New Qantas promos including double status credits (book by 3/9/25; travel 4/9/25 until 22/8/26)

[MelbFlyer]

ex-Asia, intra-Asia travel is a huge bummer on OW because many very good Economy Sale fares on CX and MH are 0% accrual on QF.

This was where the majority of my SCs came from.

Intra-Asia flights on CX etc are generally quite competitive / the gap between economy and business is sometimes small enough that it's worth paying the little bit extra for business.

Here though it's a different story.

 

[Andy72]

Sharing that disappointment, PF.
For me, it is 65K towards the required 75K, so a heavy investment.
But little, if any, incentive to persevere now.

It’s hard to imagine that there was a tsunami of QFFers heading for LTP, so it’s unclear what this move was intended to achieve from the perspective of those most invested in the (“loyalty”) program.

Agree. Have been earning around 5000 sc per year but will probably drop to 3800, and also take other one world flights once at the qantas required credits. For me the credit in septmber is perfect and pushes me into qualifiing as P1 to August 2027 with my forward bookings but a couple of years ago the thank you credit was in august so I missed out.

 

[Flyerwin]

earning around 5000 sc per year

Colour me impressed.

 

[flyguy77]

So has anyone found any decent/alternative Status Runs?

Or is it just the standard fly to NZ...

 

[MELso]

So has anyone found any decent/alternative Status Runs?

Or is it just the standard fly to NZ...

Out of where?

Personally, if I needed to do a status run, I like the look of MEL-BNE-NOU as it's somewhere I'd actually want to go, and yields 480SCs (240 normal and 240 bonus) for about $2k. There are cheaper runs per SC, but not nearly as interesting.

 

[flyguy77]

Sydney ideally - but could connect of course.
Noumea definitely a bit more appealing I agree!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I don’t think this change was targeted at limiting LTP numbers. I think too many getting LTG too young is probably what they are looking to address.

Even after this change I am still likely to get to LTG with quite possibly more flying years ahead of me than behind.

I hit LTG on my 30th birthday.
Now in my 40's, I find LTG useful, although I hold multiple, fully-earned top-tier status with other airlines.
I don't live in Australia, and when I do fly oneworld carriers - QF picks up accrual revenue. So it's a case of - QF earns something rather than nothing. I've spent a fortune with QF over the years, and while I find it difficult to fly with them not based in Aus, they pickup a few bucks when I fly other OW carriers.

I have raised the issue with QF Loyalty many times over the years of LTG needing to be fixed.
All they need to do is give LTG members 600 SC to start the year, not counting those towards lifetime status, and boom - everything is fixed.

The perceived 'loss' on Platinums+ who also hold LTG getting a free kick each year (the perceived loss is in the assumption these members will fly 600SC less) is mitigated by kicking in the 600 SC starting credits after holding LTG for 10-years. Let's call it, Lifetime Gold Plus, and it's then a benefit of LTG+.

 

[justin23]

, I like the look of MEL-BNE-NOU as it's somewhere I'd actually want to go

I booked a few weeks ago a pretty cheap J fare there ($1400 ish), CBR-BNE-NOU for the Xmas NY break. Of course, if I didn't book that the 80SC "loyalty" bonus would have been of use to me

 

[oz_mark]

More likely just recycling the article from the last promo.

AI is involved somewhere, given the FAQ on LL also has

Would you like me to also clean this into a WordPress-ready FAQ layout (with collapsible sections like the original), so you can use it directly in a LoyaltyLobby post?

 

[DejaBrew]

AI is involved somewhere, given the FAQ on LL also has

That's too funny! Didn't even see that, but yeah, tell me you didn't write this article without actually telling me you didn't write this article.

 

[levelnine]

I have raised the issue with QF Loyalty many times over the years of LTG needing to be fixed.
All they need to do is give LTG members 600 SC to start the year, not counting those towards lifetime status, and boom - everything is fixed.

What do they say in response?

My guess would be that, if they were being brutally honest, they'd say they don't need to be generous to lifelong customers. They maintain more control over the program (number of members, engagement of members, etc) by running more DSC/free SC/status extension promos when they are at risk of missing their program targets than if they permanently commit to giving a head start to LTGs.

 

[Aeryn]

Whilst I appreciate P1s get to LTG a lot faster, for someone who qualifies WP from the year they join through it will take them 11.5 years to get to LTG (if they earn 1400SCs year 1 and 1200 thereafter).

And those who only qualify SG every year will take 23 years so why there might be glut from the days when it was much easier I would have thought new cohorts were already slowing.

