Losing QFF points and calling in the media

[timster]

The rules regarding expiry of gift cards are set to change, following a campaign by CHOICE ...
Retailers' $60m windfall prompts changes to gift card expiry dates

Perhaps CHOICE could move on to FF points expiry.

There are some companies whose gift cards never expire. Similarly there are some airlines whose points never expire. That's where I take my business.

 

[RichardMEL]

I think Bunnings is the big one in Oz that has no expiry on gift cards etc.


As for loyalty schemes.. IHG had no expiry for years and just brought it in. Marriott too. They all go to match eacth other annoyingly.

 

[get me outta here]

I see a bit of old fashioned dated Canberra bashing as if that has anything whatsoever ever to do with the topic. I suggest we stay on topic.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Although going on some of the comments here, there are obviously some shareholders amongst us.

Yes, am a QAN (as in ASX ref) share holder.
Not getting involved in this "blue" though.

 

[GSP]

Qantas would know the overall damage is bugger all.

I’d seem to think that the negative publicity would only be temporary for cases like this.

Alternatively, it may bring the issue of attention and benefits of FF points - heck, the couple are fighting for them, so they must be valuable. So there would be some that aren't to clued up with these programs and would think I've got to get a piece of that and jump on bringing business to QAN.

 

[opusman]

Hopefully those arguing "the rules are the rules!" have never once complained about getting a parking ticket or speeding fine

 

[Daver6]

The rules regarding expiry of gift cards are set to change, following a campaign by CHOICE ...
Retailers' $60m windfall prompts changes to gift card expiry dates

Perhaps CHOICE could move on to FF points expiry.

There are some companies whose gift cards never expire. Similarly there are some airlines whose points never expire. That's where I take my business.

The accountants are going to hate this.

 

[CaptJCool]

Alternatively, it may bring the issue of attention and benefits of FF points - heck, the couple are fighting for them, so they must be valuable. So there would be some that aren't to clued up with these programs and would think I've got to get a piece of that and jump on bringing business to QAN.

Goodwill vanished.
My kids had points less than minimum transfer and before I joined here they vanished. Imagine that.... I know the tricks to sort it out now but yea.
Work trips never earn points.
And when ones struggling to live, well, QF show some heart, oh of course you don't. On the day someone dies, they snaffle all the points.. it's one thing for them to take fare credits (and it's in the millions) but quite another to expire points just because the rules say so.

From this years annual report
Investing in Customer, Brand and Digital
The Qantas Group aims to be the first choice among customers in every market we serve.

Across our airline brands (Qantas and Jetstar) and the world–leading Qantas Loyalty programs, our investment in customer, product and service has translated into a clear premium over our competitors.

Revenue in Loyalty just over $1.5 billion
24.5% margin.
http://investor.qantas.com/FormBuil...UaXc0W8Qv3Kfg/docs/QantasAnnualReport2017.pdf Page 23
Revenue at stake here is 0.0001%. Badly handled rules-based process that bankrupts the customer without any recourse. Even under federal bankruptcy law you get many chances with personal service and court appearances..... I'd be angry too of a corporation who took advantage of my incapacity to bankrupt me.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I agree with a few of the others including @blackcat20 that outside AFF the average person doesn’t pay too much attention to FF points expiry until it happens to them.
This is the case whether or not they have a life-threatening illness. Of course definitely higher proportions in those that do. It’s weird how they always notice not long after expiry though and not many months/ years down the track. There’s likely a whole new thread exploring that particular peculiarity.
If QF are going to offer a points challenge re-instatement then the aim must be to get the QFF earning more points in different ways. Seems counterintuitive not to actively point them in the direction.

I managed to earn 22K QFF points tonight from the comfort of my sofa ordering two cases of wine for $550 from Epiqure but I digress......

 

[Dr Ralph]

'The 73-year-old has instead been offered a remedy to reinstate points by taking part in a points challenge, which requires building up 2500 points in six months through the use of a Qantas card or having Woolworths rewards points converted. She estimates that will cost her thousands of dollars.'


This is completely untrue and does not help her case at all!

 

[Skyring]

I do not mean to sound insensitive with this response but I disagree to a large degree.

Why? Not because I think cancer is trivial or battling a chronic disease is insignificant. I have one myself.

My comment was in relation to the notion that the passengers were Canberra academics and thus considered themselves "special". I think that battling cancer is enough reason for someone to be focussed on that, rather than keeping track of their airmiles.

I think if you or your spouse are facing death, then yeah, that's enough reason for you to consider yourself out of the normal path of day to day living.

 

[get me outta here]

I think most of what the people in question have said reflects the total inexperience of the vast majority. A lot of us here would have tried to have helpful ff conversations with others who would like to be in the know, but after one minute of explanations, they close down.

 

[RichardMEL]

'The 73-year-old has instead been offered a remedy to reinstate points by taking part in a points challenge, which requires building up 2500 points in six months through the use of a Qantas card or having Woolworths rewards points converted. She estimates that will cost her thousands of dollars.'


This is completely untrue and does not help her case at all!

yes WE know this. As in most AFF members. That is her preception. yes, it's wrong, but guess what it absolutely adds to the media storm because they will take that as gospel because they can make it sound like "QF expects elderly cancer survivor to pony up thousands of dollars to get points back!" and play the victim angle that much more.

Again, from THEIR perspective it seems grossly unfair, but they're operating under ignorance and that should be taken into account.

btw for the record I ditched my QAN shares for a tidy profit around the $6 mark and I could care less where they lived or who they were.

 

[ffhound]

I should reading about how Qantas granted a dying woman an ex-gratia payment of points that had expired, thus giving me a warm fuzzy feeling and making me feel good about Qantas.

Instead I'm reading this.

Qantas wipes Australian cancer patient's 150k Frequent Flyer points

I know that rules are rules but this is appallingly badly managed PR. And now the news has gone international. Given that points have none or little value its amazing that Qantas is prepared to sacrifice its reputation this way.

If one could transfer points to the lady I'd happily chip in 10k worth or points as a donation as I'm sure would many here, but unfortunately that's not permitted under the rules unless she is a relation.

Peter

 

[Hvr]

Already being discussed here.

Losing QFF points and calling in the media

 

[ffhound]

This was an opportunity for Qantas to show that it had some heart but they have completely trashed their brand for the sake of some points which technically have no value anyway.

I know that rules are rules but this is appallingly badly managed PR. And now the news has gone international. Given that points have none or little value its amazing that Qantas is prepared to sacrifice its reputation this way.

If one could transfer points to the lady I'd happily chip in 10k worth or points as a donation as I'm sure would many here, but unfortunately that's not permitted under the rules unless she is a relation.

cheers Peter

 

[GoldCanyon340]

This was an opportunity for Qantas to show that it had some heart but they have completely trashed their brand for the sake of some points which technically have no value anyway.

To say the brand is 'completely trashed' is a slight exaggeration.

 

[ffhound]

To say the brand is 'completely trashed' is a slight exaggeration.

You are right.

Mostly trashed.

 

[Deleted member]

Hard “Worn” reputation? What does that mean?

 

[Pushka]

Hard “Worn” reputation? What does that mean?

Lots of sayings we use make no sense. And sprouted by the radio and media. ‘Tributes pouring in’ etc etc.