Loyalty bonus quandary, what do you do?

[nodabs]

Not a big deal but I've just ticket over the first 500 SC and now have the choice between the 50sc and 8,000 points. I already have my Gold re-qual with booked travel but at the same time won't get to WP. I think I'll probably go for the 8,000 justifying it as most of a transcon J upgrade but was just wondering how everybody values SC that don't directly benefit the current year but rather just go onto the lifetime total?

 

[gaz0303]

Good question. If I average my flying habits over the past few years, it will take me another 13 years to reach lifetime gold. By selecting the SC bonus, it will reduce it to 12 years. I think I'll keep taking the 8000pts until it effects my status for that year.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Nothing worse than watching stranded SC's disappear at the end of your membership year. :evil:

IF LTG is not on your radar than the points have more value as they don't expire at the end of your year and can be transferred as needed.

 

[nodabs]

Nothing worse than watching stranded SC's disappear at the end of your membership year. :evil:

IF LTG is not on your radar than the points have more value as they don't expire at the end of your year and can be transferred as needed.

Good points! personally I'm a long way off LTG but would hope to have another 40 years of flying. Realistically lifetime status will come from continued business travel opportunities and an upgrade worth of points scrathches an itch now.

Super interested in other people valuations of points Vs SC though!

 

[Daver6]

My view is, if I'm short on points, they're relatively easy to get (buy wine). Status credits are much harder to acquire. Therefore I'll take the SC towards lifetime status.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

My view is, if I'm short on points, they're relatively easy to get (buy wine). Status credits are much harder to acquire. Therefore I'll take the SC towards lifetime status.

Another vote for SCs. Points are still easy to acquire by a variety of means despite the recent RBA changes. SCs aren't, plus unexpected travels might get you close to the next status tier and suddenly the loyalty bonus could matter a lot.

 

[Longtoo]

I would also go for SCs unless I know for sure that there is no chance to get to a higher tier.

I have a question on this as well: what what membership year do they count these bonus loyalty SCs. Based on my current booking, I will get 2 loyalty bonuses one month before the end of my membership year. If i wait until the next membership year to select SCs, will they be counted for the new membership year? TIA.

 

[kermatu]

Loyalty SCs count in the year redeemed, not earned, as far as I'm aware. So can be a nice bonus to hang on to.

 

[dairyfloss]

Loyalty SCs count in the year redeemed, not earned, as far as I'm aware. So can be a nice bonus to hang on to.

How long do you have to decide from the point of accumulation / entitlement? I'm going to get the bonus again this month. SCs not needed for this qualifying year, which I've already made, but never sure of the next year. Mine doesn't reset until end of August though...

 

[JohnK]

I'd take the 8,000 QFF points unless I knew that I was going to struggle earning/re-qualifying the status I want.

 

[kermatu]

How long do you have to decide from the point of accumulation / entitlement? I'm going to get the bonus again this month. SCs not needed for this qualifying year, which I've already made, but never sure of the next year. Mine doesn't reset until end of August though...

I think it is 3 months, but I have never exercised the option and I can't say this with certainty, sorry. There are separate threads regarding loyalty bonuses so worth searching there. I may be totally wrong.

 

[dairyfloss]

I think it is 3 months, but I have never exercised the option and I can't say this with certainty, sorry. There are separate threads regarding loyalty bonuses so worth searching there. I may be totally wrong.

No problem. Thanks, kermatu. Given the SCs for the following year are more relevant than the points, for me (at any point in time), I might assume the role of guinea pig on this one

 

[nodabs]

No problem. Thanks, kermatu. Given the SCs for the following year are more relevant than the points, for me (at any point in time), I might assume the role of guinea pig on this one

This makes it much more interesting. Given my year ticks over July 31st it sounds like holding out until then and adding to next years SC might be the go (always a good feeling having some things booked in for the future.)
had a dig through the loyalty bonus site and found this in the T&C's

The Loyalty Bonus reward must be selected within 90 days from the date a member achieves the Loyalty Bonus. Once selected the reward cannot be changed.

No mention of the your loyalty year affecting this at all but that sounds positive.

 

[TomVexille]

I value the points just a fraction over the SCs if they aren't going to make or break your year. So points for me

 

[serfty]

It's three months and can be nice if it straddles two years.

I just invoked the points for one, but did wait until I actually reached the requalification level - just in case.

My year ends October, so no chance of straddling for me.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

I can confirm that you can straddle the bonus SC across cycles. I received my offer in April, my cycle ended May 31 and I credited to my 2018 cycle on June 1.

 

[dairyfloss]

I can confirm that you can straddle the bonus SC across cycles. I received my offer in April, my cycle ended May 31 and I credited to my 2018 cycle on June 1.

Brilliant! That's how I'll play it then. 90 days is over month into my new qualifying year.

 

[samh004]

Good question. If I average my flying habits over the past few years, it will take me another 13 years to reach lifetime gold. By selecting the SC bonus, it will reduce it to 12 years. I think I'll keep taking the 8000pts until it effects my status for that year.

In my most recent case, I used two loyalty bonuses to push me over the Platinum qualification line prior to a big trip to the UK. I could have taken the points instead, but suffered J lounges along the way instead. First world problems I know.

Like your reasoning though, taking the bonus 50SC will inch me closer to LTG quicker than taking the points. Marginally so, but even then, it's still something. I have another 3500 to go... that could be as much as 300 wiped off.

 

[kitkatff]

As long as you're not LTG, I'd say take the SCs. You can get 8,000 points with a case of wine on Epiqure, which if you drink wine you'd buy in any case.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Just took my first loyalty bonus option as status credits.
I can earn the points in a month on my credit card or on one holiday with points from hotels and car hire thrown in.
Whereas these 50 SCs plus another 50 from my next loyalty bonus will mean I can requalify as WP without using a booking which is eligible for double SCs.
That will let me push that booking back until after my membership year ends in September, making it easier to requalify in 2018.
I'm also keen to push over the LTG threshold as quickly as possible and with 100-150 SCs extra per year I will do that in about 4 years rather than 5.
Then I will feel free to experience other airlines more often again. I'm missing the occasional touch of Etihad F luxury to be honest.