Is there a Devaluation of Qantas Frequent Flyer Points coming?

[oz_mark]

The value of points in the shop has been drifting downwards anyway. Used to get 0.6-0.7 cents per point, that is down to 0.5-0.6. I would expect that to keep drifting down.

The real question is whether they will do anything with the award tables. Maybe, but I don't think they normally give anyone a heads up on that!

 

[DavidFlynn]

The real question is whether they will do anything with the award tables. Maybe, but I don't think they normally give anyone a heads up on that!

Agreed. Most QF 'adjustments' over recent years have not been flagged in advance – the sole exceptions I can think right now were 'simpler fairer' (which was arguably the biggest and highest-impact for some time) and the ending of xASA awards (QF called them 'Marginal Any Seat Awards'), for which there were pre-briefings (I recall there being a 'social media' pre-brief call the arvo before xASAs were axed with included AFF mods, AusBT and methinks also PointHacks).

 

[oz_mark]

and the ending of xASA awards (QF called them 'Marginal Any Seat Awards'),

Funny thing is that I was subsequently told that they didn't actually have a name until they were asked. They made it up, based on them coming from marginal inventory...

 

[opusman]

Just as long as I can still gets me toasters!

 

[DrJ]

Not even Yoda using his strongest Jedi mind control tricks would be able to spin a 50% redemption devaluation as an “enhancement”. Seriously hope this one is false.

 

[Pushka]

So Aug 23 is the day then.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Not even Yoda using his strongest Jedi mind control tricks would be able to spin a 50% redemption devaluation as an “enhancement”.

"This is not the enhancement you're looking for. He can continue to buy toasters. Move along."

 

[DavidFlynn]

So Aug 23 is the day then.

Only as far as opening the kimono on FY18 numbers and sharing some passenger-friendly announcements (although I'm also wondering if we'll also see Qantas announce which regional city will host its pilot training academy, as QF execs have reportedly been doing the rounds of the nine shortlisted candidates).

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
Personally speaking, I would find any looming & substantial devaluation to be an odd decision: Qantas is set to announce a record profit at its FY18 prelims (Aug23) and will be looking to couple this with some positive 'passengers benefit' announcements, and Qantas Loyalty is already a massive money-spinner for the airline – so to turn around in a time of trumpets and reduce the value of points, do something which is going to negatively impact so many people and cast a shadow over a positive climate, would strike me as unlikely.

Record profit? Some customer benefit announcements? Yikes! Sounds like the perfect time to announce a devaluation! (And if they devalue, then Qantas Loyalty will be an even bigger money spinner ...)

Sorry, off to make a booking or two ...

 

[JohnK]

The real question is whether they will do anything with the award tables. Maybe, but I don't think they normally give anyone a heads up on that!

Considering Qantas have been offfering lots of 25% off, 30% off and 50% off economy awards promotions I can't see a devaluation on the cards.

 

[rock86]

(although I'm also wondering if we'll also see Qantas announce which regional city will host its pilot training academy, as QF execs have reportedly been doing the rounds of the nine shortlisted candidates).

They certainly have, they were up this way the other day.

Considering Qantas have been offfering lots of 25% off, 30% off and 50% off economy awards promotions I can't see a devaluation on the cards.

The thing is, any redemption point devaluation affects the whole program value overall. They'd see a nice little bump to the bottom line after a devaluation, but then they'll also need to adjust their value of how much a QFF point is sold for. They don't need an injection to their bottom line at the moment, nor does it look like they will next FY also - so I really can't see what benefit a devaluation would provide at present.

 

[davidj]

When this happens I hope they give an xx day transition period on old rates.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When this happens I hope they give an xx day transition period on old rates.

They are required to give members three months notice as per 3.2 (a) of the FF terms and conditions.

 

[docjames]

chatting to customer who has just recently cashed out all his Qantas Frequent Flyer points for Gift cards from the Qantas Shop.

/irony/

Any devaluation cant possibly be worse than value a giftcard redemption.

I wouldn't be taking FF advice from someone who thinks giftcards is a good value "cash out".....

 

[RichardMEL]

Sorry but this is someone who values redeeming points for gift cards as a good option to "beat" the devaluation, when we all know tedemption for stuff in the store is poor (and getting poorer) value anyway. Then this "change" has already been announced yet if it was such a major thing we'd be all over it? I question the source.. but hope he enjoys his woolies vouchers!!!

Seriously though sure, programs are ALWAYS devaluaing when they can get away with it, or using other controls (ie: inventory) to squeeze the value (as the poster above aluded to with trying to get to ADL, though that is a very small sample size).

At the end of the day it is all about where any one person sees value in the program, or has a goal (eg: not everyone here will be looking to reddem CX or JL F rwards).

 

[knightfall88]

aren't they doing it already, isn't it getting harder to find reward seats as we go on?

In anycase I would be extremely disappointed in any dramatic change given how inflexible Qantas Points are to compared to other programs

 

[Mattg]

I would expect the next devaluation with QF to involve an increase in the points required for Classic Flight Rewards but a decrease in the carrier charges (similar to last year's KrisFlyer devaluation). That said, I'd be surprised if this happened any time soon, given QF is currently making a record profit and there are still many other more competitive frequent flyer programs out there!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My bet is a revenue based system perhaps? Which I think would be fairer. Those currently buying international business class tickets are getting the raw prawn... $7000 for a ticket to LAX for example but relegated to the MEL QFi J lounge

 

[Mattg]

My bet is a revenue based system perhaps?

Please don't give them ideas!

If Qantas does this, I will stop using the program.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Please don't give them ideas!

If Qantas does this, I will stop using the program.

I dunno... tricky one. Does loyalty simply = BIS regardless of the fare or profit? Or does loyalty = large bucks with maximum profit?

Maybe QF could find a medium... but for our particular circumstances (non status travel) business class all too often gets relegated to the background. Lufthansa does it with business class lounges (rather than senator, which economy can access). Finnair does it with their business class... a worse lounge regardless of the fare paid.

Perhaps the answer is something along the lines of Singapore airlines where FF is separate to $$ spend. If QF was to say ‘ok, you spend $20k a year on two tickets, that deserves access to the F cl lounge’ that would be fairer (for our circumstances).