Exciting News from Allan (according to the email)

[markis10]

Just got this email, my apologies for getting his name wrong and I am wondering why I am part of the trial being BNE based rather than PER but so be it:

Qantas will soon begin to trial a new, simpler and faster check-in system at domestic terminals,
beginning in Perth.

As one of our most valued customers, we've selected you to be one of the first in Australia to experience Next Generation Check-in when it begins its rollout in our Perth domestic terminal from 28 July.

Soon you'll receive a new Qantas Frequent Flyer card with smart chip technology that we call 'intelligent Q'. When you touch this card to a Q Card Reader at the Perth domestic terminal, you'll be automatically checked in for your flight.

Later in the year we'll be launching this new check-in system at other Qantas domestic terminals. We will also be adding a new feature to speed up baggage check-in.

It's an ambitious project involving world-leading technology, but at the same time, it will deliver more personalised customer care - our friendly Qantas representatives will be on hand to assist you at all stages of your journey.
Please look out for your new Qantas Frequent Flyer card in the mail, and in the meantime I'd like to invite you to view a demonstration of the new check-in experience.



We're excited about our improved customer service and new check-in system which has been designed to save you time. We hope you enjoy the journey.


With warm wishes,

Alan Joyce
CEO Qantas Airways

 

[Grooba]

I think all WP just got this email also.

Keen to see the new card arrive in the mail.

 

[simongr]

No email yet for this WP.

 

[nlagalle]

I'm a SG and just got the email..

I would have preferred the double SC's for the next three months though!!

 

[jamesgou]

No email yet for this WP.

I'm Gold.. but... this sounds nice:

You can now head straight to Security. Gold and Platinum members and those travelling in Business can use Premium Security. Here, you'll enjoy a dedicated lane to ensure you pass through quickly and easily.

 

[Flashback]

Hello Daniel,

Qantas will soon begin to trial a new, simpler and faster check-in system at domestic terminals,
beginning in Perth.

As a traveller through Perth, we've selected you to be one of the first in Australia to experience Next Generation Check-in when it begins its rollout in our Perth domestic terminal from 28 July.


Soon you'll receive a new Qantas Frequent Flyer card with smart chip technology that we call 'intelligent Q'. When you touch this card to a Q Card Reader at the Perth domestic terminal, you'll be automatically checked in for your flight.

Later in the year we'll be launching this new check-in system at other Qantas domestic terminals. We will also be adding a new feature to speed up baggage check-in.

It's an ambitious project involving world-leading technology, but at the same time, it will deliver more personalised customer care - our friendly Qantas representatives will be on hand to assist you at all stages of your journey.

Frequent Flyer Silver
Please look out for your new Qantas Frequent Flyer card in the mail, and in the meantime I'd like to invite you to view a demonstration of the new check-in experience.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/air...erationCheckin:NextGenerationCheckin:TextLink

We're excited about our improved customer service and new check-in system which has been designed to save you time. We hope you enjoy the journey.

 

[YQY]

No email yet for this WP.

ditto - same here.

 

[Flashback]

So it sounds like I'll get a new PS card, but my QP card will still remain the old type.....

 

[anat0l]

The linked page says those in the trial were selected based on their travel patterns to/from PER.

Which I find hard to believe because I travel to PER once a year. They could have easily selected other people in the trial. (Yes, I was 'selected').

If they will pay for a flight to/from PER then I'd be really tempted to try

The card is no different except there is a stylised 'Q' in the corner, supposedly denoting that it is Q-chip enabled (or the position of the chip).

 

[Warks]

I got it as a PS but note the reference to Perth:

As a traveller through Perth, we've selected you to be one of the first in Australia to experience Next Generation Check-in when it begins its rollout in our Perth domestic terminal from 28 July.

I've flown to PER quite a few times in the past 12 months (6 trips or so) so that might be the trigger.

 

[drewbles]

The linked page says those in the trial were selected based on their travel patterns to/from PER.

Which I find hard to believe because I travel to PER once a year. They could have easily selected other people in the trial. (Yes, I was 'selected').

If they will pay for a flight to/from PER then I'd be really tempted to try

The card is no different except there is a stylised 'Q' in the corner, supposedly denoting that it is Q-chip enabled (or the position of the chip).

Interesting, as I know someone that's been to PER once (in the past 5 years) and got it (as a WP)

I tend to visit PER 4-5 times a year, so it's fair enough I got it (although this year i've not really travelled anywhere, so I guess they base it off past travel).

Screencap of email:

 

[Flashback]

It doesn't seem to show anything about Priority/Business tags when applying the printed tag to the bag yourself....

One benefit if travelling business, is you get to use a "premium" security lane. I wonder if it will apply to status PAX?

