific promo geared to PC members specifically is less about demand, but throwing a bone to those folks. After all, the status people who hold PC also aren't likely to be terribly enticed by that offer - they'll book their travel regardless of a points promo as most are likely points rich so more points isn't much of an incentive.

that's just imo.

Still, there's still time for a promo involving SC's never say never....

 

[justinbrett]

By that logic they wouldn't have run a DSC last year and then handed out status extensions like candy to everyone. Many of those people no longer have extensions this year and will need to earn their status again. If flyers start losing status then that customer is more likely to not book QF when faced with an option without status factored in.

At the end of the day DSC is an exercise in forward booking and another promotion. If anything is to really affect it, its their current cashflow balance, their current q1 earnings for their earnings report.

Completely different.

This time last year the airlines were just coming out of Struggletown and many still afraid to fly internationally.

What a difference 12 months makes.

 

[Lynda2475]

I agree with not giving any more free extensions and in fact I think those with a Jan-June were super lucky to get another easy extension as they have had a whole year of unrestricted flying to earn their status for 2024.

But since they did, there should at least be a targeted DSC for people with FF years ending July to Dec as we didn't get get a 3rd Year of Status extensions and SC roll-overs, have earned our status for 2024 the hard way; so not unreasonable to expect the usual annual DSC to help keep it.

As I've already qualified for Platinum this FF year (have previously rolled over Gold); I have no real incentive to book any more QF flights before my anniversary (as no chance of P1). But if they have a DSC i will definitely book a June trip to help with the LTG goal. Otherwise June trip will be BFOD.

And a DSC by end of March would likely see me making October, December and January bookings with QF rather than a partner.

 

[justinbrett]

I agree with not giving any more free extensions and in fact I think those with a Jan-June were super lucky to get another easy extension as they have had a whole year of unrestricted flying to earn their status for 2024.

But since they did, there should at least be a targeted DSC for people with FF years ending July to Dec as we didn't get get a 3rd Year of Status extensions and SC roll-overs, have earned our status for 2024 the hard way; so not unreasonable to expect the usual annual DSC to help keep it.

As I've already qualified for Platinum this FF year (have previously rolled over Gold); I have no real incentive to book any more QF flights before my anniversary (as no chance of P1). But if they have a DSC i will definitely book a June trip to help with the LTG goal. Otherwise June trip will be BFOD.

And a DSC by end of March would likely see me making October, December and January bookings with QF rather than a partner.

They have to draw the line somewhere, and if you recall, most of our cohort (the Jan - Mar crew at least) had already requalified and this the first free extension was pointless.

The “who was more hard done by” cup has changed hands a few times since then but seems about right to end it with the people who missed out initially.

 

[AIRwin]

I've already qualified for Platinum this FF year

Oh you can proudly update your QF status showing on your AFF profile

 

[Lynda2475]

Sure but DSCs were at least an annual occurrence pre-Covid; so this isn't a hard done by request, just a return to normal expectations.

Post automatically merged: Mar 10, 2023

Oh you can proudly update your QF status showing on your AFF profile

As soon as my missing DSCs post and I get the card (digital or physical) I will!

 

[RichardMEL]

Unfortunately this is a problem with having differing anniversary dates, unlike a flat calendar based system that most FF programs use (at least the US majors). I do agree a line has to be set somewhere (and I'm in the "loser" group as is). We did OK threough it all. swings and roundabouts really.

I do like @Lynda2475's compromise though to target a promo at the Jul-Dec folks - as a kind of even up of sorts. I don't mind it. It's probably all too much for QF to be bothered with tbh but I do like the idea personally.

there's that old saying that you can not please everyone all of the time.....

 

[Tropic]

FTR, I'm self funded LTG and requalified WP in Sept out to Aug 24. But a DSC gift from QF is always welcome. Frankly though, I'm more worried about QF enhancing the "magic" out of DSC promos rather than when the next one will drop