Qantas promises more frequent flyer reward seats
But there's also a risk that ticket prices will go up yet again.
Qantas is promising more frequent flyer reward seats as it battles to improve its bruised reputation.
In a market update published this morning, the airline says that "an increase in the number seats that can be redeemed with Frequent Flyer points" is one of its key priorities.
Newly-appointed CEO Vanessa Hudson also made the same promise in a video apology from the airline last week.
"I know we have let you down in many ways, and for that I am sorry," Hudson said. "We haven't delivered the way we should have, and we've often been hard to deal with."
Reward seats are one of the best ways to spend Qantas Points, so having more on offer will definitely be welcome. But we'll have to wait and see which routes and fare classes actually see an increase.
In the same announcement, Qantas also said it was going to invest more in call centre staff and improve its in-flight catering.
Are Qantas ticket prices about to go up again?
One ominous note in the market update: the threat of higher fares.
"Fuel prices have increased by around 30 per cent since May 2023, including a 10 per cent spike since August," Qantas said.
"The Group will continue to absorb these higher costs, but will monitor fuel prices in the weeks ahead and, if current levels are sustained, will look to adjust its settings."
"Adjust its settings" in this context means fares could go up, though it seems the airline recognises that would not do anything to improve its popularity.
"Any changes would look to balance the recovery of higher costs with the importance of affordable travel in an environment where fares are already elevated," the statement said.
Qantas has always charged higher fares than its key domestic rivals Virgin and Rex, using its low-cost carrier Jetstar to attract economy-minded travellers.
High airline prices have been a consistent complaint in recent years. Recent Finder research found that 35% of Australian travellers have used a low-cost airline in the last year.
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