QF introducing "Parental Pause" & increasing transfer limits

[trippin_the_rift]

I am still trying to figure out what another 30 dollar Qantas Frequent flyer direct charge is for ?

A fee to discourage you from crediting to QFF, or a fee you pay them so you can make them more money.
Time to jump off the train?

 

[marki]

Qantas celebrated their 95th Birthday last year :?:

I swear, meant to write 95

 

[Foreigner]

Forbes had article /opinion hoping the big 3 US carriers will follow QF's lead:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/thepoin...te-status-holds-for-new-parents/#7f30a81676ee

 

[katiebell]

Does getting a new puppy or kitten count?
Some may say this is discrimination against those who choose not to procreate. [Ducks out of firing line]

What about parental pause for those who need time to care for a parent? Surley this is recogising the value add by those who do not granny-dump to maintain that WP status?

 

[wandering_fred]

Just got a reply from the MPC member ship people about their "Membership Holiday" terms etc.

Just as well I had a bit of communication on file since between the new program implementation and my end of year anniversary (31 May), things required some minor concessions... (They were generous avoiding #2 and #3, I think)

Anyway the key items from the program

1. [paraphrase-elite members must apply]
   
2. Request must be made between 7 days and 90 days before requested Membership Holiday start.
3. Membership Holiday cannot start on the current membership expiry month or outside of the current membership period.
4. Minimum of 1 month and maximum of 12 months period for each Membership Holiday.
5. Only 3 membership holidays per membership lifetime is permitted.
6. Membership tier and remaining membership period will resume after the Membership Holiday.
7. A new membership card (with new expiry date) will be issued after Membership Holiday period, while mid-tier benefits before their expiration date can still be claimed.
8. No requests, changes, extensions, and cancellations can be made after start of Membership Holiday.
9. No Marco Polo Club services or benefits are applicable during Membership Holiday period.
10. Accrual of club points not possible for flights taken during Membership Holiday period (whilst there is no impact on Asia Miles accrual or redemption).
    
11. Additional Membership Holiday(s) can be requested (even during the holiday period) as long as the periods do not overlap.

So slightly different in tone from the QF announcement but useful nevertheless.
We will hopefully soon see whether I got my two month extension which covers the travel risk period following my surgery.

Happy (eventual) wandering

Fred

 

[mviy]

Is the 600,000 limit per year a limit for the sender or the receiver or both? i.e. if it just for the sender could the receiver receive more than 600,000 points if multiple family members are sending the points?

 

[anat0l]

Is the 600,000 limit per year a limit for the sender or the receiver or both? i.e. if it just for the sender could the receiver receive more than 600,000 points if multiple family members are sending the points?

The way I read the T&Cs on Family Transfers, the limit is counted against the sender. So, it is possible that a single family member could receive more than 600,000 points per 12 months if they happened to receive many large transfers from multiple family members.

 

[Kangol]

The way I read the T&Cs on Family Transfers, the limit is counted against the sender. So, it is possible that a single family member could receive more than 600,000 points per 12 months if they happened to receive many large transfers from multiple family members.

I was looking for an answer to this. Has anyone had any recent experience with receiving more than 600k in a 12 month period?

T&Cs are not too clear:

(d) a total of 600,000 Qantas Points may be transferred in any 12 month period;

 

[Dee#]

Im with Virgin for the family transfers so we can both keep our platinum up and less SC's required. One of the reasons i gave Qantas the flick years ago.
Trouble with Virgin is not enough partner airlines.
Both of them have the status pause for breeders but this is mostly a planned life event. What if you have a serious accident or cancer treatment or suddenly have to care for an elderly relative and cannot travel. Shouldn't there be a status pause for this unplanned event.

 

[mviy]

Allowing status pause certainly could be a slippery slope. If they allow it for any and any reason then where’s the incentive to actually do the flights to retain status? Most people would have a good reason as to why they stopped flying for a while in their own eyes.

 

[blackcat20]

Two hard for them to draw a line as to what is serious enough for a pause.

 

[sudoer]

Two hard for them to draw a line as to what is serious enough for a pause.

Would imagine they could use the same guidelines they do for fare extensions/cancellations, i.e. IATA PAT general rules.

IMO the more difficult question is how long an extension should be granted for. A pregnancy is a (mostly) consistent timeframe, whereas dealing with major sickness/death varies greatly.

 

[blackcat20]

Would imagine they could use the same guidelines they do for fare extensions/cancellations, i.e. IATA PAT general rules.

IMO the more difficult question is how long an extension should be granted for. A pregnancy is a (mostly) consistent timeframe, whereas dealing with major sickness/death varies greatly.

It's a minefield the airlines probably don't want to go near.

 

[woodborer]

Two hard for them to draw a line as to what is serious enough for a pause.

That, and it (parental pause) is a specific target market.

 

[JohnK]

Allowing status pause certainly could be a slippery slope. If they allow it for any and any reason then where’s the incentive to actually do the flights to retain status? Most people would have a good reason as to why they stopped flying for a while in their own eyes.

Why not just give everyone 1-2 membership status pauses during their lifetime? You give it someone having a baby but not to someone who is ill and cannot travel or looking after someone who is ill.

 

[teamhamsandwich]

I had a baby daughter 6 weeks ago and I'm taking 9 months off. Submitted the forms and WP status on hold that afternoon. My flying has definitely wound back in the last few months from 100+ a year to just a few domestic with the family. Very happy to have this service. Thanks Qantas!

 

[Flying mermaid]

I had a baby daughter 6 weeks ago and I'm taking 9 months off. Submitted the forms and WP status on hold that afternoon. My flying has definitely wound back in the last few months from 100+ a year to just a few domestic with the family. Very happy to have this service. Thanks Qantas!

Congratulations