media request

[Knowles]

Hi,

I am a journalist for News Ltd, urgently seeking a Qantas frequent flyer who is unhappy with the changes to rewards credit and charge cards.
If you are happy to be quoted and be in a photgraph, please contact me at (02) 9288 2627 or 0432 753 548.

Lorna Knowles
Consumer Consumer Affairs Writer, News Ltd
Editor, Value Hunter

 

[MelUser]

Charming!

Just what we need - more Qantas bashing.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Charming!

Just what we need - more Qantas bashing.

Well somebody has to do it.

 

[oz_mark]

Charming!

Just what we need - more Qantas bashing.

Sometimes it's deserved, and there are clearly a number of people displeased by the changes. Some are looking for workarounds that keep opitions open (the citi business gold path, the linking Amex accounts path), some are miffed by the extra charges of Commbank and Citibank and so on.

(and if you set out to be the number one loyalty program in Australia, I think its a bit rude to be charging 82.50 joining fee, when its free if you join overseas!)

 

[simongr]

I think this is justified QF bashing compared to some of the ridiculous QF bashing we have had recently. The direct sweep only is a horrendous move by QF. However after the rubbish that news ltd have printed about QF I will not be volunteering to assist them in any way.

 

[anat0l]

Hi,

I am a journalist for News Ltd, urgently seeking a Qantas frequent flyer who is unhappy with the changes to rewards credit and charge cards.
If you are happy to be quoted and be in a photgraph, please contact me at (02) 9288 2627 or 0432 753 548.

Lorna Knowles
Consumer Consumer Affairs Writer, News Ltd
Editor, Value Hunter

Hi,

I am a Qantas frequent flyer who is unhappy with the changes to rewards credit and charge cards.

If you are prepared to be ethical, intelligible and unbiassed, maybe we can talk.



-----------

Sheesh, why do I waste my time......

 

[Anna]

I presume that, for balance, you have already obtained a comment from someone who is happy with the changes?

Personally I think it is much more convenient to have my points transferred automatically without me needing to ring up to get it done.

 

[Knowles]

Can you please contact me on (02) 9288 2627 to discuss further?

 

[simongr]

I presume that, for balance, you have already obtained a comment from someone who is happy with the changes?

Personally I think it is much more convenient to have my points transferred automatically without me needing to ring up to get it done.

With Amex you didnt need to call. You also had the option of taking a direct sweep card previously that would have removed your issue of calling to transfer points.

What QF have done is eliminate choice on the part of the consumer.

 

[MelUser]

There is a choice - I guess it is a bit like a marriage.

Seriously though, I think AMEX lets you in and out of Qantas Direct once per calendar year.

For a laugh, Lot Polish Airline's first frequent flyer program before it joined Lufthansa's Miles and More was known as the "Permanent Passenger Program"

 

[simongr]

There is a choice - I guess it is a bit like a marriage.

Seriously though, I think AMEX lets you in and out of Qantas Direct once per calendar year.

Point noted re choice - the user can either choose all other providers or choose QFF.

I do nto believe that Amex can let you in and out. My understanding is that if you want to move MR points to QFF you need a direct sweep card - you can not use the Ascent program. The exception is the Amex Plat Chg card which changes to Premium Ascent and that essentially will not change to the customer.

 

[oz_mark]

I presume that, for balance, you have already obtained a comment from someone who is happy with the changes?

Personally I think it is much more convenient to have my points transferred automatically without me needing to ring up to get it done.

There were a number of cards prior to the changes that gave a direct sweep across to QFF (Amex had its Qantas cards, Westpac had Earth and so on). What the changes have done is make you either have a direct sweep card, or lock you out of redeeming for QFF points.

 

[oz_mark]

There is a choice - I guess it is a bit like a marriage.

Seriously though, I think AMEX lets you in and out of Qantas Direct once per calendar year.

I don't recall such an offer from Amex. You either had a direct sweep card or not. Maybe you are thinking of someone else like CommBank.

 

[dajop]

Well if the QF change to direct sweep triggered the wider credit card partnerships of Singapore Airlines Krisflyer and a reduction in transfer ratio on Amex for SQ (and the timing of this indicates this may indeed have been a trigger) .. I am happy as it increased my the value of my Amex MR points.

There's the positive spin .... Qantas have opened up options for us to think about and start using other airlines FF programs.

 

[straitman]

Hi,

I am a journalist for News Ltd, urgently seeking a Qantas frequent flyer who is unhappy with the changes to rewards credit and charge cards.
If you are happy to be quoted and be in a photgraph, please contact me at (02) 9288 2627 or 0432 753 548.

Lorna Knowles
Consumer Consumer Affairs Writer, News Ltd
Editor, Value Hunter

Lorna,

As you are able to see there is a lot of feeling, some good but mostly bad, about the changes.

The challenge you have is finding someone who will talk to you because of your News Ltd association and their history of inappropriate bashing and biased stories.

Good luck but I believe you will be out of luck on this occasion.

 

[dajop]

Agreed. But I that is what she is getting paid for. She is doing her job. Her employers are not interested in substance - just grabbing people's attention and selling newspapers. So I think she is doing a terrific job of meeting those expectations.

Is it responsible? No. Is it dangerous? Probably yes. It is a sad state of affairs. Unfortunately people won't buy newspapers that say sharks are OK, and you have to be unlucky, or "Qantas professionalism lands hundreds of planes a day safely". My personal opinion is that everyone before they leave school should be forced to watch old episodes of Frontline and taught to take everything they read/hear about in mainstream media with a grain of salt.

 

[MelUser]

Perhaps we are being harsh (but fair) but if you think how TT and ACA treat some Australians we are being mild in comparison!

 

[QF WP]

Well, I was called upon to assist in Lorna's article as it goes to deadline at 5pm this afternoon - so look out on Sunday.

As a person who is ambivalent about the changes, she will certainly have a different point of view. To give some background to those that don't know my position, I have a co-branded ANZ QFF Plat Visa which automatically sweeps my points to QFF, as well as an Amex Plat in the Ascent program. Obviously given the better earning in Amex Plat (and recent promo's ), I have put about 80% of my spend through Amex and the balance to ANZ. That has kept my Amex points really ticking over and enough crumbs to QFF to get my account there over 110K at present (with some moderate amount of flying helping too :shock.

Given my understanding about the earn and burn ratios of some of the leading FF programs, I maintain an exclusive sweep from Amex > SPG > AAdvantage. I have never swept to QFF because of their poorer burn ratio. I was able to give Lorna some general idea as to why I like the AA burn over QF's anyday! She seemed surprised, but I explained to her that the only reason I use QFF points is for ODU's, which on my usual fare type (FlexiSAver) is good value to me - I explained to her about each person's perception as to what is value for their FF point.

Now, there may be an ugly photo of me and my QFF bag (with Plat tag still on it ), so those that don't know who I am will after Sunday

 

[MelUser]

which newspaper (for those of us in Melbourne)?

 

[Flashback]

which newspaper (for those of us in Melbourne)?

I assume it would be any newspaper they have a hand in, so maybe the SMH?