Value of QFF Status Tiers

[GSP]

Despite everybody getting an extension on their QFF memberships by a year, I can see a situation that obtaining or retaining Tier levels will become extremely difficult due to significant cutback on business travel, most likely continued delays until unrestricted (or restricted) international travel is allowed not to mention the cost factor which one could assume to be significantly higher for an extended period.

Meaning a lot of the benefits those higher tiers bring will be available to fewer people and less demand for those benefits. I'm mainly thinking lounge availability which may reduce as a result, particularly the business lounge.

This situation is not isolated to QFF of course, but I wonder if QFF will review the targets to achieve status if the restrictions drag on for a number of years otherwise there will be a small fraction of P1's, Platinums, Golds and even Silvers (The P1's would get 3 years of bounce downs ) I guess the Points Club is one way which was probably intended for another purpose will bump up (or replace) patronage at the lounges for while when opened.

 

[astrosly]

Despite everybody getting an extension on their QFF memberships by a year

No, not everyone got an extension. Those that retained their status with end March membership year did not get any extensions whatsoever. These people retained as required but are unable to use status privileges nor have a decent chance to retain by March 2021 in the next several months.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Despite everybody getting an extension on their QFF memberships by a year.

No, not everyone got an extension. Those that retained their status with end March membership year did not get any extensions whatsoever. These people retained as required but are unable to use status privileges nor have a decent chance to retain by March 2021 in the next several months.

My daughter is Silver. She will likely be unable to use this years lounge pass (Qantas confirmed these passes are not eligible for 6 month extension) and even though her membership extended by 12 months, her next year‘s lounge pass ends 12 months from the date that they actioned the extension (ie April 2021). So for more than half of her extended membership year will have no pass availability.

 

[RichardMEL]

Tend to agree except for one thing (and focusing on QFF specifically)

It seems pretty certain to me that, when things start to reopen, among the tools QF will use to encourage travel and stimulate demand is bonus SC promotion(s) - most likely DSC at some point.. either global or targeted but I would imagine global initially.

And while the ability to take up such offers will be nowhere near as much as "normal" there will still be some take up I am sure.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It seems pretty certain to me that, when things start to reopen, among the tools QF will use to encourage travel and stimulate demand is bonus SC promotion(s) - most likely DSC at some point.. either global or targeted but I would imagine global initially.

And while the ability to take up such offers will be nowhere near as much as "normal" there will still be some take up I am sure.

That might depend, too, on what the new Virgin looks like. If they go back to a single class carrier, will QF need to compete for the top $ fares with DSCs?

Will QF need to stimulate demand, or can they replace their A380s with 787s and charge top dollar for the limited product that's available?

 

[RichardMEL]

fair points and the $64m question as to how things will work out. I never considered DSC offers to be targeted at VA specifically, though I do understand if someone was looking to bail from one to the other it might be a good incentive.

I suspect that once key international routes open up again, and routs where I presume cargo will be a big driver as much as pax, that airlines will try and woo people in with cheap sale fares (in all cabins) and other promos like DSC - I am thinking places like SIN, TYO, LAX but even domestically as the economy tries to dig itself out I am sure the government will push the angle of Oz holidays - both as "safer" virus wise, but also with an eye to rebooting tourism in places like OOL, CNS, WA and the like and I am sure that will be part of it.

Personally I expect a pretty solid domestic rebound - maybe not to say Dec 2019 levels, but maybe to 70-80% capacity say in the short-medium term. There's pent up demand and relative to a lot of other places I think people will feel better taking trips to, say, QLD then even Bali or further afield. Plus if AU-NZ markets are opened up earlier than others, you can see that having a boost to both countries.

Interesting times ahead for sure.. but first we need to get through the current shutdown and then see...

 

[Pushka]

No, not everyone got an extension. Those that retained their status with end March membership year did not get any extensions whatsoever. These people retained as required but are unable to use status privileges nor have a decent chance to retain by March 2021 in the next several months.

Yep. End of April here but status already requalified. No benefit at all.

 

[GSP]

Will also be interesting to see the rewards availability once flights are opened up. It may very well be lower, although for those still with status may be able to benefit.

And the extension to that would be QFF would want to make it attractive enough to continue to earn points to chase rewards seats. CC promotions have trickled out, and flying is non existent although QFF are pushing hard those promotions that I'm not interested in (Health Insurance and the like).

 

[samh004]

With the exception of P1 I feel they'll just roll out offer after offer on the DSC front to help people retain their status (and keep the golden handcuffs); but I can't see why they would care too much about P1 numbers dropping as they've always pegged that level as more of a level that you get to without trying, than by actually pushing for it. Lower numbers in that group are probably actually helpful to giving the few members who do earn the status exceptional care.

