Qantas (ASX:QAN) share price lifts amid frequent flyer update

plane flying across share markey graph, asx 200 travel shares, qantas share price

The Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) share price started today’s session off well amid news of another extension for its most frequent flyers’ loyalty credits.

The airline is offering its high tier frequent flyers the opportunity to retain their status with the airline until June 2022. Qantas said the extension is in response to both domestic lockdowns and Australia’s international border being closed.

Right now, the Qantas share price is $4.52, 0.2% higher than its previous close.

However, earlier this morning the airline’s shares were trading for $4.55 – a gain of 0.8%.

Let’s take a closer look at today’s good news for Qantas’ frequent flyers.

Qantas’ lifeline for loyal customers

Qantas has thrown yet another “retention lifeline” to its high tier Australian and New Zealand-based frequent flyers.

The airline’s rewards program has five tiers, ranging from bronze to platinum one.

Frequent flyers earn status credits for each time they travel on Qantas flights. Collecting certain amounts of status credits will see a traveller elevated to a higher tier. Those on higher tiers have access to a range of benefits when travelling with Qantas, including access to airport lounges, extra checked baggage allowances, and priority privileges.

However, the airline has anticipated many travellers are struggling to keep the benefits of their frequent flyer tiers due to international and domestic border restrictions.

As a result, Qantas will allow customers with soon-to-expire frequent flyer status credits to retain their current tier by travelling with the airline between now and June 2022.

Customers who take up the offer will also have any status credits earned this year rolled over to next year.

The same offer was given to Qantas’ frequent flyers in November last year.

While the news likely hasn’t boosted the Qantas share price today, it’s likely excited fans of the airline.

Management’s comments

Qantas’ loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth commented on the loyalty shown by frequent flyers during the pandemic:

Our members have remained highly engaged with the program even in the midst of a global pandemic… In fact, our data shows that 96% of Qantas customers intend to travel domestically in the next 12 months.

Qantas share price snapshot

Today’s gains aren’t enough to boost Qantas back into the green on the ASX.

Right now, the Qantas share price is 7.9% lower than it was at the start of 2021. However, it is 27% higher than it was this time last year.

The post Qantas (ASX:QAN) share price lifts amid frequent flyer update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Should you invest $1,000 in Qantas Airways right now?

Before you consider Qantas Airways, you’ll want to hear this.

Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Qantas Airways wasn’t one of them.

The online investing service he’s run for nearly a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.

*Returns as of May 24th 2021

More reading

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/2VJj4JQ

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *