Fully self funded WP

[AnonymousCoward]

There have been posts on AFF from people whose work pays for business class, first class, business RTW, first class RTW, top notch hotel rooms etc, criticising self-funded status chasers for finding creative ways to earn status and that we did not deserve to have status as they fly on more expensive airfares.

And vice versa. There have been plenty of posts saying that work funded travellers do not deserve status because they are not loyal to QF, but rather their company is.

For mine, I think QF should just move to a profit based system (or close proxy - ala DJ). If you are making money for QF, you get benefits. If you are not making money for QF, then starting making money...

 

[serfty]

...

For mine, I think QF should just move to a profit based system (or close proxy - ala DJ). If you are making money for QF, you get benefits. If you are not making money for QF, then starting making money...

They already did ... in 1998 with the introduction of "Tier Credits" (which later became "SC's").:-|

 

[bossreggie]

LT SG was quickly obtained. Bring on LT WP QF!

I think you will discover there may already be a LTP of sorts. It's just the BIS SC's required to achieve it, need to be with QANTAS.

I agree with earlier posts re it making no difference how one achieves status or how it is funded. Who gives a toss?? It makes a difference to QANTAS, but it shouldn't to fellow travellers.

 

[JetLagged]

Boris, I've attained and now retained Wp for 2 years - and all travel up to and including now has been entirely self-funded.

 

[sr81]

4 years as a self funded WP.

2 DONE4's and 1 DONE3. Always worked them to match with the annual conference in the USA but I paid, not work. This job saw me on a plane pretty regularly domestically so WP was good for that.

Changed jobs and got comped WP status this year but will be down to SG as of the end of April. I just can't justify the spend for the sake of a shiny card I might use once or twice a year.

 

[TonyHancock]

This has been an illuminating thread for me. I am 100% business funded. I have not taken a single flight in four years that has not been paid for by my business. I have only taken four flights in the last 11 years that were for "pleasure".

186,877 miles this year, all booked in Y or Y+ with some Op ups and points upgrades to J. Company policy since the GFC is Y or Y+ on long haul.

I really take my hat off to the self funded WP's, I think, in many cases, it shows stamina will power and/or resourcefulness. I know I couldn't do it.

I have no desire to get on a plane to go on holiday. Ideally I never want to see an airport again!!

 

[anat0l]

For mine, I think QF should just move to a profit based system (or close proxy - ala DJ). If you are making money for QF, you get benefits. If you are not making money for QF, then starting making money...

And there have been plenty of complaints about this too, i.e. the term "Frequent Flyer" is misleading as status more suggests how much business (read: money) you are giving to QF rather than how often you fly them. Hence the argument of the WP who flies lots and lots of domestic Red e-Deals vs. the WP who flies a few longhaul premium class trips.

As sad or cynical as it is to suggest, there is a hidden scale of loyalty beyond WP. Whilst on the written rules all WPs are equal in the system, there are clear anecdotal trends to suggest that those who go beyond WP have a chance (no guarantee, but just like your chances of rolling a 6 on a die are higher if more than one face is labelled with a 6) of being better treated by QF, e.g. more elbowing power with award seats, more operational upgrades, greater power of selecting good seats when the load factor of WPs is high on a given flight.

As for loyalty split between self-funded and business-funded WPs, however, well, QF wouldn't be able to tell the difference, of course. That's a social issue amongst our community, but in my opinion, like a lot of others here, it doesn't matter how you got the status, the point is you have it. (That is, how you go to the level of WP, not how loyal a WP (or beyond-WP) you are).

 

[YQY]

I really take my hat off to the self funded WP's, I think, in many cases, it shows stamina will power and/or resourcefulness. I know I couldn't do it

+1

I have no desire to get on a plane to go on holiday. Ideally I never want to see an airport again!!

I'm starting to think along those lines. This qualification year - i'm determined to reduce the amount of travel to a minimum to qualify for WP.

Whilst on the written rules all WPs are equal in the system, there are clear anecdotal trends to suggest that those who go beyond WP have a chance (no guarantee, but just like your chances of rolling a 6 on a die are higher if more than one face is labelled with a 6) of being better treated by QF, e.g. more elbowing power with award seats, more operational upgrades, greater power of selecting good seats when the load factor of WPs is high on a given flight.

Interesting point - how many SFSC get "Air" and how often do you get op-ups?

As for loyalty split between self-funded and business-funded WPs, however, well, QF wouldn't be able to tell the difference, of course.

Actually, they can - all my corporate travel is booked via Amex Travel. Similarly most of my clients book their travel utilising a corporate travel agents.

 

[Joshua]

Interesting point - how many SFSC get "Air" and how often do you get op-ups?

Not to start the usual argument but wouldn't the SFSC be better the better target of Air? If you're trying to plug over the top luxuries of life would you pick the guy who has to slog it out in a plane too many times a year or the girl who travels in J/F here and overseas for leisure. They're quite different markets and I'd believe the latter person is much more likely to spend up on luxury brands.

 

[anat0l]

Interesting point - how many SFSC get "Air" and how often do you get op-ups?

I only just make my 1200 SC every year. I don't get "Air". I've had 8 operational upgrades over the two years I've been WP. 2 of them international, the rest domestic, all on Red e-Deal fares.

The actual percentage of flights I get upgraded is quite low, but I never expect op-ups at all (unlike some people in the USA) so it's not an indicator I personally track of myself.

Actually, they can - all my corporate travel is booked via Amex Travel. Similarly most of my clients book their travel utilising a corporate travel agents.

That relies on all businesses to take that approach. Not all business travel is booked through corporate agents or the like. I wouldn't know the percentage that isn't booked through corporate channels so QF could use this info...

 

[bossreggie]

Interesting point - how many SFSC get "Air" and how often do you get op-ups?

I get Air but I have not been in a position to get an op-up.

There are REAL benefits when your SC's are entirely on QANTAS flight numbers. I guess only flying in the premium cabins helps.

I have been able to change 2 JASA's one including a re-route, with no penalty even though there was not a "U" fare available on the flight I was changing to. Whilst that may just be "luck"... I think that QANTAS tries to keep me happy. (I just wish their 744's were not so dated and the service on board was more consistant)

 

[JohnK]

For mine, I think QF should just move to a profit based system (or close proxy - ala DJ). If you are making money for QF, you get benefits. If you are not making money for QF, then starting making money...

How about SQ's revenue based system for top tier status? Was not well received and I am assuming lost them a lot of revenue.

The current system is quite OK except for the odd anomaly in SC earning. Changes are not necessarily best for business.

I have no desire to get on a plane to go on holiday. Ideally I never want to see an airport again!!

And yet some people look forward to holidays. The further away the better. :-|

Interesting point - how many SFSC get "Air" and how often do you get op-ups?

I received the first issue of AIR and then nothing since.

From memory I have had 8 domestic op-ups on QF in the last 2 years which is not a great strike rate given the number of QF flights in that time.