IME few are clued up in their first few years, it takes time the learn the game, so the cohort who hit WP every year for first 11 years would be quite small.

Excluding DSCs and loyalty SCs from LTG/LTP isnt IME going to significantly impact QPub crowding; as people earning SG in current year will still be going there, and those qualifying WP/P1 in any year will be in the JLounge.

Personally I'd prefer they not introduce ways to earn SCs on the ground, as that is likely to accelerate status holders way faster than allowing DSCs to contribute to LT; and takes the Flyer part out of the FF equation.

For me excluding DSCs means I will like take another 7 years to hit LTG now instead of 3 years I was planning on. I will likley now book fewer DSC trips (only participate in one promo a year).

 

[dairyfloss]

I have raised the issue with QF Loyalty many times over the years of LTG needing to be fixed.
All they need to do is give LTG members 600 SC to start the year, not counting those towards lifetime status, and boom - everything is fixed.

I've also put something along these lines into every feedback form I have had from QFF about the program, and what they might do better. Hoping that one day they might pay attention to it!

Out of curiosity, and given your closeness to broader loyalty program structures - are you aware of any carrier loyalty program (or perhaps a hotel chain program) which does offer a similar kind of leg-up for LT members to pursue a higher level of status like we're talking about here, or would QFF be breaking the mold on this, if they tried it?

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[aamslfc]

Seems like I'm in the minority here - this was perfectly timed for me to begin the switch away from VA.

Already taken advantage of this offer for next year, so the wife and I will both qualify for at least Gold from a standing start, and we'll probably firm up some additional bookings before the offer closes.

LT status wasn't ever a plausible outcome for me, so I'm not entirely fussed about the changes which remove DSC from the LT calculations (at least, not now; I might care in 10 years time lol).

 

[DejaBrew]

Already taken advantage of this offer for next year, so the wife and I will both qualify for at least Gold from a standing start, and we'll probably firm up some additional bookings before the offer closes.

Glad you can get some good value from it and I think more broadly, for status attainment/retention, the DSC is still of great benefit.

LT status wasn't ever a plausible outcome for me, so I'm not entirely fussed about the changes which remove DSC from the LT calculations (at least, not now; I might care in 10 years time lol).

If this is indicative of how future DSC promos will run, then it will very much be problematic for people chasing LT status. When you are effectively doubling the lead time to reaching LTG, then that allows for a whole lot more water to go under the bridge and plenty more opportunity for QF to further "enhance" the program to the point where LT status is unrealistic (or potentially no longer even offered).

 

[NZ_Flyer]

Nicely timed with J sale fares to DRW ex-AKL which will do me nicely for a planned visit in early 2026 and net 640 SC's + the 80 for SG at NZD$2.3k

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I've also put something along these lines into every feedback form I have had from QFF about the program, and what they might do better. Hoping that one day they might pay attention to it!

Out of curiosity, and given your closeness to broader loyalty program structures - are you aware of any carrier loyalty program (or perhaps a hotel chain program) which does offer a similar kind of leg-up for LT members to pursue a higher level of status like we're talking about here, or would QFF be breaking the mold on this, if they tried it?

Cheers,
Matt.

Alaska Airlines / OW.
There are specific provisions in DRD to allow for this.

QF are being lazy.

 

[ChrisMars]

Seems like I'm in the minority here - this was perfectly timed for me to begin the switch away from VA.

Already taken advantage of this offer for next year, so the wife and I will both qualify for at least Gold from a standing start, and we'll probably firm up some additional bookings before the offer closes.

LT status wasn't ever a plausible outcome for me, so I'm not entirely fussed about the changes which remove DSC from the LT calculations (at least, not now; I might care in 10 years time lol).

Where are you in the LT tally? I used to not care, until I started to care a bit after LTS. Now I am 80% and I care a lot.

 

[aamslfc]

Where are you in the LT tally? I used to not care, until I started to care a bit after LTS. Now I am 80% and I care a lot.

Nowhere - around 450, which will quadruple by this time next year.

I suspect as time goes on I'll also become more irritated that DSCs don't count towards the LT tally, but for now I'll live with it.

 

[TeaKozy]

Amusingly the current DSC offer actually prevented me from booking QF, given the reduction in D/I inventory. Instead went with CX for a trip in October (HKG, TPE and TYO) - paying $1500 less for J in all sectors (vs just MEL-HKG and NRT-MEL) and earning more LTSC's as a result.

I've not yet hit LTSG (~1300 or so to go) however what was an almost instinctual booking is now anything but.