Qantas ff ripoff ???

[Nizar]

Then don't pay it.

Lol easy tiger

 

[smatho10]

You don't hear people screaming for the ACCC when McDonalds raises the price of it's Big Mac.

I remember when 30c cones went up to 50c - people rioted!!!

 

[Downwind]

Seriously - they're a private company offering products and services for sale. There is absolutely no obligation to use them, or any airline, or ever even go to an airport. No-one is forcing you to fly Qantas/spend money on your CC to collect FF points to eventually redeem for flights for a price they set.
I don't know why people expect the Government to constantly intervene when a private company operates a business to make a product. Just because the average moron is too stupid, lazy and ignorant to consider other options they think the Government should penalise the companies in question.

Don't like them? Don't use them.

I think your response is overly simplistic.
You're right in that no one is forcing anyone to do anything, but QF makes representations as to what it will offer you if you do X/Y/Z. There is a high probability that people accrue points under any given T&C's only to have QF go and change them. We all know its their program and they can run it as they wish, but TBH, I find it absurd and a possible breach of consumer law (unfair contract terms), that QF can make changes for its sole benefit, including terminating the program(excluding bankruptcy of course)

I personally no longer like the program. I dont like the (relative) lack of outright premium cabin availability, the lack of upgrade availability, the lack of recognition (i'm WP), the CONSTANT failure to provide published benefits (PB, priority luggage), the way in which changes are announced (BA earning changes, J lounge closure for "renovation") and the blatant disregard for its own T&C's when it suits them (disregard for the 6, now 3 month notice periods) but QF have made, what are IMHO, misrepresentations that have induced me to fly with them to the point where I almost have LTG, and just because they cant get their $hit together and need to prop up the rest of the company with the FF unit by gouging customers with fuel fines, I should just walk away?

Bollocks I will!

I cant say too much, other than im having an external authority review a number of perceived injustices with QF and their ridiculous excuse of an FF program. Watch this space.

 

[Paddy55]

No-one holds a gun to your head to use your QFF points in poor value situations eg Y redemptions with (comparatively) high co payments for fuel surcharges, etc, etc.

I use my points for JASAs SYD-LAX because they give me the most bang for my $$$.

Work the system to suit you... Or find another system eg VA.

 

[BAM1748]

I certainly wouldn't want to fly UA in economy from Australia :shock:

I'd guess if it wasn't for United on is route fares would be through the roof. United don't have sales because they are always the sharpest at pricing.

Matt

 

[Ausbt]

I did it..

So did I. I think I was in row 70+ or something. Had a row to myself. In fact the row in front of me was vacant from memory! I slept a lot of it. No dramas at all ...14 years ago.

It was the first leg of a round-the-world booked via Star Alliance. The Euro segment was on Lufthansa but can't even recall who I came back with. One things for certain: all those points I earned were not worth a zack when Ansett folded. Yeah, whatever.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

To a some degree, QFF can charge this because after Ansett went under, many people in Australia would have Qantas as the only frequent flyer program they regularly came into contact with . In the absence of a domestic competitor, QFF has slowly tweaked their program to the point that people think handing over a hatful of points for an Any Seat Award (the equivalent of which on AA would get you a RTW in Business with a fistful left over) is "good value".

The OP should consider programs which are more driven by airline loyalty when it comes to point redemption than profits. Virgin has already been mentioned, Aus-US is 75,000 plus USD$130 in taxes on AA, on Delta it's 100,000 plus USD$130 in taxes.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I'd guess if it wasn't for United on is route fares would be through the roof. United don't have sales because they are always the sharpest at pricing.

Matt

Actually, Qantas and United used to have a duopoly on the route, QF would charge a lot and United would charge a little less.

For the last 4 or 5 years, Virgin and Delta have also been flying the route which was brought fares down. United has to be the cheapest because there aren't too many airline afficionados left who love their in-flight entertainment across the Pacific shown in loops on overhead cathode ray tubes.

 

[oz_mark]

I read all sorts of moronic comments on mainstream news stories about this topic all the time such as "QUANTAS is a rip-of. What is ACCC doing about this?!?!' (it's amazing these FF members who are so passionate about the program to provide their opinion can't even spell the name of the airline).

