Lunch with Lesley – Attendees

[Isochronous]

Oh, I was wondering why Qantas was cosy-ing up so much to its OneWorld partners...

Except that SIN was only a oneworld hub when...QF had flights from there to LHR, BOM, FRA, PER, ADL, SYD, MEL, and BNE! Now all they have is BA and AY to Europe.

 

[samh004]

I made it clear that in my case the opposite had happened.
Since VA upped the ante and status matched from QF I have directed the majority of my domestic flights to them in preference to the alternative available to me of JQ. The only time I will fly JQ is when the VA timings don't suit me.
I have maintained my VA WP so far and see no reason for that to change. This is all lost revenue to the QF group and I know a number of colleagues here and interstate who have done the same.

It's probably not beyond them to introduce QFLink on the NTL routes too... would a new 717 (albeit they have no spares) entice you?

 

[roncritch]

It's probably not beyond them to introduce QFLink on the NTL routes too... would a new 717 (albeit they have no spares) entice you?

Hmm Sam The Qlink KTA-PER do not have any IFE and no business class so they are not much better than JQ. Wait a minute!.....yes miles better than JQ but a long way behind the new 738's. I never fly them on this route.

 

[Princess Fiona]

It's probably not beyond them to introduce QFLink on the NTL routes too... would a new 717 (albeit they have no spares) entice you?

Yes, definitely esp if they brought back NTL-MEL. Won't happen though as the leisure market here is price sensitive.

 

[mannej]

I am a bit late on providing my thoughts on the lunch, but before I do so I would like to thank Chelsea and the team for organising the day in the timeline that they did. Was a good outing even with the customary JohnK delay. It was great to be able to put names to faces.

Regarding the lunch, it is even more amazing in person at the level of knowledge that the AFF members have. Although the AFF is only a small cross section of the QFF member base, there is a diverse range of backgrounds (i.e leisure travel, business travel, WP's, NB's etc).
Although the discussion was open and candid, like others I am surprised at the somewhat disconnect between QF and the flying public. Not everyone sees JQ as an appropriate avenue, yet as mentioned previously QF was surprised at this discussion. The recognition of status on JQ (other than Lounge access and the bonus points) isn't on the QF radar as there is the belief that it isn't possible within the LCC model of JQ.
The other resounding message that came across was that the enhancement of the QFF program was a staged work in progress. Justin made comments that they only wanted to announce the changes once, even if there were other sections that were still being worked on. I think this has come across as obvious as there are changes that do seem rushed and without and proofing.

Personally, I don't see QF going out of their way to defend the changes. There has been little in way of good news storys with the Roo, and very little to defend the negative publicity of late. To me it is evident that QF see strength in their branding. Honestly the complacency can be damaging and hopefully this is recognised.


Justin made it clear that nothing is ever set in stone (well apart from MASA's not coming back that is) so there may be tweaks to some of the changes (ADL earning levels as a possible example). Hopefully the next set of changes do involve some positive changes, but I can understand why a large number of people are looking at their options.

 

[Ansett]

, but I can understand why a large number of people are looking at their options.

BUT the big Question is can Qantas understand it? Somehow I think not

 

[Fantic125]

But PrincessF, they seem completely unaware, if not surprised, that people (sorry, Royalty) such as yourself are doing this.

I actually emailed Qantas service and told them specifically that due to the changes in the FF program they have made relating to ADL being classed as 'East Coast', and the change in zone distances that I will direct all my personal spend to VA.

Apart from a SYD to ADL flight this afternoon I have booked my next six ADL-SYD return flights with VA.

 

[Ansett]

I actually emailed Qantas service and told them specifically that due to the changes in the FF program they have made relating to ADL being classed as 'East Coast', and the change in zone distances that I will direct all my personal spend to VA.

Apart from a SYD to ADL flight this afternoon I have booked my next six ADL-SYD return flights with VA.

Don't hold your breath awaiting a response as you like me are probably one of those customer types that don't value, need or want.....

 

[zainman]

Don't hold your breath awaiting a response as you like me are probably one of those customer types that don't value, need or want.....

you mean one of those exploiting MASA's to get status? (like myself )

 

[Deleted User]

you mean one of those exploiting MASA's to get status? (like myself )

You may as well add me to that list... in my case shortcut Yes... but not really that cheap in my opinion...

 

[Ansett]

you mean one of those exploiting MASA's to get status? (like myself )

LOl already had WP locked in with paid fares but took Qantas up on its email and went for P1 using JASA as a means and don't forgot those customers in Adelaide and Perth who they don't seem to want either shutting down International and repositioning Adelaide to make it part of the East Coast

 

[mannej]

Don't hold your breath awaiting a response as you like me are probably one of those customer types that don't value, need or want.....

The feedback from the lunch as disclosed previously suggests that QF have had a lot of feedback regarding ADL, and that there is the possibility of change regarding their earn rate due to this.

