Book a flight and Extend Current status to 2022

[AIRwin]

On the strength of this I might just go for a burn somewhere within WA between now and 31 December to lock it away - and just so 2020 does not go down as the first year in forever that I have not stepped into an airport or onto a plane...

And you never know if borders will shut again...

 

[33kft]

I'm going to admit from the outset that I haven't read the T&Cs very closely but just incase anyone else has, do I take from this that the booking that you make doesn't actually need to be flown to apply? Not that this is any sort of strategy I intend to employ but simply that perhaps there could be a sale booking made for insurance purposes prior to requal date should any border changes occur unexpectedly?

 

[Fergo747]

I'm going to admit from the outset that I haven't read the T&Cs very closely but just incase anyone else has, do I take from this that the booking that you make doesn't actually need to be flown to apply? Not that this is any sort of strategy I intend to employ but simply that perhaps there could be a sale booking made for insurance purposes prior to requal date should any border changes occur unexpectedly?

One would think that booking without flying is possible given the date ranges at play. For example, I currently have a March 21 year end, and based on the just announced 'extension' I would need to book a flight before this date to fly before 31 December 21 to get the extension. So in theory, I could book a flight for 31 December 21 and have my status extended through to March 22. Now I'm not sure what would happen if I chose not to take the flight on 31 December 21...

 

[RichardMEL]

I read it as make a booking and fly by the anniversary date for the extension.

WITh the caveat that if one books a flight that QF later cancels that the extension will apply (assuming thus the intent to fly). Yes, it would be possible to "game" this system if one wishes to play lotto with flights that may or may not be cancelled. I wouldn't. If I book I intend to fly, but they have opened that door with the very generous condition in there re QF (not customer) cancelled flights - which makes sense given many flights are being cancelled due to changing conditions..

 

[Jean Prouvaire]

Hm. I have a bunch of vouchers, both unused gift vouchers (purchased during the DSC offer pre-Covid) and travel credits due to flights cancelled because of Covid. But I assume that in order to get the membership year extension I'd have to make an entirely new booking?

 

[AIRwin]

Hm. I have a bunch of vouchers, both unused gift vouchers (purchased during the DSC offer pre-Covid) and travel credits due to flights cancelled because of Covid. But I assume that in order to get the membership year extension I'd have to make an entirely new booking?

If I have already made a booking before 23 November 2020, will it still contribute towards the one booking condition?
No. The booking creation date must be on or after 23 November 2020 and before your status end date as per the table below.

 

[VPS]

My LTG is safe for another two years. I lost platinum at the end of January - should have paid the points to extend

 

[Peso]

Lit.

From the looks of it, even a single QF Classic Flight Reward booking (e.g. MEL-SYD-CBR) booked today would qualify for the status extension?

Also, "Eligible members" just means QFF members that have a registered address in AU/NZ right?

 

[AIRwin]

My LTG is safe for another two years.

Safe for another 2 years or for life?

 

[mviy]

I lost Platinum last year. Also thinking I should have paid the points to extend but I didn't know they would do the offers they subsequently did. Plus multiple people I often travel with have Platinum currently so not missing out on a lot of benefits at the moment anyway.

Other than one new booking this offer means little incentive to do unnecessary travel till my next membership year.

I'll do some domestic travel (if borders are open) but the main trip I want to do where I earn most of my SCs (trip to the UK) still seems a long way off.

 

[AIRwin]

From the looks of it, even a single QF Classic Flight Reward booking (e.g. MEL-SYD-CBR) booked today would qualify for the status extension?

Only QF operated flight with a QF flight number...

 

[sudoer]

From the looks of it, even a single QF Classic Flight Reward booking (e.g. MEL-SYD-CBR) booked today would qualify for the status extension?

Correct.

Also, "Eligible members" just means QFF members that have a registered address in AU/NZ right?

Yes, and have an anniversary date between March and December.

Only QF operated flight with a QF flight number...

Not quite correct.

It can be a Qantas operated and marketed flight, or a Qantas points earning JQ international, JQ domestic NZ, Jetstar Japan or Jetstar Asia flight

 

[AIRwin]

It can be a Qantas operated and marketed flight, or a Qantas points earning JQ international, JQ domestic NZ, Jetstar Japan or Jetstar Asia flight

Sounds like JQ will be resuming international flights before QF?

 

[sudoer]

I'm going to admit from the outset that I haven't read the T&Cs very closely but just incase anyone else has, do I take from this that the booking that you make doesn't actually need to be flown to apply?

The T&C state in multiple places that "if you cancel your booking, you will not be eligible for the status extension unless you make another eligible booking" but I take your point there is a potential loophole in booking the flight before your anniversary, then cancelling after the anniversary has passed and your status has been extended + status credits rolled over.

Best to expect Qantas retrospectively downgrade anyone who does this, whether they actually will (or their systems are capable of) is another story.

Sounds like JQ will be resuming international flights before QF?

I think Qantas is hopeful that JQ will resume flights to some Asian destinations in 2021 which aren't served with QF metal. Thinking of Vietnam primarily.

 

[Fergo747]

I read it as make a booking and fly by the anniversary date for the extension.

I don't from this...

What new status support is Qantas providing?
Eligible members who reside in Australia or New Zealand who are unable to achieve the Status Credits needed to retain their status will receive a 12-month status extension provided that before the end of their current Membership Year, they simply make at least one new eligible booking for travel before the end of 2021.

Doesn't seem to mention having to actually fly the flight prior to the membership anniversary, just make the booking.

Not suggesting I will do this as I am keen as mustard to fly and don't want to fall foul of the QF powers that be!

 

[Cognac]

So just going to put this out there since I am sure it will come up. If you book one flight (and that can be one way) do you still need 4~? I am assuming not.

It is an interesting strategy. I am surprised it is only ONE booking required rather than say 2 or 4 or something. That's so super generous it's almost ridiculous - specially for higher status levels like WP and P1. Not complaining but I wonder if this is going to shoot themselves in the foot a little bit.

It is a new strategy for sure and I like the aspects - flight cancelled status extension for one (which seems reasonable given how volatile the whole situation is and only a few would game this for "free" status extension imo) and the rollover SC's too.

So, while it is a bit complicated I do think it goes a long way to accepting the situation for members and doing what it takes to keep the business.. even if it is one flight!

Yep. Member of the disappointed March club here from the first round of extensions here. This is quite ridiculously easy, but still encourages people to fly. I'm planning a short domestic trip, but was concerned about the 4~ until now. I'll easily meet the new requirement.

Still, I'm waiting for international travel to open up and it's entirely possible I won't requalify for 2023 if that doesn't ramp back up next year as expected. But we will see. If international travel re-opens in time then that's great. If not, well, there's not really much that Qantas or I can do about that. At least this extension gives me a little more comfort for a little bit of time. And to be honest the j lounges are perfectly reasonable while it takes me time to re-up.

 

[calmelb]

So I'm curious what happens if you book say a classic flight reward and then don't actually take the trip. You've paid for the fare (which satisfies the requirements) and you haven't cancelled. Does that mean you can renew just for 8000 points + $50? For WP and P1 that doesn't sound like a bad deal

 

[AIRwin]

Does that mean you can renew just for 8000 points + $50?

Or less...

 

[calmelb]

Or less...

Is there a reward for <8000 points? I looked at the domestic table. (Unless you mean taxes in which I am also curious)

 

[AIRwin]

I looked at the domestic table. (Unless you mean taxes in which I am also curious)

Yes I was referring to taxes but I was looking out of BNE though...