I thought I’d qualify some of the discussion regarding Qantas on Australian Frequent Flyer and give you links to the topics, so you can see the extent of the discontent with some of the decisions (albeit some are “under review”).
1. Any Seat Awards
I trust [
samh004] gave you some background to the issue. Whilst the members of frequent flyer website (like Australian Frequent Flyer and Flyertalk) may be a minority of the 9 million QFF members, I’d think that due to our sharing of information, we are some of the better informed about this benefit. As Virgin recently had a trial using the same offer, it would appear that it was working for QF and copying of a benefit by a competitor is the ultimate proof that the strategy was working.
In my own case, use of ASA’s have been instrumental in keeping me on QF over the past two years and my re-qualification of Gold status. It has also reduced my business costs as well as reducing QF’s unused points liability on their Balance sheet. It will also mean some of our members (who have already contacted me) will not only stop flying QF, but also change their CC spending habits to ensure they don’t earn QF points.
I was privy to a conference call (with other social media people) where QF Management flagged that ASA’s were under review and the ability to be booked online was being transferred to the Call Centres. To our members (and I would think to QF), this has meant a significant increase in the time taken to book these flights and therefore, bottom line cost (particularly to QF).
Relevant topics:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....m/confirmed-qf-removing-cheap-asas-48705.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rogram/has-anyone-had-success-call-51720.html
2. Priority Boarding
If Virgin can implement it and it works relatively seamlessly, why is it a problem with QF? This topic shows the level of discontent (but also shows tha it does work, but not consistently):
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....priority-boarding-qf-domestic-what-30246.html
3. Qantas Survey
I recently participated in a Qantas survey to rate the Qantas Frequent Flyer program (see copy of email at bottom) and wrote a comment at the end:
I am one of many who are disappointed with the transfer of Any Seat Award bookings (at Classic redemption rates) from the website to the Call Centre and the review currently being undertaken. If they are taken away, that will impact my desire to earn points in the Qantas FF program, to fly with QF and to continue to re-qualify Gold and will continue my significant transfer of flying to Virgin (where I have obtained and recently re-qualified Platinum).
It was asked me to compare the Velocity program – which unfortunately for you, rated higher in more than half of the categories.
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