If you currently collect Qantas Points from Optus, this source will be ending later this year. Optus has announced that it will be withdrawing from the Qantas Frequent Flyer program as from June 30. They will be allowing further registrations in the program until June 28,
Optus has explained the decision as “part of a new direction” for the Optus Yes Rewards scheme. The offical line is that the two companies are using the end of the relationship to enhance the offerings for their respective customers.
At the moment, the Optus Yes Rewards scheme only provides dicounted movie vouchers as its other perk. While the FAQ for the changes hints that something may replace Qantas Points, for the moment, Optus will onle say that the movie offering will continue
Qantas Loyalty CEO Lesley Grant said the key to a strong loyalty program is to continue evolving and she is aware Qantas Frequent Flyers have valued the opportunity to earn Qantas Points with a telco.
“While we have an extremely low turnover rate of partners, it’s to be expected that from time to time there will be partners that move in and out of the program.”
The partnership between the two companies kicked off in September 2011. Points were available on a range of Optus services, Under the scheme, personal products provided an earn rate of two points for every dollar spent. For Business produces, the earn rate was a lower to one point per dollar
The growth in the use of mobiles, such as smart phone services since that time has offered an easy, steady stream of Qantas Points for members that signed up to the Optus scheme. While the points from the scheme may have been small, they all add up over time.
It is not known at this point whether another telecommunications company will fill in the gap created.