Qantas unveils the biggest changes to status in program history

[SYD]

If I get PC+ this membership year can I earn PC (not plus) next membership year before PC is axed? Or is it retain PC+ or nothing?

Currently you requal for either.

I see it as much wide than that…….. maintaining benefits I think is somewhat understood…… this is about people earning in their new year. For someone who is just starting their year today, and achieve the requirements a week after this start date, the benefits from this achievement won’t arrive until one year from today (minus a week). Ie on 30th June 2027, so we are talking about benefits ending in June 2028….. is this what Qantas is committing to?

That’s basically what I said. Member year ticks over prior to the announcement and that should be straight forward.

Someone whose member year rolls over (again) post announcement but reached PC prior to the announcement is an unknown.

 

[Flyfrequently]

10% discount on buying QFF points through Qantas Wine.

And free delivery @NM

 

[SYD]

And free delivery @NM

Yes, I wonder what’s going to happen there?

I have ongoing QF Wine membership via QBR - so I’m ok.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Similar to the other replies (base PC):
- Earning SCs on CRs is nice, and has got me to retaining status
- Bonus points on wine
- Wine/hotel vouchers
- Lounge passes have been very useful. Not so much when my next 2 arrive the exact same day they become useless

* I would have to find a reward flight I want to book first; for international flights I can only find partner rewards, which do not earn SCs, even though every reward flight redeemed with QF points is by definition "marketed by QF";
* Granted but marginal;
* Wine vouchers are useful, but as an Accor Diamond member I book direct through Accor so I haven't used the hotel vouchers;
* I have access to international first and domestic business lounges as a WP (if not for travel class), so I try to give away the passes for inferior lounges.

 

[mviy]

* for international flights I can only find partner rewards, which do not earn SCs, even though every reward flight redeemed with QF points is by definition "marketed by QF";

None of the partner classic reward seats have a codeshare QF flight number. You get e.g. an EK flight number, a EK marketed flight number.

 

[Seat0B]

Someone whose member year rolls over (again) post announcement but reached PC prior to the announcement is an unknown.

This is the question I am pondering. I currently have PC to 31 Mar 2027. If it was continuing, I would have been earning since 31 Mar 2026 and if I requalified before 31 Mar 2027, that would give me PC until 31 Mar 2028. So should I hustle now to requal before say November this year to get benefits to Mar 2028 - and is that then plus the next year as well? Clear as mud.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, I wonder what’s going to happen there?

I have ongoing QF Wine membership via QBR - so I’m ok.

I imagine QF wine is a money making machine, the number of people buying points who don’t care about the wine.

I can’t see QF making wine a worse deal.

I wouldn’t be surprised if all WP basically get at least current PC, if not PC+ perks.

 

[SYD]

* I would have to find a reward flight I want to book first; for international flights I can only find partner rewards, which do not earn SCs, even though every reward flight redeemed with QF points is by definition "marketed by QF";
* Granted but marginal;
* Wine vouchers are useful, but as an Accor Diamond member I book direct through Accor so I haven't used the hotel vouchers;
* I have access to international first and domestic business lounges as a WP (if not for travel class), so I try to give away the passes for inferior lounges.

As WP you can request release of CRs if you’re first choice isn’t available.

You also earn DSCs on QF CRs.

It was an excellent way to break the hamster wheel paradigm. Burn and earn at the same time rather than hoarding points because SCs were only earned on paid flights post the heady days of F/JASAs.

Or will be sorely missed…

 

[Flyfrequently]

This is the question I am pondering. I currently have PC to 31 Mar 2027. If it was continuing, I would have been earning since 31 Mar 2026 and if I requalified before 31 Mar 2027, that would give me PC until 31 Mar 2028. So should I hustle now to requal before say November this year to get benefits to Mar 2028 - and is that then plus the next year as well? Clear as mud.

 

[Seat0B]

Yep! But it’s a coughpy way to leave us trying to make decisions.

 

[justinbrett]

This is the question I am pondering. I currently have PC to 31 Mar 2027. If it was continuing, I would have been earning since 31 Mar 2026 and if I requalified before 31 Mar 2027, that would give me PC until 31 Mar 2028. So should I hustle now to requal before say November this year to get benefits to Mar 2028 - and is that then plus the next year as well? Clear as mud.

We have the same membership year. I’ve already re-qualified for PC, so my expiry shows Mar 2028. This is the absolute latest we can keep PC. I may or may not try for PC+ depending on the new program - hopefully there’s a window where we can do last minute wine orders to push us over.

 

[elanshin]

As a WP with PC status which has never delivered any benefits I am curious - what PC/PC+ benefits do other WPs actually use?

SC with CR flights. CR is a lot more readily doable for platinum and above than gold which also loops back into retaining for platinum. Sprinkle in some DSC magic and you really don't have to shell out a lot of Cash to maintain plat.

And you'd be surprised how many flights you can release (and Plat one is even more than WP). Even on some popular routes.

 

[Seat0B]

We have the same membership year. I’ve already re-qualified for PC, so my expiry shows Mar 2028. This is the absolute latest we can keep PC. I may or may not try for PC+ depending on the new program - hopefully there’s a window where we can do last minute wine orders to push us over.

Thanks that’s helpful information.

 

[elanshin]

Back to the discussion,

I really hope they don't just tie it behind one CC or like a Titanium card situation.

 

[NM]

And free delivery @NM

Indeed. I tend to forget that benefit as I rarely purchase anything online that does not include delivery.

 

[CaptJCool]

Back to the discussion,

I really hope they don't just tie it behind one CC or like a Titanium card situation.

Switching from one way PC/PC+ which is already restrictive to another way which could be more restrictive narrows the opportunity even if they say “ but we offered SCs on CRs”.

 

[elanshin]

Switching from one way PC/PC+ which is already restrictive to another way which could be more restrictive narrows the opportunity even if they say “ but we offered SCs on CRs”.

It's also restrictive in the sense that if its tied behind one card and its a premium card, we probably don't want multiple family members to have the same card active.

I hope that QF sets it up as 2 ways to getting it. 1) pay for it with an expensive CC. 2) earn it with some difficult requirement. Not everyone wants to have a premium CC for variety of reasons.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

SC with CR flights. CR is a lot more readily doable for platinum and above than gold which also loops back into retaining for platinum. Sprinkle in some DSC magic and you really don't have to shell out a lot of Cash to maintain plat.

And you'd be surprised how many flights you can release (and Plat one is even more than WP). Even on some popular routes.

I have had zero success asking for reward seats to be released.
Always "computer says no".

 

[DejaBrew]

I have had zero success asking for reward seats to be released.
Always "computer says no".

It's always been hit and miss for me, but in saying that, I'm fully aware that the chances of success are highly dependent on route and timing. Flexibility is often key.

 

[levelnine]

Having to pay an AF on a card that will otherwise be placed in the sock drawer to get SC earn on award flights is annoying, but Qantas had to do something to get people to hold a QF-earning CC post interchange changes. They're facing a massive drop-off in CC usage, so this is one way to slow the bleed.