Building a stronger Qantas

[UP4014]

Firstly, the quote was made in true journalistic "headline grabbing" style, and was not intended to be factually correct. Secondly, please don't misquote me. Thirdly, no one is saying that Virgin invented the concept, but their close cooperation with EY,SQ, DL and NZ is a first for this region. Virgin Australia had no real relationships with their now partner airlines so why Qantas have waited until now to cooperate more closely with their OW and other partners is beyond me. IMO, Qantas is simply copying Virgin's strategy so the only point i'm making, is that Qantas is again following and not leading.

As you say, DJ had no relationships and has been playing catch up.

 

[Limewood]

IMO todays speech was all about softening up us all in readiness for the huge changes that are coming, no more no less. Some will read more into it.

 

[drron]

You mean a new F lounge

No.A proper F lounge!

Overall I am happy with this announcement.Should fit in well with my OW flying.

Hopefully OW will be getting more integration of FF programs-eg the AA/BA/IB tie up where I can use my AA miles to upgrade on BA/IB.

Also I have noticed that JQ is slowly being integrated into OW.I am looking at a Circle Trip Explorer fare for travel to IST next year and noted this in the rules-

7. Initially itineraries with Jetstar (JQ) segments can only be ticketed by oneworld carriers that have interline agreements with the airline - American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, LAN, Qantas and Royal Jordanian. Plans are being developed to extend the arrangement to itineraries being ticketed by other oneworld member airlines. Members of oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes can earn mileage rewards on eligible Qantas-coded Jetstar flights using these fares once their frequent flyer programme host airline has implemented interline links with Jetstar. Currently, this applies to American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, LAN, Qantas and Royal Jordanian, please contact your frequent flyer programme for more details.

And Red Roo thanks for the updates.Just one question re MH-will you be getting closer ties before they officially join OW?

 

[tallboy]

The announcement mentioned additional benefits for Silver and Gold FFers but specifically failed to mention Platinum. Instead mentioned Our Most Valuable Members, which I suggest refers to WP1. So from that announcements I would not be holding my breath for new WP benefits as recent history only shows WP benefit cuts.

Yes, this part certainly alienated me very swiftly, confirming that they don't seem to be concerned about losing business from 'ordinary' Plats.

I had hoped that the announcement would show a change of heart, but these words only confirm previous suspicions for me. I think that any other interpretation is just wishful thinking.

Where feasible my business will be going elsewhere.

 

[simongr]

I think (hope) that the reason we're not hearing anything of the 1200 SC plats is that Qantas are waiting to see what Virgin offer to that bracket. The better the Virgin offering, the more likely we are to get additional benefits.



Sarcasm or did I miss something?

@qantasairways responded to a tweet from me indicating that they had received the feedback re domestic priority boarding and were investigating...

 

[Captain Paul]

Hi guys,

The above routes are all operating business as usual.

As an FYI...previously QF used to fly over Asia, on the way to Europe, now with the new airline starting in Asia we hope to fly more within Asia, so some new routes.

Cheers, Red Roo

Red Roo, if there are to be new routes could it please be PER-NRT/HND? Your SIN/HND codeshare(QF 4025 and 4026) do not allow seat upgrades and do not allow seat selection and I can't even book an any seat award on that route. PER-HKG does not provide reasonable fare listings or codeshare to Japanese cities such as cough flying Dragon Air. I also hate stopovers.

I miss PER-NRT terribly having used it as an excellent route to North America. AA and JAL connections to North American cities are excellent out of NRT. Far better than two domestic layovers via SYD/LAX or SYD/DFW.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Captain Paul

 

[lsmi4126]

Yes, this part certainly alienated me very swiftly, confirming that they don't seem to be concerned about losing business from 'ordinary' Plats.

I had hoped that the announcement would show a change of heart, but these words only confirm previous suspicions for me. I think that any other interpretation is just wishful thinking.

Where feasible my business will be going elsewhere.

Aren't you guys getting three new F lounges??

 

[goldy]

That is not true.

Qantas and Air NZ did try to to form a joint venture about 4 years ago with (similar to what NZ have now done with DJ) but were knocked back for being 'anti-competitive'.

Im not well versed in what exactly that joint venture involved. I understood it to be more of a counter to the growing threat from EK on trans tasman flights rather than global cooperation. NZ had nothing to offer QF by way of new flights except for maybe SFO (which at the time QF flew in its own right) and YVR. Were they going to offer reciprocal FF and lounge access etc??

I think the DJ/NZ tie up is a completely different animal to what the QF/NZ tie up would have been.
With DJ's complimentary tie ups, it gains access to a lot of ports that it wouldn't fly on its own, and the FF and lounge reciprocity that customers love. I don't see how a QF/NZ tie up would have achieved such synergies, but closer cooperation with its OW partners definitely would have. Qantas is once again, late to the party.....

As you say, DJ had no relationships and has been playing catch up.

But THAT horse has bolted and Qantas' attempts to close the gate are futile.

