Heads up about program changes

[Sequel]

Well, it has taken me a while, but here are my thoughts:

-Simpler - no way!
-If you are going to change how points are earned, then surely having a calculator that works would be a good start. I know they don't fly to many places any more, but I am pretty sure one of the few INT legs they have left is MEL-LHR - but not according to the calculator!
-Why penalise your customers for buying a product you cant sell? Sure limit SC's on OW partners if you want, but as many have said before, why change it for places QF don't fly? You are not going to attract any new customers that way, and existing customers will either continue with the status quo (which obviously isn't working for QF at the present) or yoiu risk losing them to the competition entirely!

On a personal level, I have been WP for 5 years (gold for 5 before that), only taken 1 JASA and that year made it to the PG level (except 3 months earlier they enhanced the program from 2,100 to 2,400 (to offer me more choice as I remember?!?!) so I missed out). Have about 700k FFPs which has taken about 2.5 years to accumulate via an even split of flying (which QF get paid cash for) and CC spend (which QF get paid cash for). Spending it on what up until recently were referred to as MASA's I felt was good value and let me fly J which I otherwise rarely do.

As a result of the changes, I will now spend that 700k on either classic or flight upgrades, so no real change in how the points will be spent.

What will change, is I will switch all of my CC spend from my ANZ FF Amex/Visa to my Virgin Platinum Visa which earns at 1.5/$ (an fewer surcharges), and burn my points on VA as I see them as better value. I am about 700 SC's shy of LTG and have already requalled for WP until September next year, so my next lot of flying will mainly be with VA so I can maintain my VA WP (as was the plan), and I will see where I go from there. As the VA offering keeps getting better (which is more that I can say for the competition) then as my flying becomes less in the next few years, I can see myself concentrating on maintaining VA WP and having QF LTG as a fall back if I cant maintain 2x WP.

 

[gibbo8]

Eureka! We've discovered the simplification.

And isn't that great if I only want a point to point journey?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Just noticed that under the current system, if I am reading the changes correctly, a JQ starter plus MEL-OOL will earn 2200 points plus 30 sc on the new sytem as a WP compared to approx 1650 points and 15 sc on the current system.

 

[harvyk]

In essence, a simplified calculator...

It's simplified in the way that it only allows point to point calculations (being CBR based, it means a minimum of two queries), but it's so much more complex in that you have 8 different options, 5 of them use the word economy in the option...
I can foresee the average non AFF punter (eg my grandparents) simply throwing their hands up in the air and saying "this is all too hard"...

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Just noticed that under the current system, if I am reading the changes correctly, a JQ starter plus MEL-OOL will earn 2200 points plus 30 sc on the new sytem as a WP compared to approx 1650 points and 15 sc on the current system.

hmm, now I'm confused. The chart says 700 (1400 for plat, 15sc) for economy, but the new earning points calculator gave me 1100 (2200 for plat, 30 sc). So which is correct?

 

[drron]

hmm, now I'm confused. The chart says 700 (1400 for plat, 15sc) for economy, but the new earning points calculator gave me 1100 (2200 for plat, 30 sc). So which is correct?

Anything possible with this system.probably add the 2 together and come up with 3600 points and 45SCs for plat.Now that would be fairer.:shock:

 

[medhead]

hmm, now I'm confused. The chart says 700 (1400 for plat, 15sc) for economy, but the new earning points calculator gave me 1100 (2200 for plat, 30 sc). So which is correct?

It's 827 miles. So medium haul flight. Should earn 700 + status bonus + 15 SC for jetstar starter plus, which is classified as economy and still earns the same as discount.

Old system would have been 827 + status bonus + 15 SC.

Edit: which doesn't answer your question. I guess someone screwed up the tables or the calculator. Don't mention it and just hold them to the higher points the first time your fly the route.

 

[ozscot]

This won't really effect me based on my travel. I fact, so far as I can see I'd be emerald if I posted solely to BA, CX or AA anyway. What's annoying is the spin and the complex & vague implementation. If QF had been straight and said something like "Due to the current commercial outlook.. <insert bad news>" I'd have been happier.

It seems QF don't really care about my business. That's fine though, after many years of this lark getting on an airplane for work I don't really care so much about theirs either. When I'm able to travel less and fall from WP I'll be happy with my LTG until QF or myself kick the bucket.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Edit: which doesn't answer your question. I guess someone screwed up the tables or the calculator. Don't mention it and just hold them to the higher points the first time your fly the route.

just another Qantas cough-up in the simplification program

 

[amaroo]

This won't really effect me based on my travel. I fact, so far as I can see I'd be emerald if I posted solely to BA, CX or AA anyway. What's annoying is the spin and the complex & vague implementation. If QF had been straight and said something like "Due to the current commercial outlook.. <insert bad news>" I'd have been happier.

It seems QF don't really care about my business. That's fine though, after many years of this lark getting on an airplane for work I don't really care so much about theirs either. When I'm able to travel less and fall from WP I'll be happy with my LTG until QF or myself kick the bucket.

I'm thinking it might be good idea to take out some insurance for OW status outside of QF.

 

[ozscot]

I'm thinking it might be good idea to take out some insurance for OW status outside of QF.

You're right and I most likely will begin posting to BA or AA. Most of my traveling is around the US and I have LTG to access (I think) AA lounges on domestic sectors. It's just inertia and the painful thought of having to learn how another system works which is stopping me addressing it now.

