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.

 

[clifford]

I imagine that Qantas Wine may be the loser in this.

 

[Flyingwombat]

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

Totally agree… Ive just early retired to be a student and no more permanent work ever. Shame as I needed those SCs on awards to get my LTG… After a flight today I am 4993 away……

 

[justin23]

I mean they could/should just make CR+ fares earn SC's for a start. Even if it was half SC's or something like that. Or at the very least allow people with status to earn SC's on CR flights. I think QF want people to get addicted to chasing status though, rather than rewarding loyalty.

 

[SYD]

I mean they could/should just make CR+ fares earn SC's for a start. Even if it was half SC's or something like that. Or at the very least allow people with status to earn SC's on CR flights. I think QF want people to get addicted to chasing status though, rather than rewarding loyalty.

No. We don’t won’t to encourage CR+ as a good thing.


Bring back FASAs and JASAs!

 

[TheCollecter]

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.

With my year end being today (and a very happy new year to one twelfth of QFFs out there! ), I re-qualified for PC a couple of months ago, and my app shows it ends 30 June 2027.

With your year end... QF told you that you had 12 months to go forth and get points for a reward of PC/PC+ til 31 March 2028 then they must honour that 12 months. If tomorrow they tell me the same then I too can get a further year - if they kill PC/PC+ in say maybe November, well then they told you and me already before that, that we have the full year to achieve this.

Still as clear as mud? I feel your pain

 

[TheCollecter]

No. We don’t won’t to encourage CR+ as a good thing.


Bring back FASAs and JASAs!

Agree boo to CR+

FASAs and JASAs... just a little before my time... they come up in search but I still don't get what they mean!

 

[SYD]

Agree boo to CR+

FASAs and JASAs... just a little before my time... they come up in search but I still don't get what they mean!

They were “any seat awards” (xASA) that earned regular SCs but priced more or less the same as a CR. Doubly exciting during a DSC promo.

Many dismissed any seat rewards as a joke because they mostly priced at millions of points but those in the know new there were unicorns to be had.

 

[SYD]

I imagine that Qantas Wine may be the loser in this.

It’ll still be a cheaper way of “buying” points - IF they continue the generous points promos.

Hopefully some status perks might include free premium QF Wine (or whatever it’s called).

 

[burneracc]

With my year end being today (and a very happy new year to one twelfth of QFFs out there! ), I re-qualified for PC a couple of months ago, and my app shows it ends 30 June 2027

Interesting you say this as I also have my membership year reset tonight, and I’ve just seen that I’m somehow qualified for PC+ until 2028?!

Lovely gesture if true. However may also be dodgy qf IT…

 

[DrJ]

FASAs and JASAs... just a little before my time... they come up in search but I still don't get what they mean!

In 2012 under the old JASA (J( = business class). Any Seat Reward) system, I flew PER-SYD-BNE-MEL- PER in J for 72k points and 700 odd dollars, for full J SCs. Got me to SG for the first time, at a time I was doing comparatively little flying. Unfortunately this loophole slammed shut not long after