Qantas Assure - Android Users To Be Issued Points Based On Apple Customers

[RugbyFan]

I don't want to start a war, but as android users make up more than half of the device platform in Australia, I was annoyed when Qantas only allowed Apple users to earn the advertised 15,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points as part of the Qantas Assure Wellness program. All Qantas will say on it's website is that an Android version of the Assure App is planned for release sometime later in the year. Apparently a mutibillion dollar corporation can't design and release an App on multiple platforms simultaneously.

As I can't find any information on the Qantas website or in the T&C's about a 'goodwill gesture' for it's non-Apple customers, I thought I should share the information below which I received during an email conversation with a Qantas Manager. While Android users may not be able to earn the maximum 15,000 points, they will instead be issued the average amount of points earned from those currently using the app, and all without doing a thing. So if you have signed up to Assure and don't have an iPhone, make sure you give Qantas a call.

While the offer of up to 15,000 Qantas Points is only to users of the Qantas Assure App (which is currently available only to Apple/iOS users) we recognise the growing popularity of Android devices and we are continuing to develop the App so that it will be compatible with both Android and Apple/iOS users in the coming months. Once this updated version has launched, you can download the Qantas Assure App and begin to earn Qantas Points for being active.

In the interim, as a gesture of goodwill we can offer you ​(​and any other insured Android user who is interested in the Qantas Assure App)​, the average number of points earned by all users of the Qantas Assure App. These points will be credited to members every fortnight, in line with the crediting ​of points ​to users of the Qantas Assure App.

We hope the above helps to clarify that all users can be rewarded for taking out a Qantas Assure health insurance policy today, regardless of whether they are using an Android or iOS device.

 

[opusman]

"Growing popularity", they make it sound like a niche product instead of the dominant platform.

 

[samh004]

They chose a side. It would have always upset one group of users. You're probably better off with the average number of points to be honest.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

considering the state of the qantas android app I am not surprised. It's really pathetic, even the most recent update.

 

[Boca68]

considering the state of the qantas android app I am not surprised. It's really pathetic, even the most recent update.

+1 on that.

I've just about given up on it. Continously crashes for me.

 

[Pleb Status]

Android has outsold iOS in Australia for a while now (past few years) and over the last year or so it has been ~55% Android and ~40% iOS (others make up the rest). Australia is one of the strongest markets for Apple and globally, Android outsells iOS by more than two to one.

Smartphone OS sales market share – Kantar Worldpanel ComTech

It would be nice determine how far ahead Android has to get before its 'growing popularity' is recognised. I would assume that all QF management has iPhones?

 

[mannej]

I am surprised that the D word has not made an appearance as of yet!

 

[RugbyFan]

They chose a side. It would have always upset one group of users. You're probably better off with the average number of points to be honest.

Why do they have to pick a side in the first place? I understand that Qantas may have a commercial deal with Apple for the supply of iMac's in the Qantas lounges and iPad's on their planes, but is it really a good business decision to exclude more than half of all Australian smartphone users from integrating with Qantas via their apps? At least a 6 month wait and no release date for an Android version of the Assure app is a very poor effort for a company that made just short of a billion dollars in its last half year results. Smaller companies do a lot more with a lot less.

I am a very loyal Qantas customer and I love earning Qantas Frequent Flyer points but ironically I don't fly that often. When I do fly it will most likely be with Qantas and I will go out of my way to purchase services or products just to earn QFF points, even if it means that I have to pay more. This is all for the chance of an upgrade to Business Class when I do actually get to fly.

After getting multiple emails about earning 70,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points for joining Qantas Assure Health Fund, I decided to sign up. It was only when I started entering in my payment details I got distracted and tried to install the app on my android phone, and that when I found out only Assure customers with iPhone's can earn the 15,000 points from using the Assure App. There was not one indication in all the email promotions, T&C's, or during the signup that states that only iPhone users can earn the maximum 70,000 points offered. I have since made a complaint to the ACCC for Qantas' false and misleading advertising, and since my email conversation with the Qantas Manager (who was actually very polite and professional) some Apple "Download on the App Store" logo's have appeared on the Assure website, but the Terms & Conditions still make no mention of non-iPhone customers being excluded from earning the advertised 70,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

I know it's only 15,000 points that can be earned from the app, but it is the bigger issue of Qantas deciding that customers using an iPhone are more important than it's other Frequent Flyer customers which has me both miffed and disappointed :evil:. And regarding the 'goodwill gesture', I called the Qantas Assure number (13 49 60) on Friday and they did not know anything about it, but did offer to look into it. Has anyone had any luck with it?

By no means am I boycotting Qantas and most likely I will end up joining Assure just for the points (albeit not the advertised amount), but what is everyone's opinion on Qantas segregating it's Frequent Flyer customer's based on them having an iPhone or not, and rewarding the ones that do?

 

[RugbyFan]

I am surprised that the D word has not made an appearance as of yet

Hi mannej, who or what is the D Word?