"More choice" for customers

[samuson]

In addition to the in-flight internet announcement, did anyone pick this up in the news.com.au article?
It'll be interesting to see if anything eventuates...

• Paying more to earn more points - not sure how it'd work since domestic points earn is already linked to fare paid. maybe a bit like jetstar bundles?
• Providing lounge access for Friday afternoon travellers - not sure I like this one given how busy the lounges already are. again probably some kind of bundle?

Among the initiatives to be considered, included charging customers a bit extra to earn more points on a flight, and providing lounge access for Friday afternoon travellers. “If you can buy some additional points which all of a sudden takes you from not being able to redeem to being able to redeem those points, then suddenly they go from almost worthless to very valuable,” Mr Thomas said.

 

[Happy Dude]

In addition to the in-flight internet announcement, did anyone pick this up in the news.com.au article?
It'll be interesting to see if anything eventuates...

• Paying more to earn more points - not sure how it'd work since domestic points earn is already linked to fare paid. maybe a bit like jetstar bundles?
• Providing lounge access for Friday afternoon travellers - not sure I like this one given how busy the lounges already are. again probably some kind of bundle?

Among the initiatives to be considered, included charging customers a bit extra to earn more points on a flight, and providing lounge access for Friday afternoon travellers. “If you can buy some additional points which all of a sudden takes you from not being able to redeem to being able to redeem those points, then suddenly they go from almost worthless to very valuable,” Mr Thomas said.

Good way to attract the weekend reveler crowd I suppose. Wouldn't it be great to share the lounge/plane with, say, a well lubricated bunch on a hens/bucks weekend?

 

[Milefest]

Fridays afternoons have got to be one of the worst time slots to provide lounge access to those that are not normally eligible.

 

[JohnK]

At a guess they will offer points boosters similar to what Virgin Atlantic offers. In my experience the points are not worth what they are charging for points boosters but everyone values points differently.

 

[williamsf1]

Sounds like BIG changes in VA Virgin Australia hires aviation consultant to run domestic and international operations | Australian Aviation However I understand that the 3 people he had reporting to him in this article have all resigned.

He appears to be a American based consultant, The Australian market is VERY different to the American market. The 2 ideas mentioned by the OP seem a little strange considering how VA points are earned today and how busy lounges are on a Friday anyway.

Time will tell

 

[pauly7]

Sounds like BIG changes in VA Virgin Australia hires aviation consultant to run domestic and international operations | Australian Aviation However I understand that the 3 people he had reporting to him in this article have all resigned.

He appears to be a American based consultant, The Australian market is VERY different to the American market. The 2 ideas mentioned by the OP seem a little strange considering how VA points are earned today and how busy lounges are on a Friday anyway.

Time will tell

VA has been booting senior and GM level people out for about 4 months, has been widely discussed in other threads. Their Sydney office in particular has been gutted. They are in crisis mode and severe cost cutting and restructuring is their only focus at the moment, except trying to find other revenue sources... Clearly!

Friday lounge idea is awful, it's already jammed fuller than the MCG for grand final, hordes of people trying to scramble for the crumbs of Doritos slapped down by surly lounge attendants.... Bad idea.

Point earn sounds interesting need more details

 

[Pleb Status]

Fridays afternoons have got to be one of the worst time slots to provide lounge access to those that are not normally eligible.

At a guess they will offer points boosters similar to what Virgin Atlantic offers. In my experience the points are not worth what they are charging for points boosters but everyone values points differently.

+1 on these comments.

 

[serfty]

...
Point earn sounds interesting need more details

Suspect it's like DL's "Mileage Booster".

Mileage Boosterâ„¢ : Delta Air Lines

Mileage Booster FAQs : Delta Air Lines

 

[Nexus9]

Friday lounge idea is awful, it's already jammed fuller than the MCG for grand final, hordes of people trying to scramble for the crumbs of Doritos slapped down by surly lounge attendants.... Bad idea.

haha so true, find it hard to believe that anybody who has accessed a Friday afternoon lounge would suggest that having more people eligible for entry would be a great idea

 

[DJSYD81]

Do they ever open the upstairs section of the SYD lounge anymore?

It seems each time I fly out it is closed and downstairs is jam packed!

 

[Milefest]

Do they ever open the upstairs section of the SYD lounge anymore?

It seems each time I fly out it is closed and downstairs is jam packed!

They do, recently used it at 4pm on a Friday. I like it up there, limited food selection though.

 

[DJSYD81]

They do, recently used it at 4pm on a Friday. I like it up there, limited food selection though.

I remember when the lounge was first remodelled and it was open most of the time. I also enjoy it up there as it provides a better view, you're right on the limited food options. I guess I am flying through at the wrong times or have been unlucky as it has been a long time since it has been open when I travel.

 

[Milefest]

haha so true, find it hard to believe that anybody who has accessed a Friday afternoon lounge would suggest that having more people eligible for entry would be a great idea

The execs that make these decisions likely use the private club lounges. If they actually experienced trying to sit down, eat a meal or even get a drink in the lounge on a Friday afternoon, they'd understand why this is a bad idea.

 

[grubbidok]

Suspect it's like DL's "Mileage Booster"

I hope whoever is rejigging the VA program is staying well away from being inspired by DL's program

 

[dajop]

He appears to be a American based consultant, The Australian market is VERY different to the American market. T

If you look at the mainstream US carriers, they have evolved to the Virgin Blue/V Australia model immediately prior to rebranding (direct revenue linked mileage programs, paid checked luggage & no free food in economy domestically, but better offerings internationally, etc.). Of course hub/spoke is different, and not needed here with only five major metropolitan areas (> 1m). Another difference is that VA and QF are influenced by different stakeholders, whereas if you believe the conspiracy theorists, in the US it's a handful of Wall St analysts that have a huge influence over the direction US based carriers take (hence the convergence of the big 3 - most recently AA being pressured to adopt the DL/UA loyalty program model).