DJ Prem Y now on sale

[Yada Yada]

Does the 44,000 for DJ include all taxes, I thought DJ charged $30-40 on top of the points required? QFs J all inclusive of taxes is 42,000 points. Also to be fair the 44,000 is a last seat avail price vs QFs marginal freq flyer price

Both VB and QF charge taxes on top, but I was just ignoring that for the purposes of comparison.

I also forgot that points in each system are not equal. I would earn approx 1,200 to 1,500 points for each SYD-MEL trip but only 1,000 on QF so it's not really a level playing field in terms of point value. Still, I reckon a lot of travellers will assume points in both are equal.

 

[serfty]

No, it's not a level playing field.

90% of my domestic Oz flights are on red e-deals. Not counting sale fares, MEL-SYD costs $133. On a standard $142 blue saver fare; I would earn 705 velocity points. (Gold members an additional 284).

Lets not refer to the $83 DJ promo fares ...

(*CC surcharge included)

 

[simongr]

I am not sure that this is collusion or simply intentional that the airlines have such similar but byzatinely different fare and scheme structures so that no-one can actually make a valid comparison between either FF cost of flights and paid cost of flights.

My more suspicious mind would suggest that they actually get together to tweak their schemes just to confuse us...

 

[bambbbam2]

, as theres plenty of people out there who dont need all the extras that come with Corp Plus fares but who would like more room

They why not just book 2 Y seats? Qantas will let you do this and give you points for both, according to their FAQ.

 

[Yada Yada]

I am not sure that this is collusion or simply intentional that the airlines have such similar but byzatinely different fare and scheme structures so that no-one can actually make a valid comparison between either FF cost of flights and paid cost of flights.

My more suspicious mind would suggest that they actually get together to tweak their schemes just to confuse us...

It's a bit like mobile phone contracts - I defy anyone to make a reasonable comparison of them.

 

[JohnK]

I also forgot that points in each system are not equal. I would earn approx 1,200 to 1,500 points for each SYD-MEL trip but only 1,000 on QF so it's not really a level playing field in terms of point value. Still, I reckon a lot of travellers will assume points in both are equal.

My SYD-CBR return flight on DJ earned 480 Velocity points. If I had paid the QF airfare of $69 which was advertised at the same time I would have earned 2,000 QFF points and paying the same airfare on DJ would only earn 690 Velocity points.

I think most people would travel on QF red-edeals or DJ sale/promo airfares. There would not be many people purchasing flexible tickets just to be able to adjust a flight a few hours if meetings finished early or late.

 

[Yada Yada]

There would not be many people purchasing flexible tickets just to be able to adjust a flight a few hours if meetings finished early or late.

I guess I must be one of the few! Actually, I suspect there are a lot of business people purchasing flexible fares. I need to be able to bump myself forward or back depending upon what happens during the day.

And I confess that I pay little regard to the FF points schemes. I select an airline according to their schedule, price and service. The fact that I earn points is just a bonus, so I am quite ignorant of who has the better FF scheme. It appears that QF may be more generous than VB at the moment in terms of points, but that won't change my choice because it is not the criteria that matters for me.

 

[brissyflyer]

IMO they should have adopted a multi tiered Y+ fare basis, as theres plenty of people out there who dont need all the extras that come with Corp Plus fares but who would like more room and lounge access

Maybe have Y+ Blue Saver, priced at Blue Saver + 50% which is half the cost of the middle seat, could still be quite profitable as there is less weight being carried due to normal baggage and one less person. Conditions same as Blue Saver, you just get the bigger seat.

Peter

 

[serfty]

JohnK, that's what you get when you spend $48 on airfares.

Actually, a LCC phenomenon is "throw away ticketing".

Want to travel MEL-SYD next, know you heading up for a certain 9am meeting, but not sure a mooted 2pm meeting will go ahead and won't know until a day or two beforehand?

Buy 3 $85 tickets! MEL-SYD, SYD-MEL and SYD-MEL - throw away the SYD-MEL you're not going to use!

IIRC, When Velocity started most analysis indicated it was 5-10% better overall in earn/burn than QFF. I believe that still hold for those with Gold/Silver, but not so with Reds.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, that's what you get when you travel on $24 airfares.

