"Do your Qantas points still have currency?"

[SteveJohnson]

It's often said that Qantas Frequent Flyer points are Australia's de facto currency. But while the Aussie dollar continues to ride high, some travellers are finding the "exchange rate" for their points is slowly heading south. It's all to do with the value that some of Qantas's partner airlines place on Qantas points.
To extend the foreign exchange metaphor, when you're flying on an airline other than Qantas you're in a foreign country with a different currency.
The "earn rate" for Qantas points can be considerably less than on a jaunt in one of the Red Roo's own jets.
This applies even to airlines which are part of the same Oneworld airline alliance family.

Qantas Frequent Flyer Program Changes Summarised

Nothing that is 'news' to those of us on AFF of course but still good to see this issue getting more coverage in the 'mainstream' and educating travellers, eg this article then goes into the changes to QF-BA as well as MAS earn rates, the trick with QF vs EK point earnings and the upcoming changes to the loyalty bonus. The more that 'average travellers' know about all this, the better.

 

[DeKa]

I was pleased to see the reference to the fact that Qantas can't control how many points partners (OneWorld or not) provide...

Let's be clear: Qantas isn't to blame for this. Malaysia Airlines effectively buys Qantas Frequent Flyer points from Qantas and sets its own exchange rate for how these are handed out to the traveller.

 

[oz_mark]

well as MAS earn rates,

The issue with MAS rates is that it is a two way thing. Creditting Qantas flights to MH and you discover you get hit with the same issues - poor rates. The problem seems to be a two way thing between these two, as the other partners seem to get normal credit rates.

So, I don't think you can just dismiss it as not Qantas at fault the way the article does. You can't tell from the outside of that agreement who was playing hardball, but it could have been either of the airlines.

 

[whatmeworry]

From July 1, the 8000 point "loyalty bonus" - which comes with every 500 status credits you rack up travelling with Qantas or a partner airline - will apply only to flights carrying a QF flight number.

Get your AA flights in as soon as possible.