QFF Membership Year definition? plus appalling QFF call centre service

[samh004]

Chiming in late, but have to agree with most here that your membership year is based on Australian time, but the posting of points/SC would be per scheduled departure date/time. I've never questioned this and can't imagine too many others would.

 

[kitkatff]

It just irks me as I have come close to Gold a couple of time, being around the 600 SC mark, but this is the first year I stand a real chance of getting over 700. Once I am in Gold, I stand half a chance of keeping it for at least the next couple of years based on my work and our holiday habits. That last 100 SC has just proved elusive.

if work pays for 600SC, then a couple of flex or J flights domestically or some cheap J return to NZ would bring you over, no? If you really want it then you might have to cough up the cash - just watch the promos and book a few months ahead to get cheap rates.

 

[samh004]

It just irks me as I have come close to Gold a couple of time, being around the 600 SC mark, but this is the first year I stand a real chance of getting over 700. Once I am in Gold, I stand half a chance of keeping it for at least the next couple of years based on my work and our holiday habits. That last 100 SC has just proved elusive.

As kitkatff says below, sometimes you just need to be a little more crafty to get over the line, or spend some extra money on an SC-run (as is often spoken of on here) to get across the line. I know when I joined I was a CX MPC Silver and a QF QP Bronze... I pushed myself to fly that little bit more and get to Silver, despite being told it wasn't worth it... from there I could see Gold, from there I could see Platinum. I'm not sure how I saw P1, but that's a story for a different time

Bottom line is, sometimes you need to fly essentially nowhere on an SC-run to get to where you want to be for the next few years. Consider the SC-run destination as Gold for the future, instead of just a wasted day onboard a plane

if work pays for 600SC, then a couple of flex or J flights domestically or some cheap J return to NZ would bring you over, no? If you really want it then you might have to cough up the cash - just watch the promos and book a few months ahead to get cheap rates.

If you need help, the members here can help craft a route depending on what days you have free, and where you're based. For instance, provided you book in a sale and are based in BNE I can get you 80SC for $300-$400. Sure, at the higher end that's $5/SC and not great value, but if you're sat on 620SC it's all that you need.

 

[markm1111]

Seems like I am barking up the wrong tree. Thanks for everyone's input. I must admit I wasn't aware of the concept of a SC run those times I was bumping up around 600 SC. I will have to do some research and see what I can do this year.

The push for these 140 points was with a view to see if I can get to Gold before Christmas, which although remote would be slightly possible with these extra points. Hoping to book 4FF tickets in January for a major family holiday in Jan 2018, and I think gold status would give me a better chance. Anyway, see how I go.

Thanks again all

 

[medhead]

Not barking up the wrong tree, per se. I complained about a very similar issue in the dark past. Just that Qantas are hard and fast with their rules. Also that there are swings and roundabouts - some people want those 140SC in the old member year.

anyway, plenty here can help get you over the line.

 

[RichardMEL]

First, I too missed the part about being hung up on - unacceptable by any customer service organisation - and even if it was a telco issue, you'd hope the carrier would call you back (since they'd have known your info by then) to finish the call.. but that's a separate issue to the FF one

Second, 140SC is not incredibly difficult to attain, depending on one's budget and availability (the key can be simply to have a weekend or day or two spare and watch for sales on certain routes, eg the current trans tasman J sale $599 each way could get 160 SC for $1200). Of course this value propisition may not work for you, but that's up to each individual

Third - good luck with the 4 award tickets in January - a huge peak time for travel - it may be difficult for a Platinum or P1 member depending on how popular the route is. Gold will help some potentially so the idea is absolutely solid.

 

[Awesom Andy]

While the status is based on AU time (or, Sydney time, for that matter), when it comes to expiry, the system holds the status for a couple of days to wait for SCs from partners to come in. So in effect, if you're on your last day of SG/WP, you will still get your lounge access in LAX/SFO/etc (despite your membership year has already ticked over). The system still shows the old status, and your printed card is still valid.

No offence to the op, but myself coming in late to the thread, it almost reads like you blamed QFF for poor service when they didn't give you what you wanted. I'm sure that's not the case here once I've gone through the details, but perhaps adding to the title, something like "QFF hung up on me" to make it clear how you were treated.

 

[TonyHancock]

....140SC is not incredibly difficult to attain.....

Although if you needed them in your last QF membership year it might be a touch tricky.

