Qantas Premier Titanium card

[opusman]

Qantas only cares about making money.

Well it is a business after all. And you do still need to fly to gain status, just not quite as much as previously.

 

[rock86]

I agree with the vast majority here that the card is a very poor offer for the price tag.

My biggest gripe is the continued eroding of status credits. I made the point on here two or three years ago, when the first credit card came with a status credit inclusion (80, I think) was offered, that I thought it was a slippery slope. That bobsled on that slope has gained speed. Status credits were the last vestige in recognising frequent flyers. You could have hundreds of thousands of frequent flyer points but only be a Bronze. You could have lounge access but only be Qantas Club. Status credits were the only thing that couldn't be bought. They symbolised flying, not how deep your pockets were or how savvy you were at credit card applications or your success at status matching.

If you look at the US credit card market, it's no surprise though that companies over here have started including airline status opportunities with their cards, it really only was a matter of time (especially after the RBA changes in point earn).

I have.

Given exclusion periods that ALL banks now have for burn and churn it's easy to exhaust ALL alternatives - most here cannot see value in this card - I can - and I will be applying - as I apply for EVERY card that is attainable with bonus pts thrown in - does that make me an IDIOT? If so then I wear that tag proudly!

If that's the case, then go for it. I don't think you're an idiot, just that there's still much better valued offers out there and much better cards to hold if you're spending big. Also well done with exhausting all options, I'm churning around 5 card a year (which I think is plenty enough, again each to there own) and there are still numerous offers available at any point in time for me, so I can just imagine the rate your going through cards!!

I'm not eligible for this card yet, but even if it is still available in its current format in the next few years when I'm most likely to become eligible, it still won't get a look in given its current value proposition.

 

[rock86]

Qantas only cares about making money. It now makes as much from its frequent flyer division as from international flights. It will use status credits to boost profits whether from people flying or from people paying for credit cards.

And they're not alone. A whole lot of airlines worldwide now make more money off their loyalty division then bums in seats, the landscape has changed for airlines revenue streams/profits - so 'loyalty programs' and the additional ways to gain benefits is here to stay for a little while into the future yet.

 

[opusman]

so 'loyalty programs' and the additional ways to gain benefits is here to stay for a little while into the future yet.

At least until people cotton on to the fact that they're mostly a scam

 

[Flying mermaid]

Well it is a business after all. And you do still need to fly to gain status, just not quite as much as previously.

no objection to it being a business, just stating why it will continue to use status credits for rewarding non flyers.

 

[rock86]

At least until people cotton on to the fact that they're mostly a scam

Well certainly a few have, at the least, the majority of users on this forum!!

 

[cove]

I did buy Mrscove a $9999 sale fare to get from SYD-LAX-SYD when I couldn’t get her on my way of going to Los Angeles. It does appear that would save about $1,000 off the $1200 card fee.
I use Citi a lot less these days as they exclude stuff we spend on credit cards and so I prefer credit cards that pay on everything even if the earn rate is a little less.
We do already have plenty of Qantas, Virgin and Kris Miles so the idea of another card would mean goodbye to something else. My family tend to use our Kris Miles for longhauls. Of course they will miss us when we are gone.......
So there I am undecided and I don’t live in a world where I need a “prestige card” to impress anyone.
I have our 2018 tax papers with the accountants so that would delay us applying anyway.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

And they're not alone. A whole lot of airlines worldwide now make more money off their loyalty division then bums in seats, the landscape has changed for airlines revenue streams/profits - so 'loyalty programs' and the additional ways to gain benefits is here to stay for a little while into the future yet.

I can imagine the presentation slides when they pitched this card to Qantas Loyalty senior management:

- The annual fee alone is $1,200, so after giving Citi their share we'll be making money from a standing start
- Our focus groups show us that there are enough mugs earning over $200k per annum who would want this sort of a card. The amount of money they will spend on the card will give us amazing data and insights into how and what they spend it on, which we can then really monetise using all our big data analytics
- Because they'll need to book directly with us to get those extra status credits, our Domestic and International divisions will be able to charge a little more for those flights, which are instant profits for our other Qantas divisions

Senior management, realising this would help them meet this year's revenue and profit targets for Qantas Loyalty, ask "where do we sign"?

 

[auflier]

and they might think the benefits are there

Well said, they might...>200k doesn't equate to "bright", I know few so i agree with you for sure!

 

[burmans]

There is nothing idiotic about saving money (unless you feel that it is stupid to spend >$12K over 4 QF long-haul fares). This is not even accounting for the first year bonus points offer which has significant value in itself
Yes, there are better cards for earning and associated benefits but there is no reason why you couldn't have this card as well and just use it to buy your QF flights

Well there are some on this forum who would think you are an idiot by only considering QF for your long-haul flights!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Well there are some on this forum who would think you are an idiot by only considering QF for your long-haul flights!

Really? Is AFF going to stoop to the depths of FT by referring to fellow members as 'IDIOTS' just because they hold differing views? Really?

 

[opusman]

As a metallurgist, my biggest bugbear is the use of "titanium" after "platinum"! Are you kidding!!!!! a coughpy rather cheap metal that is mainly used for the white pigment in paint, has to be alloyed with other metals to stop it failing when its heated, like in aircraft.......

If my calculations are correct, it's about 5000 times cheaper than platinum

 

[Mr H]

As a metallurgist, my biggest bugbear is the use of "titanium" after "platinum"! Are you kidding!!!!! a coughpy rather cheap metal that is mainly used for the white pigment in paint...

Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles has long since used the sequence: silver, titanium, gold, platinum.

 

[Basalt]

Intriguing card but realistically IMO a very small sweet spot - if one buys 2 * return J to Europe or US trips every year, then the 10% discount pays for the card and the 20% SC bonus gets you to WP, in this scenario not having the card costs you more than having the card... If you're also regularly buying for a partner, then the $100 extra card fee is a cheap way of them getting a SC bonus. Otherwise can't see the value at all.

 

[HockeyMonkey]

Intriguing card but realistically IMO a very small sweet spot - if one buys 2 * return J to Europe or US trips every year, then the 10% discount pays for the card and the 20% SC bonus gets you to WP, in this scenario not having the card costs you more than having the card... If you're also regularly buying for a partner, then the $100 extra card fee is a cheap way of them getting a SC bonus. Otherwise can't see the value at all.

I don’t think the additional card holders get the SC bonus

 

[Saltywings]

Given exclusion periods that ALL banks now have for burn and churn it's easy to exhaust ALL alternatives

I'm sure people like Dr Ralph would beg to differ

I will be applying - as I apply for EVERY card that is attainable with bonus pts thrown in - does that make me an IDIOT? If so then I wear that tag proudly!

I wasn't the one calling you an idiot, but I know to whom you're actually responding *shrugs*

 

[opusman]

as I apply for EVERY card that is attainable with bonus pts thrown in

Hopefully you're burning points as well and not just stockpiling them. They don't earn interest you know

 

[dairyfloss]

I don’t think the additional card holders get the SC bonus

It seems they do. From the Qantas Money site:

The only credit card to offer 20% bonus Status Credits (to both primary and additional cardholders), when you book and pay for your travel on eligible Qantas flights using your card

 

[andye]

An extra $100 for (up to 233 useful) bonus SCs could be very attractive to some
Is there a maximum number of supps?

 

[Imran Mateen]

Well it is a business after all. And you do still need to fly to gain status, just not quite as much as previously.

Yes true. QFF made almost the same amount of money last year than Qantas Airways did by flying and maintaining all those aircrafts and millions of passengers.