Can I get a cheap or free membership?

[comphelp]

Both my wife and I want to join QFF. With the price being $82.50each ($165), I'd obviously like to reduce or elimate this cost.

A while ago, I recall that Westpac were waiving the fee for Altitude customers. This doesn't seem to be available any more.

Does anyone know of any ways to get a cheaper or free membership?

 

[thadocta]

Ummmm, I am not advocating that you do this yourself, but when I sent my mother across to the UK to visit her in-laws, I waited until she had left, and then signed her up for QF FF membership using the address of my aunt in Liverpool (which is where she was basing herself). Since I understood she was staying for around 12 months, I regarded this as making her a UK resident, so signed her up FOC.

Alas, my understanding as to the length of her stay was sadly remiss, and she was back here two weeks later. The points creditted, and it was then a simple matter to go in on-line and change the address details back to her Australian address.

Note though that I am NOT advocating that you use the address of someone you know outside of AU or NZ to do the same thing.

Dave

 

[comphelp]

That's certainly an idea. I have relatives in the UK. I've got no plans to visit them but they would gladly forward any mail to me.

Its certainly not my preferred way of getting a discount membership. I'd prefer something more above board if possible.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

 

[NM]

If you buy a Qantas Club membersip you are automatically enrolled in the FF program for no additional cost.

Alternatively, the AA program does not cost anything to join, and depending on how often, where and at what fare types you travel, can be more AAdvantageous than the QF FF program. But there are no Aussie credit cards that will amass points to AA. AA Plat (a snap to reach via their Plat Challenge - one B fare SYD-LAX will do it) gets you access to the Qantas Club lounges.

 

[comphelp]

If you buy a Qantas Club membersip you are automatically enrolled in the FF program for no additional cost.

Thanks for the suggestion. In my case, my aim is to try and save a bit of money. At $685, its really a bit rich for me.

Alternatively, the AA program does not cost anything to join, and depending on how often, where and at what fare types you travel, can be more AAdvantageous than the QF FF program. But there are no Aussie credit cards that will amass points to AA. AA Plat (a snap to reach via their Plat Challenge - one B fare SYD-LAX will do it) gets you access to the Qantas Club lounges.

Thanks for a useful tip. In my case, I place a fair bit of value in being able to accumulate points from a credit card so this is not for me.

 

[KrEEpY]

I registered with Qantas FF using an overseas address, but if you do that, you don't get a Qantas FF card which means you can't accumulate FF points with some of the program partners that require you to show the FF card. eg, Best Western. This is not the problem however, as it only costs $25 for the card.

My main concern is that as an overseas registered FF member, I won't have the same rights as a FF member registered in Australia, i.e. having lower priority when redeeming FF points for flights.

Has anyone had any trouble redeeming FF points for flights as an overseas FF member, or know if there are any differences with the membership?

 

[alien]

I know the Australia Computer Society http://www.acs.org.au/ offer their members corporate rates for QANTAS Club. Also members of the Defence Forces also get good rates ie under the $200 per year for QC access. Not sure of any other organisations offering such so if any one has got any I'm sure plenty of people on here (including myself) would love to know about them.

Cheers
ALIEN

 

[Rick93]

KREEPY... under your name, on the left of the page.... it says, you're from Western Australia....

I know it's long way from Sydney... but I wouldn't call it "overseas".
Is Lake Eyre full at the moment?

regards....

 

[arun]

Gordon,
KRREPY lives in WA but has joined QF using an overseas address to save the fees. As such, he is considered as an overseas member by QF.

Just an additional point-
Of course, you can change to an Australian address subsequently without paying a fee.

 

[Rick93]

Yeah, I thought as much...

Just my poor attempt at a little humour....

Wasn't having a go at him / her personally.... sorry if anyone offended.

regards,

 

[KrEEpY]

Hey Gordon,

No offence taken.

Wouldn't know if Lake Eyre is full. I am working and living in regional WA and it's like the desert up here.

KrEEpY

 

[danielh]

Well since we were talking about corporate rates just before, the Telstra rates are AU$297 for three years and I think AU$205 for 2 years.

Regards
Daniel

 

[alien]

I believe some political groups ie ALP and Libs have corp rates also. Not sure how much though.

I wonder if telstra share holders could get those rates considering they own part of the company?

 

[luckydog]

Corporate Membership to QC

Very large corporations can get very big discounts.

One very very large American computer company I know has the following deal with QC:

Joining Fee: $187.00
One year membership: $195.00
Two year membership: $325.00

 

[luckydog]

Telstra

Wow... just saw the Telstra rates.... even cheaper.
I am sure Qantas knows which corps have the biggest travel budget and offer them the best discounts.

 

[alien]

Wow... just saw the Telstra rates.... even cheaper

Where did you see those rates?

 

[luckydog]

QC Telstra Rates

Hi Alien,

Check out Danielh's post about 3 before mine.

Telstra rates are AU$297 for three years and I think AU$205 for 2 years.

Though it sounds like he is talking from Memory.

When Ansett still existed I got QC membership for 3 years for $330.
(Golden Wing was even cheaper!)

 

[alien]

rofl. I got alien gunk in my eyes I couldn't see rofl

 

[Benny]

...and now for the facts:

For most (say 95%) of Corporate Airfares Agreements negotiated over the last two years, Qantas Club membership rates were based on overall Qantas Market Revenue (QMR). They were tiered as follows:

<$1M Standard Corporate Rate, as available on the 10 or More Corporate Rate on any QF Club application form

>1M but <$5 second tier. I won't mention the rates but they aren't hard to find out.

>$5M Third and lowest tier.

Corporate rates are now standard one or two years. The standard corproate joining fee is $187.

The only exceptions to this is major (mostly government) organisations who negotiated rates before the Ansett demise or have a very special agreement in place.

Cheers,
Benny

 

[alien]

Soooo Benny, can you organise Corporate rates for me/us? hehehe :wink: :wink: