New Next Gen Card and Bag Tags have arrived!

[samh004]

Depending on your perspective, either respect may be more important (free replacements of lost tags), but setting up a system which removes the incentive for them to be stolen would be a good thing - it just needs to be publicised so that most people know they are of no use or value once reported lost.

All that would serve to do is catch out unknowing buyers. I’m sure if a market sprung up someone would still make money selling the tags on, regardless of if they worked or not. There’d always be someone who saw $25/$50 and didn’t know the tag would be deactivated. It wouldn’t stop the theft.

Likewise I also don’t think place an RFID tag reader at the employee exit door would work, bearing in mind the union would probably see that as a 'presumed guilty' sort of thing and kick up a fuss.

 

[medhead]

I tend to disagree. In order for the system to work, the unique code needs to be linked within the system to the booking. When the tag is lost or stolen, and the owner wants a replacement (for no charge), they contact Qantas - who naturally asks which one has been lost (or both / all). When issuing a replacement, they deactivate the old tag so it cannot be used as the system will no longer acknowledge the number.


This would work well in two respects:

1. It enables free replacements by preventing abuse such as requesting a replacement and selling it on.
2. As soon as it is known (publicised) that lost/stolen tags will be deactivated, the motivation to steal them is removed, since they won't work after the owner requests a repalcement.

Depending on your perspective, either respect may be more important (free replacements of lost tags), but setting up a system which removes the incentive for them to be stolen would be a good thing - it just needs to be publicised so that most people know they are of no use or value once reported lost.

Not that I disagree with your general point, but I think that you are making a big presumption that there will be free replacement of lost tags. When I see the response from QF to the question put to them by djsflynn and I read the words retail strategy, I'm not confident they will be free.

I'm also not confident that they will be able to deactivate a tag given to a member. I might ring up to test that my assumption on that one.

If they aren't giving the tags out when a platinum re-qualifies, I don't see them handing them out willy nilly.

Righto - a few days ago I mentioned I'd put a few questions to Qantas about the bag tags during this morning's launch of the whole 'new domestic blah blah blah'. So here's what I asked and here's what they said.


DF (that's me): Platinum, Gold and Silver members each get two bag tags. But how much will they pat to buy an extra tag, or for anyone of lower Frequent Flyer status to buy a tag? (It’s been rumoured they will sell for $50)
QF: We’re not in a position to reveal the price and retail strategy for the bags tags yet but it will be soon, it’s not too far away.

 

[Febs]

They're not going to be free.

Obviously - Qantas have already said so. I think it's fair to say though that if the tag is damaged during transit (particularly if on a OW airline), QF would most likely send a free replacement.

Edit: ..and I'd imagine the same would apply to tags that've been ripped off by baggage handling systems too.

 

[samh004]

Edit: ..and I'd imagine the same would apply to tags that've been ripped off by baggage handlers too.

There. Fixed that for you.

 

[Flashback]

Yeah, my clarification about 'not free' was related to the posts immediately prior.



Yep, they confirmed that to me at yesterday's launch (http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-we-will-replace-damaged-q-bag-tags-free-of-charge) - "If a tag is severely damaged in the airport environment we will replace it free of charge"

"airport environment" - so does that apply if you're flying non-OW? Sounds like it should. After all it is free advertising for QF by you using it.

 

[equus]

you are making a big presumption that there will be free replacement of lost tags

I agree - I am not so much making a presumption as (hoping Red Roo and other lurkers are around), suggesting that they should be free as long as the ones being replaced are deactivated.

If free replacements are to be granted willy nilly for "lost" or "damaged" tags, without cancelling those being replaced, it doesn't take a genius to realise that there will plenty of people requesting replacement of their "lost" tags, then flogging them off on eBay.

If free replacements require cancellation of a previous tag, then the number (which QF haven't charged for) in circulation doesn't increase, protecting the ability of QF to sell tags directly.

I suspect that QF may have to replace them anyway (especially those they sell), given the purpose for which they are supposed to be used. As goods sold, Trade Practices legislation provides statuatory warranties as to fitness for purpose for a reasonably expected life. I am sure this is what is driving "lost in the airport enviroment" comments, as QF surely would be expected to design for something not to be lost in such an environment (as they are the experts), and so such a loss (failure of elastic cord, death by baggage handling equipment, failure to create a system which leads to an incentive for baggage handlers to onsell "lost" tags) would likely constitute "faulty" with respect to the purpose known to the vendor at the time of sale, activating statuatory warranty rights.

 

[djfuzz]

Has anyone actually gotten word on the 'deactivation process' (and indeed, the activation process) for the bag tags - or even if there actually is a de-activation process?

FWIW, at yesterday's launch Qantas PR handed out bag tags to the media (red ones) (red tags, not red media!) - I was actually wondering last night what process one would go through to pair these with one's FF account, didn't occur to me to ask them!

Good question!

Any chance we can see photos of said tags on ABT djsflynn?

 

[serfty]

There's no need to link a tag with your FF account for operation.

The tags unique RFID is directly linked with your booking when the bag is checked.

 

[markis10]

Well, if it's not actually been answered, let me take that back to QF PR and we can suss out more.

There's no need to link for operation.

The tags unique RFID is linked with your booking when the bag is checked.