 

[jamesgou]

It doesn't seem to show anything about Priority/Business tags when applying the printed tag to the bag yourself....

One benefit if travelling business, is you get to use a "premium" security lane. I wonder if it will apply to status PAX?

Bag Tag

In the near future, Qantas will be introducing a smart chip enabled Q Bag Tag to streamline the process even further.

They look great, are incredibly durable and will save you from printing and attaching paper bag tags when you fly through a Next Generation domestic airport. They also sync up with your card.

 

[Flashback]

Bag Tag

In the near future, Qantas will be introducing a smart chip enabled Q Bag Tag to streamline the process even further.

They look great, are incredibly durable and will save you from printing and attaching paper bag tags when you fly through a Next Generation domestic airport. They also sync up with your card.

I was about to mention that. What happens between July 28 and then, though?

 

[MatF]

No email for me, but the last time I was in Perth was (ummmm), 2001 I think, when I moved from Perth to Clermont, QLD .....

 

[dfcatch]

Just got it

 

[Danger]

I noted the absence of the priority bag tags as well. Then again, apparently this is only for 'aesthetics' anyway; your status tells the baggage handlers where to put the bag (eg. priority container or not). As for the premium security lane for non-business class travellers, the demo seems to indicate Platinums (at least) would be able to use that lane.

One other point I noticed, the demo seemed to indicate that if you use Next Generation check-in you'll only be told of your seating assignment at the gate, when you get a boarding receipt.

 

[anat0l]

As much as speculation won't help things a lot, I'm hoping that there will be some new process on the other end that will sort baggage so that current 'priority' baggage is loaded onto the baggage belt correctly. Perhaps this will be through scanning each bag tag and sorting them on different trolleys (although this may not completely work, i.e. when baggage gets all mixed up and you need more than a few trolleys to carry it all).

So it looks like the only ones who can use Premium Security are J pax, SGs and WPs. However Priority Boarding is only available for J pax and WPs.

I'm of course dreading the scenario where there are so many people in the Premium Security line that it would be simpler just to take the standard lines. As well, how would they truly regulate that the right people will use the right line? (I wonder how this is checked for something like priorityAAccess?)

I wonder how priority boarding will be implemented, e.g. will there be another lane or if you are eligible do you just front up to the desk/skip ("push in") to front of the line?

QP members can't use either Premium Security or Priority Boarding unless they are travelling J. And finally there is absolutely no mention at all about non-QF oneworld elites (unless, of course, they are travelling J). Compare this to, say, AA priorityAAccess.

 

[anat0l]

One other point I noticed, the demo seemed to indicate that if you use Next Generation check-in you'll only be told of your seating assignment at the gate, when you get a boarding receipt.

If you're savvy then you would have selected your seat before you arrived at the airport (either through OLCI (but didn't print a BP) or Advanced Seat Selection (at T-80 preferably)).

Not sure what would happen if you are moved for operational reasons and then scan your card (i.e. would it beep error at you and you'd get a new BP at the gate desk, or would it print out the new seat for you).

 

[Flashback]

I noted the absence of the priority bag tags as well. Then again, apparently this is only for 'aesthetics' anyway; your status tells the baggage handlers where to put the bag (eg. priority container or not). As for the premium security lane for non-business class travellers, the demo seems to indicate Platinums (at least) would be able to use that lane.

One other point I noticed, the demo seemed to indicate that if you use Next Generation check-in you'll only be told of your seating assignment at the gate, when you get a boarding receipt.

What about the DYKWIA people who feel important by seeing "priority" or "business" attached to their tag?

As much as speculation won't help things a lot, I'm hoping that there will be some new process on the other end that will sort baggage so that current 'priority' baggage is loaded onto the baggage belt correctly. Perhaps this will be through scanning each bag tag and sorting them on different trolleys (although this may not completely work, i.e. when baggage gets all mixed up and you need more than a few trolleys to carry it all).

So it looks like the only ones who can use Premium Security are J pax, SGs and WPs. However Priority Boarding is only available for J pax and WPs.

I'm of course dreading the scenario where there are so many people in the Premium Security line that it would be simpler just to take the standard lines. As well, how would they truly regulate that the right people will use the right line? (I wonder how this is checked for something like priorityAAccess?)

I wonder how priority boarding will be implemented, e.g. will there be another lane or if you are eligible do you just front up to the desk/skip ("push in") to front of the line?

QP members can't use either Premium Security or Priority Boarding unless they are travelling J. And finally there is absolutely no mention at all about non-QF oneworld elites (unless, of course, they are travelling J). Compare this to, say, AA priorityAAccess.

Hopefully it will be the conveyor belt doing the sorting, as we know that baggage handlers struggle even when seeing a coloured tag on it... what makes you think they will do any better by reading a scan result?