 

[JohnK]

You may as well add me to that list... in my case shortcut Yes... but not really that cheap in my opinion...

Here we go again.

Did I just read in the other thread that a one-way SC earning and QFF point earning Any Seat award SYD-MEL-LHR in business costs 112,000 points + ~$700 (~$1,500 income for Qantas) and in First costs 198,000 points +~$900 (~$2,300 income for Qantas)?

And as a Platinum how many points and SCs towards loyalty do you earn to offset the income for Qantas?

You guys are taking the piss. That is an awfully cheap way to travel in premium cabins? I can see why Qantas has the loads but no income.

Glad they have been removed.

 

[medhead]

Here we go again.

Did I just read in the other thread that a one-way SC earning and QFF point earning Any Seat award SYD-MEL-LHR in business costs 112,000 points + ~$700 (~$1,500 income for Qantas) and in First costs 198,000 points +~$900 (~$2,300 income for Qantas)?

And as a Platinum how many points and SCs towards loyalty do you earn to offset the income for Qantas?

You guys are taking the piss. That is an awfully cheap way to travel in premium cabins? I can see why Qantas has the loads but no income.

Glad they have been removed.

Yes, here we go again. Your values are questionably low for a start. But you're completely ignoring classic awards that cost the same or less. Clearly qantas are happy with the return achieve against the cost of a seat in a premium cabin. Classic awards kill the statement that it is a cheap way to travel in premium cabins and the conclusion that qantas aren't making money from such awards. Then there is also the point that status is meaningless if travelling in premium cabins anyway. If the points you've raised here were valid* then qantas would be killing classic awards as well.



* I do believe there may be other valid reasons not raised in your post.

 

[Isochronous]

Here we go again.

Did I just read in the other thread that a one-way SC earning and QFF point earning Any Seat award SYD-MEL-LHR in business costs 112,000 points + ~$700 (~$1,500 income for Qantas) and in First costs 198,000 points +~$900 (~$2,300 income for Qantas)?

And as a Platinum how many points and SCs towards loyalty do you earn to offset the income for Qantas?

You guys are taking the piss. That is an awfully cheap way to travel in premium cabins? I can see why Qantas has the loads but no income.

Glad they have been removed.

And if I earn those points by flying MEL-CBR 112 times at $120 per segment, that's $13,440 in revenue I've spent on QF to earn those points.

 

[amaroo]

Here we go again.

Did I just read in the other thread that a one-way SC earning and QFF point earning Any Seat award SYD-MEL-LHR in business costs 112,000 points + ~$700 (~$1,500 income for Qantas) and in First costs 198,000 points +~$900 (~$2,300 income for Qantas)?

And as a Platinum how many points and SCs towards loyalty do you earn to offset the income for Qantas?

You guys are taking the piss. That is an awfully cheap way to travel in premium cabins? I can see why Qantas has the loads but no income.

Glad they have been removed.

I'm assuming you don't have an issue with this being a classic redemption? Which would be even less revenue for QF.

 

[JohnK]

Yes, here we go again. Your values are questionably low for a start.

You can't possibly value QFF points at more than ~0.7cents/point. Can you?

But you're completely ignoring classic awards that cost the same or less. Clearly qantas are happy with the return achieve against the cost of a seat in a premium cabin. Classic awards kill the statement that it is a cheap way to travel in premium cabins and the conclusion that qantas aren't making money from such awards. Then there is also the point that status is meaningless if travelling in premium cabins anyway. If the points you've raised here were valid* then qantas would be killing classic awards as well.

I thought a one-way classic award was 128,000 + surcharges and you cannot earn status nor do you earn QFF points.

* I do believe there may be other valid reasons not raised in your post.

Of course there are and these were discussed the other day.

Am I missing something here? The main reason AFF is unhappy is they cannot earn their cheap status now on Any Seat awards. That is the main motivation. Look at all the threads. If as you say Classic awards are generally cheaper then you can still travel in premium cabins awfully cheaply? What have I missed?

 

[serfty]

You can't possibly value QFF points at more than ~0.7cents/point. Can you?...

Dunno- I valued QFF points at between 2.5 and 3 cents until mASA's became eligible for earn.

Then their value to me increased to maybe 4 cents.

With the upcoming demise of mASA their value has likely reverted.

Of course, if you don't redeem then, they are worth nothing.

 

[JohnK]

Dunno- I valued QFF points at between 2 and 3 cents until mASA's became eligible for earn

Totally understand. So what is their value now? And is it fair for Qantas to value them the same?

 

[serfty]

Totally understand. So what is their value now? And is it fair for Qantas to value them the same?

Where does "fairness" come into it?

It has always been a business proposition.

QFF offer and I decide whether to accept our not. This is based on other opportunities that may exist and possible be applicable to one's individual circumstance.

Now there's less fat than there was last century it is a leaner proposition.