I would suggest it was answered in Serftys post, and in the FAQs

Next Generation Check-in frequently asked questions

How do Q Bag Tags work?

The sensors in the Bag Drop detect your Q Bag Tag. The Bag Drop then encodes your flight details onto the Q chip embedded in the Q Bag Tag, allowing it to be delivered to the correct destination.

 

[Warks]

So I'm going to have four tags very quickly. I received all my stuff for re-qualifying for PS just days before I made SG. Still three weeks later I haven't received my SG pack. I didn't see the big deal with the tags as I usually travel hand luggage only but I can see for international travel and the few times I check in bags domestically it will be handy.

As for the new cards I don't see myself using them - if I check in online at home and print out my BP then what do I need it for?

On another topic that was discussed elsewhere I note that in BNE yesterday they said to have your BP and mobiles handy for scanning - first time I've heard that. Some old dear with her BP in hand was then digging through her bag to find her mobile! Understandable.

 

[moa999]

Can confirm the new cards work at BNE.

Checked in using MOCI this morning, and had the phone ready to go as a backup but the card worked perfectly (albeit taking about 5secs to scan). The new SYD machines are much quicker.

 

[samh004]

As for the new cards I don't see myself using them - if I check in online at home and print out my BP then what do I need it for?

The idea is you can save some paper and not print your boarding pass. After all, you’ll carry your card with you for lounge access anyway, so you check-in online at home, walk through the airport and present your card at the QP, they scan it and let you in, you then do the same at the boarding gate and they give you your docket. You’ve had one less thing to worry about.

 

[markis10]

You’ve had one less thing to worry about.

Unless you are bad with remembering seat numbers, came across one such lass out of DRW yesterday, she got my 1E mixed up with 54E

 

[moa999]

Unless you are bad with remembering seat numbers, came across one such lass out of DRW yesterday, she got my 1E mixed up with 54E

You get a docket at the gate (thermal paper print)

Only problem is they don't stick out of a suit jacket - too small
I have solved this by making a small hole in the paper and putting it over a button in the iniside jacket pocket

 

[JohnPhelan]

The "docket" they give you at the gate makes me laugh - so much for saving paper by not needing a hard copy boarding pass!!

(OK, the docket is only about half the size of the old boarding pass, but it still seems ridiculous to just substitute one piece of paper for another).

And as has been noted, the docket is too small for use in your coat pockets for identification by FAs for the coat lockers.

BTW, is there some sort of protocol that governs the order of sending the new cards and bag tags? There's two FFs living at my place - the package for the Silver member has been received, but the one for the Gold is still to arrive! Thought it probably would have happened the other way around .....

 

[serfty]

I did not receive my tags until two weeks into my "new year".

SWMBO still has not received her SG tags.

However, neither of us have a booked QF flight until January.

 

[samh004]

The "docket" they give you at the gate makes me laugh - so much for saving paper by not needing a hard copy boarding pass!!

(OK, the docket is only about half the size of the old boarding pass, but it still seems ridiculous to just substitute one piece of paper for another).

The old boarding passes are made from cardboard too, that’s a lot more material than a slip of paper. And if you compare the docket to say, an A4 sheet of paper printed at home, that’s even more of a saving.

I guess potentially a system could be developed with FA’s on board using handheld scanners to read your card and see where you’re sitting, but I think we’re a few decades away from that

BTW, is there some sort of protocol that governs the order of sending the new cards and bag tags? There's two FFs living at my place - the package for the Silver member has been received, but the one for the Gold is still to arrive! Thought it probably would have happened the other way around .....

It was meant to, but it might depend on when they each hit their respective levels and if the Silver member was flying through key areas more often. The schedule has also picked up with Silver members supposed to be getting their packs next year but a second batch being sent out recently, this year.

 

[JohnK]

Yes QF must be saving heaps by getting rid of cardboard boarding passes.

And what a great idea to substitue cardboard boarding passes with thermal paper where the print is likely to fade quickly. :-|

Edit: ..and I'd imagine the same would apply to tags that've been ripped off by baggage handling systems too.

How do you prove that your tag has been ripped off baggage handlers and you did not lose it?

 

[samh004]

Yes QF must be saving heaps by getting rid of cardboard boarding passes.

And what a great idea to substitue cardboard boarding passes with thermal paper where the print is likely to fade quickly. :-|

I didn’t say they were, though it stands to reason they would, as it’s not just the cardboard size, there’s also the ink to add the Qantas logo, red border and 1W logo.

As for the print fading quickly, I’m not sure how quick it does fade but if you haven’t caught your flight or requested missing milage credit for the flight by the time it has, you’ve probably taken much too long anyway

I do appreciate some, like yourself, like to keep a record of all flights taken, but it’s not exactly a consideration of theirs when trying to save money. Luckily you can still get a cardboard boarding pass in the lounge though.

How do you prove that your tag has been ripped off baggage handlers and you did not lose it?

Because you’ve also lost your bag, and when/if they find it, there’s no tag on it

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Yes QF must be saving heaps by getting rid of cardboard boarding passes.

And what a great idea to substitue cardboard boarding passes with thermal paper where the print is likely to fade quickly. :-|

Actually they probably are saving quite a lot. And you only need the piece of paper for the flight you are on.

But it doesn't matter what anyone says because right now you are bitter and twisted over the whole thing and I don't think anyone here will change it.