JQ travel to earn FF points - for a Fee [even in 'Business']

[Nam Taf]

Re: Jetstar to install iPad seats

Hence my question about tyring to justify it to the boss if on company travel!

JQ would be utterly mad to make it not possible to buy this upgrade after the flight is booked. I know my company wouldn't pay for the extra, but if I can pay for it out of my own pocket after my company has booked the base flight, I'd certainly consider doing so.

 

[dk4]

I wonder if it will affect the red e-deal prices on QF though as they are down towards JQ prices quite often as it is...

$36 one-way MEL-SYD (via price beat guarantee against TT)... I haven't seen a QF red-e-deal for that price!

 

[sydstar]

Interesting concept...'paying extra' for loyalty....

Would be good to have the ability to earn points on my JQ fares ex NTL, which has been something pushing me towards DJ where possible. I'm not too sure who JQ are aiming at here; surely not your average 'mum and dad' QFF member who earn points solely through EDR?

Or could it just *finally* be some form of recognition by QF that with JQ only operating into some ports and QFF members should receive something?

 

[Joshua]

Pure speculation, but I can see this going like US airlines where at the check-in kiosk or even OLCI there is the option to purchase extra miles.

My exact, immediate thoughts too. ala AA mileage Multiplier

On the above, AA charge it is at 3 cents per mile/point (+tax). I couldn't imagine a QF/JQ doing any better unless the 1000 minimum is kept. If it was something like a $10 add-on I'm sure many of us would jump at it. As for SC, I've always felt JQ should get SC regardless, like NZ & grabaseat.

Without a minimum we can only hope status is still in play, might be only decent value for WP's on some routes.

Interesting times.

 

[serfty]

I was speaking to someone today who may or may not know a little about these things. They were surprised when I mentioned this as a rumour.

Anyway, I suggest you look out for the introduction of an "initial" price with 'add-ons', perhaps 'bundled'.

A little like the Air NZ "Seats to Suit" for Trans Tasman.

 

[lovestotravel]

Sounds like DJ and JQ are going to be very much like NZ.....

 

[kamchatsky]

Be careful of what you wish for! I actually don't think this is a good idea.

Whilst the idea of earning SCs on el cheapo J* tix is good, what it means is that there will be lots more QF G members buying very cheap J* tixs, and they all fill the QPs around the country. Then QF will "enhance" entitlements of QF Golds/Plats ......

Also it means a lot of QF points floating around to fight the even more limited number of award seats in the QF system ..... or further round of point enhancements.

 

[nlagalle]

Be careful of what you wish for! I actually don't think this is a good idea.

Whilst the idea of earning SCs on el cheapo J* tix is good, what it means is that there will be lots more QF G members buying very cheap J* tixs, and they all fill the QPs around the country. Then QF will "enhance" entitlements of QF Golds/Plats ......

Also it means a lot of QF points floating around to fight the even more limited number of award seats in the QF system ..... or further round of point enhancements.

I don't agree with you here.. If SC's were awarded like Disc Y then it would still take 30 MEL-SYD return trips to get gold. Still alot of flying to do. Same with award redemptions.

 

[anat0l]

I don't agree with you here.. If SC's were awarded like Disc Y then it would still take 30 MEL-SYD return trips to get gold. Still alot of flying to do. Same with award redemptions.

But what edison is alluding to is that there will be significantly more opportunities to earn SCs compared to before, and if some of these are on cheaper JQ tickets then the revenue that QF pulls in per status credit on passengers will be less.

This is the main reason that I believe there has to be less to this hype than I think it is, although it sounds good in principle.

More SC earning opportunities translates to more elites, which means more people with more elite benefits, which puts pressure on those elite benefits being dished out (e.g. priority lines, priority baggage, lounges, access to tiered elite redemption inventory, etc.). Naturally one hopes that QF have thought this through and prepared for the consequences (e.g. provision for expansions of lounges etc.), but we all know that we hold a much dimmer view...... Alternatively, with the exodus to Velocity, QF may be simply refilling a void...

 

[pauly7]

[Rumor] JQ travel to earn FF points - for a Fee

Alternatively, with the exodus to Velocity, QF may be simply refilling a void...

LOL, 'exodus'? What are you referring to?

I think QF are just attacking DJ from both angles, with both brands to mess up the DJ relaunch.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

But what edison is alluding to is that there will be significantly more opportunities to earn SCs compared to before, and if some of these are on cheaper JQ tickets then the revenue that QF pulls in per status credit on passengers will be less.

QF might lift the bar for SG/WP qualification, set the bar higher for LTS/LTG or have more 'enhancements'.

 

[JohnK]

Be careful of what you wish for! I actually don't think this is a good idea.

Whilst the idea of earning SCs on el cheapo J* tix is good, what it means is that there will be lots more QF G members buying very cheap J* tixs, and they all fill the QPs around the country. Then QF will "enhance" entitlements of QF Golds/Plats ......

Also it means a lot of QF points floating around to fight the even more limited number of award seats in the QF system ..... or further round of point enhancements.

Good points although I feel there will need to be further "enhancements" down the track that may result as part of any changes to allow el-cheapo JQ airfares to earn QFF points and/or SCs.

QF might lift the bar for SG/WP qualification, set the bar higher for LTS/LTG or have more 'enhancements'.

Just what we really needed. Everyone and their dog on cheap JQ airfares earning SCs and then raise the bar higher to achieve elite status.

Still it is not the end of the world and we will just have to spend a little more on KUPs/YUPs to get to the new Platinum level.

 

[nlagalle]

But what edison is alluding to is that there will be significantly more opportunities to earn SCs compared to before, and if some of these are on cheaper JQ tickets then the revenue that QF pulls in per status credit on passengers will be less.

