No Spirits (in J) Masquerading as COVID? [Back from Apr 2022]

[nutwood]

Well that Grant Burge does sometimes taste as bitter as some spirits.. maybe that's it

Don't knock it, I like some bite with my bubbles!

 

[RichardMEL]

Actually saw one of the QF size bottles of GB in Dan Murphy's today for $10. I kinda cringed

 

[jakeseven7]

I've written it before and I'll write it again. There's published J fares. There's corporate deals, there's upgrades/FF seats(yes, still "costs), and there's buddy passes.

This really needs to be a sticky post . I literally know no one who buys the retail rate!

 

[jase05]

This really needs to be a sticky post . I literally know no one who buys the retail rate!

Even the best rate is usually twice as dear as others still

 

[Franky]

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but I've managed to have booze on my recent QF flights in J (e.g., SYD > ADL and MEL > SYD). Usually I order sparkling wine over my usual gin & tonic since I hear the sparkles from the wine will kill airborne COVID faster, so maybe that's why they are limiting the spirits selection?




What about the third option:
3) Spirits return of travelling to WA without a border pass or quarantine?

-RooFlyer88

4) The Dockers win their first AFL Flag...

 

[jakeseven7]

Even the best rate is usually twice as dear as others still

Not ours after rebate but we have a very big spend including Freight.

 

[jase05]

Not ours after rebate but we have a very big spend including Freight.

We are their biggest corporate partner and get amazing deals but I still see heaps of fares that are as much as double of VA

 

[jakeseven7]

We are their biggest corporate partner and get amazing deals but I still see heaps of fares that are as much as double of VA

Get onto your procurement team then

 

[jase05]

Get onto your procurement team then

In a roundabout way it all comes out of QF‘s coffers anyway

 

[RichardMEL]

need I point out that it seems kinda irrelevant to me about what prices people flying on the company dime pay .. it's not coming out of their own pockets so in a way what do they care? (I mean absolutely ZERO offense to business pax with this comment).

I mean for those that are self funded then I can at least appreciate the argument more (and for the record I am one of those)

but my earlier thoughts still apply. QF is not selling you a G&T's or Bundy&cokes. They're selling transportation.

and for those who are not wedded to corporate contracts/travel poilicy, but still choose to pay for QF at whatever rate (including Y and upgrade) but then say well VA is half the price and has X, Y and Z.. well then you're valuing other aspects of the QF fare higher than X, Y or Z imo - be it FF points/SC, connectivity, alliance perks, whatever - at least those folks have the option to buy VA or ZL should they truly desire.

/unpopular opinion

 

[jpp42]

need I point out that it seems kinda irrelevant to me about what prices people flying on the company dime pay .. it's not coming out of their own pockets so in a way what do they care? (I mean absolutely ZERO offense to business pax with this comment).

I don't think that's fair to many business travellers. In a previous job while I didn't personally pay for flights, my company billed my travel expenses to our client, and our clients weren't normally cheapskates, they also have budgets to meet and don't want to overspend. It becomes part of their overall view of our company as to whether we are providing services in a frugal way, and I was the primary interface with the client and it was my travel, so it reflects on me directly. We would never fly short-haul business class for example, but full fare economy on any airline was okay if it was necessary to meet a specific client need (short notice flights typically).

In my current job, where I've done the most travel especially long-haul international (obviously, pre-Covid), travel expenses don't get billed to clients, however it does come out of a departmental budget. My bosses who manage this budget want it to go as far as it can while also ensuring the employees are satisfied with their travel experience. While we do have a travel department that recommends certain airlines and negotiates contracts, if I can make the case to my boss that an alternate airline would have a similar cost or even save money, for a better travel experience, he would generally accept that. While I don't personally drink spirits, something like the A380 IFE debacle would be an example where I might make the case that paying for a "premium" airline like Qantas isn't worth the money if they aren't delivering premium service, and we should consider alternates.

