Lunch with Lesley – Attendees

[Princess Fiona]

Was the Europe-Asia earn the only question asked about the partner SC reduction?

I was hoping for a more direct question such as the one I posted in the other thread.

As far as I recall yes. It was phrased more of a "What if I can't fly QF or QF code ?"
QF stated that they had had a lot of feedback in particular from members who flew from Asia (SIN and HKG) to LHR and that this is something they were looking at as "no changes set in stone".
Medhead also brought up very well the difficulty facing ADL members wanting to fly internationally.
The question of relative increased points and SC earn from WA to the Middle East was dodged IMHO with something vague about Zones IIRC.

 

[Ansett]

The question of relative increased points and SC earn from WA to the Middle East was dodged IMHO with something vague about Zones IIRC.[/QUOTE]


Strange that they dodged a curly question

 

[zainman]

Thanks sam for the updates!

 

[amaroo]

Like to add my thanks to samh004 and others for taking the time and effort posting excellent updates.

For members (me) that couldn't be bothered writing Q's - Great job.

 

[amaroo]

QF seem to be comparing themselves with only Velocity....don't forget there are other programs out there eg AA, SQ, Cx etc which you also need to compare with, esp if you travel internationally! If I lived in Adl, Per etc, and flew internationally and domestically, the VA / SQ combination (crediting either to Krisflyer or Velocity) would be clearly better than QF:idea:

Have to agree with this. Just another pointer that they see no benefit focusing outside of the premium Dom and extremely limited International market. If that sees the company survive and prosper - good luck to them.

 

[SeatBackForward]

The message was that the program isn't set in stone and they are keen for feedback, but their model is to see how things work before making changes. So while there were some key points they took onboard, others might need more investigating over time.

If simple and fairer is an example of seeing how things work before making changes.. We are all doomed when the changes arrive.

 

[Clivem]

The top main - is that from Darling Downs ........in NSW?

 

[lovestotravel]

The message was that the program isn't set in stone and they are keen for feedback, but their model is to see how things work before making changes. So while there were some key points they took onboard, others might need more investigating over time.

What is realistic is seeing how things work and making changes as necessary.

LOL - They have already crunched the numbers, and feedback isn't going to change a thing! Numbers will continue to fall on routes and they will continue to cry poor.

I doubt anything will change except the sale of the FF program in the next 12-18 months

 

[RooFlyer]

The top main - is that from Darling Downs ........in NSW?

Simpler. Fairer. Darling was a Governor of NSW, after all.

 

[cmon0005]

Anyone ask about codeshares on MH or cx?

 

[samh004]

LOL - They have already crunched the numbers, and feedback isn't going to change a thing! Numbers will continue to fall on routes and they will continue to cry poor.

I doubt anything will change except the sale of the FF program in the next 12-18 months

It seems it's your views that are set in stone.

 

[mrpooky]

Thank you everyone who attended for filling in the details for the rest of us. A special B I G thank you to samh004 for your transcription efforts.

I guess a lot of us are reevaluating our FF program choices in light of these recent changes. I was SG for ~2 years and obtained WP last year, about 1/3 thanks to a (M)ASA. Now I'm 25 SCs off WP requalification, with three more months before the end of my membership year, and 40 SCs worth of flights booked in the next two days. The first year I was QF SG I received a status match in VA, and then requalified VA SG again the next year. But now that's lapsed to PS and I've only taken two short VA flights since my year started six months ago.

I love the One World Alliance, but I've only had one overseas trip for which my QFF SG status was useful in the last three years, and still haven't been O/S as a WP, due to personal commitments. So OWA seems a silly reason to stick with QF when I think about it.

So, I could drop QF, comfortable in the knowledge that I'll be WP until mid 2015, allowing me to stop fighting with my employer and company travel agent over the LFOTD policy every trip, and instead go for SG again (and then WP) in VA, perhaps even begging for another status match to make it less painful. I'd probably do this, but the problem is that I actually like flying Qantas. I find most of the FAs are polite and personable, especially on the one occasion I flew O/S; the lounges are comfortable; the online systems almost work (and are certainly better than VA); on the few occasions when things have gone really wrong, Qantas has handled it pretty well; and dang it, the One World tie-in is still something that I want.

Are there any other OneWorld FF programs that reward Australian domestic travel on QF enough for me to keep OWE status? From what I've seen, there just doesn't seem to be a feasible alternative.

Sorry, a bit OT, I know. How about going back on-topic: did anyone ask whether the unpublished 'soft landing' policy was going to change?

mrpooky.

 

[Melburnian1]

samh004, an amazingly detailed and quickly posted on the forum transcription. I hope that you found the time to have a morsel or two between your keyboard usage.

In one of your posts you mentioned 'ruth' - did yuou mean 'route' (apologies, it is so many pages ago in this thread and I did not save it).

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thank you everyone who attended for filling in the rest of us. A special B I G thank you to samh004 for your transcription efforts.

Sorry, a bit OT, I know. How about going back on-topic: did anyone ask whether the unpublished 'soft landing' policy was going to change?

mrpooky.

Yes someone did ask about the soft landing. Answered by Steph who said that we seem to know more about this than the average person but that Qantas was well aware that loyalty doesn't just exist over one year. There is a range of things they look at when deciding whether to renew status.

 

[OzEire]

I would like to add my big thankyou to the attendees who have shared with the rest of us what happened at the lunch today. A stirling effort from the transcribers and photographer in particular (cheers samh004).

Also, not sure if it was related, but as I posted in the other thread I was on a QF flight during the event. At check-in I had my first ever QF op-up (after 18 years) ... so RedRoo, if that was you, muchas gracias.

OzEire

 

[mrpooky]

Yes someone did ask about the soft landing. Answered by Steph who said that we seem to know more about this than the average person but that Qantas was well aware that loyalty doesn't just exist over one year. There is a range of things they look at when deciding whether to renew status.

Hmmm. A clever non-answer from QFF, I think. Thank you Princess Fiona.

Well, it's not a published benefit, so I guess we can't reasonably complain about it if it's enhanced.

mrpooky.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes someone did ask about the soft landing. Answered by Steph who said that we seem to know more about this than the average person but that Qantas was well aware that loyalty doesn't just exist over one year. There is a range of things they look at when deciding whether to renew status.

(my bolding). Sharp observation by Steph.

 

[medhead]

Was the Europe-Asia earn the only question asked about the partner SC reduction?

I was hoping for a more direct question such as the one I posted in the other thread.

I asked about partner flights west coast to Middle East earning more than east coast to Middle East. The answer felt like something like "you don't know what you're talking about". But was probably more like "that's just how it worked out. Fly more flexible fares."

Edit: thanks to Fi for the reminder, dodged with vaguery. I think pay more, earn more was mentioned. My response that I expected west coast to Mid East to cost less than east coast to Mid East was met with further vaguery

 

[samh004]

samh004, an amazingly detailed and quickly posted on the forum transcription. I hope that you found the time to have a morsel or two between your keyboard usage.

In one of your posts you mentioned 'ruth' - did yuou mean 'route' (apologies, it is so many pages ago in this thread and I did not save it).

Post 152 should have been route I think, yes. Was typing fast to keep up.

 

[maninblack]

Yes, as dross says

Sounds like a load if dross to me too. Hope you all enjoyed the lunch but looks like nothing of any real interest occurred. Did someone at least get pissed and have a good dig at Joyce and Clifford?