New Next Gen Card and Bag Tags have arrived!

[simongr]

Technically the members card isn't supposed to work if doing OLCI. At least it is not stated anywhere that it will work. Also the lounge staff ask me how I checked in and when I say OLCI they print the BP for me. Undocumented feature that it works. That indicates that a printed BP is required and this is the basis of many of the following reasons.

I am sure QFCSA actually posted that this was a feature rather than an unexpected bonus. I do this all the time - OLCI and then use the Q card at the gate. This gives me the best of both worlds - confidence that I am actually checked in (I have a mild case of OCD so I like being checked in well ahead of the minimum requirement) but I dont have to find a printer or waste a sheet of A4.

Any printers here able to advise how total paper usage compares between an 80g/sq m A4 sheet and a card boarding pass...

 

[medhead]

I am sure QFCSA actually posted that this was a feature rather than an unexpected bonus. I do this all the time - OLCI and then use the Q card at the gate. This gives me the best of both worlds - confidence that I am actually checked in (I have a mild case of OCD so I like being checked in well ahead of the minimum requirement) but I dont have to find a printer or waste a sheet of A4.

Any printers here able to advise how total paper usage compares between an 80g/sq m A4 sheet and a card boarding pass...

Maybe so but I have yet to have official dealings with QFCSA as a representative of QF. As I mentioned the official representatives of QF that I have dealt with have printed a card BP after confirming that I used OLCI and not NGCI. If it was a published feature then they would have directed me to use the card and refused to print the BP as they did for the guy before me who used NGCI.

In terms of paper usage: at a guesstimate the card BP is 1/4 to 1/3 the size of an A4 sheet so it is going to be equal upto 320 to 240 gsm in theory. I'd also guess the card BP is no more then 200gsm.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I am sure QFCSA actually posted that this was a feature rather than an unexpected bonus. I do this all the time - OLCI and then use the Q card at the gate. This gives me the best of both worlds - confidence that I am actually checked in (I have a mild case of OCD so I like being checked in well ahead of the minimum requirement) but I dont have to find a printer or waste a sheet of A4.

Any printers here able to advise how total paper usage compares between an 80g/sq m A4 sheet and a card boarding pass...

+1

This is what I did. Sorry if my previous post wasn't clear. Do OLCI for seat selection and then Next Gen at the airport. Since doing this recently, l find it's the best of both worlds too.

 

[Flashback]

Oops, despite what I wrote, I didn't mean "premium" as a privilege. Qantas bill themselves as a premium airline and charge accordingly to cover their costs. Part of those costs is printing a BP and hence I'm paying a premium that covers that cost.

If using in that way, NGCI is a premium service, I'm sure it's costing more (initially) to implement something like that... it's not something you see every airline offering therefore premium.

 

[Ewing]

Technically the members card isn't supposed to work if doing OLCI. At least it is not stated anywhere that it will work.

It is actually, from Next Generation Check-in frequently asked questions

Can I use mobile or online to check in, then use my card as the boarding pass at the gate?
Yes. You can choose to check-in by any of the check-in methods available to you and then use your Qantas card to board the aircraft. This includes ports not equipped with Next Generation Check-in technology.

And the second statement is true. I've used the card to board in CBR (I had a paper BP just in case), and from memory samh004 has used it to board in Brisbane.

It's a two step process.

#1 - Tapping on the 'Q Card Reader' checks you in.
#2 - Your card is used to board at the gate.

Either one does not require the use of the other. If you've already used OLCI you bypass the Q Card Reader and head straight to the lounge

 

[medhead]

It is actually, from Next Generation Check-in frequently asked questions

Well there you go that'll teach me to ignore FAQs

Ohh reading the FAQ now I see they say that the premium security line is only open 8 hours per day 4 in the morning and night. I recall some comments about variable experiences of premium security happening.

If using in that way, NGCI is a premium service, I'm sure it's costing more (initially) to implement something like that... it's not something you see every airline offering therefore premium.

Yeah and I'm paying for the cost of that as well

 

[medhead]

I've been doing more FAQ reading and I think I've found an answer to a question that was discussed earlier about deactivation of the bag tags:
http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/next-generation-checkin-faq/global/en#q-bag-tags

My Q Bag Tag has been lost, how can I deactivate it?
Q Bag Tags are not able to be deactivated. But the Q Bag Tag does not store any personal information.

That seems pretty clear that the tags will not be deactivated if lost (or stolen). I guess also in the case that someone orders more tags via the website.

