No more Platinum shadow?

[tuapekastar]

Hancock, you are incorrigible!

 

[bsb]

Pfffffffft well that is just brilliant. One of the few benefits I seemed to receive over and above WP's was the P1 dedicated seatmate finding team. Now WP's are going to get that service too. Every last DYKWIA benefit is being slowly enhanced.

Oh so wicked

 

[Quickstatus]

I dont think WP shadow was ever a published/unpublished benefit.

I believe it originated because some WP noticed an empty seat next to them on an otherwise full flight. And like Chinese Whispers others had a similar experience and QF will obviously never confirm or deny. So the rumours persist and lo and behold its a WP benefit.

Sometimes the W in the WP should be W

There are several possibilities why some WP have noticed a shadow. One possibility is that their head is so big it casts a big shadow and the owner does not realise it and continues to chase it. Harsh I know. Im WP. Hopefully my W is rather smaller font w. In the end operational requirements will trump any shadow "entitlement".

 

[RichardMEL]

I checked today and it's definitely true: not one P1 cast a shadow anywhere inside the terminal (or inside the perpetually full SYD MEL).

Our reflections may not be seen in mirrors either.....

 

[RichardMEL]

An empty seat next to me is great and makes things much more comfy. Do I feel entitled to it (even at P1 level)? no. Do I ask for it? no. Would I like one on every flight? Yes, that would be lovely.

Sometimes it happens - even in J - but I think it's more random than anything else. Certainly no deliberate blockings (ie: an "X" on EF) ever seen, even in Y. That's fine. I buy my seat and my seat only-that's all I can expect.

Only one time EVER have I been deliberately given a spare seat next to me, and that was thanks to the intervention of a lovely agent at, of all places, ARM on the Dash8 to SYD. I originally had 1D and she checked me in as such, confirmed exit row was OK blah blah. I said fine, thanks etc. At that point there was nobody allocated to 1C on EF. 5 minutes later I was with my mate at the little cafe and the agent approached and said "I've moved you to row 2 so you can have a spare seat next to you. I hope that's OK" and gave me 2C (I sat in 2D). That was fine and considerate of her. Sure, small station and all but it was a really lovely and unexpected gesture. My friend went on and on about platinum W*ker etc but I think was quietly impressed that the agent made that special effort - because at no point had I requested anything-totally proactive.

As to the issue of people asking QF for a "shadow"? well like most things in life - why not? One can only but ask and be told no. Given QF does have the whole "comfort seat" program, I don't know why they don't just add it as a buy up option say a day or two before flight if loads look OK, offer a buy up and the price can be variable and offered say at the kiosk on check-in too. You want it, pay up. The price could then even be variable based on status and/or loading (90% full flight? pay more... 30% full.. pay less) etc. A missed revenue opportunity IMHO, but I digress.

 

[OzEire]

For any business, if you can give away something that costs nothing (the seat was empty anyway) but increases a customer's sense of loyalty or appreciation, why not take advantage.

A real estate agent might leave a bottle of bubbles in the house they just sold for the new owners, nice touch and prob gets them repeat customers, not required but a small cost for a sizeable commission just earned. Or a law /financial services firm taking a big client out to lunch, again, it's just good (smart) business. All are "unpublished" benefits.

Such is the airline loyalty game, just a bit more structured with tiers and credits. The intent remains quid pro quo, a few treats here = more or continued spend there. I'm fairly sure I know how I'd feel if my rep stopped lunches after 10 years and continued spend, I'd wonder if I was still appreciated ?

 

[RichardMEL]

Such is the airline loyalty game, just a bit more structured with tiers and credits. The intent remains quid pro quo, a few treats here = more or continued spend there. I'm fairly sure I know how I'd feel if my rep stopped lunches after 10 years and continued spend, I'd wonder if I was still appreciated ?

Fair point, but this last one is an example of expectations being created.

