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Qantas implements frequent flyer program changes

16 Jul 2014 by Clement Huang

Qantas has begun implementing changes to its loyalty program, Qantas Frequent Flyer, rewarding those who book higher fare classes and penalizing those who snatch up the heavily discounted economy fares.

Similar to the changes announced by United last month (see here), the Australian carrier has chosen to award points and status credits based on fare price rather than distance travelled.

Effective immediately, Qantas has grouped its domestic and international booking fare classes into eight distinct categories, which will apply to all flights operated by both the Flying Kangaroo and Jetstar Airways. The new “Frequent Flyer Categories” are: 

  • Discounted Economy
  • Economy
  • Flexible Economy
  • Premium Economy
  • Flexible Premium Economy
  • Business
  • Flexible Business
  • First

In addition, Qantas has also divided its network into 22 regions such as Domestic Australia Short Flights, North West Australia flights to South East Asia, and Australian flights to the UK/Europe or East Coast USA.

Each region comes with a pre-determined number of Qantas Points and Status Credits, with more premium fares affording better rates compared to their discounted counterparts.

To illustrate, customers flying one way from North West Australia into South East Asia on flexible business class will earn 3,600 Qantas Points and 90 Status Credits, while those who have paid for the normal business fare will only get 3,300 points and 80 credits respectively.

So how does it compare to the old system? Previously, Qantas offered a “Minimum Points Guarantee” of 1,000 points for economy and discounted economy for every trip. This has now been reduced to 800 points only. In contrast, the rates for flexible economy or higher cabin classes have been upped, e.g. premium economy travel now earns a minimum of 1,200 points – up from 1,000.

Finally, for those of you who are cardholders of Qantas’ fellow Oneworld members’ loyalty programmes, do not worry! You will still earn the same miles and status points as determined by your respective programmes, even when flying with Qantas. That means that members of Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club will still accrue their 5,740 Asia Miles when flying one-way business with Qantas from Hong Kong to Sydney.

For more information, visit qantas.com.au

Clement Huang

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