Intentionally triggering a targeted 50% bonus SC promo

[themaiz]

I'd love to be able to say I understand the special sauce, but I think I don't. Or maybe I do?

I spent a [strong term]-load of time last year searching combinations to Dublin and KUL via DXB; SYD/WLG; and SYD/ABQ. From this, and despite paying real money for three long-hauls, not a single offer. Nada. Closest I came was the triple-bonus-miles offer with Business Rewards, but that arrived with a starting time 14 hours after I'd just booked to the US and back in J. So no points and no bonus SC.

Thinking about how this worked: I eventually went revenue J to DUB with EK on QF codeshares which pushed me into LTG. A few months later to ABQ on QF which got me to WP for this year. This was all full revenue (albeit using the best fares I could get, some of which were pretty... aggressive).

Am I an SC bonus candidate? At this point, QF has absolutely nothing to gain by offering me an SC bonus, because they already have the revenue business and I have no credible target left to reach*. If I were coding an algorithm, that would an obvious "don't bother" set of criteria.

So I'm not actually surprised that my incessant searching has turned up no bonus offers. I am however disappointed.

* credible target: after LTG, there's no chance that I'd ever get to the next WP life tier no matter how many times QF promos tell me to go for it!

 

[sudoer]

I spent a [strong term]-load of time last year searching combinations to Dublin and KUL via DXB; SYD/WLG; and SYD/ABQ. From this, and despite paying real money for three long-hauls, not a single offer.

I can't see DUB, KUL or ABQ (Albuquerque?) triggering offers given QF doesn't fly its own metal to those cities. As mentioned earlier in the thread, the offers are seemingly only triggered by searching for flights to particular cities which QF flies to - most commonly JFK, LHR, CHC and AKL.

We don't have any data points on WLG so it's possible QF isn't targeting it.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Data point: I did a *load of searching late last year to SCL which didn't trigger any offers.

 

[Ric]

Works .... sort of!
I (SG) have tried a few times logging in and searching for a Syd > Per > Syd but never got an offer.
Logged into Mrs Ric's account (PS) and did the same search yesterday and lo and behold! An email this morning offering 50% more status credits if booked between 31 Jan and 6 Feb. Works for all flights with a QF flight number BUT the email heading specifically states: Fly to Perth, get 50% more Status Credits

 

[Mattg]

Data point: I did a *load of searching late last year to SCL which didn't trigger any offers.

Not much competition to SCL, so that's perhaps not surprising.

I can't see that searching for flights to JNB would work either, given the lack of options to get to South Africa other than Qantas.

 

[themaiz]

I can't see DUB, KUL or ABQ (Albuquerque?) triggering offers given QF doesn't fly its own metal to those cities.

True, but in this case there was major amounts QF metal in queries. As part of the research
* many requests for routings in J with SYD/LHR, which QF flies. Plus, on that trip, a lot of KUL/SYD searches, also in J.
* many requests for routings in J with SYD/LAX and SYD/DFW which QF flies.

If the machine was interested in me as a passenger, it sure didn't show it.

 

[sudoer]

True, but in this case there was major amounts QF metal in queries.

Qantas appear to be targeting final destinations to which they fly to directly and charge a premium for, not just destinations which have 'major amounts' of QF metal along the way.

SYD-SIN is far more likely to trigger a bonus than SYD(-xSIN)-KUL. Why? Well, it makes sense if comparing what Qantas charges for those routes.

Qantas are by far the most expensive carrier to SIN. A random search for direct SYD-SIN return in J later this year tells the story - SQ $3.1k, BA $3.3k, QF $4.4k. QF can certainly afford to throw in a 50% SC bonus as an enticement considering the (assumed) higher yield. No one in their right mind should be booking QF there unless they're spending someone else's money, or have a sick case of FF Stockholm Syndrome - but QF would be pricing the route based on what the market will bear so someone must be paying it.

On the other hand, QF aren't able to charge the same premiums on SYD-KUL as they a) don't fly direct and b) partner with an LCC for the SIN-KUL leg which doesn't offer a J cabin. Random search for same period - D7 $2k, QF $2.8k, MH $3k - with D7 & MH flying direct. QF obviously have to bring their price down to have any chance at competing, and still potentially give up a seat on the same SYD-SIN flight they could charge $4.4k for. The yield comes down significantly.