Should we, as customers of QF, expect a "shadow" if we are Gold, Plat or P1? I don't think so - it's never been a published benefit but anecdotally available (which is a very different thing).

In the case of your rep dropping a regular lunch(or whatever) that has been going on for awhile (they made it "fairer and simpler" by "enhancing" it ) then yes, you could feel less "valued" because you had that expectation of getting that "benefit" - even if it was "unpublished" (as in the rep says "I'll take you to lunch every year to thank you for being with me").

It's a bit like my local pub and coffee place. Come Christmas there's been a tradition of sorts that the last visit prior to Christmas shut down that the pub will shout a free pint or a free coffee due to local business through the year. One year it didn't happen. Do I complain and feel peed off because they used to do it? It was never promised as fact or as part of my custom to receive it.. so I laughed and thought oh well that's a bugger. Last December, free pints back nice surprise.

Expectation of entitlements are based on what is published as a benefit. So, s a WP I should expect to receive the Plat privs, oneworld emerald status, dom J lounge access, bag allowance, etc. Should I expect to receive upgrades? No, but I should expect the request to be processed 2 days out or 5 or whatever it is (7 for P1 ).

I don't think I should expect anything more. Sure, you might get the odd op up, or spare seat next to you, and that's nice.. but to expect it as a given? nope (and I am not saying that anyone here does)

just my 2 cents

 

[Franky]

Mrs Franky flies often and is WP. Given the number of times she has been given a shadow seat next to her, she no longer makes a seat selection when booking, never asks for a shadow, but would be batting better than 95% success rate unless the plane is fully booked. She praises the Lord for her status and this not insignificant benefit, given most of her travel is from/to Perth.

 

[Danger]

There is already an extensive thread on this topic.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....equent-flyer-program/the-wp-shadow-47856.html

 

[JohnK]

Mrs Franky flies often and is WP. Given the number of times she has been given a shadow seat next to her, she no longer makes a seat selection when booking, never asks for a shadow, but would be batting better than 95% success rate unless the plane is fully booked. She praises the Lord for her status and this not insignificant benefit, given most of her travel is from/to Perth.

My experience is similar. The further back you go in the cabin the greater the likelihood of a spare seat next to you.

 

[kermatu]

My experience is similar. The further back you go in the cabin the greater the likelihood of a spare seat next to you.

Sadly doesn't always hold. Have twice in the last fortnight, at the last minute, needed to book flights out of CBR. Front Y rows already taken so chose down the back which was empty. Of course the flights either side are on the day subsequently cancelled - so my flight becomes full - no shadow. Never again!

 

[medhead]

Sometimes the W in the WP should be W

There are several possibilities why some WP have noticed a shadow. One possibility is that their head is so big it casts a big shadow and the owner does not realise it and continues to chase it. Harsh I know. Im WP. Hopefully my W is rather smaller font w. In the end operational requirements will trump any shadow "entitlement".

Well I always get a nice shadow whenever I'm near that nice gentleman with the CL bag tags. I've always assumed it was due to him, but he doesn't seem to have a bigger head than anyone else. Should I refer to him as a WCL from now on?

An empty seat next to me is great and makes things much more comfy. Do I feel entitled to it (even at P1 level)? no. Do I ask for it? no. Would I like one on every flight? Yes, that would be lovely.

Sometimes it happens - even in J - but I think it's more random than anything else. Certainly no deliberate blockings (ie: an "X" on EF) ever seen, even in Y. That's fine. I buy my seat and my seat only-that's all I can expect.

Refer above, I seen consistent shadows including with an X. Everytime there is a very refined gentleman with CL bag tags sitting in the window seat.

 

[Quickstatus]

Well I always get a nice shadow whenever I'm near that nice gentleman with the CL bag tags. I've always assumed it was due to him, but he doesn't seem to have a bigger head than anyone else. Should I refer to him as a WCL from now on?



Refer above, I seen consistent shadows including with an X. Everytime there is a very refined gentleman with CL bag tags sitting in the window seat.

