Qantas unveils the biggest changes to status in program history

[esseeeayeenn]

^^^ Different strokes for different folks; the question is, what does QF's "preferred" loyal customer look like (presumably those who spend the most) and what do these changes mean for them as a group (if that group can even be generalised)?

I don't think it's a question of the preferred customer.
I think QF had a number in mind for the LTP tier and based the threshold on that.
However I suspect the data inputted into the modelling would have included the unusually high number of elite status holders post-COVID.
Status keeper and other promotions meant there was no attrition for about 3 years.
It probably also over-estimated the burden of LTP members by over-estimating their future travel frequency, based on pre-COVID work travel.

 

[CaptJCool]

I don't think it's a question of the preferred customer.
I think QF had a number in mind for the LTP tier and based the threshold on that.
However I suspect the data inputted into the modelling would have included the unusually high number of elite status holders post-COVID.
Status keeper and other promotions meant there was no attrition for about 3 years.
It probably also over-estimated the burden of LTP members by over-estimating their future travel frequency, based on pre-COVID work travel.

With no attrition
There probably wasn’t a lot of travel either … so usage was on LOW DEMAND

 

[esseeeayeenn]

With no attrition
There probably wasn’t a lot of travel either … so usage was on LOW DEMAND

Different types of data.
Membership is just a number, at a particular point in time.
Usage would need to be measured over a period of time.
So COVID would have impacted each differently.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I don't think it's a question of the preferred customer.
I think QF had a number in mind for the LTP tier and based the threshold on that.
However I suspect the data inputted into the modelling would have included the unusually high number of elite status holders post-COVID.
Status keeper and other promotions meant there was no attrition for about 3 years.
It probably also over-estimated the burden of LTP members by over-estimating their future travel frequency, based on pre-COVID work travel.

No the data for introducing LTP was nothing to do with modeling based on inflated numbers post Covid
LTP was announced prior to this in June 2019 and commenced in September 2019.

 

[MG1]

Absolutely agree. SCs should be earned through flying only. Stop this nonsense and lower the lifetime WP threshold.

Agree 100%

 

[fletty]

I just don't see it having a material negative effect on member's experiences. While I agree that SC should only be earned by flying, I think the majority of people participating in the program will get a bit closer to not achieving a tier anyway.
Much like points, it encourages spend into the QF ecosystem that may have gone elsewhere. That doesn't mean consumers will be getting value from that. It's really only a small subset that are actually squeezing value from it.

 

[SeatBackForward]

It's really only a small subset that are actually squeezing value from it.

Yes exactly this. Like a Casino is happy for a small percentage of wins, they know the vast majority are walking out lighter than they walked in.

 

[olliekeighley]

Reading https://www.qantas.com/en-vu/frequent-flyer/program-changes#status-credit-rollover - it seems that for membership years rolling over December onwards, the excess SCs start above 700 rather than the 600 for the current membership year.

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

Putting aside for a moment whether SC on the ground is a good idea or not - the monthly balance email issued today has the usual summary of activity for the past 12 months listed against the same 10 categories.

If these are correctly aligned, then based on the FAQ (as my membership year ends in January) when it commences on 8 December, I will have already (subject to any potential further unknown details yet to be announced) knocked off every category, except “Holidays & experiences”.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I just don't see it having a material negative effect on member's experiences. While I agree that SC should only be earned by flying, I think the majority of people participating in the program will get a bit closer to not achieving a tier anyway.
Much like points, it encourages spend into the QF ecosystem that may have gone elsewhere. That doesn't mean consumers will be getting value from that. It's really only a small subset that are actually squeezing value from it.

At 140 SCs it isn't marginal.
That's almost 50% of the Silver threshold, 20% of Gold and 10% of Platinum
Not as insignificant as the Flybuys Virgin Velocity SC earn!

 

[Big John]

Putting aside for a moment whether SC on the ground is a good idea or not - the monthly balance email issued today has the usual summary of activity for the past 12 months listed against the same 10 categories.

I got the email too, which tells me I have been a member for 31 years.

Time flies when you are having fun !

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

I got the email too, which tells me I have been a member for 31 years.

Time flies when you are having fun !

As a 'fun activity', try writing to the QF Privacy Officer and see if they are holding 31 years of your transactional records. That would be interesting to read through!

 

[SYD]

Putting aside for a moment whether SC on the ground is a good idea or not - the monthly balance email issued today has the usual summary of activity for the past 12 months listed against the same 10 categories.

If these are correctly aligned, then based on the FAQ (as my membership year ends in January) when it commences on 8 December, I will have already (subject to any potential further unknown details yet to be announced) knocked off every category, except “Holidays & experiences”.

We don’t know the thresholds yet.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

We don’t know the thresholds yet.

Not sure what you mean.
The status attain thresholds are remaining unchanged.
The status retain thresholds are being increased to align with the status attain thresholds.
Or abolished, depending on how you look at it.

 

[SYD]

Not sure what you mean.
The status attain thresholds are remaining unchanged.
The status retain thresholds are being increased to align with the status attain thresholds.
Or abolished, depending on how you look at it.

Responding to a comment about “SCs on the Ground” and the latest monthly email.

 

[fletty]

At 140 SCs it isn't marginal.
That's almost 50% of the Silver threshold, 20% of Gold and 10% of Platinum
Not as insignificant as the Flybuys Virgin Velocity SC earn!

Status there aren't a spectrum though, they are thresholds.
Someone can get all 140SC, do 5 return domestic trips and still not attain silver.

The vast majority of members don't fly much, and they're not going to get all 140SC.

I'm not concerned.

 

[exceladdict]

As a 'fun activity', try writing to the QF Privacy Officer and see if they are holding 31 years of your transactional records. That would be interesting to read through!

I tried to get my old flight history once, thru told me it didn't exist.

Status there aren't a spectrum though, they are thresholds.
Someone can get all 140SC, do 5 return domestic trips and still not attain silver.

The vast majority of members don't fly much, and they're not going to get all 140SC.

I'm not concerned.

Given gold retain has jumped by 100 and PC+ rollover is gone, together with scs on CRS unless you have the fancy card, it feels like retain is getting harder to me

 

[Flyfrequently]

From website/email FAQ yesterday,
I would like to think it means, any SC's above retention level will count towards rollover from 8/12/2026 (retroactively)

As they have not yet announced a specific date for new retain level ( in 2027) I read it as WP anything over 1200 will rollover - until they announce otherwise.
Am I being too optimistic?


"When will the Status Credit rollover happen for me?

Status Credit rollover begins on 8 December 2026 for eligible Members.

Depending on where you are in your Membership Year, this could mean Status Credits you've already earned this year start counting retroactively. Your Membership Year is based on when you joined the Qantas Frequent Flyer program"

 

[ChrisMars]

Putting aside for a moment whether SC on the ground is a good idea or not - the monthly balance email issued today has the usual summary of activity for the past 12 months listed against the same 10 categories.

If these are correctly aligned, then based on the FAQ (as my membership year ends in January) when it commences on 8 December, I will have already (subject to any potential further unknown details yet to be announced) knocked off every category, except “Holidays & experiences”.

Categories looks mostly good, thought I couldnt see the sustainability carbon offset category in my email. The category is shown in the app on the other hand. Things to watch out for: The point total per category also show excluded earns, such as credit card signup bonuses. And the email report earns over the last 12 months, not the current membership year (the app can show both). Membership year is what matters for those sc on the ground.

 

[LondonAussie]

scs on CRS unless you have the fancy card,

Have they said which card it is yet? I can’t seem to find that detail