 

[medhead]

just another Qantas cough-up in the simplification program

Simpler justification to call qantas and speak to their wonderful staff.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Simpler justification to call qantas and speak to their wonderful staff.

Is there a special number for those you describe?

 

[amaroo]

You're right and I most likely will begin posting to BA or AA. Most of my traveling is around the US and I have LTG to access (I think) AA lounges on domestic sectors. It's just inertia and the painful thought of having to learn how another system works which is stopping me addressing it now.

LTG is as good as gold for providing access to AA AC lounges......no good for AA Flagship lounges.

I thought QF was pretty easy to obtain OWE but the last few days have shown that BA and to a lesser extent AA is not that much harder!

 

[sydstar]

The more I look at the earning charts, the more it looks like a departure from OW is on the cards at some point in the next few years. I can understand not awarding full points/SCs where there is direct competition with QF, but across the board cuts show the mentality of 'you're with us or against us'.

In reality, which OW partners do QF really get along with? Look at what they've done with short-haul intra-USA earning on AA (who I would have thought were their closest OW buddy, followed by LA).

I suppose they would get along with JL (duopoly route SYD-NRT, Jetstar investment), but who else?
AY - maybe? Although the slashing of SIN-HEL earning indicates otherwise
The BA divorce was ugly, despite BA offering a comprehensive intra-EU network; something EK will never be able to do.
CX/MH - despite what they offer for Asian connections
QR - that's in the UAE right?
RJ/S7/AB - as if QF care...

So, if QF left OW, they'd have EK, JQ, FJ and likely AA/LA on board. Think of the massive gaps that would be left to try and fill! Nothing in Europe. No-one in Asia. Good thing I don't hoard points!

 

[james1]

I'm a little late to the party but have enjoyed the robust and spirited contributions. I've been a self funded SG for a few years - changes won't affect me much, will still devote cash and time to ensure QF SG maintained. Nearly all my flying on QF so not a significant issue from my end even if it means a few extra $ for more premium fares.

I did the VA platinum chase last year but quite happy now to drop back to gold as the difference between the two tiers seems negligible based on my experience. Whilst I have had some great VA flying experiences, there are times when I feel the level of professionalism is a little wanting and although enthusiastic, I believe service culture takes time to develop. However I do feel fortunate we have two great domestic airlines to spread our spend. SG is my sweet spot on both which I will work to maintain.

My only contribution to the discussion is to wonder whether QF has over estimated the power of status to to the new generation of flyers. Discussions I have with the gen y and z flyer with whom I work is that the whole notion of staus is anachronistic and a bit meh in their eyes. Time will tell whether the the 'old' systems of loyalty span the generational divide and can entice these new flyers to 'pick and 'stick'.

 

[QF WP]

Yes, separated at birth!

Thank God, I've always felt there was something missing

I'm still considering all this. I have burned most of my QF points, so that's not too much a concern.

An excellent suggestion which I emulated a couple of days ago:

Membership Number: 00xx_57
Membership Type: Gold
Total Points: 0

A lot of my domestic is on VA in any case thanks to BFOD at work. I'm thinking about going back to AA, but with DL going to a revenue based system, there could be a high chance of AA following in some measure, but at least there is a time frame to earn usable mileage.
The FF world is changing. Long gone are the days of 'Baht-running', mileage runs, and tricky routing. Well, it was some fun while it last.

Ah, those were the days

 

[Ansett]

Having a look at earn rates after 1 July and here is an example for a booking in Discount Y MEL-LHR one way

Pre July 1 would earn circa 21,000 points including status bones

Post July 1 will earn circa 12,400 points including status bonus a reduction of some 41%

Now looking at traveling 18th July the price is as follows

Sale Fare $1176.00 with an earn of 12,400

To get close to the 21,000 point earn I would need to book and pay Flexi Economy which in this case is currently $1775.00 so thus I would need to spend an additional $599.00 to earn the same number of points that I would have before these massive changes.

This equates to an additional spend in the region of around 51%

As the classic saying goes TELL them they are dreaming........

Summary earn 40% less points on Discount Y flights or spend an extra 50% in cash to get the same as we had previously.....


Simper and Fairer as a certain businessman would say would say

Pigs cough!

 

[legroom]

Having a look at earn rates after 1 July and here is an example for a booking in Discount Y MEL-LHR one way

Pre July 1 would earn circa 21,000 points including status bones

Post July 1 will earn circa 12,400 points including status bonus a reduction of some 41%

Now looking at traveling 18th July the price is as follows

Sale Fare $1176.00 with an earn of 12,400

To get close to the 21,000 point earn I would need to book and pay Flexi Economy which in this case is currently $1775.00 so thus I would need to spend an additional $599.00 to earn the same number of points that I would have before these massive changes.

This equates to an additional spend in the region of around 51%

As the classic saying goes TELL them they are dreaming........

Summary earn 40% less points on Discount Y flights or spend an extra 50% in cash to get the same as we had previously.....


Simper and Fairer as a certain businessman would say would say

Pigs cough!

I think you're missing the point (pun intended, tongue in cheek) !

QF wants you to spend some MORE to travel in PE in that case, or even J.

The bean counters apparently thought by downgrading the benefits of discount Y, people would be 'herded' into more-profitable premium cabins.

Now, would you consider that ?

Or just content with CC earn, as yet unchanged ?

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Buy the ticket on a QFF credit card and you can triple dip. In many cases you'll still get less than before.

Do you mean we have been Joyced .........?????????????????