Lunch with Lesley

[vitagen]

Haha let's see if I win something for once!

 

[mannej]

PM sent - wish me luck!

 

[codash1099]

I'll be in Paris (or Zurich or Vienna or somewhere) so can't attend.

I have just a question and a statement.

Q. Why would you potentially downgrade the one area of your business that makes money? P*ssing off your loyal customers to the extent that they no longer chase points means less shopping at WW and the like, and sooner or later they and the banks will wake up and stop buying the points.

Statement: simply repeating "we are losing money and this helps the situation" should not be accepted as satisfactory answers.

 

[JohnK]

I would really love to enter, but I fear I would be starstruck to a debilitating level...

With who? I have more to fear than you.

 

[Ben_F]

As a lurker who finds the experience in here valuable beyond belief, I've put in my 3 questions (via NM)... Lets see what happens

 

[RooFlyer]

I believe Red Roo is a Dame rather than a Sir.

<snip>

Yair, some times. It was more using an appropriate sporting expression, rather than getting tangled up with gender.

 

[Lowjhg]

As much as i would love to send in my application for a shot at attending, i will be in Lake Taupo that day.

 

[Troppo]

What an amusing thread!

So, let me get this straight.

You are all wetting yourselves with anticipation that you would "win" an audience with the CEO of "QANTAS loyalty" (an oxymoron if ever there was one...), to listen to spin and BS while they try to defend the indefensible.

QANTAS marketing must be rolling on the floor with laughter.

Carry on.

 

[Princess Fiona]

What an amusing thread!

So, let me get this straight.

You are all wetting yourselves with anticipation that you would "win" an audience with the CEO of "QANTAS loyalty" (an oxymoron if ever there was one...), to listen to spin and BS while they try to defend the indefensible.

QANTAS marketing must be rolling on the floor with laughter.

Carry on.

Who's wetting themselves?
I doubt anyone in Qantas marketing knows anything about the lunch, never mind rolling on the floor laughing about it.

Over the years QF have hosted a few Q&A lunches where AFF members have attended. QF select a group from those who have indicated an interest by submitting questions.
The events are well run, and enjoyed by both the attendees and QF reps.

My mother always told me if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

 

[Troppo]

Ha ha ha!

The truth will set you free....

 

[drewbles]

Who's wetting themselves?
I doubt anyone in Qantas marketing knows anything about the lunch, never mind rolling on the floor laughing about it.

Over the years QF have hosted a few Q&A lunches where AFF members have attended. QF select a group from those who have indicated an interest by submitting questions.
The events are well run, and enjoyed by both the attendees and QF reps.

My mother always told me if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Entirely agree. The first one, just prior to the launch of P1, was informative for both QF and us. It was an entirely useful day from both sides from what I can gather (and the fact they have run a second, and now a third, prove that it's obviously of benefit to both parties).

Kudos to a company for engaging their most frequent travellers in an interesting way.

 

[Pablo]

It would be a nice birthday present don't you think!! Thinking of questions.

 

[Febs]

Entirely agree. The first one, just prior to the launch of P1, was informative for both QF and us. It was an entirely useful day from both sides from what I can gather (and the fact they have run a second, and now a third, prove that it's obviously of benefit to both parties).

Kudos to a company for engaging their most frequent travellers in an interesting way.

Agreed - having been to these lunches before, I can say they're a fantastic way to engage with a loyal customer base, and are actually very open and honest.

Thanks again for the opportunity RedRoo

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Ansett]

I am sure it will be a very nice lunch with lots of BS given out and promises of how all will be better off with this simpler programme

Do any of really think this lunch is going to make any difference to the changes announced.. If so then may I say GET A LIFE IT AINT HAPPENING..

Qantas are doing this to try and reduce the impact of what is a god awful decision I for one am available however I will NOT be putting in to attend what is purely a waste of time, other than perhaps a nice lunch.....

