By now all Qantas Frequent Flyer would have received that now infamous "Important Changes to your membership" email from Qantas.  Full details of all the changes is available on the Qantas website, but they can be summarised as follows:

+ve - ability to transfer points to family members (conditions apply)
+ve - ability to purchase points (conditions apply)
+ve - points required for award travel between Mel-Syd, Mel-Adl, Syd-Bne (current Zone 1) will decrease
-ve - points required for award travel between all other cities will increase
-ve - no longer able to confirm international upgrades
-ve - no longer able to upgrade from any ticket 
-ve - service fee for making an assisted award booking

Judging by the feedback we've received and the postings on our Discussion Board (see Member Talk), members are not fooled by Qantas double talk (eg. "give you greater choice and flexibility",  "providing for the future growth") and fully understand the program has effectively been devalued by up to 40%.

The group hardest hit are the corporate frequent flyers - those that redeem points for long haul flights and upgrades.  What confuses us is that it is these customers we would have expected Qantas to look after and reward the most.  A most puzzling situation.  Maybe its just that with no alternative Australian frequent flyer program, Qantas feel they have a free hand to do what they choose.

So where to from here?  Well, there are 2 things to remember:

• The changes are effective from 25 May 2005.  Because you can make bookings up to 12 months in advance, you've effectively got 18 months to travel with the existing rules.  For example, you can book an economy flight from Sydney to London on 24 May 2005 for travel on 23 May 2006 for 110 000 points.  Book the next day, and the new regime is in place and the same flight will cost you 128 000 points!
    

• You are the customer and you always have a choice!  Maybe its time to give Qantas the flick - focus on your credit card's reward program or you can always join another airline's frequent flyer program.  For an analysis of some of the options available to you take a look at our new guide to maximising the value of Frequent Flyer program membership.  

Changes to Qantas Frequent Flyer program

As expected the changes caused quite a stir and provoked lots of discussion!  Within hours of the announcement there were dozens postings on this topic.  In fact, Thursday 25 November was our busiest day ever and we recorded a record 128 simultaneous visitors to the Discussion Board!

Read how one platinum flyer responded to the news by 1) replying to the Qantas email 2) faxing a letter of complaint to Martin McKinnon, Qantas Head of Marketing 3) instructing his travel agent to cancel all bookings with Qantas for 6 months.  He believes we "need to get active and tell Qantas AND show them we are not going to be pushed around".  You can follow the discussions HERE and HERE.

Another reader has set up a POLL to gauge whether Qantas frequent flyers will continue to be loyal to the airline.  This gives you the opportunity to have your say.

Earning Air NZ Airpoints with Australian credit cards

A reader asks how to can earn Air NZ Airpoints with a credit card.  See what our experts say HERE.

Reserving your seat

A junior member was after a website which displays seat plans with vacant seats.  Follow the DISCUSSION to see how you can secure your favourite seat online.

And while on this topic, you can follow another popular (almost 3,500 views) and sometimes heated discussion on how airline staff allocate seats.  Lots of useful information and even a joke from one of our regular "posting freaks".  Read the discussion HERE.

Bonus United Airlines Mileage Plus points for new members

A reader is offering to refer members to United Airline's frequent flyer program.  If referred you will qualify for 1,250 bonus points.  Fly United before 15 February and get an additional 5,000 points!  See POSTING.

This section of the newsletter is sponsored by the new revamped Frequent Flyer Club.  The Frequent Flyer Club is owned and operated by the Handzon Company.

• Qantas Frequent Flyer Program changes - May 2005  Overall the new Qantas rules will make it harder to get upgrades, will allow you one family transfer to top up each others points, will decrease points required to fly in Australia, will cost 2,500 points for a Qantas consultant to make your award booking, will cost you more to use One-world alliance partners and has new conditions and complexities that will again confuse flyers.  We see the need for expert advice and on-the-ball product knowledge, so check the News section at frequentflyerclub.com.au.  You should also understand that the new rules must be interpreted in conjunction with Jetstar conditions, international carrier rules and your own linked Master/Visa/Amex and Diners programs.  This adds extra conditions to the already complex equation!
   

• Star Alliance Mileage Calculator  Visit www.staralliance.net.au and download a great mileage calculator for Star Alliance Airlines.  It is a great basic tool, but cannot book seats or look at the �no-go� or blackout dates/routes/flights - this part should still left to the professionals to sort out.  But at least it will give you an idea of how many miles are needed to fly.
   

• Earn full Qantas points when flying BA  Until June 30th 2005, you will earn 1 point for every mile flown on BA services from Australia to Europe (Aust and NZ resident members).  There is also extra points if flying in World Traveller, Business and First class.  Some conditions apply but overall it is a great deal. Contact 1300 738 073 or visit frequentflyerclub.com.au for more details.
   

• Avis Preferred Service with 500 free QF points, free keying & discount  One of the fastest ways to get a rental vehicle is with Avis-Preferred Services.  Join this free scheme before 31 Dec 2004 and get 500 Qantas points.  Call 1800 553 787 or get Frequent Flyer Club to join you with the added bonus of also getting a FREE DISCOUNT VOUCHER BOOK, a FREE AVIS ATHENS OLYMPIC GAME Key ring and up to 15% discount on Avis rentals.
   

• Don't be fooled by cheap fares  Jetstar have issued new fares ex Adelaide from $49 each, but taxes can cost $63! This totals over $100!  Also, when requesting Frequent Flyer tickets, be aware that many domestic Australian taxes can be $60-$80 PLUS the redeemed points required.  And international award flights can cost up to $300 in taxes/airport charges/fuel levies etc per ticket. 
   

• Don't procrastinate  We are finding many frequent flyer booking availabilities are being sent to us, we respond with availability but there is a major delay in some travellers saying �YES� or �NO� to what is available.  It must be understood that frequent flyer bookings are �instant purchase� and based on limited seats being available at any one time or per flight.  Speed and your ability to react quickly is what will determine your success in obtaining frequent flyer seats.  We are governed by what you want and how fast you react!
   

• Renewal Reminders have all been sent to past members of The Frequent Flyer Club. Thank you for the great responses to renew.  If your Membership is up for renewal, contact us now to remain �live� and obtain the many benefits and advantages for only $79 annual fee.  If you want to know what we offer, visit us on www.frequentflyerclub.com.au.  The time to maximize the return on your points and miles is NOW!
   

Get us to secure your frequent flyer seats now online or by calling 1300 738 073.