“Fair point”: Qantas claps back at Virgin over “huge news” billboard

“Fair point”: Qantas claps back at Virgin over “huge news” billboard

Qantas has responded to Virgin Australia’s cheeky “Huge news” billboard, standing by the hype it created over its loyalty program shakeup.

As reported by Travel Weekly yesterday, Virgin commissioned a very cheeky billboard outside Sydney Domestic Airport taking aim at Qantas’ frequent flyer overhaul, which included 1 million new reward seats.

The billboard, created by CHE Proximity for Velocity Frequent Flyer, reads “Huge news. Nothing’s changed.” followed by a reference to the program’s award-winning reward seat availability.

fghfg

A Qantas spokesperson told Travel Weekly the billboard had a “fair point”.

“Some things haven’t changed. Qantas still has the number one frequent flyer program,” the spokesperson quipped.

“We still have the biggest and best ways to earn. And we are still the only Australian airline that flies to Europe, Africa, South America and half of Asia (or most of the globe). But the changes we have made have certainly been huge news for our members.”

Touché.

The airline also provided us with some new data from Qantas Frequent Flyers to back up their point.

The data, which compared bookings made since the changes were introduced with the same time last year, showed the total number of points redeemed is already up by approximately 45 per cent.

It also revealed a 40 per cent increase in international business reward seat bookings, a 20 per cent increase in international economy reward seat bookings and a 25 per cent increase in redemption bookings from members who hadn’t previously used points to book seats.

According to the Australian, Qantas’ announcement has received a mixed response from frequent flyers, with some happy with the extra reward seats and others disappointed in the additional points needed for upgrades to premium seats.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]