Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[serfty]

Maybe wait 'till Aug 1st or 24th ...

 

[TonyHancock]

As many have said before, it would be easy for QF to do this. Why they do not do something so simple, to eliminate one major and long term sore point for their SGs and WPs is something I just can't get my head around. I can only guess they do not really listen to / care about SG and WP feedback on this issue.

Isn't this supposedly a WP benefit and not an SG benefit though? (Places cynical hat on head) The way QF is doling out SG status through double SC offers and the new flexisaver Y tickets it will be hard not to be SG. WP's would probably be able to board faster through a non status lane!!!. (Takes cynical hat off head.)

Maybe wait 'till Aug 1st or 24th ...

Well I suppose so......but surely QF isn't going to pretend to offer something it already publishes as a benefit is it? (Checks to see if cynical hat it still on head.)

 

[connieguy]

I received a call from QF (Bianca) this morning about my query on how priority boarding works.

She assured me that walking to the front of the line, pushing infront of all the plebs is how it works and if a Platinum does not receive it then a complaint should be raised.

Can't say I feel comfortable doing this given the dirty looks received... what do others think?

What I don't understand is that QF seems unwilling, or unable, to say or do anything about this published benefit.

If it is too hard to achieve remove it from the published benefits list, if it is not then do something about it.

The lack of action, one way or another, just seems odd.

Bianca from QF has explained how QF have implemented the "Board at your convenience" system. Just push into the head of the queue and hope the person you just pushed in front of is not having a bad day.

I guess AJ is OK in letting his SGs and WPs do that as well as pissing off of the other Paxs as he has the "Only Investment Grade Airline" on the planet. Seems nothing else is as important to AJ, like "Doing what you say you will do, when you say you will do it".

 

[connieguy]

Isn't this supposedly a WP benefit and not an SG benefit though? (Places cynical hat on head) The way QF is doling out SG status through double SC offers and the new flexisaver Y tickets it will be hard not to be SG. WP's would probably be able to board faster through a non status lane!!!. (Takes cynical hat off head.)

Boarding at Convenience is a OW Emerald and Sapphire benefit that is to be offered by all member airlines.

 

[TonyHancock]

Boarding at Convenience is a OW Emerald and Sapphire benefit that is to be offered by all member airlines.

Yes indeed, no disagreement from me, but I'm talking about Domestic Priority Boarding, which still appears as a published benefit for WP's, but not for SG's.

 

[connieguy]

Yes indeed, no disagreement from me, but I'm talking about Domestic Priority Boarding, which still appears as a published benefit for WP's, but not for SG's.

On the SG and WP benefits page, there is no mention of domestic priority boarding. It only shows up on a tick box page comparing the tier benefits. So on the main WP benefits page, there is no mention of domestic priority boarding.

Status as I see it is like this:

1) Boarding announcement - most of the time as pre boarding and not anytime boarding

2) BP scanning station - no signs

3) WP benefit page - no mention

4) Tier benefit comparison page - mentioned for WPs

5) OW benefit page - mentioned for SGs and WPs.

6) Latest from Bianca - WPs should push in at the BP scanning station and if rejected, they should report it.

All very confusion and very unprofessional.

I can only guess they do not care to align / fix this or will fix this some time in the future when the tooth fairy arrives.

 

[TonyHancock]

It only shows up on a tick box page comparing the tier benefits.

...and that, as little as it seems, makes it a published benefit. If it is not a benefit then it should be removed. The wording in that table is also "Priority Boarding" and not "Board at Convenience".

I could not agree with you more, the whole thing is a complete shambles. It also makes no sense. Either do it or don't do it. :?:

 

[medhead]

Meanwhile, VA have provided a pre-boarding call on 21 of my 23 flights since being gold. On both occasions it was missed, the person making the announcements changed, so they could have stuffed up the script. Feedback was also submitted both times, answered promptly and pre-boarding was back by the next flight. Longest gap being 2 weeks later. This is at ADL which doesn't have the priority lanes (I'm not pushing for those lanes either)

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Friday night, SYD-BNE and back on Sunday. I'll have a look at priority boarding.

I still can't believe that QF haven't addressed this problem....how hard can it be?

 

[connieguy]

Friday night, SYD-BNE and back on Sunday. I'll have a look at priority boarding.

I still can't believe that QF haven't addressed this problem....how hard can it be?

