Platinum "anytime" lounge Access ceases from 1 February 2011

[DC3]

Who is Neil Perry?

Wikipedia: Neil Arthur Perry (born 29 June 1957) is a prominent Australian chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter. He also is the co-ordinator for Qantas Flight Catering ....

 

[markis10]

Who is Neil Perry? Glad I have never bothered wasting my time finding out.

Oh, and I wouldn't want to take any credit for any meals that Qantas serves on domestic flights and international flights in economy.

Inspiration and taking credit are two very different things!

 

[Flashback]

Marc Newson:

• industrial designer
• designed the FL in Sydney and the FL in Melbourne
• seating design for Qantas A380, including Good Design Award for the first class suites and economy seats
• seating design in new Qantas B737s (for 2011)

I wouldn't be giving any thumbs up for the design of the new J seats in the 737.

 

[simongr]

I wouldn't be giving any thumbs up for the design of the new J seats in the 737.

Are they in use yet?

 

[samh004]

I admit I'm vain, one dimensional, and egotistical! So consequently I would like to see a bigger difference between WP and SG.

Well it does require twice as many SC’s to attain, and in many programs, twice as many miles, so it does seem fair that it should come with a lot more. Though it does, F/J lounge access being pretty big things.

I wouldn't be giving any thumbs up for the design of the new J seats in the 737.

Is there somewhere I can go to have a look at them? This is the first I’ve heard mention of them…

 

[Ewing]

I wouldn't be giving any thumbs up for the design of the new J seats in the 737.

Anything has got to be better than the convertible 734 J seats.

738 flights are now becoming rare out of CBR. Just about every single one of my upcoming 738 J flights with real seats has now been swapped with a 734 that has convertible seats.

This is very annoying - especially on the flights where I've paid for J myself (some of which I've been tempted to cancel and rebook in Y - I've been known to do that in the past).

That kind of stuff annoys me more than the loss of anytime

 

[docjames]

Wasn't he the last English male tennis player to win Wimbledon?

For those that dont know what you're alluding to: Fred Perry.

Fred Perry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[NM]

Haven't seen pies for ages!

They always seem to have pies after about 4pm in Canberra Business Lounge.

 

[TonyHancock]

For those that dont know what you're alluding to: Fred Perry.

Fred Perry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Moi? Allude? Judging from some of the Neil Perry inspired meals I have tried I think Qantas is actually using http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Perry_(cricketer)
...they may not realise!

Now there is a thought..I wonder how many WP's would have been disappointed if the Neil Perry inspired food was removed rather than anytime access?

 

[kpc]

I wonder how many WP's would have been disappointed if the Neil Perry inspired food was removed rather than anytime access?

Answer is:0

 

[bossreggie]

Answer is:0

Totally agree. I fail to see the value in a Neil Perry "Inspired" menu. For me.... Lets get a decent range of alcoholic beverages in the DOM J lounges.

O/T

IMHO... $1,000 R/T MEL - SYD or $2,000 R/T MEL - BNE J Class fares deserve a little more than Chivas Regal and Post Mix in the J lounge.

 

[serfty]

I wouldn't be giving any thumbs up for the design of the new J seats in the 737.

Are they in use yet?

...
Is there somewhere I can go to have a look at them? This is the first I’ve heard mention of them…

I believe this is the design already installed in the T-T 73H's and the newer domestic A330's.

It seems they are no great thing.

See this FT thread:

• B767 or A330-200 - FlyerTalk Forums

Bring back the Dreamtime seats I say (or even the Millennium :shock!

 

[Flashback]

I believe this is the design already installed in the T-T 73H's and the newer domestic A330's.

It seems they are no great thing.

See this FT thread:

• B767 or A330-200 - FlyerTalk Forums

Bring back the Dreamtime seats I say (or even the Millennium :shock!

I had them T-T. Are these the "Silverwing" seats? I found the seat pitch to be very tight... didn't feel like I had much legroom.

 

[samh004]

I believe this is the design already installed in the T-T 73H's and the newer domestic A330's.

It seems they are no great thing.

See this FT thread:

• B767 or A330-200 - FlyerTalk Forums

Bring back the Dreamtime seats I say (or even the Millennium :shock!

They look very… solid!

So another "enhancement".

 

[bossreggie]

I had them T-T. Are these the "Silverwing" seats? I found the seat pitch to be very tight... didn't feel like I had much legroom.

I've probably done 10 or so Trans Tasman R/T in these. They are more comfortable than they look... But the pitch is ordinary and I am someone who gets up several time during a flight. I don't believe it would be possible for ME to sleep in them at all.

At least they have IFE in the armrest so to me that's an enhancement. I did prefer the old 747's QF used to fly T/T though.

A real enhancement would be to fly the A330's T/T from MEL

 

[Sequel]

Answer is:0

+1 for that.

 

[QF WP]

I'm not as optimistic as Red Roo or Lindsay on this one (no disrespect Lindsay).

None taken and kudos for being forthright. Red Roo is on the inside, I'm on the outside looking in (but with contacts). I've learnt after many program changes, that not all changes are done at once, given the membership dislike for wholesale changes. Often changes are being contemplated or worked on (that haven't had executive/board sign off), thus cannot be implemented at the same time. Also, I've been around in the program since 1989 and have seen massive shift in benefits since then (I should post a shot of the original details to see how good we have it now).

You're welcome to prove me wrong fellas, but I think if members here think that there will be substantial "benefit additions" to WP benefits - I think we will all be sadly disappointed.