I'm not picking on anyone with the quotes, just trying to provide a reminder of the original discussion since it was about a month ago (about posts 330 to 340) and these are all my searching found.

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.

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.

 

[N860CR]

Well after only it's second trip, my luggage tag has left me

Upon arrival in SYD today my bag came out minus the new Gold tag. No evidence of the handle being handled badly or suggestion that it was damaged, so I'm leaning towards thinking it's been taken off.

The lady in the Freq Flyer service centre was very appologetic and said it was very poor that such a new system had failed (I'm guessing it's not the first call they've had). Anyway another one is on its way (within three weeks), so we'll give it another go.

 

[nlagalle]

My new ones arrived in the mail last week. The WP ones look so light almost like silver ones.

I've not seen the silver ones. Has anyone posted pics of them? I now have a set of gold and plat ones.

 

[Flashback]

My new ones arrived in the mail last week. The WP ones look so light almost like silver ones.

I've not seen the silver ones. Has anyone posted pics of them? I now have a set of gold and plat ones.

I'm still yet to receive any.. :shock:

 

[Katie]

I've not seen the silver ones. Has anyone posted pics of them? I now have a set of gold and plat ones.

I think there's a silver picture somewhere in thie thread ...
But I haven't received mine yet.

 

[nlagalle]

I think there's a silver picture somewhere in thie thread ...
But I haven't received mine yet.

I did find it several pages back... looks very similar to a WP one except the QF Logo is in red not white..

Pity they are so similar!

 

[samh004]

And the second statement is true. I've used the card to board in CBR (I had a paper BP just in case), and from memory samh004 has used it to board in Brisbane.

Yup, I always use the card now instead of a BP, it’s much easier.

I do wonder though, would the system for gate upgrades be the same with the card as a regular BP? Who will be the first to post in a thread they used their card at the gate and received an upgrade?

I did find it several pages back... looks very similar to a WP one except the QF Logo is in red not white..

Pity they are so similar!

Yes, the Platinum disk is meant to be of a Platinum colour and the Silver of a Silver colour, but they’ve actually turned out to be very similar. I think I went through the differences early on, and there is a PDF excerpt floating around with all the tags photos on, but it goes something like this:

• Q Club - red/purple disc with red QF logo and white text
• Silver - silver disc with red QF logo and white text
• Gold - gold disc with red QF logo and white text
• Platinum - platinum disc with white QF logo and white text
• Chairmans - black disc with white QF logo and white text

So it’s a shame that the Platinum disc wasn’t a bit darker than the Silver one (or conversely the Silver lighter), otherwise the only difference could have been the colour of the disk, with red QF logos all around.

Perhaps the removal of the red QF logos is meant to make the elite levels a bit more stealthy.

 

[medhead]

Yup, I always use the card now instead of a BP, it’s much easier.

I do wonder though, would the system for gate upgrades be the same with the card as a regular BP? Who will be the first to post in a thread they used their card at the gate and received an upgrade?

Your wish is my command:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ional-upgrade-thread-18198-32.html#post389246

The squeaky wheel gets the......op up - Blogs - The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community

And I thinkthere was another place, but I can't find it right now.*

*did I menton my memory is rubbish

 

[samh004]

Your wish is my command:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ional-upgrade-thread-18198-32.html#post389246

The squeaky wheel gets the......op up - Blogs - The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community

And I thinkthere was another place, but I can't find it right now.*

*did I menton my memory is rubbish

Oh very nice, so it’s a silent upgrade, interesting!

 

[simongr]

The squeaky wheel gets the......op up - Blogs - The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community

I shall have to pay more attention to my paper slip in future then!

 

[Mal]

A while ago (perhaps in this thread) someone commented that you could order additional/replacement Tags via the Profile section of your FF account, and it was visible to my account.

This seems to have gone missing. Any ideas if it's been moved, or is it back to "call QF and request"?

 

[Sprucegoose]

In our house we have all levels of FF....the silver tags were compared closely with my plats, how eerily similar.......common even

 

[Fantic125]

Got home yesterday and there was an envelope with my new bag tag in it to replace the one damaged last year.

It's only taken 2 months from when I gave the damaged one back.....:shock:

 

[Jasecoop]

Got home yesterday and there was an envelope with my new bag tag in it to replace the one damaged last year.

It's only taken 2 months from when I gave the damaged one back.....:shock:

Same thing although i hadnt damaged or lost one - now have 3