Loyalty Bonus changing from 1 July 2013

[NM]

But here's some ideas on QF being smarter and keeping things simpler....

dfcatch, tell us what you really think

You have compiled a well-thought-through list, and I didn't see anything there that stood out as a "No, they should not do that", except maybe number 6, but that one does not affect me personally

 

[NM]

You can now earn QFF points for Optus mobile calls...

not just mobile call, any Optus services including home phone and OptusNet internet services. I have home phone, adsl and 2 mobiles all pooled to one Optus account that keeps some QFF points ticking over each month.

The other enhancement for me has been EDR. But both of these highlight that QFF is more about being a frequent spender program than a frequent flyer program.

 

[dfcatch]

dfcatch, tell us what you really think

You have compiled a well-thought-through list, and I didn't see anything there that stood out as a "No, they should not do that", except maybe number 6, but that one does not affect me personally

Where was the old adage in the humor thread.....

They came for group 1, didn't affect me so I did nothing...

They came for group 2, didn't affect me so I did nothing...

When they came for me there was no one left to stand up for me....


Number 6 affects everyone... Unless you only ever fly MEL-SYD-BNE and never internationally.

 

[awilcockson]

So in my current year I have 3620 SCs, all but 120 (I think) of those are on QF flights numbers AND QF metal.

And this change still pisses me off.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

red roo - if QFFF really wanted to improve their offering, like you claim, they would introduce confirmed international upgrades at the time of booking like every other major airline in the world does (that i can think of). If QF wants to protect their ultra elites, they could have a mix of confirmed and stand-by upgrade seats. Very simple.

That fact alone indicates there really is no intention to offer passengers a better frequent flyer program, only to increase QFFF profits.

Granted the increased silver and gold bonuses were welcome, but they only served, in a small way, to off-set the 'world-leadingly' high surcharges QF takes for fuel. We pay fuel surcharges on our regular tickets, for the same number of points we always got, so why should we pay fuel surcharges again?

I have yet, in almost 25 years of being a member, to see an actual improvement that wasn't a forced concession by QF in order to retain whatever business it can to stop itself going completely under.

 

[serfty]

...

I have yet, in almost 25 years of being a member, to see an actual improvement that wasn't a forced concession by QF in order to retain whatever business it can to stop itself going completely under.

I have seen one real PAX benny introduced - until the late 1990's / early 2000's International upgrades with points or certs were simply not available.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have seen one real PAX benny introduced - until the late 1990's / early 2000's International upgrades with points or certs were simply not available.

oh! ok. Good point. I thought I remembered upgrading in very early 2000ish though - back then it cost a whopping 30K to upgrade from J to F LHR-MEL! (It was the same time Gulf Air withdrew or reduced service to Australia - and they reaccommodated me from F on GF to J on QF - so i upgraded the QF... but can't remember when that happened?)

 

[opusman]

I have seen one real PAX benny introduced - until the late 1990's / early 2000's International upgrades with points or certs were simply not available.

Also it wasn't that long ago that you couldn't upgrade domestic flights online, only ODU in the lounge. I'd also suggest that ASAs are a genuine QFF benefit that has been introduced.

 

[TonyHancock]

Also it wasn't that long ago that you couldn't upgrade domestic flights online, only ODU in the lounge. I'd also suggest that ASAs are a genuine QFF benefit that has been introduced.

ASA's, int upgrade confirmation 7 days out, domestic row 1 selection, additional award flights, free int exit row seats, free epiqure membership.

I don't mind loyalty bonus based upon QF flight numbers......please just don't cap them.

 

[simongr]

ASA's, int upgrade confirmation 7 days out, domestic row 1 selection, additional award flights, free int exit row seats, free epiqure membership.

Bold only for P1 though.

 

[TonyHancock]

Bold only for P1 though.

:shock: QF is offering free int exit rows, free epiqure membership, and int upgrades 7 days out for anyone other than P1? *

*Not sure about the extra award seats.

