No more QF chauffeur drive to LAX and DFW

[legroom]

I'm curious why anyone would accept 10K points as compensation for the loss of CD??

There are essentially 4 cars per return journey = in most cities ~$50/ride = $200 worth of CD
10K points is realistically worth ~$80 (in 95% of redemption cases factoring in taxes/fees ec..), and cost QF ~$20 once you factor in margins, arbitrage, goodwill and points that may expire, delaying the redemption (interest) and so on... There is also evidence to suggest 10K points is the standard "sorry you had a bad experience - we really don't know how to fix it so lets throw 10k points at you to be happy for another while" type compensation. Which means these points may be funded through the 'service recovery' which essentially cost nix as it's a sunk cost for QF.

To make everything equal again - QF realistically needs to offer you $200 worth (25,000 points) just to be even.
THEN - we talk about compensation, which another 10,000 seems fair given the inconvenience/bad press/negative emotions you're feeling towards QF/perhaps CD was the reason you chose QF over another airline.

All up - 35,000 points genuinely seems fairer and simpler.

We can't dictate to QF what it should do.

We can, however, direct our $$ to wherever we like.

Recent headless-chook decisions do make that decision a little easier.

 

[Nizar]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Was CD 'complimentary'? Yes, that could be argued in as much there wasn't any apparent additional charge levied when the service was introduced. But on the other hand it might be argued at it was part of the overall service bundle that is handsomely charged for in a Qantas fare - like baggage, meals, lounges etc. Qantas does make a big deal out of the fact that "everything's included".

I believe few things in a commercial transaction are "free". Normally they are priced in to the overall cost - just like the cost of providing baggage services, in flight meals and lounges by Qantas, compared to some other airlines who charge separately for them.

If anything, this could set a precedent with what QF is and isn't able to get away with. Meals, baggage allowance are complimentary. Lounge access (for premium cabins) is also. If CD gets canned without any recompense then this allows them to remove any other complimentary service - which may even extend to things like printing BPs, seat allocation, online booking, etc....

I'd love for Red Roo to address these very valid points and I'm sure I am not only speaking for myself.

If QF thinks it can remove CD without offering any compensation because it is "complementary", does that mean that QF can also remove drinks in J class, lounge access, baggage, meals, etc, etc without offering any compensation because these are also "complementary" ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

It is possible qantas could look to the system employed by US airlines... domestic liunge access only based on club membership, not oneworld status.

That would make the system fairer.

 

[Nizar]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

It is possible qantas could look to the system employed by US airlines... domestic liunge access only based on club membership, not oneworld status.

That would make the system fairer.

As a percentage, I would be willing to wager that most of the passengers getting lounge access to QF lounges here in Aus overwhelmingly hold QF status as opposed to OW status compared to lounges located in other parts of the world simply due to our geographical location. So I wouldn't think that the cost of accommodating other OW members is a major issue ? Happy to be corrected though but it's just my line of thinking.

That said a penny saved is a penny saved. Just gotta do it in a way that doesn't pi$$ off your customers though.
An old chinese man once told a friend of mine 'a cent here and a cent there equals a million dollars".

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

As a percentage, I would be willing to wager that most of the passengers getting lounge access to QF lounges here in Aus overwhelmingly hold QF status as opposed to OW status compared to lounges located in other parts of the world simply due to our geographical location. So I wouldn't think that the cost of accommodating other OW members is a major issue ? Happy to be corrected though but it's just my line of thinking.

That said a penny saved is a penny saved. Just gotta do it in a way that doesn't pi$$ off your customers though.
An old chinese man once told a friend of mine 'a cent here and a cent there equals a million dollars".

i'm talking about qantas' own status holders. Even if they hold gold or platinum, no access unless also Qantas club membership is purchased.

US airlines don't allow their own status customers lounge access for wholly domestic itineraries.

 

[mattm199]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Now that's a "fairer" suggestion that would be the final straw for customer loyalty..... Be a Frequent Flyer with QF but don't expect to come in to our lounge unless you pay $$.
You'd hope it could be like the new Loyalty Bonus, and relate to SC earn or flying on QF at least.

 

[hossein_au]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

i'm talking about qantas' own status holders. Even if they hold gold or platinum, no access unless also Qantas club membership is purchased.

US airlines don't allow their own status customers lounge access for wholly domestic itineraries.

And then what is actually left of QFF status? US carriers don't let their FF with status into their lounges, but AA, for example, has other perks for their status holders such as 8 complimentary upgrades in international long haul and way more than than on their domestic network. On the other hand, as a WP I put in a request for an upgrade from Y to J, months in advance of the trip, and I still did not get the upgrade (and bear in mind I was ready to part with 72,000 QFF points for the upgrade). Using less number of points on AA I can fly from MEL/SYD to LAX (and don't forget about the ridiculous carrier-imposed fees for award bookings on Qantas). Talking chalk and cheese here...

