Building a stronger Qantas

[harvyk]

I doubt it... Maybe pointless to you, but obviously from QF's perspective, it's worth it. (No offence, but I actually agree with you that it's kind of pointless if it isn't.)

I suspect it'll work in a way like Jetstar - it's part of the QF family when it suits them, but it's 'a separate airline' when it doesn't.

The new airline is in no way pointless, it lets them have "QF International" still flying without the baggage of QF International... A much like Jetconnect...

 

[nlagalle]

Hi guys, just to be clear I'm answering the right question 'will the upgrade rules on partner airlines' be relaxed? If that's the question, then sadly the answer is no- you're still unable to use your points to upgrade on partner airlines

Thats going to make upgrades even harder to come by... any chance this may change? if you are expanding the code sharing arrangement, it makes sense to allow the same. Otherwise there is no point you'd be better off flying say CX to LHR, or even SQ where you could upgrade.

 

[Leumas]

Hi guys, just to be clear I'm answering the right question 'will the upgrade rules on partner airlines' be relaxed? If that's the question, then sadly the answer is no- you're still unable to use your points to upgrade on partner airlines

Thank you.

 

[Leumas]

The new airline is in no way pointless, it lets them have "QF International" still flying without the baggage of QF International... A much like Jetconnect...

That's my point. The main announcements today relate directly to what the pilot union is fighting about. It maybe pointless from a customer's perspective, but it makes sense to QF.

 

[justinbrett]

The new airline is in no way pointless, it lets them have "QF International" still flying without the baggage of QF International... A much like Jetconnect...

Pointless if its not a OW airline/affiliate. Jetconnect is.

 

[jamesatfish]

Hi guys, just to be clear I'm answering the right question 'will the upgrade rules on partner airlines' be relaxed? If that's the question, then sadly the answer is no- you're still unable to use your points to upgrade on partner airlines

I assume in the same vein that the platinum benefit of being able to request award availability does not extend to the new code share agreements?

If so, that's a huge downside for me as instead of 4-5 flight options daily Aust-UK on which we could request points availability there's now only 2.

 

[jakob]

I assume in the same vein that the platinum benefit of being able to request award availability does not extend to the new code share agreements?

If so, that's a huge downside for me as instead of 4-5 flight options daily Aust-UK on which we could request points availability there's now only 2.

I may have missed this (it's a long thread), but....

Does the new plan (to drop BKK and HKG) leave Qantas with an extra couple of slots each day at LHR?

If so, does anyone know what that may mean? extra flights via SIN? sell off slots? do nothing and wait for future developments?

thanks,

jakob

 

[connieguy]

...The 'fact' is that in the last two rounds of announcements, Silver, Gold, Premium and 'Platinum One' members have all received (somewhat) tangible service improvements. While there hasn't been a significant derogation to Platinum benefits (unlike the last round that took away Anytime Access which some - though, granted, not all - members considered to be quite significant) the net effect of these improvements to the other tiers is to reduce the incentive for Platinum members to maintain their status. Very few will be in the position to leap from 1200 SCs to 3600 SCs, while in the meantime the benefits of sticking to 600 SCs are more attractive. And why wouldn't you, when you get improved benefits for a smaller total spend with QF so long as you fly premium? The rest of your travel spend would simply be better spent on similarly premium (or otherwise) services with QF's competitors.

Take it as you will, but as far as the 'facts' go, QF needs to acknowledge that they have not delivered any improvements for Platinum members as a whole (or better yet, do something about it), while having taken away significant benefits in the past year and improved the position of almost every other tier.

When Red Roo talks about most of their Platinums flying in premium cabins, I suggest here he is talking about QF corporate passengers, those joined at the hip and wearing Golden Handcuffs, who have no choice in who they fly with. As you pointed out, in the last round of benefit increases, the only cabin/tier combo that did not get a more bonus points was WPs who fly in Y and -Y.

So maybe QF are, in effect saying to -Y / Y WPs to join the SG ranks or fly in premium cabins. They have, in effect with the latest cabin/tier bonus changes, pushed those WPs that fly in -Y and Y cabins down and those WPs that fly in premium cabins upward.

 

[nlagalle]

I may have missed this (it's a long thread), but....

Does the new plan (to drop BKK and HKG) leave Qantas with an extra couple of slots each day at LHR?

If so, does anyone know what that may mean? extra flights via SIN? sell off slots? do nothing and wait for future developments?

thanks,

jakob

It was said in the details that the slots would be held for future use. Didn't say when or how though

 

[yohy?!]

