Qantas unveils the biggest changes to status in program history

[TeaKozy]

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.

Potentially, however Points Club does exactly that - only a small portion of flying points count (thus incentivising on-the-ground earn). They could have just reduced the threshold to counter the new operating environment, however they’ve done the sums and figured this is more financially lucrative.

It would be wild however if this wasn’t a feature of their own credit card offering.

 

[elanshin]

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.

I think I've had slightly better success rates going for the "weaker" routes or off periods and also checking the availability. Like for example to and from Japan I've rarely asked for SYD - HND overnight flights. However BNE - NRT (or SYD - CTS this year) would be what I request. Likewise I don't try for SIN unless its hail merry.

I guess I'm alot more willing to connect and find other alternatives to piece together an itinerary with an extra stop or two. The other one i've done a bit more of is domestic where prices went crazy but a J domestic is still requestable. SYD - MEL for 19k + taxes can work out to be ~1.5c pp if the economy fares are trending north of $350 one way.

 

[levelnine]

Potentially, however Points Club does exactly that - only a small portion of flying points count (thus incentivising on-the-ground earn). They could have just reduced the threshold to counter the new operating environment, however they’ve done the sums and figured this is more financially lucrative.

It would be wild however if this wasn’t a feature of their own credit card offering.

Yes. The problem is there are way more lucrative ways to earn QF points on the ground than holding a useless Australian CC. So it's a net burden to keep the same benefits as we currently get from PC.

 

[SYD]

Potentially, however Points Club does exactly that - only a small portion of flying points count (thus incentivising on-the-ground earn). They could have just reduced the threshold to counter the new operating environment, however they’ve done the sums and figured this is more financially lucrative.

It would be wild however if this wasn’t a feature of their own credit card offering.

I’m now pondering if a QBR card might come with extra benefits moving forward?

I have an offer to switch from a legacy QF Small Biz AMEX CC - which has served me very well but it’s being pulled completely. The QBR offer includes 170k points and 1/2 fee for the first year.

 

[andye]

I have booked a number of golden triangle J CRs during DSC which keeps the SCs ticking over and without the availability issues.
Typically only 1c/pt cash saving compared to the discount Y revenue seat I'd otherwise have bought but better seat, food and drink and many more SCs.