visit our site | subscribe for free contact the editor | forward to a friend     Australian Frequent Flyer Gazette Issue 118:   4 July In this issue: Latest Talk Flight Deals Hotel Deals Car Deals

The Great Anti-Climax

The much-anticipated launch of Qantas’ new frequent flyer program has left many of our members a little under-whelmed. In fact the new scheme has been described as laughable, a crock and ridiculous by many members. One member even went as far as to say that the scheme represented Qantas’ biggest blunder yet. Read our members comments HERE.

The new scheme promised more ways to book seats. It delivered this promise, but at a sky high cost to consumers. The new Anyseat program allows frequent flyers to use points like cash and redeem any seat at anytime on Qantas and Jetstar flights. Sounds great right?... Wrong!  Members pay more for the option, and don’t know how much more until they try to book. Redemptions rise according to the availability of seats, demand and the time of flying. Suddenly all the imperfections of the old frequent flyer scheme aren’t looking too bad. Fortunately, the new program has retained the old scheme under the Classic tier. Assuming Qantas are true to their word and don't reduce the number of Classic frequent flyer seats, there is no real downside to the changes as you can continue to redeem as before.  But we have to take Qantas on their word on this one, as there is no independent way of monitoring how many Classic seats are made available.  And if they do reduce the number of Classic seats, you will end up paying up to 5 times more for that free frequent flyer seat!  See our member's hunt for the most Expensive Anyseat. How to we rate the new system? No impact for the vast majority of us who earn less than 100,000 points per year (providing Qantas don't reduce the number of Classic seats). Moderate Improvement for the top 10% of points earners who earn up to 350,000 points per year Good Improvement for the top 1% of points earners who earn over 350,000 points per year Outstanding Improvement for Qantas and its share holders No prizes for figuring out who are the real winners!

Qantas Frequent Flyers Earn an extra...
    ... 1,000 Frequent Flyer points OR
     ... Triple Bonus points

Earn 1,000 extra points on qualifying stays when you book your hotel stay online at participating InterContinental Hotels in Australia and New Zealand.

OR

Earn triple bonus Frequent Flyer points when you stay at Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts in Australia and New Zealand.

Offer Valid for bookings and stays from 1 May 2008 to 15 August 2008.

Book this package online to earn points. Quote your Frequent Flyer details when booking and at check-in to receive the bonus offer.

Book now at qantas.com/hotels

Qantas FF ChangesThe much anticipated changes to the QFF program have arrived, and on all accounts they appear to be an anti-climax. Find out our MEMBER'S VERDICT.  In other equally unpleasant changes, one platinum QFF complains that Qantas changed scheduled FLIGHT TIMES without notifying him, anyone else had a similar experience?

Qantas Blunder or Brilliance?One week before the QFF changes were announced, details -  including the sensitive Anyseat costs -  were leaked via an online SURVEY.  Was this a deliberate ploy to gauge consumer reaction or a massive management blunder?  Either way, it resulted in the announcement being over shadowed by bad publicity due to the high cost of Anyseat awards.

Earth ChangeA subtle change in INTEREST RATES for earth cardholders did not go unnoticed. But is it worth the pain of changing companies?

Tiger TantrumAre two changed departure times grounds for a REFUND?

Frequent FearOne member admits their FEAR OF FLYING, whilst others find the television program Air Crash Investigations riveting!

Rent a Compact Car (Group B, e.g. Hyundai Getz 5 door auto) through to a Full Size Car (Group E, e.g. Mitsubishi 380) for 3 consecutive days between 1 May and 31 July, 2008 and get the fourth day free of time and kilometre charges.

Book now at budget.com.au

Flight Recovery - Jetlag Resistance
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