Qantas is boosting the number of status credits that its frequent flyers can earn when travelling with Oneworld partner Qatar Airways ahead of the Gulf airline’s launch of flights to both Sydney and Adelaide from its home hub in Doha.
While Qantas first reclassified Qatar business class flights as ‘flexible economy’ from December 1 2015 – cutting the already-lowered earning rate in half – further changes made this month see business class fares again treated as true ‘business class’.
For Victorian travellers on the airline’s existing Melbourne-Doha flights, that improves your haul of status credits from 40 to 80 in business class compared to the rates introduced on December 1, with the same true for Sydney-based flyers once Qatar begins its non-stop service in March 2016.
The Perth-Doha route also now promises twice the number of business class status credits than earlier this month with the previous earn of 60 status credits increased to 120 in each direction.
Adelaide flyers will also earn a higher 90 status credits in business class – up from the planned 45 status credits each way – as Qatar’s fourth Australian destination comes to life in May 2016.
There’s an added boost for travellers continuing their journey to London and much of Europe with business class fares each now awarding 60 status credits, increased from 30 status credits, and first class tickets improved from 60 to 90 status credits per flight.
Business class passengers on all routes will continue to earn the same number of Qantas frequent flyer points as previously, with first class travellers picking up a higher 3,750 Qantas Points between Doha and London against the originally-planned and rounded 3,000 Qantas Points.
However, Qantas continues to reward Malaysia Airlines’ business class and first class passengers, British Airways' premium economy travellers and Japan Airlines' Class J ticketholders at the lower ‘flexible economy’ rates on most flights.
Read more: What Qantas' latest changes mean for travellers
Also read: Qatar Airways: double points, Oneworld Sapphire fast-track
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Nov 2011
Total posts 243
Why the change of heart? What's driving this?
Not that it's a bad thing. But keen to know...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
I doubt it has anything to do the Emirates partnership - I think that's still going pretty strong.
It is a releif for me because I chose specific points into and out of Europe with Qatar just to make sure I got a full fist of points instead of only half. In future, I won't need to play that game.
It does make me think now, I wonder if the Qantas FF calculator has been updated.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
"Qantas continues to reward Malaysia Airlines’ business class and first class passengers, British Airways' premium economy travellers and Japan Airlines' Class J ticketholders at the lower ‘flexible economy’ rates on most flights"
Isn't that an oxymoron?
Perhaps "reward" is more appropriate? Or even the more direct "punish"?
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
If they insist on having a reduced earn for JAL "Class J", then they should put in an exemption so that it earns normal business class points/credits when the flight is booked as part of business class international itinerary.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Dec 2012
Total posts 170
Curious as to why Perth -Doha flights net 50% more status credits than say Mel - Doha?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Oct 2015
Total posts 16
I think because from Perth theres so QF option to Europe
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Oct 2015
Total posts 16
*no
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
That's odd ..
I see quite a number of QF/EK flight options to LHR ex PER using QF codeshare flight numbers (along with EK flight numbers) via either DXB or SIN/DXB. Using QF flight numbers ensure you get your maximum number of SC and points for QFFs.
12 Jan 2016
Total posts 13
Seems like ADL flights to Doha are also 50% less SCs than Perth (20 vs 30 in discount economy). Same situation in ADL and PER: no QF flights other than on EK. Tables haven't updated as of mid-Jan: https://www.qantas.com/fflyer/dyn/flying/airline-earning#partner-airline-earning-table
Qantas
16 Mar 2015
Total posts 4
PERTH-DOHA should be higher rate than MEL-DOHA - you see out of Perth we have no European flights available on a QANTAS plane - we have to choose another airline so one would hope we get some extra consideration with status credits on another aligned airline.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Dec 2012
Total posts 170
At certain times of the 6 ear are there Perth-Sinapore flights?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Dec 2012
Total posts 170
*year
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
There is year round 737 service PER to SIN. Not really a comparison
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Dec 2012
Total posts 170
But it's still an option to Europe isn't it?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2012
Total posts 236
Is it just me or has the varying allocation of frequent flyer points to different airlines within the same alliance become farsical.
This only encourages frustration and confusion...not loyalty.
And yeah, same goes for Star Alliance as well.
12 Jan 2016
Total posts 13
It is not just you.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Feb 2013
Total posts 44
A sensible outcome, well done Qantas.
Sometimes I wonder if Qantas treats oneworld partners like relatives: you can pick your friends and not your relatives.
Still have to treat relatives with respect though...
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