Obviously this is all conjecture, but I think this is what's driving the selection of destinations that trigger bonuses, rather than 'how much' QF metal is in an itinerary.

The aim isn't just to get bums in seats, it's to get bums in seats on routes that QF can (and does) charge a lot for. So in short, if you want to trigger a bonus..

Search for SYD-LHR instead of SYD-(xLHR)-DUB
Search for SYD-LAX instead of SYD-(xLAX)-ABQ (I'm not sure whether DFW is targeted, I don't think we've seen a data point for it yet?)
Search for SYD-SIN instead of SYD-(xSIN)-KUL

 

[themaiz]

Search for SYD-LHR <snip> Search for SYD-LAX <snip> Search for SYD-SIN

In fact, that's what I was doing. The QF system is not kind when searching weird routings (I've had it frequently blow up after entering a lot of leg-by-leg data) so I tend to break down my searches by the vanilla flights - eg: SYD-LHR, SIN-SYD - then hunt around for other-leg flights that are useful and finally get an agent (airline or travel) to piece it all together.

The point is that, based on the comments in this thread, I was doing searches that should have triggered an offer. There wasn't one.

My conclusion is not that searches don't trigger offers, but that my profile and searches fell outside the algorithms and criteria in use. More plausible, and still fits the observations.

 

[pauly7]

Qantas are by far the most expensive carrier to SIN. A random search for direct SYD-SIN return in J later this year tells the story - SQ $3.1k, BA $3.3k, QF $4.4k. QF can certainly afford to throw in a 50% SC bonus as an enticement considering the (assumed) higher yield. No one in their right mind should be booking QF there unless they're spending someone else's money, or have a sick case of FF Stockholm Syndrome - but QF would be pricing the route based on what the market will bear so someone must be paying it.

On the other hand, QF aren't able to charge the same premiums on SYD-KUL as they a) don't fly direct and b) partner with an LCC for the SIN-KUL leg which doesn't offer a J cabin. Random search for same period - D7 $2k, QF $2.8k, MH $3k - with D7 & MH flying direct. QF obviously have to bring their price down to have any chance at competing, and still potentially give up a seat on the same SYD-SIN flight they could charge $4.4k for. The yield comes down significantly.

Interesting theory but I suspect the filter above that for QF is that they are targeting routes they have a bit of flexibility in capacity for and can fill up a little bit more (Singapore capacity has increased enormously over last couple of years).

Keep in mind also that corporates fill up the vast majority of J and premium cabins. And I assure you corporates are not paying the retail rates you are quoting . There is always a % off/access to a hidden fare bucket and often volume rebates that apply to fares as well. They also do route specific volume deals to big customers that have offices in specific OS ports.

 

[albatross710]

I've been searching lots on QF the past few weeks. No offers. Things I do though:

a) Rarely actually login and often use incognito browsing for searches.
b) Have all my QF marketing preferences turned off.

As of finding this thread 31 Jan, I've ticked all the marketing preferences and done daily searches BNE-LAX.

I'm looking for a good reason to pull the trigger on my USA itinerary.

 

[sudoer]

Keep in mind also that corporates fill up the vast majority of J and premium cabins. And I assure you corporates are not paying the retail rates you are quoting . There is always a % off/access to a hidden fare bucket and often volume rebates that apply to fares as well. They also do route specific volume deals to big customers that have offices in specific OS ports.

This is true, but those corporates would be accessing negotiated rates through QBR or a corporate TA and as far as we know, those searches won't trigger an SC promo.

As searching through the consumer Qantas.com booking engine seems to be the only way to trigger an offer, I think Qantas is ultimately trying to target consumers spending their own money rather than corporate staff spending someone else's (where they probably don't need to offer additional enticement to win the business anyway.)

a) Rarely actually login and often use incognito browsing for searches.

You'll certainly need to be logged in and have cookies enabled i.e. not incognito. Best of luck, please report back! I'd suggest throwing SYD-LAX searches into the mix as there's additional competition from UA and DL.

 

[Eija]

I’ll play along…

1. I have never received a targeted 50% SC promo
2. WP(6 years), anniversary date 31 January. Therefore, sitting on 0 SC today
3. Have 4 flights booked in March 2020 = 180 SC

I’ll do some searches as per the above theories. It will be interesting to see if a WP on 0 SC is a trigger.

 

[sudoer]

It will be interesting to see if a WP on 0 SC is a trigger.

My other half fits this exact description and got one in November. Her anniversary is in August though, and she had no forward bookings.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Qantas appear to be targeting final destinations to which they fly to directly and charge a premium for, not just destinations which have 'major amounts' of QF metal along the way.

SYD-SIN is far more likely to trigger a bonus than SYD(-xSIN)-KUL. Why? Well, it makes sense if comparing what Qantas charges for those routes.

Qantas are by far the most expensive carrier to SIN. A random search for direct SYD-SIN return in J later this year tells the story - SQ $3.1k, BA $3.3k, QF $4.4k. QF can certainly afford to throw in a 50% SC bonus as an enticement considering the (assumed) higher yield. No one in their right mind should be booking QF there unless they're spending someone else's money, or have a sick case of FF Stockholm Syndrome - but QF would be pricing the route based on what the market will bear so someone must be paying it.

On the other hand, QF aren't able to charge the same premiums on SYD-KUL as they a) don't fly direct and b) partner with an LCC for the SIN-KUL leg which doesn't offer a J cabin. Random search for same period - D7 $2k, QF $2.8k, MH $3k - with D7 & MH flying direct. QF obviously have to bring their price down to have any chance at competing, and still potentially give up a seat on the same SYD-SIN flight they could charge $4.4k for. The yield comes down significantly.

Obviously this is all conjecture, but I think this is what's driving the selection of destinations that trigger bonuses, rather than 'how much' QF metal is in an itinerary.

The aim isn't just to get bums in seats, it's to get bums in seats on routes that QF can (and does) charge a lot for. So in short, if you want to trigger a bonus..

Search for SYD-LHR instead of SYD-(xLHR)-DUB
Search for SYD-LAX instead of SYD-(xLAX)-ABQ (I'm not sure whether DFW is targeted, I don't think we've seen a data point for it yet?)
Search for SYD-SIN instead of SYD-(xSIN)-KUL

And yet I have had offers from searches for PER-NOU and PER-SCL.
I don't think the routes are the only or main determinant.
I think user behaviour is important.
I don't just search.
I make bookings.
I fill in PAX details.
I select seats.
I decline travel insurance and accept carbon offsets.
I take the bookings all the way to the payment page.
Then I close the browser tab.
Qantas email me to tell me they are holding the booking until midnight.
I ignore it.
Within a few days I receive a bonus SC offer.
I made such a booking to NOU on Saturday.
I received the 50% bonus SC offer on Thursday.
DURING a sale which includes fares to Noumea.

 

[themaiz]

I take the bookings all the way to the payment page.
Then I close the browser tab.

Ah. Now that's a truly cute ploy. Wish I'd thought of it (certainly before I booked the current US trip!).

On a slightly different tack: has anyone had more than one SC offer in a cycle year?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Ah. Now that's a truly cute ploy. Wish I'd thought of it (certainly before I booked the current US trip!).

On a slightly different tack: has anyone had more than one SC offer in a cycle year?

I've had several.
Most recent: 14/01/2019, 27/05/2019, 30/09/2019 & 30/01/2020.
My membership year ends 30/09.
So three of those were in the 2018/19 membership year.

 

[sudoer]

On a slightly different tack: has anyone had more than one SC offer in a cycle year?

Yes, to Singapore 3 months into year and to Christchurch 6 months in.

 

[themaiz]

I've had several.

Cool! Randomly, and out of the blue or after doing a truncated search?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Cool! Randomly, and out of the blue or after doing a truncated search?

Intentionally since a search for flights to ADL triggered one in January 2018.
Since then I have honed my technique.

 

[albatross710]

@sbor90 do you think there is any relationship of the SC offers to the "We are holding flights from Sydney to Los Angeles for you until 11:59pm" emails.

Would be an easy selection to trigger the 50% SC offers to

Booking as a QFF = Yes
Have or had "Holding" emails to <current target destinations> = Yes
On QF metal = Yes
Has holding email been converted or paid into a booking = No

Yield management via marketing updates some list of sectors and then whammo at 7am, generate emails to all those going to LAX on QF flights