Narrowing of benefits between WP and 'lesser' elite levels

[dfcatch]

I actually think that the gap between SG & WP is less on DJ than QF. QF has the J & F Lounges. DJ has 4 complementary upgrades. At the moment, that's the only differential for me.

This is a fair point.

The difference is that QF's gap is narrowing in part due to the reduction in WP benefits.

DJ's gap is due to the new level just being introduced. Of course, in time, DJ will have to ensure a decent gap between levels to entice Golds to work for Platinum.

 

[Timba-Jet]

To some extent I can appreciate the disappointment some WP's feel in not being given additional perks unlike SGs. If I just focus on me, there been no change to my WP benefits status quo remains no reason to be happy or sad.

From a purely business sense, WPs are most likely the most loyal customers or 'sticky' so less effort needed by the business to retain. After the number crunching if QF see that can get better value by enticing mid tier silver golds to keep flying with the Roo, then that's business.

Us as WPs customers may take offence to this, so if enough WPs change their loyalty to start impacting QF's bottom line, then QF may see the need to respond.

As mentioned, making the move to switch is not as easy as choosing pepsi over coke, but ultimately we all have a choice (sometimes limited).

 

[anchew]

I've been reflecting on my post and was thinking whether the domestic J lounge is actually a differentiating benefit of WP. I invited a couple of my colleagues into the J lounge earlier this year and I recalled that their impression was that it's not that much of a difference compared to the QP. That recollection got me thinking...

Is the QF J lounge really that much different than the QP?
How does the new DJ lounges compare with the QF J lounge and the QP?

Unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to try out the DJ lounge yet (had all my flights til the end of the year booked before the status match came out) so don't have an opinion at the moment, but am interested in what the impression of AFF members who have.

 

[Pushka]

I've been reflecting on my post and was thinking whether the domestic J lounge is actually a differentiating benefit of WP. I invited a couple of my colleagues into the J lounge earlier this year and I recalled that their impression was that it's not that much of a difference compared to the QP. That recollection got me thinking...

Is the QF J lounge really that much different than the QP?
How does the new DJ lounges compare with the QF J lounge and the QP?

Unfortunately, I still haven't had the chance to try out the DJ lounge yet (had all my flights til the end of the year booked before the status match came out) so don't have an opinion at the moment, but am interested in what the impression of AFF members who have.

I have only been into the J lounge a couple of times, and remember thinking I wasnt all that blown away. This was domestic. In fact, there was a woman from the USA who was talking on her phone so loudly that everyone was looking rather disturbed, and the lounge isnt all that large to escape. Funny thing, the men were too polite to say anything, and me, as a guest, didnt think I had the right to.

And of course, we dont have a J lounge in Adelaide.

Have been into the Virgin lounges a couple of times; once in Adelaide and once in Perth. They were both deserted, and very nice! We will be looking at Virgin now with all the mess that Qantas is currently in and not willing to sort out.

The first class international lounge in Sydney is fantastic, or so Hubby keeps telling me, but our flights never seem to connect there from Adelaide.

The first class lounge in Singapore is rather nice!

 

[dfcatch]

To some extent I can appreciate the disappointment some WP's feel in not being given additional perks unlike SGs. If I just focus on me, there been no change to my WP benefits status quo remains no reason to be happy or sad.

From a purely business sense, WPs are most likely the most loyal customers or 'sticky' so less effort needed by the business to retain. After the number crunching if QF see that can get better value by enticing mid tier silver golds to keep flying with the Roo, then that's business.

Us as WPs customers may take offence to this, so if enough WPs change their loyalty to start impacting QF's bottom line, then QF may see the need to respond.

As mentioned, making the move to switch is not as easy as choosing pepsi over coke, but ultimately we all have a choice (sometimes limited).

This is very fair and true.

But not only were "additional benefits" bestowed on non-WPs. But in previous rounds, benefits were actually removed from WPs.

Add to this the suspicion that some previous WP benefits will now be bestowed on WP1's.... Then it's understandable why vanilla (1200 odd SC) WPs feel that it's a worthwhile question to ask whether standard WP is worth it (given it's double the SC's required for SG).

 

[JohnK]

Is the QF J lounge really that much different than the QP?

Not really. Earlier opening time of the bar, better hot food in the evenings but the rest of it is the same as the Qantas Lounge. I have been known on more than occasion to move from business lounge to Qantas Lounge in SYD and BNE. But that is me.

How does the new DJ lounges compare with the QF J lounge and the QP?

Different designs. The Virgin lounge does take a little getting used to.

 

[Grooba]

Not really. Earlier opening time of the bar, better hot food in the evenings but the rest of it is the same as the Qantas Lounge. I have been known on more than occasion to move from business lounge to Qantas Lounge in SYD and BNE. But that is me.

I've done that on multiple occasions also, only @ the BNE J lounge though. Waaaaaay to packed with DYKWIA types, not a spare seat in sight. At the same time the QP had stacks of seats and still the same beer I was after, sweet.

I've also given up eating the cough pizza they have on offer, bring back the party pies!!!!!

 

[Simo]

As a WP i feel that the biggest thing we missed out on was when the new bonus where they did the bonus points for your level of status. Gold QFF went to 75% bonus points. Plat should have gone to 125% or even higher.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

A mate of mine was just in the Darwin QC.

What a joke....

