During the last week, both Qantas Frequent Flyer and Velocity have notified members that they will be no longer offering points and status credits on airberlin flights. The terminations come as airberlin looks for a way through its current financial difficulties.
The changes are part of wider changes, with airberlin advising parter airlines that it is suspending accrual and redemptions on partner airlines.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
The first notice came from Qantas, adding a note to the earning tables.
Effective for travel on or from 16 November 2017, Qantas Frequent Flyer Members will no longer earn Qantas Points or Status Credits on flights with an airberlin or affiliate airlines flight number.
While earnings and redemptions have been suspended, airberlin has advised that it will continue to honour its oneWorld benefits. This includes lounge access, and priority lanes where appropriate.
Velocity
Velocity have taken a slightly different approach to their termination. Instead of a hard stop based on a travel date, the booking date will also be considered. The important point is whether the booking was made before of after 6 September. 2017.
Where the booking was made made prior to 6 September 2017, Members will continue to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits for their eligible airberlin flights. On the other hand, any bookings made from 6 September, 2017 will not be eligible for point or status credits.
Outside points earning, there will be some additional changes from September 1. Velocity members will lose any status benefits they had on airberlin flights. In additon, the ability to redeem award flights will be removed at the same time.
Summary
Given the financial situation of airberlin, it is not a surprise that Qantas and Velocity have taken these steps. The situation continues to evolve. Indeed, some of the details have changes in the last few days, and may continue to do so.