The QAN Frequent Flyers scheme (as with all airlines) sees...

The QAN Frequent Flyers scheme (as with all airlines) sees "them" holding the aces and most members merely cast as 'jokers'. The joke's on us.

Unilaterally, at any time, QAN can decrease the value of each point, which is already miniscule. It has a track record of doing this (as do some competitor airlines).

Given QAN can only claim 'access to five million' (annual?) journeys (presumably a 'return' figure, not single/one way), with 15 million members this means on average, there's only a return reward seat for each member every six years.

Finding available international business class return seats is unachievable for most. Even those who try to book 353 days in advance (when bookings typically open) can find it hard going.

On top of that, QAN tends to charge very high fares for what can be shoddy service, poor 'Neil Perry' meals, lots of unpunctuality and cancellations (look at some international routes for starters!) and an elderly fleet. The international Airbus A330-300s are clunkers - some over 20 years old - with many international competitors having far younger fleets.

QAN's domestic fleet is also elderly by competitor standards. It's boasting about new aircraft but with 75 Boeing 737-800s in the fleet, some of which are above 20 years old, it'll take a long time for these to be replaced.

It may be easy to earn points via sign-on schemes ("100,000 points if you spend A$3,000 in the first three months" or similar) but often one is better going with a competitor for a cheaper price, better reliability and great service on board, with comparable safety metrics.