This is the main reason that I believe there has to be less to this hype than I think it is, although it sounds good in principle.

More SC earning opportunities translates to more elites, which means more people with more elite benefits, which puts pressure on those elite benefits being dished out (e.g. priority lines, priority baggage, lounges, access to tiered elite redemption inventory, etc.). Naturally one hopes that QF have thought this through and prepared for the consequences (e.g. provision for expansions of lounges etc.), but we all know that we hold a much dimmer view...... Alternatively, with the exodus to Velocity, QF may be simply refilling a void...

I still don't believe this will be the case. Sure some people will gain status, but it won't be a flood. We already earn SC's on jet flex anyway.

At the end of the day how many people do you really think will get gold using JQ cheap fares?? I suspect it will be a small %. After my last few QF flights I am still surprised at how many boarding passes I see with no FF info on them. I'm also betting the large number of JQ pax are not FF's anyway.

To me it'll mean I can fly to OOL instead of BNE when going to the gold coast. And also the JQ35 flight will earn something.

 

[Travel Guru]

Hmmm, now that you put it that way. This is a really clever plan, almost as if its aimed at myself...

I'm based on the Gold Coast, but always make the journey up to BNE to fly QF to SYD/MEL

Now, say a new fare (Lets call it JetPLus for now..) Offers snacks, Row 1, FF' points and SCs, it is a very similar product to what DJ will be offering.

With lounge access for Platinums (Right?) this is not a huge step down from QF, mainly the lounge and seat. And a bit of a step up from DJ's current offering.

Not to mention I save around an hour not having to drive up to BNE & back.

Considering I am close to making the switch to DJ, having QF make this move makes me wonder... And to be honest, I prefer the A320 to the non-BSI 737 anyday.

None of this could be true, just be carried away thinking. What do others think of my crazy theory:?:

I'm on the Gold Coast myself and endured the drive up to BNE for many years in my loyalty to QF, but my recent experience on BNE-SYD flight convinced me to make the switch to DJ and fly out of OOL which is so much more relaxing and means I'm home 20 mins after landing instead of 3hrs after landing when flying to BNE.

Interesting idea if the rumours true, I think it's smart, though pretty happy with how DJ are treating me now I've come across, not going to scamper back just because JQ start allowing me to pay for my loyalty.

TG

 

[tuppaware]

I can see through this like a bag of pig poop.

When there is only a small margin of difference between Qantas Sale fares and JQ I dont the see the difference in paying more to get points??

Remember when Airline Loyalty Programs rewarded frequent travellers rather then First Come First Pay?

 

[MH_fan]

I reckon you'll probably earn 5 SCs and 500 points (or even the actual mileage) between, say, SYD and MEL instead of the 10SCs and 1000 points on QF between those 2 cities on a discounted fare. It should be enough to differentiate QF from JQ and be enough to sway some DJ customers away. Very clever on the part of the Qantas Group.

 

[LiamR]

I'm on the Gold Coast myself and endured the drive up to BNE for many years in my loyalty to QF, but my recent experience on BNE-SYD flight convinced me to make the switch to DJ and fly out of OOL which is so much more relaxing and means I'm home 20 mins after landing instead of 3hrs after landing when flying to BNE.

Interesting idea if the rumours true, I think it's smart, though pretty happy with how DJ are treating me now I've come across, not going to scamper back just because JQ start allowing me to pay for my loyalty.

TG

Glad to see another person on the Gold Coast that understands what we do just to get to the airport. If it is something similar to this, I think the Qantas group are very, very smart. Although I'm not holding my breath...

I don't think they will be selling a simple add on when booking asking "Do you want miles with that?" The way I see it, paying for your loyalty, is just going to be bad PR. I imagine it would be more of a new fare type. Something like the NZ Seats to go option....With all those little comforts we get from QF. (Erm, meant to get)

As to those who think earning points on JQ fares will de-value QFF FF'ers, I highly doubt you'll see many platinum members who only fly JQ. So I doubt there will be a large increase in members.

 

[777]

Glad to see another person on the Gold Coast that understands what we do just to get to the airport. If it is something similar to this, I think the Qantas group are very, very smart. Although I'm not holding my breath...

Not on the Gold Coast here but fly to NTL a lot and like the GC it's a port that QF has essentially abandoned to JQ. I think there's a lot of misunderstanding about the profile of JQ flyers on the QF forums here - yes, some are simply too cheap to cough up for QF but many are simply left with no choice because there are big parts of the country where QF offer no or a sub-standard service in order to push you onto JQ.

I remember a thread a while back (re: Paralympian Kurt Fearnley's fight with JQ) where several posters seemed to imply the guy was being cheap by booking on a JQ flight and should simply put up with the problems that come with that. Of course if you live in NTL (as he does) or near OOL there are bugger all non-JQ options if you want to fly in and out the place.

My most common sector is MEL-NTL hence a few years ago i switched pretty much all my flying over to DJ because Qantas weren't even servicing the route and would not reward my "loyalty" even if i flew them 6 times a week (unless i paid more than 6 times the advertised fare). I'm VERY happy with DJ these days and unlikely to switch back entirely but it would be nice to have some options.

777.

 

[PaulC83]

If memory serves me correctly I believe questions along the lines of what is being discussed here were prominent in one of the focus groups/surveys QF conducted last year (and was discussed at length here).

Maybe QF are listening more than people think.... and maybe there are more people who want this than people think???

 

[TonyHancock]

I think any FF who has had a QF service replaced with a JQ service will be wishing for SC's on non Jetflex JQ flights. I'm sure this will be a significant number of Frequent Flyers.