I'm really glad I took my flights in March now and achieved LTG before this all blew up, as I can imagine that might be one of the perks that finally gets the chop in the future.

 

[fifo]

Any idea if there is an extremely thorough comparison of gold vs plat qff anywhere? approaching LTG and interested to see what ill loose (ive never been *only* a gold before due to FIFO, but its coming up soon!)
this comparison would need to include benefits across OW airlines as well.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Any idea if there is an extremely thorough comparison of gold vs plat qff anywhere? approaching LTG and interested to see what ill loose (ive never been *only* a gold before due to FIFO, but its coming up soon!)
this comparison would need to include benefits across OW airlines as well.

The bottom two tables (from about 2/3 of the article) give a good summary I think.

Airport Lounges: Reviews & Club Access Worldwide | LoungeBuddy

www.loungebuddy.com.au

 

[fifo]

thanks, its a great start!

Unfortunately or fortunately, the recognition of one world status world wide varies by airlines. AA for exmaple give 3 x 32kgs for free. so does BA. QR, does, not. I guess ive got to make a through one!

 

[onemore]

I received 2 years extension on my platinum status, which I think might have had something to do with my frequency of travel, where I chalked up 960 status credits in 6 weeks.

 

[Ekka]

To indicate how haphazard Qantas' policy is, a family member and I had no SCs at all at the outset, went on a business-class international flight in the DSC days, which took us both to Gold, in December 2018.

My anniversary date was January, so duly I was reduced to Silver in Jan 2020; while my family member was Gold until June 2020. Both were extended for a year because of the virus. I travel rarely, but expect any travel I do to be domestic business for a couple of years anyway. My family member has been treated well, nevertheless, while I have been treated relatively poorly. It matters not to me, but Olivia Wirth should have thought about it longer.

I realise that this is a drop in the bucket to Platina and the P1s, who are used to criss-crossing the continent and planet frequently and rapidly, but I thought it may be of interest to the poorer types of AFF, if there are any, apart from me.

 

[mrsterryn]

Mine has been extended to Nov 21. Husband starts new year on April 1st. Had already requalified.
I am truly pleased I have platinum till Nov next year. Hoping to do a trip in Feb if things have settled down all round . Platinum does help

 

[moa999]

To indicate how haphazard Qantas' policy is, a family member

Not necessarily haphazard. Neither of you were seemingly going to requalify. They just got lucky because QF chose a simplistic method of extension.

Rather than say a pro-rata assuming no travel in certain months and reducing hurdles depending on month of expiry.

 

[calmelb]

I'm really glad I took my flights in March now and achieved LTG before this all blew up, as I can imagine that might be one of the perks that finally gets the chop in the future.

I really hope I can get the 500scs needed to get LTG before they chop if (if they do), I would be mightily annoyed if they scrapped it just before I got there

 

[GSP]

I really hope I can get the 500scs needed to get LTG before they chop if (if they do), I would be mightily annoyed if they scrapped it just before I got there

Why would they scrap it? Has there been talk of this (apologies if it is on another thread I have not read).

 

[rogerkambah]

Well, it's one of those things that happens in the rich tapestry of life.
I got cancer before I could requalify for WP.
Fell through SG etc and now a NB, and still on treatment.
You guys who have got status extensions are very lucky.

 

[muppet]

To indicate how haphazard Qantas' policy is, a family member and I had no SCs at all at the outset, went on a business-class international flight in the DSC days, which took us both to Gold, in December 2018.

My anniversary date was January, so duly I was reduced to Silver in Jan 2020; while my family member was Gold until June 2020. Both were extended for a year because of the virus. I travel rarely, but expect any travel I do to be domestic business for a couple of years anyway. My family member has been treated well, nevertheless, while I have been treated relatively poorly. It matters not to me, but Olivia Wirth should have thought about it longer.

I realise that this is a drop in the bucket to Platina and the P1s, who are used to criss-crossing the continent and planet frequently and rapidly, but I thought it may be of interest to the poorer types of AFF, if there are any, apart from me.

Struggle to see how you were treated poorly. You were downgraded well before corona had affected travel and have been given free silver despite self confessed “travel rarely”.

Yes, your family member received a benefit despite not being impacted by corona.

There are people who earned 690 SC before corona and get their silver status extended for free ... or people who only just qualified for Platinum, now can’t use the benefits and get no extension ... they were treated poorly by Qantas in comparison.

EDIT: and a reality check from @rogerkambah