Given we're now seeing quite random occurrences of double status credits being offered this year (e.g. 50% on some sectors, restricted offerings to small pockets of customers, or to enterprise businesses) would it be fair to say that QANTAS have now done away with double status credit promotions?
From a planning perspective, it would be great to get some form of 'official' feedback/comment on whether the program is dead, missing in action, or if there's ulterior plans afoot (that they can share).
Hi Vortex, see this story back in June (the bottom section).
Cheers Chris - I had read that article, but the last para regarding the double status program would seem to indicate that it's a going concern - yet a quick search/scan on the topic on this (and other) forums would seem to indicate that it's either been scrapped (or severly culled back).
The three offers last year was a bit ridiculous. It's in QF's interests to have the timing of DSC offers unpredictable. Remember these offers are designed to get:
a. bookings made earlier that would be made anyway
b. encourage booking in a higher fare class than would otherwise be booked
c. encourage people to book additional trips they would not have otherwise booked
If the timing is too predictable people will hold off on booking trips they were going to do anything waiting for an expected promo which is exactly what QF doesn't want people to do.
I think the chances of another offer this calendar year are diminishing rapidly. I'm hoping they'll do one sometime in February-May next year but I'd wish the offer would cover flights for nearly 12 months like they used to (that would seem unlikely).
Yes I waited and waited and then in the end I waited too long and the price of the fares I was looking at got quite expensive, and I was looking at these to get to my next status level, so with no QF double status I ended up booking some of them on VA who were considerably cheaper, I guess if load factors are solid and forward bookings are good then they really have no need to have a promotion, and I think lifetime platinum would also be something they need to consider now.
My recommendation would be to enjoy the freedom that comes from Qantas no longer offering regular double status credit offers.
As a result of Qantas' decision not to offer them as much this year, I've bought more flights according to price and quality of product/service. I've picked up some amazing domestic deals with Virgin and some excellent business class fares to Europe and North America with Qatar, Cathay and Finnair. I welcome Qantas' decision not to offer them as regularly because now I'm even further incentivised to purchase airfares from other airlines. Wonderful!
Last editedby levelnine at Oct 16, 2019, 05:10 PM.
My recommendation would be to enjoy the freedom that comes from Qantas no longer offering regular double status credit offers.
As a result of Qantas' decision not to offer them as much this year, I've bought more flights according to price and quality of product/service. I've picked up some amazing domestic deals with Virgin and some excellent business class fares to Europe and North America with Qatar, Cathay and Finnair. I welcome Qantas' decision not to offer them as regularly because now I'm even further incentivised to purchase airfares from other airlines. Wonderful!
Last editedby levelnine at Oct 16, 2019, 05:10 PM.
You raise an interesting point @levelnine - as you're effectively saying that due to the lack of DSC promotions, you've churned to other airlines, and have bought discounted fares (both factors i'm sure QANTAS would be looking to limit/restrict at any time).
To Follow up on the point made by Levelnine, I have also been enjoying the freedom of not being locked into flying with QANTAS. I slavishly flew with them and used double status promotions to achieve Platinum One and have held this status for two years. Platinum One status is nice - but it's basically getting treated like you might expect - given you are a loyal customer (and there's lots of them). I was waiting for a double status promotion, but when that didn't happen, I have been flying with other One World partners. I had a great trip to the UK flying BA in First for a price not much more than QANTAS Business. I have also flown with Cathay and Japan Airlines and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. While QANTAS is a great airline, variety is the spice of life. So, I'm also thanking QANTAS for offering fewer double status promotions.
The few times I used the DSC promotion in the past was for flights I probably would not have taken otherwise - short 1-week holiday trips to Asia.
The lack of DSC offers recently means I am just not booking those short trips anymore, instead choosing to concentrate on a couple of longer trips in the year. And yes, it also means I will be looking at other One World airlines, you can usually get a better deal elsewhere especially in the absence of a DSC incentive.
The most disappointing thing about this is that the replacement offer seems to be targeted 50% status credits to individuals and it is only for the person that gets the email. That means if you are booking for a holiday with the family or the better half, they don't get any extra status credits. I just received an offer for 50% extra credits but my wife who travels more than me didn't. We were going to book another holiday for early next year to Bali but maybe now we will look at other airlines as the cost of the Qantas flights is always more than competitors.
This is a double edge sword for Qantas. They may find that people like my wife and I, who have been loyal to Qantas for 30 years, might start looking at alternatives. At a minimum, the new offers, should apply to all pax on the same booking
I'm also shifting my loyalty to British Airways because of no QF double status credit promotions. In particular, BA offer significantly more status points for business class in Qatar which is who I'm now flying to Sydney instead of Qantas (and flying out of Stockholm for sub $4000AUD return fares on QSuites for 3 of 4 sectors).
I've always wondered whether the DSCs are deployed strategically to bolster Qantas' accounts before its full and half year accounts. I could easily imagine a world where an executive struggling to make a performance threshold unleashes a DSC to generate revenue so that they clear a KPI. Qantas' strong performance this year might account for the lack of DSCs...
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QANTAS Double Status Credits MIA
Vortex
Vortex
Member since 04 Oct 2017
Total posts 4
Given we're now seeing quite random occurrences of double status credits being offered this year (e.g. 50% on some sectors, restricted offerings to small pockets of customers, or to enterprise businesses) would it be fair to say that QANTAS have now done away with double status credit promotions?
From a planning perspective, it would be great to get some form of 'official' feedback/comment on whether the program is dead, missing in action, or if there's ulterior plans afoot (that they can share).
