Heads up about program changes

[Pinkmoose]

Very few, if any, people in this thread have a problem with Red Roo who we know is merely the messenger bearing bad news.

Any slow responses by Red Roo can be attributed by the need to read, digest, seek clarification for questions, and likely summarise for management the thousand-odd posts (in this and related threads) the news has generated.

I think after the barrage of venom on this thread, Red Roo is probably out having a very large scotch!


and I agree with Orca:
A lot of hate going on here... Don't worry Qantas - I still love you (and Red Roo!!!)

 

[Himeno]

I think after the barrage of venom on this thread, Red Roo is probably out having a very large scotch!

It isn't just this thread. It is everywhere online that Qantas has confirmed and active reps.

 

[djfuzz]

Ever since the loss of ATA, it's been a long slide downwards.

The next bombshell coming before the spinoff (or alongside it) will be the devaluation of / increase in points for flight awards and upgrades. That one is really going to cause an uproar, but it seems to be the logical next step when it comes to cutting costs (which seems to be the current management's sole focus).

As a customer, I've long since returned to BFoD or redemption with a more than slight bias to Virgin. But I'm sure on the numbers, our business was never really that important to them anyway, so this will hardly make any difference. Such short term thinking. :-|

 

[JohnPhelan]

I travel OW international with domestic connections, always in business class. It appears to me that under the new system I gain FF points but lose status credits. This will mean that I might drop a status level even though my flight booking do not change. I travel OW as Qantas has restricted routes and schedules that I require. A read of the convoluted new tables indicates that business/first and discount economy are the big losers. Gaining extra FF points but losing status credits is not the way to retain loyalty. Redeeming FF points on ASA or Classic is getting harder as the number of available seats is reduced on already reduced routes. I envision the front end of the OW/Qantas aircraft becoming emptier. As this is the most profitable end I feel that Qantas management have shot themselves. I will use up all my Qantas points on Classic domestic seats and look for international travel on other alliances.

Where do you travel internationally? If you can fly on QF or QF codeshares, you won't lose status credits.

 

[defurax]

I predict than on August 1st a new thread will appear on AFF entitled: "QF where are my SCs and points for my July 1st flight booked before March 28 2014"...and just like the Xmas Vouchers thread it will go on and on and on for a year

 

[Troppo]

Where do you travel internationally? If you can fly on QF or QF codeshares, you won't lose status credits.

But why would you?

They are inferior to the opposition...

 

[Red Roo]

This is what I'm trying to work out; if I book a MASA next week for post July 1 travel, will it still earn (but at the new rate)?

Yes. If you book a MASA next week for a post 1 July travel, you will still earn, but it will be at the new rate.
If you book a MASA today, you will earn at the existing rate.
You will not be able to book a U class MASA from the 1st of July onwards.

 

[JohnPhelan]

I suspect that, right now, QF is heartily wishing they had never introduced ASAs at classic award rates!!

 

[Pointy]

It has me completely confused. AJ's aim in life is to turn QF into a LCC, via Jetstar. Making air travel affordable to all, offering the lowest fare at all costs, holding out for the 65% market share, cheap, cheap, cheap! But don't book the cheap fare or your QFF points will never rack up! A loyalty programme that discourages loyalty? Give me a break! He is destroying the company and not by accident either.

 

[JohnPhelan]

But why would you?

They are inferior to the opposition...

Because I prefer to pay for a service from a company that employs large numbers of Australians, rather than large numbers of Singaporeans, Chinese, etc etc.

And your definition of "inferior" may be different from mine. I put safety ahead of all other considerations.

 

[ozdunker]

So this is what is considered a 3 month advice of major program changes? Material changes just happen overnight.

 

[Himeno]

Where do you travel internationally? If you can fly on QF or QF codeshares, you won't lose status credits.

QF codes simply don't exist where I need them to. Bit hard to book on QF codes when there aren't any to book.

 

[Deleted member]

I had to cancel my JASA to LHR the other day, the nice lady said "Wow, you will never see this deal again"
I am feeling a lot more pain than I otherwise would :-(

 

[QF WP]

Going from "booked and ticketed on or before Fri 28 Mar 14" on 27 March to "booked and ticketed prior to 28 Mar 14" on 28 March strikes me as actionable. Certainly not "fairer flying".

I am VERY unhappy with this change with no notice and it has put the final nail in the coffin. Actionable - or unconscionable conduct perhaps?? There must be a word to describe it.

I have nothing against Red Roo (as I have had the pleasure of meeting them at various functions), however I am just feeling unrequited love at the moment. Just like any relationship, time to assess it's tenure (but see no reason to re-qualify Gold by 1/3/15).

So this is what is considered a 3 month advice of major program changes? Material changes just happen overnight.

That's one reason why people are so unhappy. Have you checked out the twittersphere - QF are getting hammered there from people who have a lot less knowledge than us.

 

[dfcatch]

Yes. If you book a MASA next week for a post 1 July travel, you will still earn, but it will be at the new rate.
If you book a MASA today, you will earn at the existing rate.
You will not be able to book a U class MASA from the 1st of July onwards.

Thanks for clarifying Red Roo.....

I'll take the loss of points and wait a few weeks for my preferred date

 

[blackcat20]

Yes. If you book a MASA next week for a post 1 July travel, you will still earn, but it will be at the new rate.
If you book a MASA today, you will earn at the existing rate.
You will not be able to book a U class MASA from the 1st of July onwards.

Thank you for the clarification. Looks like I've got some booking to do.

 

[Troppo]

Because I prefer to pay for a service from a company that employs large numbers of Australian, rather than large numbers of Singaporeans, Chinese, etc etc.

And your definition of "inferior" may be different from mine. I put safety ahead of all other considerations.

How interesting.

Are you saying that Cathay are less safe than QANTAS?

 

[ozdunker]

Qantas cost cutting.
Delving into the mind of Qantas management


If we fly to less locations we wont have as many customers.
If we annoy our loyal customers some of them will leave and go to another airlines - less customers.
If we have less customers, we won't need as many planes.
If we have less planes we wont need as many staff - we save money
if we have less planes we wont spend as much money on fuel - we save money
The customers that we have left will be loyal and smart enough to understand the new simplified process. Win-Win
More people flying with other airlines will increase their costs and make it harder for them to operate thus levelling the playing field.

Once we make the required cuts to expenses management receive bonus for achieving targets.


The must love it when a plan comes together.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Yes. If you book a MASA next week for a post 1 July travel, you will still earn, but it will be at the new rate.
If you book a MASA today, you will earn at the existing rate.
You will not be able to book a U class MASA from the 1st of July onwards.

Thanks Red Roo, appreciate the simplified explanation.

 

[thommo50]

.

The decision has now been made to discontinue “MASAs” as they represent a short cut to tier status and add a significant cost without the revenue in return.

Seems fair to me. I've never used or knew about MASAs and have always been able to retain platinum or near platinum1 status over the years. So does this mean there will be less platinum FF`s?

Wait... Ill get my back ready for all the knives about to be thrown at me.