It was actually a $48 airfare each way.

I wasn't complaining about the airfare just that the QFF program is more generous with minimum 1,000 QFF points guarantee when it comes to cheap airfares.

The points required for normal award seats appears similar between QFF and Velocity. And I do not believe 6:00am flights on a Tuesday or Wednesday belong in the equation. Doesn't QF have a promotion on now of 3,000 QFF points off one-way flights?

Actually, a LCC phenomenon is "throw away ticketing".

That is actually a good strategy if you want flexibility but want to avoid paying the high flexible airfares.

With QF you would only lose $38.50 of the original airfare anyway.

 

[Petch]

priced at Blue Saver + 50% which is half the cost of the middle seat, could still be quite profitable as there is less weight being carried

I have been thinking that for ages, or even a third for me, third for them & third for the airline approach. [A320 & B737]

It is something I would purchase on certain sectors, along with increased leg room (AirNZ style in the front half of single aisle jets) paid for with dollars or loyalty.

As for throw away ticketing that Serfty mentions, I have become an absolute convert to it, since I realised how incredibly generous Jetstar's Frequent Flyer program is (aka Double The Difference). Although, with a $10+$5cc [+fare difference] change fee on Tiger, I think I am more suited to their business approach, particularly as they grow/(add frequency & routes). [Noting that I am not a fan of this T-4hour cut off thing.]

 

[NM]

I guess I must be one of the few! Actually, I suspect there are a lot of business people purchasing flexible fares. I need to be able to bump myself forward or back depending upon what happens during the day.

Count me as one who pays more for flexible fares to ensure I have flexibility when things go pear shaped.

 

[wallacej]

Maybe have Y+ Blue Saver, priced at Blue Saver + 50% which is half the cost of the middle seat, could still be quite profitable as there is less weight being carried due to normal baggage and one less person. Conditions same as Blue Saver, you just get the bigger seat.

Peter

That is the idea I like...of course with the option to be able to upgrade to Y+ with points.

Another option would be to have a fixed price to upgrade to Y+ on any sectore. IE MEL-SYD could be an extra $50 (for example) or X points, and MEL-PER could be $150 extra or X points and so on.... This would be in addition to any level of fare you have purchsed.

The upgrade to Y+ would not include lounge access, unless you purchased the corp plus fare to begin with.

This then allows you to buy the ticket with conditions that you want, and upgrade to a wider seat.

For me, I don't need the flexibility of changing flight times on the day, where I understand others may. Some may want lounge access, and if that is the case then pay the $35 entry, or buy a corp plus ticket (or membership)... I can't see too many downsides with this way?

 

[wallacej]

I forgot to add that DJ is very user pays, food, lounge, tv etc.. so I am surprised that paying for the better/bigger seat seems a logical step, so not sure why they tacked it onto the Corp plus fares only??

I am sure they have some logic in it, and maybe some fine tuning down the track could see some changes.

I suspect it might be a way to drive corp plus fare sales, however if this doesn't eventuate they might have to re look at another way to drive revenue/reduce outstanding points liability.

 

[Standby]

I noticed the DJ prem Y web pages have been updated the aircraft diagramswith seatmaps
a couple of interesting points for those who are picky.
1/the 737s seem to have narrower seats in rows 1&2..oops surely not the case &
2/The distance between seats on the EMB seems marketedly different between the first 3 rows and the remainder of the aircraft. Now not wanting to call anything deceptive or misleading a mate travelled on an EMB from CBR to SYD late last week and there is NO difference in pitch between what they sell as prem Y and normal ecy.
I suggest they amend the "pictures" post haste or the ACCC may get a call
about misleading and deceptive advertising.
DJ have had real issues with their web site integrity over the past 2 weeks when they advertised "sale fares" next to a revolving picture of PY+.giving the impression the sale price equalled PY+.which was quickly changed funnily after a comment on this site..suggest they revisit their web designers and sort this out as well..all you'll do is annoy those that pay for something you cant deliver...oh and there is that deceptive thing.
Get the site in order..dont undermine a new and innovative product