Heads up about program changes

[MEL_Traveller]

Isn't that the same issue when they reduce the SCs too? How come that one goes quicker than the points?

The SCs are awarded by QF not the partner airline?

So it looks like we have got to the bottom of this 'fairer and simpler' idea.

This is a Qantas FF program. You will get rewarded if you fly Qantas, and not so much if you fly anyone else.

As a subset of that, you will get rewarded with QF if you fly on high fares, otherwise not so much.

outcome: will I be going out of my way to fly Qantas? Not so much.

Why not just go straight to a revenue based FF program? Spend $5000 a year and get silver, $10000 gold and $25000 platinum.

 

[wandering_fred]

Isn't that the same issue when they reduce the SCs too? How come that one goes quicker than the points?

SCs earn status. While it is not transparent which program pays for international lounge access (metal or status FF program), the (traditional) relatively easy status earn with QF is likely to have cost QF $$ in the USA and Europe with flyers mainly ignoring QF flights but having QF FF status.

Points earn with the QF FF program has been sort of middle of the road. OTOH points spend with QF (I think) can be said to have been one of the less generous programs.

QF could have handled the changes which they believed were needed with a great deal more tact. Simply adding (even modest) SC requirements on QF marketed flights to each status level would have achieved most of what (I believe) they wanted. At least QF has a fair amount of company with ill-thought out FF program changes at the moment. (AA with lack of notice on changes as well as a number of the changes themselves eg removal of soft landing - CX auctioning of cabin upgrades in a program were unpublished benefits were/are the major attraction)

Where do we go from here? Stay tuned to the next episode of "The Unhappy life of middle tier frequent flyers".

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Ansett]

SCs earn status. While it is not transparent which program pays for international lounge access (metal or status FF program), the (traditional) relatively easy status earn with QF is likely to have cost QF $$ in the USA and Europe with flyers mainly ignoring QF flights but having QF FF status.

Points earn with the QF FF program has been sort of middle of the road. OTOH points spend with QF (I think) can be said to have been one of the less generous programs.

QF could have handled the changes which they believed were needed with a great deal more tact. Simply adding (even modest) SC requirements on QF marketed flights to each status level would have achieved most of what (I believe) they wanted. At least QF has a fair amount of company with ill-thought out FF program changes at the moment. (AA with lack of notice on changes as well as a number of the changes themselves eg removal of soft landing - CX auctioning of cabin upgrades in a program were unpublished benefits were/are the major attraction)

Where do we go from here? Stay tuned to the next episode of "The Unhappy life of middle tier frequent flyers".

Happy wandering

Fred

The answer is simple we go for BFOD and force airlines down the price route which means lower revenues and forget about loyalty as airlines have thrown away loyalty from them to us.

 

[Isochronous]

They'd probably expect you to fly HKG-DXB-LHR/CDG on EK metal... Stuff flying CX to BKK, SIN or KUL!

Except you can't buy HKG-DXB on EK with a QF code - so there is no opportunity to buy QF code and earn the full QFF rate for SCs!

I don't get this.... how would it take so long for partner airlines to accept a reduced earn rate? Surely they'd jump at the chance to pay out less miles?

Something doesn't add up if partners aren't embracing this.

So is QF demanding more money for the miles? Is Qantas wanting partner airlines to pay more money, but actually only giving us pax half the miles?

Part 2 that I don't understand... the Qantas rep has told us they don't go public unless they have completely finalised everything. This includes situations where passengers could have had the opportunity to make better arrangements. This is done to ensure consistency.

So how could this change not have been finalised?

If QF are halving the partner earn rate, then the partner airlines want to pay half what they pay now for the QFF points. QF probably thought they could avoid this, at least in part. Except they don't have a leg to stand on in the negotiations.

 

[straitman]

I wonder what QF would do if the ACCC revokes permission for the EK/QF tie up (review late next year) or don't renew it past March 2018.

Do people actually think there will still be a QF International by March 2018 :?:

 

[Ansett]

Do people actually think there will still be a QF International by March 2018 :?:

Nope hence why burning points and changing airlines and alliances

 

[TonyHancock]

Do people actually think there will still be a QF International by March 2018 :?:

A few month ago I would have laughed this off, but I am now of the view that QFi has a limited future.

edit...I should add that I am living hand to mouth on FF points, using them for upgrades as and when whilst warehousing points in Diners and amex for transfer to BA via the usual routes.

 

[OATEK]

Do people actually think there will still be a QF International by March 2018 :?:

Do you think they are aware how many FFers are running their points down with just that prospect in mind?

 

[moa999]

Am sure they can run all sorts of diagnostics on average points balances etc, but I suspect many of the outspoken on these forum are dwarfed by the other 9,999,990 members

 

[JohnK]

Do people actually think there will still be a QF International by March 2018 :?:

You never know.

 

[medhead]

Which is exactly why QF have higher earns on routes between regions or within regions that it doesn't operate. So HKG-JFK, MIA-SCL and ICN-HKG all earn at higher rates than comparable distance partner flights on routes that QF compete with. Where it gets tricky is for routes like NRT-LHR. QF arguably competes on SE Asia - Europe via EK codeshares, but that's not an option out of NRT.

Edit, on second thoughts, of course NRT-LHR is just an excuse for someone to fly a competitor airline to Europe from Australia. That's why it's in the lower earn!!

Look closer to home - ADL- SIN for a start. Flying via the east coast is not viable for my family holidays.

 

[medhead]

Here's what a number of informed Qantas Frequent Flyer members revealed to Australian Business Traveller about their post-July loyalty plans:Qantas Frequent Flyer shake-up: what's your plan come July 1"

The link gives a small overview of both domestic & international QF FF, but the comments below the article are rather telling . . . . . .

I loved the guy who reckons he'll get more points and status flying in business class.

I would have commented there about it, but it seems AusBT has deleted by account.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I wonder what QF would do if the ACCC revokes permission for the EK/QF tie up (review late next year) or don't renew it past March 2018.

Here's hoping!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I loved the guy who reckons he'll get more points and status flying in business class.

I would have commented there about it, but it seems AusBT has deleted by account.

Actually in my case that's true :shock: :!:

(as long as I stick to QF/EK for all my trips to Europe)

 

[TonyHancock]

Here's hoping!

I think the reality is that one just has to focus on what works and forget loyalty to any airline. As flyers we have a commercial relationship and have to follow the best route. (No pun intended.) In the same vain QF pursues its best interests.

 

[medhead]

Actually in my case that's true :shock: :!:

(as long as I stick to QF/EK for all my trips to Europe)

The kangaroo route is the obvious exception.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The kangaroo route is the obvious exception.

Absolutely. I should say again that I think the slashing of earning on OW partners from Asia to Europe is short-sighted and just plain wrong.

 

[Isochronous]

To the earlier poster talking about HKG-JFK versus NRT-LHR: isn't Asia to Nth America one of the zones with reduced earn?

 

[medhead]

Absolutely. I should say again that I think the slashing of earning on OW partners from Asia to Europe is short-sighted and just plain wrong.

The thing that gets me is that table that says business has increased to asia. This seems to be just plain wrong. Misleading?

 

[whatmeworry]

Do people actually think there will still be a QF International by March 2018 :?:

Maybe just a QFi lite, with flights only to MEL/SYD-LHR and MEL/SYD-LAX.