 

[opusman]

Bait-and-switch advertising, pure and simple. To describe CD as "complimentary" and therefore not worthy of compensation is disingenuous to say the least. But sadly no more than we've come to expect from QF lately.

Again, if I was affected by this I would be taking it to small claims court for the value of the transfers (by limo, not taxi). Don't let them get away with this bs people!

 

[basso]

Bait-and-switch advertising, pure and simple. To describe CD as "complimentary" and therefore not worthy of compensation is disingenuous to say the least. But sadly no more than we've come to expect from QF lately.

Not sure I'd call it bait and switch - there is no switch. It's more akin to a breach of contract.

 

[Himeno]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

US carriers don't let their FF with status into their lounges

They do. The rules preventing access for US airline members to US based lounges only apply to pax on most North American flights. Limited flights (ie, AA JFK-LAX/SFO) and long haul flights give lounge access.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

They do. The rules preventing access for US airline members to US based lounges only apply to pax on most North American flights. Limited flights (ie, AA JFK-LAX/SFO) and long haul flights give lounge access.

USA is different in that they had US LAW governing who could access private clubs/membership sales etc...
Australia - like most of the sane world never had these issues.

 

[bosox76]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Finally got the dreaded call regarding flights in December. I politely informed the caller that it was extremely disappointing that at the very least existing bookings weren't being honoured. She said she'd pass it up the chain. I know it's not her fault and I'm sure she's hearing an endless barrage of negativity thrown her way.

Was offered the compensation of 10000 points for both me and Mrs B. Not sure if I should be grateful.

 

[OBie]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Call came ... CD definitely cancelled, notwithstanding having booked in Jan for forward leg to BNE Intl depart 6Jul, and return/pickup BNE 9Aug. Apologetic, and offered 10k pts, for total booking; discussed 'other options', as home-airport ~$100 each way.

Options were:
1. 'fastrack to next level', which I'll achieve on upcoming trip before arrival LAX, declined.
2. Access First Lounge - ah, nil at BNE, moot.

Already QF Pub member, of looooooong-standing, so how about 10k points for each cancelled CD, as a minimum? Will push up to a decision-maker and adfur.

So, we waits ...

 

[markis10]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

2. Access First Lounge - ah, nil at BNE, moot.

Brisbane does have an F lounge, about the only bonus is the waiter service for coffee and the champers.

 

[BVT]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

I'm curious why anyone would accept 10K points as compensation for the loss of CD??

There are essentially 4 cars per return journey = in most cities ~$50/ride = $200 worth of CD
10K points is realistically worth ~$80 (in 95% of redemption cases factoring in taxes/fees ec..), and cost QF ~$20 once you factor in margins, arbitrage, goodwill and points that may expire, delaying the redemption (interest) and so on... There is also evidence to suggest 10K points is the standard "sorry you had a bad experience - we really don't know how to fix it so lets throw 10k points at you to be happy for another while" type compensation. Which means these points may be funded through the 'service recovery' which essentially cost nix as it's a sunk cost for QF.

To make everything equal again - QF realistically needs to offer you $200 worth (25,000 points) just to be even.
THEN - we talk about compensation, which another 10,000 seems fair given the inconvenience/bad press/negative emotions you're feeling towards QF/perhaps CD was the reason you chose QF over another airline.

All up - 35,000 points genuinely seems fairer and simpler.

The CSA who I spoke with was very clear that it was not a negotiation and that it was take it or leave it.

I did raise the issue that I would be out of pocket ~200$ with the withdrawal of the CD on my BNE >>GC transfer. The response: "there are a number of transport options available to you..."

 

[bennyff]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

So I had the call today, they only offered me 10000 per booking not per passenger. I did question this and they said the compensation was per booking only.

 

[Kangol]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

So I had the call today, they only offered me 10000 per booking not per passenger. I did question this and they said the compensation was per booking only.

Did they offer any "other options"?

 

[bennyff]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Did they offer any "other options"?

No other options where offered. It was 4:57pm and the telephone operator sounded like she was in a hurry and straight to the point. A taxi credit would have been more useful.

 

[Kefci2000]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

i'm talking about qantas' own status holders. Even if they hold gold or platinum, no access unless also Qantas club membership is purchased.

US airlines don't allow their own status customers lounge access for wholly domestic itineraries.

This is a great strategy to completely make Qantas International go broke!

alot of people only travel QFi to allow J lounge access at priority domestically (me for one).

 

[Limewood]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Yet once again Qantas has shown it has no idea how to implement change, stopping this service for those already booked really is such poor form.