I hope Qantas do prove to us all that they can truly enhance things for the untimate benefit to the majority of members, not special interest groups or hemselves. Throwing arouund marketing words that don't appear to have any validity (to us) certainly lose credability and I take most marketing spin at less than face value these days.

QF haven't just tweaked the benefits (as they have with baggage allowance). Rather, they have relaunched the "benefits" with fanfare, and a a significant relaunch of the "benefits website". I can't see them suddenly adding new items to the list.

What I think we'll see is:

- lounge refresh eg. Neil Perry Party Pies (this benefits all lounge users and is necessary on a regular basis, so not a WP benefit here

- perhaps changes to point redemption levels, or upgrade processes(these changes always benefit QF, but usually just devalue our points, also benefit all users so not a WP benefit here)

- any "truly additional" benefits that may be introduced may be accompanied by moving the WP goalposts further back. (therefore benefiting those that currently reach close to PG or better, but at a loss to those who just make WP… notwithstanding that they fly twice as much as SG).

The only things they may think about is SWU's or automatic upgrades for WP. I know someone suggested QF would never do this as they don't want premium pax suddenly flying on red e-deals and upgrading the same. But this ignores the fact that they (generally) had to fly premium cabins to earn WP in the first place. Therefore it doesn't hurt QF's revenue, rather, it truly rewards loyalty.

Companion redemptions are another area that they may think about.

So in summary (pay attention Red Roo), WP's don't just want a points bonus for flying twice as much as SG's. And they don't just want the same benefits they already earned at SG level, they want benefits that are exclusive to the WP level (eg. First Lounge access), they want things that make them feel rewarded for going the extra mile (or the extra 700 status credits).

If WP's just feel they are SG+, then they won't make the effort to actually earn WP.

Some really good discussion points here. I can see you've thought long and hard (and have the passion to speak up).

 

[QF029]

Boss Reggie

I read your post again and didn't see a difference. It reads you are referring to the post by Leumas. Regardless you and I must have a different idea of what is funny.

Edit: Typo in the title.

 

[bossreggie]

Re: Boss Reggie

I read your post again and didn't see a difference. It reads you are referring to the post by Leumas. Regardless you and I must have a different idea of what is funny.

Edit: Typo in the title.

That is true. BUT... That is what makes AFF so good. We do not all have to agree. Healthy debate is a good thing. Generally speaking the knowledge possessed by members of this forum has GREATLY enhanced my travel.

 

[drron]

OK I'm not WP just a lowly bronze,but i am married to a WP.
However i speak as one who did not like previous changes so jumped from QFF to Aadvantage fully in 2006.I had joined Aadvantage in 2002 because our son moved to the East coast of the USA.We flew BNE-JFK in J twice a year.As it was $6000 return on JAL and $9000 on QF and because we could not earn QFF miles on JAL then NRT-JFK we joined AA.Those sectors only earnt miles and did not count for status.Apart from QFF changes 2 other significant things happened in 2006.We tried for J awards to the USA-couldn't be done via QFF but no worries with AA despite lack of status.Then when we flew we got an op up to F NRT-LAX.The second was becoming more active on AFF and Lindsay Wilson's well timed thread on the Great Points Transfer.
So why did we switch-Much easier to get premium awards.
-feel really appreciated when status acheived-still despite falling to Plat.Each year get a congratulations email when i requalify.
-little things like fees waived if something cant be done online.
-confirmed upgrades as soon as ticketed,and EVIPS when reached EXP.No waiting for lottery results.
-easier to get life time status.
As you possibly are aware last year mrsdrron switched back to QFF.Why?
1-top status easier to obtain and the GFC meant i had to work a little more and travel a little less.So could not reach EXP.We missed Flounging.
2-couldn't upgrade on QF metal and if you are in OW in Australia you are going to have to fly QF sometimes.However QF removing F from many routes makes this less compelling.
3-any time access-yes we do use this mainly in MEL and SYD T2 when flying back to MCY.From MEL it is easier to use DJ when flying home from DPO as you cant check your bag through on JQ and in MEL you can only drop your bag 1 hour before flight with JQ so you sit around in the terminal or pay for bag storage.If on DJ you go and drop your bag and the 5 minute walk each way to the QP is no problem.So Red Roo get Mr Joyce to use his contacts at JQ to fix these problems.If I am not directly travelling to work we will use Rex to Wynyard in preference to QF from DPO as we can check bags through.Losing this access is sad but not a deal breaker.
4-since the switch EDR has become another reason.
5-as when travelling to Tassie it can be for a few weeks the ability to take more than 1 bag is also a help.
So I am with simongr-if you really think this is shocking walk as I did.I really dont see the point of getting status and then not using it.I still feel WP is a step up from SG-but then our major travel is International.
But to QF-do not use the word enhancement ever again-it immediately instils fear and resentment-and it usually is untrue.
-dont think Neil Perry is a selling point to a significant percentage of your frequent flyers.
-think of your passengers as well as your staff-why do I have to fill out a breakfast menu before takeoff when flying back into Australia-particularly BNE when it is mainly a continental breakfast.Small thing but it annoys me.
-come up with a better upgrade system for your top tier flyers.Make them feel wanted.Doesn't have to be SWUs as per AA but at least confirmed upgrades at ticketing would be a great improvement.
Look forward to your further input Red Roo.It is great to have you here and I do hope you will stick around.