 

[Deleted member]

Given you are a relative newbie, with a posting number still in single digits, it's fair to say you're not fully aware of the finer points around maximising your options when it comes to earring and retaining status. There are quite a few of contributors here , who manage with fewer resources to achieve higher status by careful analysis, and understanding of the rules . And in addition are always aware of promotional opportunities that will (dare I say it) "enhance" their chances of earning higher status. Some just resort to status runs, not always the best value in $ spend, but regard the benefits that flow as well worth the effort.
It is frustrating to believe that you have qualified and then missed out on an apparent technicality, but that's life.
I have been in a similar situation once myself, and QF were quite firm in their resolve, so I just had to suck it up and do a status run to see mum. (Silver lining) .
I would add however that once your level has been achieved, as you rightly point out, re-qualification is a lot easier in the following years. This is my first year where I have actually earned more status credits than I needed to retain status. ( a full two months before my membership year end) . Almost feels like a waste in some ways. However once you get over the disappointment of the missed 140 SC's , you will find a way to make it up, and all will be right. The lesson here is to be aware of the rules and life gets easier.
The hang up was poor form though.

 

[opusman]

OP, make sure you have opted-in to the various QF marketing options, as double/bonus status credit offers come out once or twice a year and might help you get over the line.

 

[NZflygirl]

The only thing I'll add is that if you're going to cut things fine like - flying on your last membership day and relying on the interpretation of membership time zones around the world then - you really should have asked QF or any flying forum just to clarify your plan. Especially if you've got status riding on your decision.

If you'd known then that you were wrong before you booked this flight you could have adjusted it and been on your merry way to Gold. Although I do understand not everyones travel plans are adjustable.

The solution is easy - just ask, don't guess.
It's free advice after all!

 

[doczim]

So rather than start a new thread I, though I would ask my (related) question here. I did try and find an answer before asking but couldn't.

I now (think) I understand how a persons membership year works, based on what has been said here. Status Credits are valid from date earned (flown) up until the end of the membership year that they are attributed to. So if my membership year ends on 30 June and I fly 29th June, I get the balance of those SC for a day or so. Any flights taken from 1 July will attribute to my new membership year.

I seek to confirm my understanding, because myself, MrsZim and Kidzim are travelling together over June/July. Our departing flights are in June and return in July. We will earn enough SC for Silver during these flights, and maybe even gold (not sure about additional minimum QF flights requirement) depending on internal flights, if all flights were earned in one membership year, but because my anniversary date (not theirs) falls in between, I will miss out but they will gain. This I find hilarious from our family perspective and they will never let me forget it that they have Status , albeit lowly and I don't.

I just want to make sure I understand it correctly. thanks.

 

[medhead]

So rather than start a new thread I, though I would ask my (related) question here. I did try and find an answer before asking but couldn't.

I now (think) I understand how a persons membership year works, based on what has been said here. Status Credits are valid from date earned (flown) up until the end of the membership year that they are attributed to. So if my membership year ends on 30 June and I fly 29th June, I get the balance of those SC for a day or so. Any flights taken from 1 July will attribute to my new membership year.

I seek to confirm my understanding, because myself, MrsZim and Kidzim are travelling together over June/July. Our departing flights are in June and return in July. We will earn enough SC for Silver during these flights, and maybe even gold (not sure about additional minimum QF flights requirement) depending on internal flights, if all flights were earned in one membership year, but because my anniversary date (not theirs) falls in between, I will miss out but they will gain. This I find hilarious from our family perspective and they will never let me forget it that they have Status , albeit lowly and I don't.

I just want to make sure I understand it correctly. thanks.

That sounds pretty much correct.

 

[RichardMEL]

Yes DocZim, you would appear to have it right. It's all about the flight you travel on and your anniversary month.

 

[eminere]

I now (think) I understand how a persons membership year works, based on what has been said here. Status Credits are valid from date earned (flown) up until the end of the membership year that they are attributed to. So if my membership year ends on 30 June and I fly 29th June, I get the balance of those SC for a day or so. Any flights taken from 1 July will attribute to my new membership year.

That is correct.

 

[lathiat]

I have heard stories of people managing to cancel and re-sign up.. not sure if it's actually possible (or even what the T&Cs claim).

 

[mannej]

So rather than start a new thread I, though I would ask my (related) question here. I did try and find an answer before asking but couldn't.

I now (think) I understand how a persons membership year works, based on what has been said here. Status Credits are valid from date earned (flown) up until the end of the membership year that they are attributed to. So if my membership year ends on 30 June and I fly 29th June, I get the balance of those SC for a day or so. Any flights taken from 1 July will attribute to my new membership year.

I seek to confirm my understanding, because myself, MrsZim and Kidzim are travelling together over June/July. Our departing flights are in June and return in July. We will earn enough SC for Silver during these flights, and maybe even gold (not sure about additional minimum QF flights requirement) depending on internal flights, if all flights were earned in one membership year, but because my anniversary date (not theirs) falls in between, I will miss out but they will gain. This I find hilarious from our family perspective and they will never let me forget it that they have Status , albeit lowly and I don't.

I just want to make sure I understand it correctly. thanks.

Yep, happened with my parents 12 months ago. I couldn't work out why one parent had attained status, yet the other did not.

 

[doczim]

I thought maybe if I could put my membership on hold for a bit but that's not open to bronze nor would I qualify for it so just something I'll have to suck up !

 

[doczim]

Oh and thanks to all that replied confirming my understanding