Also why say MIGHT provide Flights and accommodation either you will or you wont !!!!! Typical of the QF non committal

Voted with my feet and all new bookings are now NOT on QF

 

[Febs]

I am sure it will be a very nice lunch with lots of BS given out and promises of how all will be better off with this simpler programme

Do any of really think this lunch is going to make any difference to the changes announced.. If so then may I say GET A LIFE IT AINT HAPPENING.

Who said it will? The changes that have already been announced, have been announced. This is about an opportunity to discuss them, ask our questions, and discuss the broader Qantas Loyalty program. I don't think anyone expects them to turn around after the lunch and say "Oh, 20-40 QFFers don't like our new SC earn changes, quick let's change them!"

How many of these lunches have you attended? In my experience they've been open, honest, informative and a good way for us to discuss our questions (and concerns) with Qantas Loyalty's most senior levels of management. They're not just forums for us to listen to marketing spin.

Qantas are doing this to try and reduce the impact of what is a god awful decision I for one am available however I will NOT be putting in to attend what is purely a waste of time, other than perhaps a nice lunch.....

Cool, with that attitude I'm sure you won't be missed.

 

[anat0l]

My mother always told me if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Obviously, Troppo thinks your mother is severely misguided.

But more to the point, we've just had a mountain of not nice things said, so frankly trying to advocate any sense of diplomacy is fruitless.

 

[anat0l]

How many of these lunches have you attended? In my experience they've been open, honest, informative and a good way for us to discuss our questions (and concerns) with Qantas Loyalty's most senior levels of management. They're not just forums for us to listen to marketing spin..

Obviously none. And I can vouch that we're not just there to be spoonfed marketing fodder.

Although the predominant mode is diplomatic rather than confrontational, at least from my experience we're not afraid to press the harder questions (it probably works a bit better when we have the face to face interactions rather than the panel sessions).

I'm not expecting that this meeting will change much or anything at all. If it does, well that'll be something for the record! But I'm not holding out for it.

If anyone wanted to throw red paint at the company, quite frankly no one needs an invitation to a luncheon to actually do that.

For those who disagree, obviously you've made your choice, and obviously we won't be seeing you. Don't forget to send a postcard.

 

[Troppo]

I am sure it will be a very nice lunch with lots of BS given out and promises of how all will be better off with this simpler programme

Do any of really think this lunch is going to make any difference to the changes announced.. If so then may I say GET A LIFE IT AINT HAPPENING..

Qantas are doing this to try and reduce the impact of what is a god awful decision I for one am available however I will NOT be putting in to attend what is purely a waste of time, other than perhaps a nice lunch.....

Also why say MIGHT provide Flights and accommodation either you will or you wont !!!!! Typical of the QF non committal

Voted with my feet and all new bookings are now NOT on QF

Tsk tsk tsk, that is just not the right attitude!

 

[boomy]

I will be overseas on that date but I wish everyone who attend to eat well and ask a lot of questions
I hope any useful information will be published here for all of us who unfortunately can't attend.

 

[Brettmcg]

What an amusing thread!

So, let me get this straight.

You are all wetting yourselves with anticipation that you would "win" an audience with the CEO of "QANTAS loyalty" (an oxymoron if ever there was one...), to listen to spin and BS while they try to defend the indefensible.

QANTAS marketing must be rolling on the floor with laughter.

Carry on.

You are a troll, troppo. Nothing more, nothing less.

Having had the luck to attend some of these lunches before I can guarantee you that AFF members are not afraid to ask the tough questions, nor are the QF Loyalty team afraid to tackle them. Furthermore, it's not just a sit down and eat whilst being lectured to kind of setup. QF Loyalty staff are spread across the tables and are more than willing to engage in discussion about various aspects of the program. In my experience they have genuinely been interested in some of the insights we bring to the table (pardon the pun) and I haven't had the feeling that they are simply paying lip service by holding these events. The sheer fact that this will now be the fourth or fifth such event, exclusive to this forum I might add, suggests that they stand to gain considerable benefit from engaging some of their most insightful FF members.

If you consider it to be spin and bs then don't enter. It's your prerogative. Furthermore, if you are so angered by these changes then maybe it is time you move on rather than being a keyboard warrior?