QFF Scheme is Making fools of us.

[QantasSucksBigTime]

After 4 years as a QFF member I decided not to fly Qantas anymore unless its a must.

The straw that broke the camel's back was when I found out they charge an annual fee to transfer points from CBA CC to their program. That is right down ridiculous!

I've been living abroad for a long time and returned to Australia few years ago. Since I travel few times a year, I thought why not join a FF program? And whats better than Qantas? It seemed like a big company with International fleet more than any other in Australia. Big Mistake!

First, to join you have to shell out 80 or 90 Bucks (not sure of the amount). That is un heard of in any other program in most parts of the world. I am (or was at some point) a member with Emirates Skywards, Malaysian airlines, Delta and many others. None of them asks for a joining fee. Let alone charge you for a point transfer from a partner! Don't take my word for it, just pick an international airline at random and read their FF rules. None that I have joined or considered joining have any such schemes! In fact, most of them motivate you to join and transfer points by offering some incentives for first time members, Qantas charges you money!

Then comes the service, Qantas service on the air is way below what other international airlines offer. I traveled on Malaysian, Singapore and Emirates and all were friendlier and more courteous than Qantas. Even their coach class crew is better than Qantas business.

For some reason, Qantas rips people off and gets away with it here in Australia. I guess people don't know any better.

 

[albatross710]

Welcome to AFF.

I'm intrigued. What happened today for you to post about a joining fee from 4 years ago?

 

[MelUser]

Heavens - that is a bit steep. Most people on here are Qantas fans so you've picked the wrong website.

Because of our market we do pay more for things (eg joining a frequent flyer program).
.
As far as crew - most QF crew I fly on have been fine. I suspect all airlines have good crew and not so good crew.

Anyway, horses for courses.

 

[TheInsider]

Love the rant.
AFAIK QF don't charge the fee, your bank charges the fee! Plently of other credit card providers out there that have a direct earn.
Second, there are many, many ways to joing the QFF program for free, really is only a google search away or by going to woolworths/safeway.
Thrid, Qantas don't rip anyone off, they charge according to what the market will pay. Just like any other business.

 

[medhead]

Lots of banks charge a fee to transfer to QFF. That's why I only go for cards that don't charge said fee.

I'm not sure free sign onto QFF was available 4 years ago. But didn't the CBA card offer free QFF membership at some stage?

 

[nlagalle]

Yawn.. Another one post wonder.. Perhaps we need a "rant here" sub forum..

As has been pointed out its CBA charging to transfer to QF, not QF..

 

[elbarto]

Hmm.. Marco Polo Club charges $50USD to join, so QF are hardly alone when it comes to charging fees to become a member. And clearly the OP has never flown in Europe or the US where the hosties are only there for safety not service.

Some people really want Dom Perignon for the price of Aldi beer.

 

[alieninperth]

I hope the door didn't hit him on the way out...

And is it me or is it a bit weird when an Aussie refers to Y as coach..

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yawn.. Another one post wonder.. Perhaps we need a "rant here" sub forum..

Good idea

 

[yohy?!]

Hmm.. Marco Polo Club charges $50USD to join, so QF are hardly alone when it comes to charging fees to become a member.

In addition most card providers in Hong Kong charge to transfer points to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. If the market here and in Australia bears these fees then who is the OP to question them.

I thought it was a nice touch to make out that Australian's are fools for joining QFF - way to endear yourself. . . . . .

 

[markis10]

I hope the door didn't hit him on the way out...

And is it me or is it a bit weird when an Aussie refers to Y as coach..

No indications or claims by the OP of being an Aussie, just the fact they have lived here, the post was made by someone in the Middle East who may not be across all the benefits of the program, which are obvious with reading on this site.

 

[QF WP]

The uninitiated ranting to the initiated...somebody who didn't know about this site 4 years ago.

We'll consider the sub-Forum question

 

[medhead]

I thought it was a nice touch to make out that Australian's are fools for joining QFF - way to endear yourself. . . . . .

Gotta say I feel like a fool at this point in time for joining QFF because I'm locked in to an eroding program. But then I didn't think of that in 1996 and it is the nature of the beast.

I also feel a fool for paying to sign up my wife and kids to QFF about 2 months before EDR freebies came in. But that might have been too late to claim ~20k points each for a trip to Europe; plus everything is clear in hindsight.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Saji]

Some people really want Dom Perignon for the price of Aldi beer.[/QUOTE]

Dom Perignon or Aldi Beer...which one is Qantas again?

 

[browski]

I guess people don't know any better.

Most Australians do "know better".
Just because you've only now, very late in the day, just come to that realization, does not mean most people are fools. It just means you are a slow on the uptake.

 

[missafternoondelight]

Haha..
The only time I have felt a fool for joining the program is when trying to redeem points for a classic award, PER-HKG and seeing that the fees, taxes and surcharges I was expected to pay ran to almost $400.. never mind the 60,000 points. That's the thing I hate most about the program, and yes it does make me feel a bit stupid for bothering with it. However, when booking a JASA it feels awesome to be a member.

 

[Fantic125]

And with a rant like that as an opener he is unlikely to..........

 

[pjohn]

CBA posted letter a few years back saying they were going to introduce the charge, not Qantas. Gave me enough notice so I moved banks with CC. No charge with AMEX and like most banks its a 1:1.

Sounds like you've had a bad experience and hence now its all doom and gloom.

 

[mannej]

I would be complaining about the CBA earn rate more than anything.

 

[burrco]

And with a rant like that as an opener he is unlikely to..........

What are you getting at :