Take off for less [selected international classic rewards]

[JohnK]

Received an email that some international routes have had a decrease in the number of QFF points and taxes and surcharges required.

The noticeable ones for me are SYD-LHR with an ~16% reduction in taxes and surcharges and SYD-LAX with an ~30% decrease in taxes and surcharges. PER-SIN has had an ~42% reduction in taxes and surcharges.

The points discount is not fantastic but a step in the right direction.

Doesn't appear to have a time limit so these could be the new award levels. No changes to premium awards.

 

[kermatu]

There's nothing in the email to suggest some are going up in cost or that the reductions are time-limited - so yes, looks like a positive development. Would be nice if it applied to J and F but these are in such demand that I guess it makes no sense for QF to do so.

 

[fersea]

at this stage there doesn't appear to be any sting in the tail. A win all around it appears.

Syd - Santiago is now 45k points rather than 48k.

 

[hutch]

Do I dare say that its an ENHANCEMENT?

 

[opusman]

Pretty coughpy that it's Y only. Oil prices have got cheaper all round, not just for the part of the plane with the economy seats in it.

 

[hutch]

Pretty coughpy that it's Y only. Oil prices have got cheaper all round, not just for the part of the plane with the economy seats in it.

True... but with the premium cabins i'm still extracting pretty good value out it.

 

[Pleb Status]

The reduction in the fuel fines component is the big change here. Points reductions are minimal at best. A bit of a non event overall as Y only (I cannot recall the last time I was stupid enough to get a Y reward seat). Kudos QF for trying at least.

 

[Red Roo]

Do I dare say that its an ENHANCEMENT?

Will 2016 be the year Qantas reclaims 'enhancement'?

Here's some information from qantas.com, including FAQs: https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/classic-flight-rewards-for-less

Yes, this is a permanent change to Qantas International Economy Classic Flight Rewards effective 11am today (6 January 2016).

 

[fersea]

Will 2016 be the year Qantas reclaims 'enhancement'?

Here's some information from qantas.com, including FAQs: https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/classic-flight-rewards-for-less

Yes, this is a permanent change to Qantas International Economy Classic Flight Rewards effective 11am today (6 January 2016).

Hopefully it will be Red Roo. Over the past few years there has been so much competition in the airline industry that no one could argue that fares in general haven't been very reasonably priced. But what has declined has been the value of award seats in economy, to the point that it doesn't cost that much more than the fees and taxes to purchase a revenue fare. No one would argue too much about the actual taxes, ie those imposed by Governments, but so many of the fees are a business decision from Qantas.

Qantas changing this, even by a small amount is very welcome.

 

[fersea]

Points reductions are minimal at best.

I don't think people had a problem with the amount of points required, it was the extra $$ they have to pay for what used to be a "free" flight.

 

[JohnK]

Will 2016 be the year Qantas reclaims 'enhancement'?

It's a good start.

BKK-HKG-SYD all the way in A380 is great value at 35,000 QFF points and a small reduction in fuel surcharges.

 

[incumbent]

Pretty coughpy that it's Y only.

Yes, it makes it completely clear that the charges are being set as a profit-generating tool rather than anything else.

 

[fersea]

Yes, it makes it completely clear that the charges are being set as a profit-generating tool rather than anything else.

Dare I say the one thing this change does do is get away from what has been the Qantas standard for many years that J flights cost 100% more points than Y and F costs 150% more than Y. A skeptic may think that this gives QF the opportunity to increase the cost of the J and F redemptions, but lets not think like that, at this stage, no one is worse off, just some are better off and others (those who fly J and F) aren't any worse off than they were yesterday.

 

[medhead]

Will 2016 be the year Qantas reclaims 'enhancement'?

Here's some information from qantas.com, including FAQs: https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/classic-flight-rewards-for-less

Yes, this is a permanent change to Qantas International Economy Classic Flight Rewards effective 11am today (6 January 2016).

Finally making awards "simpler and fairer"?

If so well done Qantas.

 

[Deleted member]

Will 2016 be the year Qantas reclaims 'enhancement'?

Here's some information from qantas.com, including FAQs: https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/classic-flight-rewards-for-less

Yes, this is a permanent change to Qantas International Economy Classic Flight Rewards effective 11am today (6 January 2016).

Bring back the FASA, JASA

 

[JohnK]

Bring back the FASA, JASA

LOL! I miss that discussion.

 

[kermatu]

Bring back the FASA, JASA

A real enhancement for sure.

And it's natural that profit is a driving motive - irrespective of the terminology used for the fees/charges etc.

 

[RooFlyer]

Will 2016 be the year Qantas reclaims 'enhancement'?

Here's some information from qantas.com, including FAQs: https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/classic-flight-rewards-for-less

Yes, this is a permanent change to Qantas International Economy Classic Flight Rewards effective 11am today (6 January 2016).

Appreciate the sentiment, but I think Qantas can reclaim 'enhancement' when it stops charging ALL its passengers on ALL its flights for expensive fuel when fuel has dropped so much (and is still dropping). I still haven't forgotten the mean trick of Qantas dropping the separate fuel surcharge and incorporating it holus-bolus into the main fares.

In respect to this announcement:

* No change to points+pay
* No change to Zones 1-3 redemptions
* No change to premium cabin redemptions
* No change to Jetstar or other Partner Classic Flight Rewards
* No change to oneworld Classic Flight Reward rates

Nothing personal Red Roo, I see you have hit the ground running, helping a number of AFFers already. But really, these type of micro-targeted changes get on my goat. When your management gives us back some of our fuel fines, across the board, I'll be the first to cheer.

 

[exceladdict]

Will 2016 be the year Qantas reclaims 'enhancement'?

Here's some information from qantas.com, including FAQs: https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/memberSpecials/classic-flight-rewards-for-less

Yes, this is a permanent change to Qantas International Economy Classic Flight Rewards effective 11am today (6 January 2016).

I think this is a very good step in the right direction. My parents for example would think business was a waste of money (or points) but couldn't understand why the past surcharges on a flight to singapore were similar to the cost of buying the ticket in cash.

RedRoo would you or your team be able to list some examples - which could possibly generate you some good press - how you are "reducing the points required for selected International Economy Classic Flight Rewards with some of our partner airlines, including American Airlines®, Emirates and Fiji Airways"?

Also you might want to clarify in this table that it's return - I looked at the PER-SIN leg and thought it was still overpriced, not realising it was 45k return - while the redemption is still less than 1 cent per point, at least it's better than cashing out to WoW cards now

 

[medhead]

LOL! I miss that discussion.

Lol. that is funny since the last time you thought such a discussion existed it was only you who thought it was about bringing anything back.