 

[simongr]

Not sure about the exit row thing - int'l I only fly J and prefer 12D (or sometimes 11F). I think in terms of award seats WP do get more options but can't have seats released in the same way (I will be testing the greatness of the P1 benefit soon).

 

[sydstar]

Ahhh Red Roo - always make me me laugh......

In principle - I don't have a philosophical problem with a Loyalty Bonus being restricted to QF marketed flights only.

But here's some ideas on QF being smarter and keeping things simpler....


2/ Seeing as JQ flights are excluded from earning the loyalty bonus - I strongly believe in this next idea....

DUMP JQ COMPLETELY from QFF!!

- No earning miles/SC on any fare.
- No QFF reward seats available on any JQ flight.
- No codeshares.
- No interlining.

Let JQ be profitable on its own with the singlet-sporting, thong-tapping bogan-brigade; and let QF compete on its own.

None of this half-pregnant surrogate business that JQ is being prostituted for by QF.

It should be a profitable wholly-owned subsidiary that operates independently from QF (except for maintenance and terminal economies of scale).

That means that QFF relies solely on QF, OW and Partners to provide redemption and earning opportunities.

My only problem with this is for those who live near a port that has been 'Jetstarised'. From NTL, my only *real* choices are JQ or DJ. With this change, JQ flights will not count towards a loyalty bonus at all, despite the fact my $ are still going to the Qantas Group. If you take a look at the JQ website I see numerous references to QFF, including the promotion for the JQ Mastercard.

Whilst I agree with dfcatch's points to some extent, QF has now surely gone past the point of return in regads to JQ and QFF. Look at the ports that QF has pulled out of and handed over to JQ on a silver platter. Surely QFF members near those ports should be able to earn something for suport of the QF group. Let's not forget QF has left domestic NZ as well as numerous SE Asia ports. I also agree that codeshares and reward seats can only cause confusion to pax, but don't agree with loss of earning opportunity for when JQ is the only QF group choice.

A change to QF SCs only for loyalty bonus should surely go back to the pre-2011 system of ' x coughulative QF/JQ/VF/3K SC's earning a bonus of y and then reset - not based on membership year'.

My 2c worth...Don't get me started on JQ - A QF group airline - when it suits us....:evil:

 

[Kangol]

Not sure about the exit row thing - int'l I only fly J and prefer 12D (or sometimes 11F). I think in terms of award seats WP do get more options but can't have seats released in the same way (I will be testing the greatness of the P1 benefit soon).

Int Y exit rows are only free for P1 and CL. Int exit rows in all other classes are complimentary where available.
WP can get classic award seats released (well, requested - there is no guarantee that they will be released), otherwise AFAIK the current award availability (classic and ASA) showing is what's open to everyone.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Hi Red Roo could you please explain the rationale for JQ flights not counting especially if one has paid the extra dollars required to earn QFF points and SC's. Does not seem logical and to a point defeats the purpose of paying extra to get them ??

 

[medhead]

Jetstar, a qantas group airline, is a completely separate airline. There should be more of it, cut the apron strings to JQ completely.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Hvr]

Jetstar, a qantas group airline, is a completely separate airline. There should be more of it, cut the apron strings to JQ completely.


Sent from the Throne

And yet on my last two Jet* flights part of the spiel from the FAs was the standard welcome back for QFF and One World Elites. Quite interesting considering there are no benefits to either group of passenger.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Still does not answer why one would pay for the SC's and QFF points as an extra on JQ if they are not to be counted.

 

[oz_mark]

Still does not answer why one would pay for the SC's and QFF points as an extra on JQ if they are not to be counted.

They are counted for status (annual and lifetime) determinations. This just removes them from the loyalty bonus.

I do wonder if this reflects some internal accounting change where QF pays for the loyalty points?

 

[eastwest101]

And yet on my last two Jet* flights part of the spiel from the FAs was the standard welcome back for QFF and One World Elites. Quite interesting considering there are no benefits to either group of passenger.

Talk is cheap - action costs $$$.