No more Qantas points?

[StevePER]

A guy at work told me that he got a letter from Citibank yesterday saying that from sometime next year there will be no more points transfers to Qantas. I haven't got the letter and I don't know the details, but it sounds ominous. He has a paid Gold card.

Anyone else heard the same thing?

Steve

[simongr]

Sounds like the result of QF's push to "direct sweep".

In the promo information and articles around the launch of the new QF award process it was made clear by QF that they only wanted points to come from credi cards when they were tied to QF and came across automatically.

What this does is accelerate the cash flow to QF as it gets cash when the points are earned rather than someone sitting on a slow build up of points for a year at Amex and then pushing points to QF and immediately redeeming them.

If you have a direct sweep style card (auto transfer of points to QF) - it might be that nothing will change for you.

The same has happened to Amex recently.

[oz_mark]

If you have a direct sweep style card (auto transfer of points to QF) - it might be that nothing will change for you.

To my knowledge, Citibank do not currently offer a credit card with this facility.

[Platy]

I have a common or garden variety Gold AMEX card. I was just informed that come new year (I forget, but I think March 09) it will no longer be possible to transfer AMEX points into your QF account.

To do this you will need the QF specifically branded AMEX card (currently being promoted on the QF web site). This costs $249 odd per year but returns 1.25 pts per $ (more for QF something like 2.5 pts/$). There is a promo until Sept 30.

I was also just informed that the current reward scheme for my BankWest Gold VISA card is being terminated at year's end and details of replacement scheme are to follow. In this case points must be redeemed by year's end!!!

Looks like a few changes across the board...it seems that QF want to have their scheme only locked into QF branded cards...I'm kinda irritated at having to change over cards.

[gibspmuh]

Looks like a few changes across the board...it seems that QF want to have their scheme only locked into QF branded cards...I'm kinda irritated at having to change over cards.

Just keep in mind that if it's that irritating you can always change airlines instead . Most of the non-sweep card providers seem to be signing up with Virgin Blue and Singapore Airlines amongst others. Certainly worth doing the sums at this point anyway.

[Platy]

Just keep in mind that if it's that irritating you can always change airlines instead . Most of the non-sweep card providers seem to be signing up with Virgin Blue and Singapore Airlines amongst others. Certainly worth doing the sums at this point anyway.

Absolutely, gibspmuh, and the thought is always in my mind!

In my own case, I am getting close to Life Time Gold (LTG) status with QF and am considering continuing with QF until that point thereafter possibly testing the waters with other carriers/alliances. That's assuming there still is a LTG in a year or so when I finaly make the magic 14,000 SCs!!!

I guess you have hit the nail on the head as well in that QF don't want you to have the option of putting your CC points to another carrier.

[beardoc]

I suspected this was coming for Citibank.

I'm hoping though, than instead of launching a "sweep" based card, they instead focus on Singapore Airlines. I would love them to negotiate a better deal with Singapore and become 4 CB points:3 Krisflyers, or, dare I wish too hard, 1:1!

That would cement Citibank as my card of choice (other than Amex, of course).

[vet]

Is it legal to force customers off a card onto the airline's card??? I thought ousting usa companies like amex and citibank would violate the Sherman and other anti-trust laws. Qantas should get a clearance from O'Conner at the justice dept anti trust division.

[oz_mark]

Is it legal to force customers off a card onto the airline's card??? I thought ousting usa companies like amex and citibank would violate the Sherman and other anti-trust laws. Qantas should get a clearance from O'Conner at the justice dept anti trust division.

I don't think anyone is forcing anyone to do such a thing.

[StevePER]

It seems I must apologise - the guy who got the letter has called up Citibank and they have said that they have no plans to remove Qantas earning. He actually has a "MyCard" which is issued by Citibank, rather than the normal Citibank card.

So at this stage the ability to transfer to Qantas from the regular Citibank cards remains intact.