Qantas unveils the biggest changes to status in program history

[joelby]

A family member who has been guested in on occasion by their CL boss says it’s worse than other the regular lounges, because you have to sit with your boss!

 

[SYD]

A family member who has been guested in on occasion by their CL boss says it’s worse than other the regular lounges, because you have to sit with your boss!

OT: it would be a bit weird to not sit with your boss if in the same lounge and travelling on the same flight!

 

[Aeryn]

OT: it would be a bit weird to not sit with your boss if in the same lounge and travelling on the same flight!

True but its more awkward when you are travelling with your boss and he ditches you at security for the CL - as was par for the course a few gigs ago - but then you are seated next him 30 mins later on board.

 

[SYD]

True but its more awkward when you are travelling with your boss and he ditches you at security for the CL - as was par for the course a few gigs ago - but then you are seated next him 30 mins later on board.

That’s a bit sh$tty.

I bumped into my former CEO at the SYD VA priority screening point once and he offered to take me to The Beyond Lounge (as it’s known now). I declined because I was meeting colleagues. As soon as I entered the zoo that is the regular lounge, I realised it was a stupid decision….

 

[Dmac59]

… but then you are seated next him 30 mins later on board.

Not necessarily. Boss likely to seated in J while the worker could be in Y

 

[Aeryn]

Not necessarily. Boss likely to seated in J while the worker could be in Y

Possible but not the case for he situation I was referring to. Both times I was next him in whY in row 4 or 5. Company policy didnt allow even the execs to fly J on SYD-MEL and at peak times J is always full so no complementary upgrades.

His EA would link our bookings, as we were required to share an uber from the Melbourne CBD office to MEL airport when on the same flight. So awkward is the only word.

This guy was famous for even ditching others at his own level. So Id just head off to J lounge and then act like I didn't notice he'd snuck off when we'd meet again on board.

 

[Warragul]

OT: it would be a bit weird to not sit with your boss if in the same lounge and travelling on the same flight!

Not at the end of a week or so away going to the same meetings, staying at same hotel. Both parties may enjoy a hour or more away from each other.

 

[arrow]

True but its more awkward when you are travelling with your boss and he ditches you at security for the CL - as was par for the course a few gigs ago - but then you are seated next him 30 mins later on board.

The former CFO at a company I worked at did that. He would dump his colleague outside the CL lounge and tell him to wander the terminal even though he could have guest him in.

 

[Groundfeeder]

Not necessarily. Boss likely to seated in J while the worker could be in Y

I had the opposite with Golden Whinge common upgrades in the good old days. Boss actually came up to J and queried how/why? After a brief explanation he later got his PA to lodge GW app. for him! Was a great Boss tho.

 

[Mattg]

I'm hearing that, once Points Club is removed, the ability to earn status credits on Classic Rewards will be unlocked through one of Qantas' credit card partners.

Also, I'm expecting that Qantas will give at least 12 months of notice before increasing the "retain status" thresholds to match the "attain" thresholds. This means that, if you're currently trying to renew status for this membership year, you can expect that you'll only need the lower "retain" amount of status credits. The new, higher retain thresholds are likely to come into effect in late 2027, with an exact date to be announced later this year.

 

[TeaKozy]

I'm hearing that, once Points Club is removed, the ability to earn status credits on Classic Rewards will be unlocked through one of Qantas' credit card partners.

As in you’ll need a specific card (and presumably booking on it) to earn SCs or something they’ll extend to other direct-earn options? Wouldn’t be surprised if they have a minimum spend requirement also.

Points Club at least treated all providers equally (to a degree) - maybe the new RBA environment will see them playing favourites more often?

 

[moa999]

Classic Rewards will be unlocked through one of Qantas' credit card partners.

Wonder how much that benefit is being sold for??

 

[SYD]

Wonder how much that benefit is being sold for??

Probably more than it takes to get 150k PC points….

 

[mviy]

So would the card have to not be cancelled at the time you fly? Could make churning more difficult.

Still no good for a friend who is not a primary cardholder and would benefit from earning status credits from classic rewards.

Would have preferred that they linked earning status credits from classic rewards to status from flying

 

[Mattg]

As in you’ll need a specific card (and presumably booking on it) to earn SCs or something they’ll extend to other direct-earn options? Wouldn’t be surprised if they have a minimum spend requirement also.

Points Club at least treated all providers equally (to a degree) - maybe the new RBA environment will see them playing favourites more often?

I don't think you would necessarily need to book your flight with a particular card to get the status credit benefit. Probably it will be tied to holding a Qantas Points-earning credit card from a particular bank/provider. Not sure if there would also be a spend threshold (as in, you need to spend at least a certain amount each month/year on the card) attached to the benefit.

 

[Doctore1003]

I don't think you would necessarily need to book your flight with a particular card to get the status credit benefit. Probably it will be tied to holding a Qantas Points-earning credit card from a particular bank/provider. Not sure if there would also be a spend threshold (as in, you need to spend at least a certain amount each month/year on the card) attached to the benefit.

When are you expecting an official announcement on this Matt?

 

[CaptJCool]

I don't think you would necessarily need to book your flight with a particular card to get the status credit benefit. Probably it will be tied to holding a Qantas Points-earning credit card from a particular bank/provider. Not sure if there would also be a spend threshold (as in, you need to spend at least a certain amount each month/year on the card) attached to the benefit.

That limits the field

In the first instance lucky for those existing cardholders of the FI who does the deal with Qant. For anyone else that’s quite the frustration

However, there are examples of this
Eg Adelaide Fringe has a deal with the local FI where tickets are 25% discounted for cardholders

Hopefully, it would be tiered
The card/s with the deal earning at 100% CRs
The cards without deals earning at least 70% (but I fear that could be priced lower)

 

[Flyfrequently]

Probably it will be tied to holding a Qantas Points-earning credit card from a particular bank/provider.

Well, that will stuff up we retirees who struggle to get a credit card if we aren't with the "particular provider"

Not sure if there would also be a spend threshold (as in, you need to spend at least a certain amount each month/year on the card) attached to the benefit.

That is not such a worry @Mattg but if it is tied to only certain providers as above

Guess we all wait patiently, thanks for the heads up, also happy to hear about attain/retain status timeline.

 

[chrispy3276]

When are you expecting an official announcement on this Matt?

An interview with Point Hacks suggests an end of year announcement for this, possibly November.

 

[andye]

The difficulty of retirees gaining CC approval was my first thought too.
If a single card product/provider, one could be boxed in on fees too.
Can see this generating more member angst than the cut Qantas would get from the CC company is worth
Jumping the gun though, so let's see what eventuates