Changes to QF Fare Categories

[Princess Fiona]

In summary
I is Discount Business
T is Discount Premium

Some wins in that there are modest increases to earnings in “Business” D

Sting in the tail is increased points required for upgrades from the Discount fares with zero notice given.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Link to the website for the changes
Frequent Flyer - Points Calculators - Qantas Class Types

 

[Gold Member]

Talk about Simpler and Fairer! Sheesh

 

[MarcB]

Further dilution of the value of points upgrades. On Brisbane to LA, one can now choose to pay 96k points for confirmed business classic reward or take your chances in the lottery for 49,500 to upgrade from "discount premium economy". Even worse going from economy to PE. Now 56,500 points for upgrade, or 72k for reward seat!

 

[JohnK]

Further dilution of the value of points upgrades.

And Qantas will continue to flood the market with cheap credit card signon bonuses.

 

[moa999]

Even Simpler and Fairer.

Only 10 columns on that table. Really simple.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Even Simpler and Fairer.

Only 10 columns on that table. Really simple.

Honestly, simpler and fairer (TM) kicked me off QF. I couldn't make heads or tails of earning, and it annoyed me greatly. Changed my (albeit small in terms of dollars) preference to VA and to be honest, while it's not perfect I am pleased enough.

I still have over 100k QF points though. Not sure whether to build up to 140k with a CC or some other bonus to use on a oneworld Y award one day, or just use them up on a business class ticket or two.

 

[michaele]

One could assume that if they are charging more for the upgrade from a cheaper fare category, that's considered your payment for the lower fare class - so the type of fare wouldn't come into the decision making for an upgrade..? Still based on Status / PCV - and is time request was submitted still an important factor in the pecking order?

 

[leadman]

Its now to a point i give up trying to follow all the changes in these tables. I just retained Au on TG with 50,000 miles in just under three months and it couldn't be simpler. I was wondering why we have to have SC and just don't use the miles to calculate, but then i thought it could be something in the words; "Status"!

 

[eminere]

Even Simpler and Fairer.

Only 10 columns on that table. Really simple.

Would not be surprised if Discount First and Flexible First aren't too far off.

 

[mviy]

In the past the cheapest Premium Economy fares have been classed as Flexible Economy for points earn and for upgrades. Having a Discount Premium Economy category I think makes things less confusing.

 

[defurax]

I'm surprised no notice was given in the "News" section of the monthly statement. Usually the section to advertise all the enhancements!

 

[Danger]

We're all going to need 50 inch computer monitors just to read the blasted table shortly.

This repeated disregard for the three month rule has clearly become the norm.

 

[Sdtravel]

Ausbt summary of changes
Qantas boosts points, status credits on international flights

Suggests that it is mainly positive changed. Arent "positive" / for benefit of members changes meant to bypass the 3 month rule. Maybe we are all just cynical pax who need to look at the glass half full?
I haven't look closely enough yet to see how it impacts my flying sc earn .

 

[Princess Fiona]

Ausbt summary of changes
Qantas boosts points, status credits on international flights

Suggests that it is mainly positive changed. Arent "positive" / for benefit of members changes meant to bypass the 3 month rule. Maybe we are all just cynical pax who need to look at the glass half full?
I haven't look closely enough yet to see how it impacts my flying sc earn .

You shouldn’t earn less based on what’s been published so far.
I’m just wondering whether we can expect an increase in Status earn/retention levels given that it’s now possible to take two SYD-LHR returns via PER in D class and easily re-qual WP ?

 

[Sdtravel]

Dont give them ideas / excuses to do this.

 

[mviy]

I would think most people paying for Business would try to go with a sale Business fare if it's available.

As a traveller who likes to fly Business for long haul leisure travel I certainly would prefer to avoid paying more than I have to.

 

[Mattg]

As far as I can tell, none of the upgrade rates are increasing. Which would suggest that this is indeed a positive change.

But it's not clear - the Qantas website now has upgrade charts for upgrades processed before 20 February 2017 and after 24 October 2017, but not the rates that were in effect between those dates. Am I missing something?

 

[RichardMEL]

The thing is for now it's generally an improvement (such that international D fares earn a little more thna the I, and C and J earn more again, and similar with the PE fare split.. which is good.

the big BUT is the NEXT "enhancement" having set this up......

 

[ChrisFlyer]

As far as I can tell, none of the upgrade rates are increasing. Which would suggest that this is indeed a positive change.

But it's not clear - the Qantas website now has upgrade charts for upgrades processed before 20 February 2017 and after 24 October 2017, but not the rates that were in effect between those dates. Am I missing something?

No, you're correct, and that's why some people may be confused into thinking that upgrade rates are increasing on some fares when in actual fact they're staying the same or decreasing.