Opt in for QFF direct (CBA Rewards)

[openseat]

I just got this email from Qantas (how did they know I had a CBA card?)

From 1 April 2009, you will no longer be able to transfer points from Commonwealth Awards credit cards to Qantas Frequent Flyer as you do today.

If you hold a Commonwealth Awards card and you want to keep earning points:

• opt-in to Commonwealth Awards' new Qantas Frequent Flyer Direct* option. Then the points you earn on your everyday spending will be automatically added to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account, and
• transfer your Commonwealth Awards points to Qantas Frequent Flyer^.

Hidden in the fine print below is this little money grasping exercise by QF and/or CBA

* An annual fee of $10 will be charged to all Commonwealth Awards Members that opt-in.

The only flexibility is that you can opt in and out at will.

 

[Thom]

I got the same email also, it's a shame they didn't offer a sweetener like velocity.

 

[ANstar]

I just got this email from Qantas (how did they know I had a CBA card?)

I presume because they send your details to QF with each transfer?

 

[drron]

I got the same email also, it's a shame they didn't offer a sweetener like velocity.

My gold CBA card can and will have points transferred to velocity.

 

[openseat]

I presume because they send your details to QF with each transfer?

That's the strange thing - I've never transferred any points to QF with this card.

 

[oz_mark]

I just got a generic reminder about the change, unrelated to any card at all. Maybe I have them confused!

 

[akumaslair]

hye everyone

I actually got this in the post today,

firstly it came to our family member who doesn't even own a commonwealth card, I do, so I am expecting a letter/email soon.

I read the letter, I am confused,

so from April 2009., you can't transfer ANY points from CBA rewards to QFF, I currently have a plat master card CBA and hence got it becuase of the 1:1 ratio and also have to pay $200 which I really hate, I am quite against annual fees (anyway)

so can someone pleae x2 explain, what this means, I ve been with CBA credit card since 1998 and if there is no QFF points, then I am straight outta here!!

 

[oz_mark]

hye everyone

I actually got this in the post today,

firstly it came to our family member who doesn't even own a commonwealth card, I do, so I am expecting a letter/email soon.

I read the letter, I am confused,

so from April 2009., you can't transfer ANY points from CBA rewards to QFF, I currently have a plat master card CBA and hence got it becuase of the 1:1 ratio and also have to pay $200 which I really hate, I am quite against annual fees (anyway)

so can someone pleae x2 explain, what this means, I ve been with CBA credit card since 1998 and if there is no QFF points, then I am straight outta here!!

CBA have an opt-in option, which costs an extra $10 a year to allow direct transfer of CBA points to QFF. If you do not opt in then no transfers

 

[akumaslair]

hmmmm so $10 per year, and you can continue to transfer across

seems ok to me unless ,they change the ratio AGAIN!

thanks oz mark

 

[Diesellife]

Sigh... Qantas have gone crazy with their ffp for sometimes now... there are new things every year including diluting the ratio, harder to get a free flight etc.

I just don't think Qantas is playing fair comparing to other major airlines. Especially the upgrade system & points sytem. More points/miles needed for the same flight and upgrade on long-haul cannot be confirmed before check-in...These are all the reasons that I hate the opt-in option.

I'm still struggling whether I should go with velocity instead. I suspect that while majority of the people will do the opt-in and this will give Qantas more level of playing field and squeeze the point system further in a year or 2...I hate to see my points losing its value for no reason

 

[NM]

Sigh... Qantas have gone crazy with their ffp for sometimes now... there are new things every year including diluting the ratio, harder to get a free flight etc.

I just don't think Qantas is playing fair comparing to other major airlines. Especially the upgrade system & points sytem. More points/miles needed for the same flight and upgrade on long-haul cannot be confirmed before check-in...These are all the reasons that I hate the opt-in option.

When comparing with overseas airline's programs, especially USA airlines, keep in mind that most credit card points are earned at the rate of 1 point/mile per US$ spent. In the QF program, credit card points are often earned at 1.5 points per A$ spent. And with the A$ at around US$0.66, that can result in a ratio of well over 2 points per US$ spent. So there is little wonder that QF FF points are valued lower than points/miles in programs from overseas airlines.

This results in poor value for people who earn QFF points from flying rather than spending. So QF compensates by adjusting some award availability (such as upgrades) based on FF status that can only be earned by flying.

I am not defending QF's program, and in fact I have not earned a single QF FF point from flying or spending in over two years since moving my FF program to AA. I am just suggesting one of the reasons that QFF requires more points for a similar redemption when compared with other airline's programs. Another reason is, of course, the perceived lack of competition for Australian-based FF members.

 

[MelUser]

and upgrade on long-haul cannot be confirmed before check-in...These are all the reasons that I hate the opt-in option.

I love the thrill of winning the international upgrade lottery!

 

[serfty]

I love the thrill of winning the international upgrade lottery!

... & Losing? .....

 

[Diesellife]

I love the thrill of winning the international upgrade lottery!

Well... I usually fly with Cathay and retained as a gold MP for a couple of years. So I'm earning miles from CX and getting 30-40% operational upgrading and there is no reason for me to change to QF. But given the limited ability to earn CX points in AUS, I'm trapped with QFF...

When comparing with overseas airline's programs, especially USA airlines, keep in mind that most credit card points are earned at the rate of 1 point/mile per US$ spent. In the QF program, credit card points are often earned at 1.5 points per A$ spent. And with the A$ at around US$0.66, that can result in a ratio of well over 2 points per US$ spent. So there is little wonder that QF FF points are valued lower than points/miles in programs from overseas airlines.

NM, you are absolutely right with the earning point ratio. For example, a business class cx return for 4600 miles trip is 80000 against 12000 (150% more) but adding the unique QF service charge + tax for the supposingly free ticket, the whole scenario is now different.
For the exchange rate issue, this is a very weak argument as Qantas does not adjust the passthrough rate for its point system. Whether the ex rate is US$/A$ 1 or US$/A$ 0.66, the points remain the same and have no comparative advantage to other countries.

I can't wait to see more airline comes into the market and threaten QF's point scheme... For the side note, I received a letter from Citibank introducing the new emirate card keep it going!!!!