It's the small things that make it all worthwhile

[avlawyer82]

Hi all

As a member of QFF I have often found that it is the small things that make being the member of a program worthwhile. It's the gentle reminder when you check in at a desk that you are greeted personally, or likewise onboard. Its the ability to have your preferences remembered when you fly and at Christmas, you are sent an e-card reminding you on your ongoing loyalty with QANTAS.

Though, last week I had celebrated my birthday but didn't receive any email from QANTAS wishing me a happy birthday. I've had one from my other loyalty programs - including my membership to this forum - but found it strange that QANTAS didn't email. It's certainly not a deal breaker with my membership to the QFF - but it's certainly something I would have thought would have been built in to QANTAS' records - as a small thing to simply email with a Happy Birthday. In the end, its all the small things that make our membership of these programs valued and sought after. Recognition is key.

I might suggest to QANTAS to update their system to include birthday reminders. What of you though? Do you agree that this should be incorporated too or do you have other ideas on other - small gestures that could be included to keep this relationship special???

 

[SeatBackForward]

Hi all

As a member of QFF I have often found that it is the small things that make being the member of a program worthwhile. It's the gentle reminder when you check in at a desk that you are greeted personally, or likewise onboard. Its the ability to have your preferences remembered when you fly and at Christmas, you are sent an e-card reminding you on your ongoing loyalty with QANTAS.

Though, last week I had celebrated my birthday but didn't receive any email from QANTAS wishing me a happy birthday. I've had one from my other loyalty programs - including my membership to this forum - but found it strange that QANTAS didn't email. It's certainly not a deal breaker with my membership to the QFF - but it's certainly something I would have thought would have been built in to QANTAS' records - as a small thing to simply email with a Happy Birthday. In the end, its all the small things that make our membership of these programs valued and sought after. Recognition is key.

I might suggest to QANTAS to update their system to include birthday reminders. What of you though? Do you agree that this should be incorporated too or do you have other ideas on other - small gestures that could be included to keep this relationship special???

Personally, I wouldn't find an automated standard email, that filters based on DOB from a database of millions, to be considered as all that personal. So that to me wouldn't really make any difference, it would probably annoy me knowing that, thats how such an email is generated.

The small personal gesture that I do enjoy though is when the flight service crew acknowledge you're a FF with them during the flight.

 

[medhead]

You got an e-card for christmas. I didn't, (meh!) and I just accept that myl business (platinum) does not rate such niceties. (or i need to change my communication settings) Not sure if happy birthday is greater than Christmas or not, but perhaps you're business doesn't rate a birthday message. Does that change your life?

 

[Berlin]

I might suggest to QANTAS to update their system to include birthday reminders. What of you though? Do you agree that this should be incorporated too or do you have other ideas on other - small gestures that could be included to keep this relationship special???

While I agree with the general sentiment of this (I love getting addressed by name and welcomes as a frequent flyer), the automatically generated birthday would rather p*#% me off. Every birthday you receive those meaningless auto-birthday wishes from dozens of companies so it's really quite meaningless spam in your inbox to me. Especially if they try to sell you something at the same time. Luckily QF didn't with their Xmas card so no complaints there!

 

[unggg]

I've got to agree with the majority of the posters in this forum. I don't think an automatically generated email on my birthday would mean all that much. However, that would change if some freebie/bonus was included - but generally it is not, so in fact the email leaves me disappointed if anything

 

[casanovawa]

Then you would probably get the iPad/iPhone crew complaining about not being able to see the birthday flash greeting OR the christmas flash message!!! Who knows what two such snubs a year could do to their sense of self worth as well as to their loyalty towards Qantas??

 

[Jack Melon]

My personal opinion - they don't care.

 

[Blackadder]

My personal opinion - they don't care.

Now there's a shock from a VA fanboi

 

[Jack Melon]

Now there's a shock from a VA fanboi

I don't think VA would either.

 

[N860CR]

I too would find an automated e-card annoying.

Interestingly, as I've moved from NB > QP NB > QP PS > SG > WP I don't think I've noticed the ground or cabin crew become any more or less friendly/helpful. If anything, I've found I get a bit more attitude from them now than as a no-status pax. My general view is that QF and its employees don't seem to treat the status pax any differently, you either get a helpful and friendly or unhelpful and unfriendly individual (or somewhere in between).

 

[drron]

I don't think VA would either.

They dont.

 

[Jack Melon]

They dont.

Good. All they want is the money.

 

[Blackadder]

Good. All they want is the money.

Like any business, may have "loyalty" programs..but in the end the $$$$ is what matters to them.

 

[AirKat]

I agree with the sentiment. It is so nice when they emerge from behind the J curtain and say Mrs AirKat would you like a newspaper? As opposed to when they burst through the J curtain holding the left over J meals and knock the drink out of my hand and slap the curtain in my face - 4C/D can be a dangerous seat

The Christmas card did nothing for me though, I don't think I'd be excited by a generic birthday greeting either

 

[Jack Melon]

Like any business, may have "loyalty" programs..but in the end the $$$$ is what matters to them.

Exactly right!

 

[Lucky_man]

....

Interestingly, as I've moved from NB > QP NB > QP PS > SG > WP I don't think I've noticed the ground or cabin crew become any more or less friendly/helpful. If anything, I've found I get a bit more attitude from them now than as a no-status pax. My general view is that QF and its employees don't seem to treat the status pax any differently, you either get a helpful and friendly or unhelpful and unfriendly individual (or somewhere in between).

On the contrary, lately I have noticed a difference. On my last longhaul flight there were about 10 empty Y seats. I ended up with 3 of them next to me so I could lie flat - the check in person let me knwo she had done this. I was offered cheese and biscuits or a desert from business. The IFE did not work (but with true lie flat at night who cares) and without complaining I got $150 voucher. My Wife and child also got the same vouchers but not 3 spare seats. The flight before that we were similarly showered with care.

I am not sure if the recent difference was rebuilding after the grounding or the fact we had a 1.5 year old with us (who travels in a car seat in her own seat). If it is the child, I need to buy a doll and pay the extra seat

 

[N860CR]

All of my travel lately has been domestic and I use other one world carriers long haul so I haven't had a chance to test it, however I'm doing a quick SIN trip shortly so I'll see if there have been improvements. My last few long hauls were terrible though (hence I use other carriers)

 

[Barondupon]

I thought it was fantastic that Alan Joyce personally sent my eight year old son a hand written note to say how proud he was that he kicked a behind in his tackers game on Sunday. I also thought it was a nice gesture that Jacques Reymond arrived at my home to cook my guests a fifteen course degustation for my birthday dinner (Perry did the waiting). And people still say Qantas doesn't care?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Can't believe what I just read

Chairman flies corporate and he gets his employees to fly only Y?

Words fail me.

 

[Sprucegoose]

And guess what....on a DJ flight this morning in Y and they gave me a copy of the weekend OZ....wonders never cease.