Not sure if I understood the accouncements correctly:

1. Premium Asia-Based Carrier to be started...
2. Focused on intra-asia routes
3. Flying single-aisle a320s:!:

This can't be correct can it? They are planning on taking market share from the likes of CX/SQ/TG/MH with narrow-bodied aircraft:?:

 

[medhead]

So maybe QF are, in effect saying to -Y / Y WPs to join the SG ranks or fly in premium cabins. They have, in effect with the latest cabin/tier bonus changes, pushed those WPs that fly in -Y and Y cabins down and those WPs that fly in premium cabins upward.

I think it is very clear that qantas want people to spend more money with them. The problem is the way they are marginalising those Y WPs. I could make about 2000 SC a year but it is just not worth giving all that to qantas. I am better off just making WP and getting DJ gold as well. Add to this the international changes, which many FFs here are saying that those change make other carriers more attractive and I am totally puzzled by the qantas strategy. You can't win the race by quitting.

 

[Alanslegal]

Thats going to make upgrades even harder to come by... any chance this may change? if you are expanding the code sharing arrangement, it makes sense to allow the same. Otherwise there is no point you'd be better off flying say CX to LHR, or even SQ where you could upgrade.

Assuming you get lucky on the upgrade lottery list, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being upgraded to Asia and then changing back to the economy cabin on the final legs to Europe. :shock: The last time I checked BA World Traveller isn't too that bad

 

[el_rooto]

I wonder if QF Asia will be getting any heavy aircraft.

Also, I wonder if CX are unhappy with these plans. A part of me is wondering if it is getting too close for comfort?

 

[QFMEL]

When Red Roo talks about most of their Platinums flying in premium cabins, I suggest here he is talking about QF corporate passengers, those joined at the hip and wearing Golden Handcuffs, who have no choice in who they fly with. As you pointed out, in the last round of benefit increases, the only cabin/tier combo that did not get a more bonus points was WPs who fly in Y and -Y.

So maybe QF are, in effect saying to -Y / Y WPs to join the SG ranks or fly in premium cabins. They have, in effect with the latest cabin/tier bonus changes, pushed those WPs that fly in -Y and Y cabins down and those WPs that fly in premium cabins upward.

Not sure what "maybe" is doing in there.

It's exactly what they're saying.

About 80% of my domestic flying (bulk of SC earn) is in fully flex Y fares that are usually less than $50 below the cost of a J fare.

Hook a brother up, QF.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

We have the longest flying times of any nation in the world. We should rightly expect our national airline to provide a level of comfort and service over and above anything provided by other airlines. YES, I know this costs money. But as Australians, we have always paid over the odds for our flights on Qantas. So there is little doubt people will pay a little more for extra ordinary comfort and service.

I think it's quite obvious that the reverse is true. Most people pick the cheapest airline.

As for Jetstar, well I wouldn't even waste my time or people's intelligence discussing it. There's hardly a day goes by when it is not in the news for reasons it would rather not be. Make what you will of that.

And yet Jetstar appears to be very popular with the travelling public. Just like many, many other LCCs in the rest of the world.

It is naive to assume that people will pay more - they won't. The reality is that people are happy to accept no-frills service, if they can get a cheaper flight.

One of the reasons that fewer people fly QANTAS out of Australia is that many other airlines offer cheaper flights, direct to places that QANTAS does not fly. Offering the public even more expensive fares does not seem to be a winning strategy to me.

 

[Noob]

Way I read it they are just doing the same as VA long haul In terms of strategy? Is that correct, or am I reading it wrong?

 

[connieguy]

I think it is very clear that qantas want people to spend more money with them. The problem is the way they are marginalising those Y WPs. I could make about 2000 SC a year but it is just not worth giving all that to qantas. I am better off just making WP and getting DJ gold as well. Add to this the international changes, which many FFs here are saying that those change make other carriers more attractive and I am totally puzzled by the qantas strategy. You can't win the race by quitting.

As some others have said, I now see QF as a business looking for opportunities in the new and developing airline markets and not a business about providing a high level of customer satisfaction to their existing customers, that will drive a higher profit.

I guess developing new markets is more fun than fixing the problems that are driving customers away from them. It also gives the CEO more time to get the new business right, rather than being hauled over the coals about the existing business losing customers due to poor customer service and lack of responce to existing issues.

