Woolworths reinstates Qantas points

WoolworthsAfter dropping frequent flyer points from its loyalty program at the end of October, Woolworths has today announced a new partnership with Qantas.

Woolworths scrapped its frequent flyer points offering two months ago, in favour of discounts on food and liquor under a new loyalty program called Woolworths Rewards.

The new agreement will give customers the choice to convert their Woolworths Dollars, earned through buying orange ticket products, into Qantas Points at a conversion rate of 870 Qantas Points for every 10 Woolworths Dollars.

Woolies didn’t give a specific launch date for the new agreement, saying that it needed to make IT and systems changes before implementing it some time in the first half of 2016.

From January 1 until launch, customers who previously earned Qantas points through the supermarket will continue to do so.

“This new agreement means our customers can choose from two great options,” said Woolworths’ Food Group MD, Brad Banducci. “Those who prefer cash back can continue to use Woolworths Dollars to get money off their shopping, while avid points collectors will have the option to convert their Woolworths Dollars into Qantas Points at a very attractive rate and with no minimum spend.”

CEO of Qantas Loyalty, Lesley Grant, said: “Qantas is very pleased to be continuing its long association with Woolworths and we believe our Frequent Flyer members will feel the same way.”

Consumer group, Choice, has criticised Woolworths Rewards, saying it was convoluted and put hurdles in the way of customers who could simply buy cheaper products at the likes of Aldi.

The scheme also attracted scorn on social media, one consumer’s rant criticising the system on Woolworths’ Facebook page received more than 50,000 likes. Scott Mate, the shopper who wrote the post, claims the new program rewarded his $1000-plus spend with just $4.80 in Woolworths Dollars. He wrote, Woolworths’ orange tickets “just don’t cut it, cause they’re now less common than hens teeth, unicorn horns and rocking horse poop.”

Woolworths announced today it is currently increasing the number of orange tickets in store on fresh and high demand products and implementing a Woolworths Dollars ‘top-up’ campaign. As part of this process, Woolworths will ensure active members have earned at least ten Woolworths Dollars in the first seven weeks of the program.

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