Qantas targets Virgin Australia frequent flyers

Qantas is targeting Virgin Australia frequent flyers offering top tier members of that airlines and other airline's loyalty programs the opportunity to fast track their flying status when they switch to the flying kangaroo. It says this is the first time the national carrier has made an offer like this and follows what is claims are a large number of inquiries about joining the program from members of other domestic and international airline loyalty programs – the consequence of changes in the local market as well as restrictions on overseas travel. Virgin Australia, post-administration, is moving away from its top class business class 'product with beds in the front end and is repositioning in the middle of the market. Qantas says in a statement that: "Individuals who hold eligible loyalty status with a qualifying airline program are invited to switch and take advantage of the Qantas Status Fast Track – an offer to earn 100 status credits in 3 months to qualify for Qantas’ Gold tier. In addition to helping expedite their status in the program, the offer also includes 90 days of complimentary access to the airline’s network of Qantas Club lounges and extra checked baggage." "Gold tier benefits with Qantas include lounge access across Qantas and oneworld airline lounges globally, preferential seating and priority access to reward seats, as well as priority check-in, boarding, and upgrade requests. "Those wishing to transfer from a higher flying tier – Platinum and Platinum One equivalents – will only be able to transfer to Qantas’ Gold status, rather than have their status matched. Reaching a higher frequent flyer status requires members to earn the normal requirements within a Membership Year." Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said: "Qantas Frequent Flyer is one of the most popular airline loyalty programs in the world and has remained so despite the challenges faced by the aviation industry this year. “With so much uncertainty in the market, we’ve seen a spike in requests from people wanting us to match their status with other airlines. If they are willing to bring their travel across to Qantas, we will fast track them to Gold status.” “People know exactly what to expect when they fly with Qantas, whether its complimentary food and drinks, baggage, Wi-Fi, or access to dozens of lounges around Australia. “The loyalty of our existing frequent flyers during this crisis has been amazing and they’ve kept earning points on the ground knowing they’ll be traveling again soon. We’ve returned the favor by providing status support and status extensions and making some tangible improvements, like a 50 percent increase in the number of reward seats on domestic flights,” Ms Wirth said. By early December, eligible Qantas Frequent Flyers will have access to 30 of the 35 domestic and regional lounges across the airline’s network.  Registrations for the Qantas Status Fast Track close 18 December 2020. For more information visit qantas.com/statusfasttrack.