To me this is just more QF smoke and mirrors. Oh BTW AJ, building a new infrastructure is much easier than delivering a high value for the cost of real and delivered high quality customer service. One process involves putting together inanimate objects in interesting ways and is mostly done behind closed doors and the other involves openly and honestly dealing with living human beings and their issues, real or not and in a public arena. So far it is seen you can do the first and not the second.

I gotta say, to be fair, I was doing a 5 airline F taster to determine who I will now spend my money with. The choice was about quality of service and nothing else. Today's announcement just confirmed my belief. While I will continue to retain my WP status, probably with a few AA YUPs, flying with QF is now my last choice. MY only pity is the 3,200 SCs I earned last year. What a fool I was to post all those points to my QF account. But you live and learn.

Red Roo's continual non / evasive answers today to a simple question about the non delivery of a stated Platinum benefit was the last straw. So good by Qantas, or should I say ghost / shadow of Qantas, because this is not the Qantas I have known, loved and bragged about for years. May you rest in peace.

 

[goldy]

I used to always enjoy my trips on Qantas, but in recent years, they have just gone to the dogs. Joyce makes the point that 82 out of 100 people now DO NOT fly with Qantas. Well, hello, why do we think that is? Joyce is so bloody thick that he doesn't understand that people vote with their feet when they are not happy.

I too find this astounding! how hard is it to realise what is patently obvious to the rest of us.

Us poor old Bronze members get nothing every time they tinker with "the world's most profitable Frequent Flyer program". They just make it harder and harder for us to get any sort of seat. And now he is announcing more changes. You can bet London to a Brick, there will be nothing for the hundreds of thousands of members who dutifully scramble to earn a few points at their local Woolies each week, in the naive knowledge they'll be off to see Aunty Mabel in London very soon. The Frequent Flyer program has just become a complete and utter farce.

You have made many vaild points but I think that as a "bronze" member you are only a "frequent" flyer by name. This is even more true when you concede that the majority of points are earnt at the local Woolies. From an airlines point of view, a FF program exists to reward FF's but unfortunately, bronze members arent frequent at all, so it seems a little rich to expect the benefits without the responsibility.

but I do understand and appreciate your frustration. just my 2p worth.

We are planning to implement a new wifi infrastructure platform across all our lounges (domestic and international). We are aiming to have the rollout to our key ports completed by end Nov with the smaller regional lounges implemented by Q1 2012.

In terms of other offshore lounges other than LA, we know the SIN lounges are an issue. Its actually an airport wide problem and so the airport authority has plans to increase their connectivity pipe/bandwidth. We are waiting on info as to timing, will let you know as soon as I have some more info.

Cheers,
Red Roo

So what is happening with LAX? The WiFi is non existent. When iIwas handed the login details I was warned to not bother, as i'd have to wait for the lounge to thin out a little as there were too many people using too little bandwidth. The chap was right on both counts. Lounge was PACKED and WiFi would NOT connect let alone work!

Im sorry, but this is 2011 and not 2001. It is inexcusable to have patchy internet in "business' lounges. Bad form QF/BA/CX, seeing as though its a shared lounge, despite QF pax making up the bulk of guests.

 

[Simo]

This comment has probably already been mentioned but IMHO QF should focus on making the routes they have profitable not starting up another carrier in Asia or wherever and then getting into a price war just to lose more money.

QF should be focusing on Aust and current commitments overseas as they have built a reputation(good or Bad) but they have infrastructure in the areas which they can utilise and expand on if needed.

It will happen that we will get a carrier from Asia and they will be a real force to reckoned with.

Tiger has had a crack but have fell well short and are now a joke carrier.

 

[ajw373]

As some others have said, I now see QF as a business looking for opportunities in the new and developing airline markets and not a business about providing a high level of customer satisfaction to their existing customers, that will drive a higher profit.

I guess developing new markets is more fun than fixing the problems that are driving customers away from them. It also gives the CEO more time to get the new business right, rather than being hauled over the coals about the existing business losing customers due to poor customer service and lack of responce to existing issues.

Surely developing and serving new international markets is a good thing, that produces income and producing extra traffic that can then feed into Qantas's Australian based operations thus making more money thus allowing Qantas to be able to afford the high level of service that we Australians demand and allowing growth within Australia. That's what everyone want's isn't, more routes within and out of Australia crewed by Australians. Serving Australia alone is not an option that gives any airline long term growth and hence a long term future so clearly looking offshore, and especially to China cannot be such a bad thing.