 

[RichardMEL]

I don't think that's fair to many business travellers. In a previous job while I didn't personally pay for flights, my company billed my travel expenses to our client, and our clients weren't normally cheapskates, they also have budgets to meet and don't want to overspend. It becomes part of their overall view of our company as to whether we are providing services in a frugal way, and I was the primary interface with the client and it was my travel, so it reflects on me directly. We would never fly short-haul business class for example, but full fare economy on any airline was okay if it was necessary to meet a specific client need (short notice flights typically).

In my current job, where I've done the most travel especially long-haul international (obviously, pre-Covid), travel expenses don't get billed to clients, however it does come out of a departmental budget. My bosses who manage this budget want it to go as far as it can while also ensuring the employees are satisfied with their travel experience. While we do have a travel department that recommends certain airlines and negotiates contracts, if I can make the case to my boss that an alternate airline would have a similar cost or even save money, for a better travel experience, he would generally accept that. While I don't personally drink spirits, something like the A380 IFE debacle would be an example where I might make the case that paying for a "premium" airline like Qantas isn't worth the money if they aren't delivering premium service, and we should consider alternates.

Fair points and of course there are many models of business travel paid for by clients, companies and SME's.

My first thought actually I should have made earlier.. if one is on business travel, specially domestic (where one might be expected to get off an aircraft and go into a meeting) one probably would be expected, on work time to be drinking alcohol, but in the real world obviously on return trips, or say an evening flight before work the next day etc well it happens so kind of minor, but I am sure many corporate travel policies may address this, or at least workplace behaviours (I know mine does).

That aside, my point was more that often the argument is related to service provided - food, drink, seat as applied to the price being charged. If I'm flying for work and either a client or my boss's budget is paying in theory (as you note) the company is paying BFOD, or is on a corporate contract/travel policy and one is probably either flying to a required schedule ad/or price point(so probably not QF on that one ) - the choice may not be really up to the person doing the travel.

Now I do understand fully that, as you say,, if one can provide a case for a better experience at a similar or lesser cost, then that totally goes back to my point above - pick VA.. or internationally you'd absolutely go for a SQ or EK as example over QF in this sort of situation...

but does the "enjoyment of employees" then equate to, in this sepcific case, spirits being available? I'm not entirely sure that one would wash with many managers (unless perhaps on the trip too! )

yes, the A380 IFE issue is far more significant I agree, and applicable (though supposedly a temporary one vs the spirit thing which has been ongoing for nigh on two years).

Trust me if I was flying to, for example, europe or asia for business and a client or boss was paying I'd probably go for anything BUT QF if I had the chance so I get that.

but if I had to fly QF due to schedule or corporate policy I personally wouldn't use the argument about the price paid for the product provided specially when it comes to something like alcohol. Now being put on a 737 to SIN wiithout lie flat bed for an overnight flight? That I would absolutely argue would impact on ability to perform optimally post the flight I think it's a harder "sell"(pun intended) if I can't have a G&T or three to relax on board. That's just me though

 

[Brissy1]

Jetstar today. GnT.

 

[jakeseven7]

Jetstar today. GnT.

Sigh, Gordons.

 

[Brissy1]

Sigh, Gordons.

Well Jetstar and no slice lemon/lime. But, headsets and a book, it set the mood.

 

[jakeseven7]

Well Jetstar and no slice lemon/lime. But, headsets and a book, it set the mood.

You are a cheap date

 

[serfty]

Bloody Mary in the pointy end ... AA style ...

 

[SOPOOR]

Jetstar today. GnT.

that looks like a mini version of a mini bottle of gin......like one of those woolworths mini collectable things

 

[Brissy1]

that looks like a mini version of a mini bottle of gin......like one of those woolworths mini collectable things

Something for the children to collect. But it did have 50ml of gin in it.

 

[Spacetravel]

So we are up to March, does it appear there are any changes on this front (or if there ever will be)? Or is QF going to blame the war/ floods on a reason for no spirits now?