Seriously - they're a private company offering products and services for sale. There is absolutely no obligation to use them, or any airline, or ever even go to an airport. No-one is forcing you to fly Qantas/spend money on your CC to collect FF points to eventually redeem for flights for a price they set.
I don't know why people expect the Government to constantly intervene when a private company operates a business to make a product. Just because the average moron is too stupid, lazy and ignorant to consider other options they think the Government should penalise the companies in question.

Don't like them? Don't use them.

Consider what may be the OPs position. A few years ago they were able to redeem with a relatively small co-payment. They then spend a few years saving up points for another trip. They go to redeem and bam, the co-payment has sky rocketed.

I can see why they would be surprised!

 

[Steelo]

I think your response is overly simplistic.
You're right in that no one is forcing anyone to do anything, but QF makes representations as to what it will offer you if you do X/Y/Z. There is a high probability that people accrue points under any given T&C's only to have QF go and change them. We all know its their program and they can run it as they wish, but TBH, I find it absurd and a possible breach of consumer law (unfair contract terms), that QF can make changes for its sole benefit, including terminating the program(excluding bankruptcy of course)

I personally no longer like the program. I dont like the (relative) lack of outright premium cabin availability, the lack of upgrade availability, the lack of recognition (i'm WP), the CONSTANT failure to provide published benefits (PB, priority luggage), the way in which changes are announced (BA earning changes, J lounge closure for "renovation") and the blatant disregard for its own T&C's when it suits them (disregard for the 6, now 3 month notice periods) but QF have made, what are IMHO, misrepresentations that have induced me to fly with them to the point where I almost have LTG, and just because they cant get their $hit together and need to prop up the rest of the company with the FF unit by gouging customers with fuel fines, I should just walk away?

Bollocks I will!

I cant say too much, other than im having an external authority review a number of perceived injustices with QF and their ridiculous excuse of an FF program. Watch this space.

Don't you get it - its a choice you make. If you do not like the QF frequent flyer program - try another one - then post us the difference. Qantas continues to provide a product in relation to their ff program - learn how to use it to your advantage. I am continually amazed about the expectations put upon a private business - especially Qantas - it is their program - they set the rules. Try flying some of the other airlines across the world and see how you are treated.

 

[jimmyk]

I remember when 30c cones went up to 50c - people rioted!!!

They've gone up, oh no!

 

[Steelo]

They've gone up, oh no!

But remember the quality is the same - there is nothing like a 50cent cone from Macdonalds - maybe that is what the OP is expecting from Qantas.

 

[ashleyn]

Beer used to be 40c a middy

 

[BAM1748]

And in 1970 it cost 5 cents to post a letter.

 

[Steelo]

And I used to go to the movies for 6pence - but then they increase it to 1 shilling - and I had no money left to buy lollies. But what is really great - I get to fly with Qantas and enjoy a glass or two in the Qantas club for nothing.

 

[BAM1748]

Actually, Qantas and United used to have a duopoly on the route, QF would charge a lot and United would charge a little less.

For the last 4 or 5 years, Virgin and Delta have also been flying the route which was brought fares down. United has to be the cheapest because there aren't too many airline afficionados left who love their in-flight entertainment across the Pacific shown in loops on overhead cathode ray tubes.

There never was a duopoly that I can recall, Air NZ and I even remember Pan Am here and in fact a Pan Am aircraft bogged near the north south runway and the one of the taxi ways. Mate you must be young. Or perhaps I'm just old. :shock:

 

[Austman]

There never was a duopoly that I can recall, Air NZ and I even remember Pan Am here and in fact a Pan Am aircraft bogged between the north south runway and the one of the taxi ways. Mate you must be young. Or perhaps I'm just old. :shock:

And Continental and American Airlines and many others (sometimes with 1 or 2 stops).

 

[Steelo]

To sum this post up - unrealistic expectations - unrealistic expectation - unrealistic expectations.

 

[BAM1748]

And Continental and American Airlines and many others (sometimes with 1 or 2 stops).

Not sure if this will work. Found a pic.

Classic Loss

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

There never was a duopoly that I can recall, Air NZ and I even remember Pan Am here and in fact a Pan Am aircraft bogged near the north south runway and the one of the taxi ways. Mate you must be young. Or perhaps I'm just old. :shock:

Air New Zealand stopped direct SYD-LAX flights in early 2003, in exchange for United dropping LAX-AKL. Until Virgin and Delta started their flights in 2009, SYD-LAX direct flights were a duopoly for six years.

Damn I wish I'd been able to fly PanAm.