Qantas to No Longer offer a Points option for Loyalty Bonus

[serfty]

For those that have been around for a while, am I remembering correctly that the points loyalty bonus option originally came into being as a replacement for Upgrade Credits which you received upon reaching certain thresholds? (I’m talking 20 years ago or thereabouts).

You are correct. Earning of UC went the way of the dodo IIRC in May 2005 being replaced with the Loyalty Bonus.

 

[oz_mark]

You are correct. Earning of UC went the way of the dodo IIRC in May 2025 being replaced with the Loyalty Bonus.

Or perhaps a little before May 2025

 

[serfty]

Or perhaps a little before May 2025

True that ...

 

[justinbrett]

The T&Cs have been updated, titled wef 15 September but definitely uploaded after that (not sure of the exact time but don’t think it was before the 16th).

I have queried this with QFF and they are holding firm, they won’t process points manually even though they breeched their own T&Cs.

Thankfully the airline advocate will hear complaints in relation to FF T&Cs (specifically listed as an area of their jurisdiction).

 

[ChrisGibbs]

That's what I do. By the time I get my last bonus I have already qualified foe my next year. If I can't hold off the bonus SCs, they would be well...Pointless!

Agreed - the loyalty bonus of 50 SC's is totally useless for P1's. Also hit LTP at inception back in September 2019 so no material benefit. QF could easily cover this off with something like a Y to J upgrade on the QF domestic network or a QF First Class lounge invite to gift for each of the 500 SC loyalty bonuses.

 

[muppet]

Agreed - the loyalty bonus of 50 SC's is totally useless for P1's. Also hit LTP at inception back in September 2019 so no material benefit. QF could easily cover this off with something like a Y to J upgrade on the QF domestic network or a QF First Class lounge invite to gift for each of the 500 SC loyalty bonuses.

Funny you say that, the “Loyalty Bonus” actually replaced “Upgrade Credits” which at the time provided Y to J upgrades on the domestic network.

 

[Beano]

Funny you say that, the “Loyalty Bonus” actually replaced “Upgrade Credits” which at the time provided Y to J upgrades on the domestic network.

They still do that on Air NZ!

 

[serfty]

Funny you say that, the “Loyalty Bonus” actually replaced “Upgrade Credits” which at the time provided Y to J upgrades on the domestic network.

... and international between ~2000 and 2005

 

[muppet]

... and international between ~2000 and 2005

Ahh fair … I probably never earned enough of them to know that was possible.

 

[justinbrett]

The T&Cs have been updated, titled wef 15 September but definitely uploaded after that (not sure of the exact time but don’t think it was before the 16th).

I have queried this with QFF and they are holding firm, they won’t process points manually even though they breeched their own T&Cs.

Thankfully the airline advocate will hear complaints in relation to FF T&Cs (specifically listed as an area of their jurisdiction).

Update, after a second email detailing the various clauses in the T&Cs, I’ve now had my loyalty bonus converted to 8000 points.

 

[DejaBrew]

Update, after a second email detailing the various clauses in the T&Cs, I’ve now had my loyalty bonus converted to 8000 points.

Did they attempt to suggest that this was a good will gesture (rather than what they were contractually obliged to do based on their own T&Cs)?

 

[justinbrett]

Did they attempt to suggest that this was a good will gesture (rather than what they were contractually obliged to do based on their own T&Cs)?

No, they thanked me for bringing it to their attention and said they were forwarding to the relevant team for possible amendment to the T&Cs.

I don’t expect any public changes as surely this isn’t news to them that they have to give 90 days notice.

 

[justinbrett]

I just got another loyalty bonus covered to points.

It seems they aren’t questioning it (I assume until the 90 day period is up).

 

[Beano]

Points are good but I like the SCs. My 90 days is past my next anniversary date so I will be taking the SCs. I will also, hopefully, have my gift of 150 SCs credited then, so will start the year with 200 SCs which go a good way no achieving WP for the following year (2026-2027).

 

[aaa99]

Just ticked over another 500 SC for the year and the bonus selection showed up in my app. I assume I can ignore it for up to 90 days so they count towards my next year?

 

[DejaBrew]

I assume I can ignore it for up to 90 days so they count towards my next year?

That’s what happened for me.

 

[Beano]

Just ticked over another 500 SC for the year and the bonus selection showed up in my app. I assume I can ignore it for up to 90 days so they count towards my next year?

Make sure you remember and don't time-out!

 

[mviy]

I typically wait till the 2nd day of the new year to ensure time zone issues like computers running on UTC don’t cause any issues.

 

[Beano]

I typically wait till the 2nd day of the new year to ensure time zone issues like computers running on UTC don’t cause any issues.

I do it the day after my anniversary. I'm in NZ so have to be specially careful. Do you really think Qantas would run on UTC? But then better safe than sorry as long as you don't need to meet your deadline.

 

[dairyfloss]

That’s what happened for me.

I'd missed the comments earlier on in the thread that the SCs could still be deferred, as there was some concern initially that option would be taken away, given there was no longer a choice involved with which bonus you wanted to receive. Glad to find that they can still be held for up to 90 days.