I'm one who
used to be somewhat of an international road warrior, but work travel dried up at the start of 2020 for quite obvious reasons while in my former job, and I've been a self-funded WP since then. I've been LTG for a couple of years now, and am about to requalify PC+ for the 3rd or maybe 4th year. I've been PC since launch. I've held GT since launch. Current role is again a global one, but not expecting the need to travel much, so most of my SCs will still need to come from my own spend, or the stuff I can do on the ground.
Having thought a while about what's changing - here's how I'm feeling about it:
- Earning Status Credits on the ground - same as the promotion that was recently run, and similar, though smaller promotions that have run in the past (BP?). I would be able to complete all categories on this if push came to shove, but generally don't want to bother with unnecessary insurance (Neutral
)
- Status Credit roll over - since the pandemic, I have worked quite hard to maintain WP each year (with wife & son in tow), but this relies on a mix of paid J fares, classic U reward SCs, GT SCs, Loyalty bonuses, PC+ rollover SCs and whatever happens on the ground or is gifted by QFF to hit it. I rarely have a surplus of SCs, and it's even less likely with tier goalposts moving to 1,400 (No benefit likely
)
- More lifetime milestones - I reached LTG in 2024, but am unsure as to whether I will continue to fly enough with QF after these changes are bedded in and the PC+ benefits are gone to reach any of the additional milestones. I've been the very definition of a rusted-on customer, but changes like the ones announced are likely to be a bit like WD-40 for some of us in that category... (No benefit likely )
- Enhanced tier benefits - may serve to replace some of what is lost from PC/PC+, but not yet known (Neutral )
- Removing program complexity - the loss of the PC+ 100 SCs carryover will sting, as will the lesser removal of GT's 50 SCs. Vouchers and discounts have been of benefit to us. Targeted points and SC promos have been valuable, and though there is rumours of a replacement for being able to earn SCs on CRs, the idea of this getting the axe is highly disappointing (Double Negative )
- Single Status Credit targets - needing to find another 200 SCs on top of making up for at least one Loyalty Bonus a year, the PC+ rollover, GT SCs and potential ability to earn SCs from CRs means this is particularly painful. I estimate I'll need to make up an extra 500-600 SCs a year (mercifully though, halved with DSCs) (Negative )
- An improved digital experience - Let's just say my hopes are not high that this will improve anything for those that already know how to use the system and associated tools/options. The issue for me has always been around what inventory is actually available, not how it is presented, and this is not going to change that. Maybe good for the new players (Neutral )
So, it's not looking too great for me and QFF going forwards. I'd say the only benefit might be that with it becoming harder for the vast majority to retain status (in stark contrast to the messaging about it becoming easier
), that the F & DOM J lounges and other premium benefits
might be less in-demand, and that may have a positive effect. Perhaps, if QF & QFF are more profitable as a result of these income-focused variations they may also reinvest some more into the upgrades and features that are desired (like the AKL premium dining area). but these things are all speculative, of course.
I'll continue to fly and credit QFF for now, targeting WP status and it's benefits for as long as it can be achieved without a material change in investment, but once that becomes apparent (no later than 2028 for me, I'd say), we expect that we'll only use QF for DOM & Trans-Tasman services (because it's a big no for us to VA and the majority of NZ options), and will move to best value J with any number of competitors for anything further afield.
Cheers,
Matt.
(Yes, BA and others but in terms of the local market, hard to imagine with the timing that VA so brutally demotivating their own members didn't help set the stage for this. The beatings will continue until morale improves.)