According to the company The CL needs a shadow to be separated from WP, especially the W and possibly even the w. . CLs are too refined to be any type of W, though some are CLPO.

Of course when near a CL or CLPO the shadow benefits both.

 

[Aus ATC]

I dont think WP shadow was ever a published/unpublished benefit.

I believe it originated because some WP noticed an empty seat next to them on an otherwise full flight. And like Chinese Whispers others had a similar experience and QF will obviously never confirm or deny. So the rumours persist and lo and behold its a WP benefit.

I think it was (previously) an unpublished benefit, but not so much, if at all, now. I used to see my seat assignment on Expert Flyer (with the sought after "X" next to me), and then if I chose a different seat via the Qantas website, I could then see my seat, and the "X" change. Not so these days.

 

[dfcatch]

1/ Shadows do exist. Officially. However they are not called "shadows".

2/ They are not a published benefit - therefore you can't complain when you don't get one per se.
That doesn't mean they're not valued nor that QF should make more of an effort to ensure that they stick on non-full loads.

3/ They are an automatic system-generated block. Yes, agents such as P1 and lounge agents can manually place them there - but they are just as easily removed by the system or other agents.

4/ You don't call up to request a shadow.

5/ You don't call up to request a shadow.

6/ Who the F$%K is the moron on AFF who started spreading the suggestion/recommendation that folks call up the P1 line requesting shadows??? Seriously!! It's because of all the idiots around here that are tying up the P1 team with stupid requests like this - that they're not spending their time proactively dealing with disruptions to P1s.

7/ You don't call up to request a shadow.

8/ Refer rule 1.

 

[Quickstatus]

1/ Shadows do exist. Officially. However they are not called "shadows".

2/ They are not a published benefit - therefore you can't complain when you don't get one per se.
That doesn't mean they're not valued nor that QF should make more of an effort to ensure that they stick on non-full loads.

3/ They are an automatic system-generated block. Yes, agents such as P1 and lounge agents can manually place them there - but they are just as easily removed by the system or other agents.

4/ You don't call up to request a shadow.

5/ You don't call up to request a shadow.

6/ Who the F$%K is the moron on AFF who started spreading the suggestion/recommendation that folks call up the P1 line requesting shadows??? Seriously!! It's because of all the idiots around here that are tying up the P1 team with stupid requests like this - that they're not spending their time proactively dealing with disruptions to P1s.

7/ You don't call up to request a shadow.

8/ Refer rule 1.

Actually refer to rule 4,5,7

 

[Quickstatus]

Can anyone else confirm if they have been told the same. Ironically the flights are a status run to maintain Platinum as I'm 120 status credits short but honestly I don't know why I bother.

my post from a while ago should give you comfort:

look for post #11 on page 2


Ironically a lot of published benefits whatever status level could be said to be a shadow of their former selves.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ons/how-benefit-lowest-status-rank-72338.html

 

[wanderer_au]

Was on the noon Dash8 service from SYD to CBR today. Seat next to me (3C) blocked out 30 mins before boarding. No next to me, or anyone else in first dozen rows. QF almost invariably obliges me with a shadow on SYD-CBR return day trips. I am SG.

 

[Danger]

Was on the noon Dash8 service from SYD to CBR today. Seat next to me (3C) blocked out 30 mins before boarding. No next to me, or anyone else in first dozen rows. QF almost invariably obliges me with a shadow on SYD-CBR return day trips. I am SG.

I think the turboprops are more about weight and balance than shadows.

 

[wanderer_au]

I think the turboprops are more about weight and balance than shadows.

Excellent point Danger - but it happens on the 5pm flight which is a Boeing 717 too. Y seat, exit row, fairly full plane - and I get a shadow. Almost every time.

Again - a mere SG. SYD-CBR would be full of WPs, all the time. Why me, and not the WPs on board? Admittedly my work flights are fully flex so that may have something to do with it.

Go figure.