Qantas: "we won't give away status credits at supermarkets"
By David Flynn, June 13 2017
Qantas is ramping up its points game with the launch of an own-branded credit card but the head of the airline's frequent flyer arm says there are no plans to make status credits available at the supermarket.
"The way I think about it is that status credits are about recognition for your loyalty, while points are about rewarding (your loyalty)" says Lesley Grant, CEO of Qantas Loyalty. "Status credits need to be protected because they are recognising somebody's repeat business with Qantas."
"From our perspective we think it's not appropriate to link status credits with everyday spend such as supermarkets," Grant expands, with clear reference to challenger Virgin Australia's partnership with Coles Flybuys which allows Velocity Frequent Flyer members to pick up 120 status credits each year at the checkout.
"For us, status credits will always be in some way linked to flying and that will protect and recognise our tiered flyers in the program."
Grant's position could split frequent flyers – some of whom want a way to top up their status credit balance to bridge the gap between tiers such as Gold and Platinum, while others would rather keep status as a travel-only privilege.
Qantas has recently trialled promotions with American Express and ANZ to earn a side serve of 75 status credits on the ground, but those credits could be won only by using either card to pay for a Qantas flight.
"As a trial that was interesting for us, but it was still linked to flying... we will continue to protect the recognition of our tiered flyers and ensure that status credits truly recognise that ongoing loyalty."
Does Grant then see a potential for status credits to be earned when booking a flight with the new Qantas Premier credit card?
"I'm not going to commit to what any future campaigns might look like," she parries, "but status credits will always be associated with flights and they will always be linked to loyalty to Qantas."
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
QANTAS
12 Jun 2014
Total posts 22
What with family pooling and supermarket earn Virgin does make it a lot easier to pile on the status credits however they don't have lifetime status. If Virgin did ever add lifetime status one would expect they'd exclude family pooling credits and supermarket credits.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 4
It would be great if QF would allow status credit famil transfers as the do with FF points.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 359
Will never happen, and nor should it. Its about rewarding loyalty to the brand.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jan 2016
Total posts 11
So is the implication that a single person spending x on flights for themselves hence gaining status is greater brand loyalty than a parent spending the same amount but between them, their partner and their two kids and seeing no status in return?
05 May 2016
Total posts 616
Passengers earning high status may be doing work travel plus spending for family trips as well. Status comes from your own flying not a family members on QANTAS.
If it becomes too easy to earn status then the lounges get all that more crowded and QF has to make the lounges bigger and/or take benefits away.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Dec 2015
Total posts 30
Qantas would need family pooling to win me back. From a pure money spent point of view I pay for my families tickets. My corporate travel is frequent as well. But as recognition of what I spend (which is what qantas has made status credits into lately) me buying two return business class tickets should be recognized in my status.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
14 Feb 2014
Total posts 33
it should be named "we won't give away anything" hence australians are looking elsewhere. this reliance on because we're australian we'll be supported by australians will not work forever when you are screwing the flying public constantly , look elsewhere people you'll be treated better
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 211
Wow, I think I agree with QF. Status should be about your flying and loyalty, not where you buy your groceries.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Mar 2014
Total posts 219
I agree its nice to see them being loyal to their actual core business their frequent travellers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
I'm with Qantas on this one - SC's are all about flying loyalty and to be honest I covet them more than points.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
Status credits are absolutely sacred to those that are loyal to Qantas and choose to fly Qantas. I want to know that fellow status members earned it just like I have, in the air and not down the canned soup aisle.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 May 2017
Total posts 17
Even though I struggle to make enough SC to get to Gold (yet want to!), I fully agree with Qantas here, as it is recognition for loyalty to Qantas and protects the status tiers from being undervalued. Flights are appropriate. Maybe a smaller amount offered for other purchases through Qantas - hotel or car perhaps...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 319
The great debate for Qantas, defining loyalty. Whilst it hangs onto the shackles of an airline base it continues to promote and diversify it's business and subsequently its interpretation of loyalty, , I can be a Qantas wine drinker with Qantas health insurance shopping at Woolworths, booking my accomodation and hire cars through Qantas but only get to 400 status credits a year and be instantly dismissed as a low tier loyalty customer, interesting.
13 Jun 2017
Total posts 7
Do you won't give them away at the supermarket, but you will if you sign up with certain credit cards. Hypocrite much?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
Total posts 170
I'm more than happy with Virgin's deal, to the point where I now prefer Coles over Wollies. The 12 or so status credits I got over the last 3 months is pretty minimal, but was the difference between moving up to Gold and staying at Sliver.
30 Jun 2016
Total posts 51
I agree with most commenters, status should be earned by flying, not everyday supermarket spending. But a cheap shot from QF when 75 SCs can be grabbed from one credit card... 'but it's related to flying' is just marketing fliff
15 Feb 2013
Total posts 163
Agree with QF on this. What I'd like to see is not pooling, but at least some rollover of SCs. I'm lifetime gold and most years still earn over 1200 towards my platinum. But would be nice if the extra 100 or 200 each year rolled over for those occasional years when I don't make it. They've always renewed anyway, but it would be nice to have it more official.
02 Dec 2016
Total posts 92
I agree with QF on this one, and I'm only Gold with them ;)
Have you been to a VA lounge lately? Packed. My VA flight this morning had more people boarding in the priority queue then in the standard queue, and that's not unusual. It's at the point now where I think VA need to rethink the 'family pooling' of status credits
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