It’s only a few months since Woolworths revamped its Everyday Rewards loyalty scheme, replacing it with the “Woolworths Rewards” program. As part of the changes, Qantas points would no longer be earned at Woolworths. But following a resounding customer backlash, Woolworths recently announced that it will reinstate the ability to earn Qantas points at the checkout.
The new system will be different to the old one, where one Qantas point was earned for every dollar spent over $30. Woolworths will now give customers the choice to earn Qantas points or Woolworths Dollars when they are sent targeted offers by email. Shoppers will also be given the option to convert their Woolworths Dollars to Qantas points, but only from an as yet unspecified date in “mid-2016”. Once the changes are implemented, customers will have the choice to convert 10 Woolworths Dollars to 870 Qantas points. This means that you’d be trading in a $10 saving at the supermarket to earn 870 points, effectively costing you 1.15 cents per Qantas point. But you’ll still only earn rewards on specific items marked with an orange ticket.
For Qantas point collectors, it’s a step in the right direction. But for some shoppers it’s a matter of too little, too late. With Flybuys now offering the ability to earn Etihad Guest miles, which can be used to fly on Virgin Australia, many former Woolies shoppers have already realigned their loyalty.
While I would prefer to have QF points back in some form than not at all, it really is a case of too little, too late for me. I have already switched my loyalty to Coles where I’m now happily raking in the Flybuys points (which I plan to convert to Etihad Guest miles).
With the series of recent changes, some members believe the Woolworths Rewards program is becoming too complicated.
Who can be bothered with such a ridiculously complicated rewards scheme. There are far easier ways of getting QFF points.
But not everyone is unhappy. Some members say they prefer the new system of earning discounts off shopping, instead of points.
I love the new Woolworths rewards program without the QFF points. Much rather have the $ discount over QFF points that cannot be used for awards I want.
The changeover to Woolworths Rewards has been an embarrassing debacle for the struggling supermarket giant. The customer backlash on AFF and other forms of social media has been relentless, and the most recent changes have further added to the embarrassment.
This backflip is so good it could win a medal for diving at Rio 2016
Meanwhile, there has been no mention of Qantas points returning to Big W or Cellarmasters. Both of these stores were previously part of the Everyday Rewards scheme.
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