I am "almost" completely fed up with Qantas, whats it like on the "Dark side" ?

[jakeseven7]

As a new minted QF LTG I’ve been tossing up swapping over to VA due to the reality of never reaching LTP. Have been platinum on VA before and the goal would be to convert points to SQ for family holidays but the most recent financials concern me about what cost cutting measures could come up.

Mostly fly golden triangle and trans con for work so may not be affected.

Honestly, I would wait a year or so, see if the new CEO can dig them out of the grave JB dug for them, see what traction he gets in the massive turnaround plan

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Given that Velocity is probably the most valuable asset VA has - from a strategy perspective it makes sense to double down on that asset to drive revenue back to the host airline. If VA/Velocity do that - then, being a silv/gold/plat Velocity member will only get better over the coming months..

To the OP, think about it another way. QF Loyalty continues to produce solid results. What motivation do they have to change the program? QF are risk-averse. Don't touch it if it's not broken. VA have put the bad behind them, and from now on they need good good good good news. With those factors in mind, I only see Velocity improving.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

QF are risk-averse. Don't touch it if it's not broken.

Except their web designers ...

 

[TomVexille]

Except their web designers ...

QF actually pay web designers??

 

[Pleb Status]

To the OP, think about it another way. QF Loyalty continues to produce solid results. What motivation do they have to change the program?

More profit perhaps? The upcoming changes in September are nothing more than a profit raising exercise...

 

[ALH]

QF actually pay web designers??

Just over the school holidays.

 

[stm1sydney]

VA have put the bad behind them, and from now on they need good good good good news. With those factors in mind, I only see Velocity improving.

I agree. When a new CEO comes in, he always makes the first year look really bad by having the business incur some one-off charges, then it gets better.

 

[oirets]

If you only really fly on the most common routes (e.g. MEL-SYD...etc.) then I'd say VA is really good, but stray away from them and VA just doesn't have the same network that QF does.

This is also only for domestic, for international, QF is far better. VA basically have no real international presence. You could fly SQ, DL or Etihad, but you'd have to look into whether VFF is the best program for you to credit status and points into.

Biggest advantage with Qantas is probably OneWorld. If you're QFF Gold, you'll have access to all the benefits when travelling with partners. I find Qantas lounges better and less crowded (probably because they have the Club and Biz lounges separating out Gold and Plats).

Jetstar is also a huge asset to Qantas. They fly some popular short-haul international routes. Interestingly, even their economy sale fares credit as a regular economy (with the right bundle), and same with their J. Having flown in J with Jetstar, the seats are comparable to Qantas PE, but cheaper, and with higher status earn rate.

Biggest advantage with Virgin is that it's much easier to climb the status tree. Status pooling is genuinely useful if you travel a lot with your family.

Also, FWIW, I also find better award availability on QF, but others might disagree.

 

[Deleted member]

But you will miss your Qantas SYDNEY F lounge, one wrong move by VA and I bet you will be back with QF.

having been to the F Lounge on a number of occasions. I am now totally inured to its charms. The Bollocks one has to deal with that is SYD security, and immigration isn’t worth the effort. I would rather fly out via MEL.

I am QF LTG and due to work obligations I started flying VA domestically (BNE-Syd/Melb/Cbr). I am now almost VA Gold and loving the experience.

The service IMHO is vastly superior in VA. The lounge is so much better than the QC - granted the J lounge in Q is a step above.

But the reason for my enthusiastic endorsement of VA (after rubbishing them for decades) is QF doesn't give a **** about my loyalty anymore. The biggest asset for them is their QFF but they have trashed it repeatedly. I was platinum for 3 or 4 years and they changed the rules so much so, I struggled to be gold any longer. I used to be able to pick up the phone or flash my QFF card and nothing was too much trouble. Now it seems the opposite - after 20years of exclusive loyalty.

Other than US or UK flights, I will be loyal to VA whilst they show me the love.
<redacted>

<redacted>

 

[stm1sydney]

Maybe QF just advertises at that time because analysis shows there are a lot of frequent flyers watching. Frequent flyers perhaps tend not to be concerned about things like CAGW, having considered the evidence and then decided to continue flying. If they were really concerned about CAGW they would have stopped flying.

 

[jakeseven7]

The ratings are so incredibly low on Sky News in general, let alone 'After Dark' its not about mass reach of FF's I can absolutely guarantee you that. Its about reaching another audience.... Have a think who....

Barely anyone watches them, they are borderline irrelevant in the media landscape if it makes you feel any better. But this is all way off topic!

Back on topic - I would be more worried about switching 100% to VA at the moment due to its financial instability and that of its parents.

 

[ntn001]

@stm1sydney your summary of what I said is wrong and your logic is flawed.

I need to be clear. This thread is "I am almost completely fed up with QANTAS whats it like on the dark side". I validly gave my reasons for moving to Virgin. <redacted>

So, as the moderator (and @jakeseven7) has said, let's get back to the OP's thread.

 

[serfty]

[moderator hat]

Some severe thread pruning/redaction has unfortunately been necessary. Please stick to the topic 'I am "almost" completely fed up with Qantas, whats it like on the "Dark side" ?'.​

[/moderator hat]

 

[stm1sydney]

I do agree with you that VA offers a much better product and customer service.

 

[ntn001]

I'm loving the easy short trips on the east coast with VA. But venturing internationally or westward and I'd have to consider returning to QF.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Well I greatly enjoyed the Virgin Atlantic Revival lounge on arrival at LHR this morning...so that's a point in VA's basket now! (If Platinum and flying VS)

 

[Muppet501st]

Well I greatly enjoyed the Virgin Atlantic Revival lounge on arrival at LHR this morning...so that's a point in VA's basket now! (If Platinum and flying VS)

Shame they took away the complimentry 15min massagaes- to make room for more showers.

 

[Vic]

And for your information virtually every year Sky wins the Logie for best news program in Australia.

Not to discuss broadcasters. But to point out the Logies are a popular vote by readers of TV Week. Winning a Logie is not a measure of quality.

 

[amaroo]

I might have missed it, but 6 odd months later - what have you done?