No brainer. QF do not believe they have a problem. I mean why would they when AJ tells them QF is the "Only Investment Grade Airline in the World". Focus on the bottom line and just trust the warm walk on cargo keeps filling up the cargo hold (seats) without asking for much. Oh also get rid of the F Pax as they demand too much and like the T Rex are history.

 

[jamesatfish]

4 domestic flights today but I was only at the gate in time for the boarding call for a flight SYD-ADL. New twist was the pre-boarding announcement, inviting "Travellers with children, elderly passengers, anyone requiring special assistance or anyone who would like to pre-board". Not that it mattered, as a long queue had already formed at the gate.

Looking for something else on the QF site I did notice a little quirk at the bottom of the Platinum benefits page (Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum Benefits). The punctuation marks are Qantas', not mine.

 

[pshepvic]

I had proper priority boarding yesterday and today on flights out of Melbourne and Sydney.

Oh wait, that's right, I was flying Virgin Australia...

 

[Jobu]

I received a call from QF (Bianca) this morning about my query on how priority boarding works.

She assured me that walking to the front of the line, pushing infront of all the plebs is how it works and if a Platinum does not receive it then a complaint should be raised.

Can't say I feel comfortable doing this given the dirty looks received... what do others think?

Oh that's just wrong... can't say would ever feel comfortable with this.

 

[connieguy]

4 domestic flights today but I was only at the gate in time for the boarding call for a flight SYD-ADL. New twist was the pre-boarding announcement, inviting "Travellers with children, elderly passengers, anyone requiring special assistance or anyone who would like to pre-board". Not that it mattered, as a long queue had already formed at the gate.

Looking for something else on the QF site I did notice a little quirk at the bottom of the Platinum benefits page (Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum Benefits). The punctuation marks are Qantas', not mine.

View attachment 3130

Was at the gate early going Adl/Mel. Very clearly heard this:

"Qantas welcomes Business, Platinum and Gold frequent flyers and OW Emerald and Sapphires to board at their convenience". I asked the ground staff at the desk how I should do that. They said just come to the head of the queue. :shock:

This statement does agree with the published OW benefit which gives "board at convenience" to OW Sapphires / QF Golds. QF needs to update their Gold and Platinum benefits web pages to reflect what their ground staff are saying.

 

[djfuzz]

"Qantas welcomes Business, Platinum and Gold frequent flyers and OW Emerald and Sapphires to board at their convenience". I asked the ground staff at the desk how I should do that. They said just come to the head of the queue. :shock:

Here's the problem - how do you know which is the queue and which is the 'head' of the queue with all the priority boarders? Especially confusing in SYD where they funnel you through those tight spaces and half the gate are SG or WP. You could just assume that you rank above everyone else, but then when everyone else also gets that idea it becomes a free for all.

 

[QF WP]

Hmmm, I too am not comfortable about just walking up to the head of the line with the expectation that the pax line is going to obsequiously part like the Red Sea and let me board.

Sorry QF that's an expectation too far removed from the self serving attitude that a lot of people have today.

I think I'll just stay in the QP a little longer.

P.S. - have just read and agree with djfuzz. I can just imagine half the line being angry with me (as a Gold) trying to jump the line. How am I to know who in the line is CL, WP, SG??

 

[medhead]

Hmmm, I would expect more from the "worlds leading premium airline". I'd love to take A Joyce on a trip

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I received a call from QF (Bianca) this morning about my query on how priority boarding works.

She assured me that walking to the front of the line, pushing infront of all the plebs is how it works and if a Platinum does not receive it then a complaint should be raised.

Can't say I feel comfortable doing this given the dirty looks received... what do others think?

Update: Had 2 flights domestic flights yesterday (SYD), went to the front of the line, infront of 240 other passengers on the 767. Was advised the line behind so I asked where the priority line was. She said unfortunately there are too many qantas club and status passengers on that flight. I didn't argue the point, and she didn't let me cut the line.

I know QF is reading this - please do something about it

 

[MelUser]

On AA, I have witnessed people proclaiming "first class, excuse me, first class etc etc" as they push past. First class on AA are allowed to board before elites.

 

[serfty]

On AA, I have witnessed people proclaiming "first class, excuse me, first class etc etc" as they push past. First class on AA are allowed to board before elites.

But there are specifically special "Priority AAccess" queues for First Class/Elites in the USA.