New member, long term QFF questioning my loyalty (or theirs)

[Richard64]

Hi All,

Just registered - didn't even know this community existed until I was trying to google the Qantas Loyalty Program Manager Lesley Grant. I'm a long term QFF and have held WP status for 16 years - all through BIS.

I'm looking for help and guidance in making the most of my QFF membership - I have noticed in the past few years it has been almost impossible to get seats on the days I want - even booking a year in advance. I normally hit my Status renewal level about 6 months into the year ( will renew Plat at the end of this month, membership year is Aug). I currently am trying to get flights with my family back from JFK in Jan 2017 but can't get the days I want - a special request has opened up seats day after my daughter starts school in year 12 - not a great time to miss school.

The question I want to ask Lesley is this :- I have lifetime gold. I have more QFF points than I can use (because I can't get the seats I need). I renew my Platinum status 6 months in ( and therefore have no chance at Plat 1). Why should I continue to fly Qantas for the rest of the year ? Shouldn't I build up status at Virgin/Star Alliance ? I hear it is much easier to get FF seats with their program ?

If anyone has advice I'd be very grateful.

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

Where do you normally fly? That would help us determine which program may suit you.

 

[straitman]

Hi All,

Just registered - didn't even know this community existed until I was trying to google the Qantas Loyalty Program Manager Lesley Grant. I'm a long term QFF and have held WP status for 16 years - all through BIS.

I'm looking for help and guidance in making the most of my QFF membership - I have noticed in the past few years it has been almost impossible to get seats on the days I want - even booking a year in advance. I normally hit my Status renewal level about 6 months into the year ( will renew Plat at the end of this month, membership year is Aug). I currently am trying to get flights with my family back from JFK in Jan 2017 but can't get the days I want - a special request has opened up seats day after my daughter starts school in year 12 - not a great time to miss school.

The question I want to ask Lesley is this :- I have lifetime gold. I have more QFF points than I can use (because I can't get the seats I need). I renew my Platinum status 6 months in ( and therefore have no chance at Plat 1). Why should I continue to fly Qantas for the rest of the year ? Shouldn't I build up status at Virgin/Star Alliance ? I hear it is much easier to get FF seats with their program ?

If anyone has advice I'd be very grateful.

Hi Richard64,

Welcome to AFF.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF.

The answer is of course that after you requalify for Plat, you shouldn't fly QF any more than is necessary or convenient. Do diversify onto Star Alliance or VA and get status there as well.

Its tremendously liberating to have a choice of airlines and not worry about 'loyalty' - make the airlines work for you!!

Don't worry, Qantas won't miss you.

 

[Richard64]

Thanks for the welcome Bill !

 

[Buzzard]

Welcome to AFF Richard64.
That's good advice that RooFlyer has posted, spread your wings!

Edit to add:
What about burning some points on Dom J flights or OWRTW J or F for good value?

 

[Steady]

Another "welcome aboard" from me Richard64 - AFF is a good place to research how to get the most from your FF points, as well as some earn options that may suit your flying pattern/CC spend better

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF Richard64!

 

[Richard64]

Hey Tom,

A lot of Australian Domestic - Syd - Can pretty much 3 times a month. Perth every 3 months or so. At least 2 Intl work trips a year - usually one to Asia (SGP or Shanghai) and 1 long haul to US or Europe. At least 1 personal holiday destination could be anywhere - last year it was Paris, year before Asia/Sri Lanka/India). Looking at South America in a year or so.

 

[Richard64]

Thanks Steady !

 

[Richard64]

Hey Buzz,

I've been saving points for a long time to spend on big family holidays - problem is that means school holidays in peak season - and it seems Qantas doesn't even release FF seats out of Sydney during those periods - at least not that I can see. I was on their site 350 days out from travel when the seats were being released - and nothing came up out of Sydney, only routing out of Melb - and a week later nothing was available anywhere. Whats the point of points if I cant use them ?

 

[Richard64]

Welcome to AFF.

The answer is of course that after you requalify for Plat, you shouldn't fly QF any more than is necessary or convenient. Do diversify onto Star Alliance or VA and get status there as well.

Its tremendously liberating to have a choice of airlines and not worry about 'loyalty' - make the airlines work for you!!

Don't worry, Qantas won't miss you.

Thanks for the sage advice - but will I end up with two pools of points that I can't use anyway ? Is Virgin's Velocity program better at getting FF seats ?

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for the sage advice - but will I end up with two pools of points that I can't use anyway ? Is Virgin's Velocity program better at getting FF seats ?

Welcome

Virgin is probably a little better in terms of award availability. There is usually fairly good availability to the USA, as well as to Asia and Europe with Singapore Airlines and/or Etihad. The program is useless for getting to South America though (the only real option would be Air NZ, and they don't release many award seats - if any). Also, if you gain Platinum Virgin status there is a "guaranteed award seat" benefit for up to 4 economy seats each year to go on a family holiday. You do have to book at least 6 months in advance though.

Keep in mind that there are more options for using Qantas points than what you can see on the Qantas website. For example, you can use QF points to book flights on Malaysia Airlines and Japan Airlines. But you have to call up to book. Also, don't be shy to use them on domestic upgrades - these will come through more often than not and is a great use of points, especially if you're flying on the A330 to/from Perth.

 

[Richard64]

Thanks Matt,

Yes - I have found it much easier to get seats using the other One Works partners like Cathay and Qatar or Emirates. That doesn't help me much when I want to go to the US though.

The Velocity guarantee of 4 seats for a family holiday is a fantastic idea - I'll be raising this when I hopefully get in contact with the QFF Loyalty leadership team - it's exactly what I need but can't get with QFF

 

[Richard64]

Does anyone have a way that I can contact Lesley Grant or someone in QanTas's Loyalty program ? I'd really like to state the case for them to treating their Plats as well as the Velocity program does - 4 guaranteed FF seats a year doesn't sound like a big ask for your best customers

 

[BettyB]

Welcome

 

[Richard64]

Thanks Betty !

 

[dajop]

Yes - I have found it much easier to get seats using the other One Works partners like Cathay and Qatar or Emirates. That doesn't help me much when I want to go to the US though.

If you're looking at east coast US, CX and JL are both viable options, although they do probably involve, I don't know 5-7 hrs extra flying, so not so good in economy cabin. Obviously less viable to west coast US.

 

[prozac]

That's a full-on introduction to AFF, both barrels. Welcome to AFF Richard64. I hope you glean the additional knowledge necessary to burn some of those miles.
No doubt you have thought about buying a Y and upgrading J?

After next year your daughter will have completed schooling and you will not be restricted to travelling in school hols.

As Mattg pointed out routing through somewhere like Japan can mix the trip up a bit with a stopover or some such and be good use of points.

 

[Richard64]

Hi Prozac,

Well the reason I joined was because I was frustrated - I guess that has shown itself in my introduction ! Perhaps I need to take some of your namesake ? Holidays aren't going to get any easier for a long time - my eldest daughter finishes school in 2017, my youngest son started school last year though , have two others in between so school holidays will be a factor for a while yet !