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Hi Vortex, see this story back in June (the bottom section).
Vortex
Vortex
Member since 04 Oct 2017
Total posts 4
Originally Posted by Chris Chamberlin
Hi Vortex, see this story back in June (the bottom section).
Cheers Chris - I had read that article, but the last para regarding the double status program would seem to indicate that it's a going concern - yet a quick search/scan on the topic on this (and other) forums would seem to indicate that it's either been scrapped (or severly culled back).
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
The three offers last year was a bit ridiculous. It's in QF's interests to have the timing of DSC offers unpredictable. Remember these offers are designed to get:
a. bookings made earlier that would be made anyway
b. encourage booking in a higher fare class than would otherwise be booked
c. encourage people to book additional trips they would not have otherwise booked
If the timing is too predictable people will hold off on booking trips they were going to do anything waiting for an expected promo which is exactly what QF doesn't want people to do.
I think the chances of another offer this calendar year are diminishing rapidly. I'm hoping they'll do one sometime in February-May next year but I'd wish the offer would cover flights for nearly 12 months like they used to (that would seem unlikely).
GBRGB
GBRGB
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jan 2014
Total posts 295
Yes I waited and waited and then in the end I waited too long and the price of the fares I was looking at got quite expensive, and I was looking at these to get to my next status level, so with no QF double status I ended up booking some of them on VA who were considerably cheaper, I guess if load factors are solid and forward bookings are good then they really have no need to have a promotion, and I think lifetime platinum would also be something they need to consider now.
brinkers
brinkers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Jun 2011
Total posts 233
At the end of the day, it's a promotional offering. Not too many business give away too many details of their upcoming promotional activities.
It would be nice if they did, but you just have to plan and work with what you know.
levelnine
levelnine
Member since 27 Apr 2017
Total posts 5
My recommendation would be to enjoy the freedom that comes from Qantas no longer offering regular double status credit offers.
As a result of Qantas' decision not to offer them as much this year, I've bought more flights according to price and quality of product/service. I've picked up some amazing domestic deals with Virgin and some excellent business class fares to Europe and North America with Qatar, Cathay and Finnair. I welcome Qantas' decision not to offer them as regularly because now I'm even further incentivised to purchase airfares from other airlines. Wonderful!
Vortex
Vortex
Member since 04 Oct 2017
Total posts 4
Originally Posted by levelnine
My recommendation would be to enjoy the freedom that comes from Qantas no longer offering regular double status credit offers.
As a result of Qantas' decision not to offer them as much this year, I've bought more flights according to price and quality of product/service. I've picked up some amazing domestic deals with Virgin and some excellent business class fares to Europe and North America with Qatar, Cathay and Finnair. I welcome Qantas' decision not to offer them as regularly because now I'm even further incentivised to purchase airfares from other airlines. Wonderful!
You raise an interesting point @levelnine - as you're effectively saying that due to the lack of DSC promotions, you've churned to other airlines, and have bought discounted fares (both factors i'm sure QANTAS would be looking to limit/restrict at any time).
mern2001
mern2001
Qantas - P1 Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Apr 2013
Total posts 103
To Follow up on the point made by Levelnine, I have also been enjoying the freedom of not being locked into flying with QANTAS. I slavishly flew with them and used double status promotions to achieve Platinum One and have held this status for two years. Platinum One status is nice - but it's basically getting treated like you might expect - given you are a loyal customer (and there's lots of them). I was waiting for a double status promotion, but when that didn't happen, I have been flying with other One World partners. I had a great trip to the UK flying BA in First for a price not much more than QANTAS Business. I have also flown with Cathay and Japan Airlines and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. While QANTAS is a great airline, variety is the spice of life. So, I'm also thanking QANTAS for offering fewer double status promotions.
avw611
avw611
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Jan 2019
Total posts 14
The few times I used the DSC promotion in the past was for flights I probably would not have taken otherwise - short 1-week holiday trips to Asia.
The lack of DSC offers recently means I am just not booking those short trips anymore, instead choosing to concentrate on a couple of longer trips in the year. And yes, it also means I will be looking at other One World airlines, you can usually get a better deal elsewhere especially in the absence of a DSC incentive.
gmicari
gmicari
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 Jul 2012
Total posts 3
The most disappointing thing about this is that the replacement offer seems to be targeted 50% status credits to individuals and it is only for the person that gets the email. That means if you are booking for a holiday with the family or the better half, they don't get any extra status credits. I just received an offer for 50% extra credits but my wife who travels more than me didn't. We were going to book another holiday for early next year to Bali but maybe now we will look at other airlines as the cost of the Qantas flights is always more than competitors.
This is a double edge sword for Qantas. They may find that people like my wife and I, who have been loyal to Qantas for 30 years, might start looking at alternatives. At a minimum, the new offers, should apply to all pax on the same booking
traveller99
traveller99
Member since 18 Nov 2015
Total posts 119
I'm also shifting my loyalty to British Airways because of no QF double status credit promotions. In particular, BA offer significantly more status points for business class in Qatar which is who I'm now flying to Sydney instead of Qantas (and flying out of Stockholm for sub $4000AUD return fares on QSuites for 3 of 4 sectors).
greg959
greg959
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 May 2019
Total posts 64
I've always wondered whether the DSCs are deployed strategically to bolster Qantas' accounts before its full and half year accounts. I could easily imagine a world where an executive struggling to make a performance threshold unleashes a DSC to generate revenue so that they clear a KPI. Qantas' strong performance this year might account for the lack of DSCs...