 

[farmer]

Red Roo,
Please confirm that Qantas will not be changing the number of SC's annually required to achieve Platinum status. Also please confirm the rate at which Platinum members are awarded SC's or access to lounges/benefits will not be adjusted to members detriment.

Please no spin about enhancements, just straight answears to these questions.

Farmer.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm not too unhappy with any of these changes but QF must tighten up the BA codeshare arrangements ASAP, they are a total schmozzle.
As example: upcoming trip to UK, mixture of QF/BA Y flights booked via website. Unable to select seats for kids on BA flights, can't even pay to select them via either BA or QF ( they are on a separate booking to me or of course my status would allow it)
Pretty happy with new F Lounges, not sure about the new Premium airline stuff.
Good to see Red Roo back on the forum

 

[Simsy85]

Given the scope of the changes to Qantas Airlines, we want to ensure that all our Qantas Frequent Flyers are aware of them.
In regards to changes to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, as announced in May, we will be annoucing the details of PlatinumOne later this year and we are also working on improving the upgrade process. I will be sure to keep you posted as soon as I have more info here.

Cheers,
Red Roo

I appreciate what your saying Red Roo, but look at it from a WP point of view.

Change before last took anytime access from us.

Last change gave us nothing, but Silver and Gold Benefitted.

This change, gives Silver and Gold something again, but not WP

You keep talking about the release of WP1, but by QF own admission, this is essentially another level and out of reach for the majority.

So my question is, if QF is so good at looking after its loyal customers (which by the current definition WP most certainly is) what are you doing for us. What reason are you giving us to keep flying QF?

I booked a flight last night DRW - BNE and I god to honest have no reason to fly QF now and that makes me very sad.

 

[connieguy]

Aren't you guys getting three new F lounges??

Remains to be seen if they are F, WP and WP1 FLounges or just F, WP1 FLounges.

 

[harvyk]

I'm not too unhappy with any of these changes but QF must tighten up the BA codeshare arrangements ASAP, they are a total schmozzle.
As example: upcoming trip to UK, mixture of QF/BA Y flights booked via website. Unable to select seats for kids on BA flights, can't even pay to select them via either BA or QF ( they are on a separate booking to me or of course my status would allow it)
Pretty happy with new F Lounges, not sure about the new Premium airline stuff.

Same could be said for JQ...

 

[Princess Fiona]

Same could be said for JQ...

Good point ! Should look at ALL codeshares

 

[codash1099]

Nowhere do I see any prominence given to what many here have as their greatest complaint - customer service (in all its variants).

Like many here, I'm happy to pay more to fly QF provided I think I'm getting some value for the extra. That's not a $ for $ return, but rather being made to feel like I'm wanted. You can do what you like in other areas, but, like most businesses, the basics are to look after your existing customers first.

 

[QFMEL]

AJ on 7.30 tonight.

 

[serfty]

Im not well versed in what exactly that joint venture involved. I understood it to be more of a counter to the growing threat from EK on trans tasman flights rather than global cooperation. NZ had nothing to offer QF by way of new flights except for maybe SFO (which at the time QF flew in its own right) and YVR. Were they going to offer reciprocal FF and lounge access etc??

I think the DJ/NZ tie up is a completely different animal to what the QF/NZ tie up would have been.
With DJ's complimentary tie ups, it gains access to a lot of ports that it wouldn't fly on its own, and the FF and lounge reciprocity that customers love. I don't see how a QF/NZ tie up would have achieved such synergies, but closer cooperation with its OW partners definitely would have. Qantas is once again, late to the party.....

It certainly was to combat the EK T-T issue.

QF were to take up a 22½% interest in NZ.

 

[happyeateraus]

Hello Red Roo (or anyone) .Can you tell me when Qantas will stop flying to EZE please?

 

[Red Roo]

Hi Red Roo,

How that we have your attention, please explain to us when and how QF will implement "Domestic Priority Boarding" for their Platinum FFers:
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges - Status Privileges

Here we specifically mean another boarding lane at the gate that can be used by Platinums. It is not hard to do, DJ have done it, so why does it seem QF are finding it so difficult to deliver the stated Platinum benefit?

I see little reason to talk about future FFer benefits when QF can't deliver on a stated Existing benefit.

Just to be sure you see this post, I have PMed it to you as well.

Hi Gowatson,

I responded in the Domestic Priority Boarding post yesterday on this one.

I know that Domestic Priority Boarding is important and from reading the thread, boarding is inconsistent across ports and gates. I have mentioned previously that I know this is an issue and we are working on it but I have escalated this to our Customer Experience team to get some more concrete information to share with you all. In the meantime, lets keep this thread to todays announcements and when I have an update on Domestic Priority boarding, I will put it in that relevant thread.

Not an actual answer for you but wanted to let you know that I have been listening and will respond as soon as I can.

Cheers,
Red Roo

 

[markis10]

Hello Red Roo (or anyone) .Can you tell me when Qantas will stop flying to EZE please?

cancelled by April 2012