Media Request

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FionaMcKenzie

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Hello,

"A Current Affair" is researching a story on the changes to the frequent flyer system. I'd love to hear what you have to say... and any thoughts you might have on the value or otherwise of frequent flyer and Fly Buys reward programs.
I can be contacted on (02)9965-2373 or [email protected]

Thanks, Fiona McKenzie
 
Reply to the cheque book journalist was:

"I fly for both work (FIFO to mines) and pleasure.
The points are nice things to have, and you may get a free flight every now and again but the thing that I find the best is the recognition and the other perks that you get for being a senior member. Quick check in (5 mins in a queue rather than 45), complementary nibbles, shower facilities etc in the QC make traveling easier to handle. Fly buys cards, the “points” that you get can be used for travel (maybe) but that “free” flight would end up costing you a lot more that if you had purchased it. If the points required for a flight form PER to MEL is 45,000 and you earn them by using fly buys points at $2 per point a $800 paid flight will end up costing $90K. Quite a bargain, I think not. "

:roll:
 
I've been a QFF for about eight years, and have accumulated about 60% of my points through credit card spending (always paid off in full every month - no interest charges). My irregular flying has never seen me rise in status beyond the basic Bronze.
But, in that time I've burnt points flying my wife and I Economy Sydney-Los Angeles, Sydney-Singapore for a long weekend, Sydney-Hong Kong for NYE (booked on Boxing Day) and Sydney-Perth Business Class.
They key is to be flexible with timing of travel, or your destination. Having said that, I've been lucky enough to travel where and when I've wanted to.
My only other FF membership is with Emirates Skywards, and the difference to the QFF program is amazing. My only flights with EK were Perth-London in Business nearly three years ago. On the third leg of that flight they upgraded me to First - way to build loyalty! As the points accrued from those flights were about to expire, I burnt them on a weekend trip Sydney-Auckland. EK are having a 'sale' on the use of points on some of their legs (discounting the points required by 50-60%), so my wife and I were able to travel Business Class. We booked 10 days prior to travel, and seats were available in all three classes, a sign I guess of Emirates being the new kid on this route. I was able to book with an Emirates consultant (Qantas now charge points for this, I believe), and was free to make any changes to travel dates for the next year, again for no charge. Part of Emirates' service on paid Business and First flights is complimentary limo tranfers on departure, arrival and return. They even offered this to me as a 'non paying' passenger, saving us over $200 on taxis.
My impression of the two different programs: Qantas requires flexibility, long term planning, knowledge of how the program operates (thanks to the members of this forum!) and maybe even the balls to wait until right up to your travel date in the hope that last minute FF seats might be released. Emirates: book 'n' go. Even if all their FF seats are gone, you can pay a premium amount of points and still get a seat in Economy on the flight you want, as long as the flight is not totally booked out with paying pasangers.
Levels of service are another story all together.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

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I dont think that's a valid comparison.

EK loads trans-tasman are very low so not surprising there is award availability even at short notice.
 
Point taken.

A limited check on www.sywards.com showed plenty of availability SYD-DBX-LHR as early as next week, too. I guess it's a reflection of EK's overall business startegy - go out hard, do things well, offer plenty of availablity (surely they can't be filling five flights a day to DBX?), win customers over, and then start reiging benfits in once loyalty is established.

At a time when QFF points are being effectively devalued, upgrades harder to secure, extra charges implemented for previously complimetary services, etc, it was refreshing to feel a sense of service and valued custom from EK.[/quote]
 
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