The difference is minimal when you see this in a QC (where there is no J Lounge)...

View attachment 3880

 

[Danger]

I've been reflecting on my post and was thinking whether the domestic J lounge is actually a differentiating benefit of WP. I invited a couple of my colleagues into the J lounge earlier this year and I recalled that their impression was that it's not that much of a difference compared to the QP. That recollection got me thinking...

Is the QF J lounge really that much different than the QP?
How does the new DJ lounges compare with the QF J lounge and the QP?

I flew PER-MEL on the 6pm flight last Monday and was very surprised (no, not at all, actually) to see the very same hot dishes on offer as are in the MEL and SYD J lounges. In fact, that night, PER went one better. It was the first time I'd seen a maccaroni and cheese dish served in a large casserole dish.

I don't perceive any substantial difference between the two lounges and certainly nothing that would allow QF to argue that the implementation of the J lounges are a tangible increase in benefits to WP.

 

[juddles]

Maybe I am missing the point, but my main question is this:

If you travel in J anyway, what is the real benefit of being WP? A few scattered Flounges, a bonus in points. What else? Remind me as I cannot remember.

 

[whughes3]

Maybe I am missing the point, but my main question is this:

If you travel in J anyway, what is the real benefit of being WP? A few scattered Flounges, a bonus in points. What else? Remind me as I cannot remember.

There is F checkin and a better choice of seats for pre-allocation.

 

[markis10]

Maybe I am missing the point, but my main question is this:

If you travel in J anyway, what is the real benefit of being WP? A few scattered Flounges, a bonus in points. What else? Remind me as I cannot remember.

Extra baggage allowance for when SWMBO may choose to pack the kitchen sink, or you want more than 1 suitcase checked in.

 

[simongr]

Maybe I am missing the point, but my main question is this:

If you travel in J anyway, what is the real benefit of being WP? A few scattered Flounges, a bonus in points. What else? Remind me as I cannot remember.

I actually think the real benefit is domestically with better seat selection in whY - I have been the front row of whY for most flights recently which gives me extra leg room. I also don't think that "a few scattered F lounges" is fair - every major port I have travelled through has had a decent F lounge - SYD, MEL, SIN, HKG, NRT, LHR - and other ports have some decentish lounges.

For me it still comes back to the question of what is the reason to keep flying QF once I have retained WP? They have incentivised SG and PS but not WP.

 

[Timba-Jet]

I don't perceive any substantial difference between the two lounges and certainly nothing that would allow QF to argue that the implementation of the J lounges are a tangible increase in benefits to WP.

I fly SYD-MEL for work and very much appreciate the better quality of food in the J lounges. Hot breakfast in the mornings plus those muesli, yoghurt and rice porridge cups. Hot meals at night plus dining island.

Also when I had limited tim in Mel, I can duck into the SYD J lounge on arrivals for a quick dinner before heading home and bed.

I've always had either row 4 or exit row seats, plus good service whenever I call QF.

Favorite is F lounging for international or JQ35

So overall I'm satisfied with my WP experienced with QF. Though I did skip from PS to WP quickly so yet to have much SG time to compare to.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I actually think the real benefit is domestically with better seat selection in whY - I have been the front row of whY for most flights recently which gives me extra leg room. I also don't think that "a few scattered F lounges" is fair - every major port I have travelled through has had a decent F lounge - SYD, MEL, SIN, HKG, NRT, LHR - and other ports have some decentish lounges.

I find the SIN F Lounge very, very average. SIN J is more than ampel and had hot food when l last visited, whereas the SIN F didn't

 

[medhead]

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I actually think that the gap between SG & WP is less on DJ than QF. QF has the J & F Lounges. DJ has 4 complementary upgrades. At the moment, that's the only differential for me.

I think the difference is that DJ offer other unwritten thinks on board. At least this has been my observation over the last few weeks. Problem is that situation then relies on provision of the extras by staff. So as a "gold" I've seen plats getting "stuff". Then this week as a plat, nothing (note I don't care about the nothing just making an observation)

I've been reflecting on my post and was thinking whether the domestic J lounge is actually a differentiating benefit of WP. I invited a couple of my colleagues into the J lounge earlier this year and I recalled that their impression was that it's not that much of a difference compared to the QP. That recollection got me thinking...

Is the QF J lounge really that much different than the QP?
How does the new DJ lounges compare with the QF J lounge and the QP?

I made the mistake of going back to the SYD QP when my flight was delayed recently. I was shocked, the atmosphere was rubbish. No mineral water, only soda water, had to ask for a lemon wedge.... I think the difference is there but nothing really tangible. I can put up with the atmosphere in the QP but the J lounge is better.

 

[JohnK]

I find the SIN F Lounge very, very average. SIN J is more than ampel and had hot food when l last visited, whereas the SIN F didn't

Same can be said for BKK F Lounge. The Business Lounge is just as good.

 

[amaroo]

Same can be said for BKK F Lounge. The Business Lounge is just as good.

Might have something to do with the people patronising the lounges....unfortunately, I've noticed that some people think more of themselves as they rise through the ranks - so to speak.

 

[ozmille]

Same can be said for BKK F Lounge. The Business Lounge is just as good.

Last time I was in BKK the F lounge was pretty quiet, think there was about 11 people there max, revious visits to the J lounge it was often very hard to get a decent seat. And also the money bags were very nice. Don't remember getting those in the J lounge.