Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[amaroo]

We will not be regrading QFF tiers against oneworld tiers. Platinum One is a new level of recognition within the exisiting Platinum tier, not a new tier. So this means both Platinum and PlatinumOne are oneworld Emerald and will stay that way.

Cheers,
Red Roo

Always glad to see priority boarding - and very happy to see that WP isn't going to be devalued within OW.....actually, never crossed my mind but nice to see the post from Red Roo

 

[NM]

We will not be regrading QFF tiers against oneworld tiers. Platinum One is a new level of recognition within the exisiting Platinum tier, not a new tier. So this means both Platinum and PlatinumOne are oneworld Emerald and will stay that way.

Cheers,
Red Roo

Thanks for the definitive answer. Great to hear.

Now where does that leave OneWorld Sapphire members regarding Premium Boarding for domestic flights? They are very definitely included in Priority Boarding for International flights, but seem to be specifically excluded for domestic flights, while the OneWorld status benefits as published on the OneWorld web site do not seem to make an differentiation between International and Domestic departures. Or is there some interpretation difference between "boarding at convenience" and "Premium Boarding"?

I look forward to trying it out on Sunday night at BNE.

 

[dk4]

We will not be regrading QFF tiers against oneworld tiers.

With any respect, I believe very little that spins out of Qantas these days.

Qantas cost cutting culture has continuously "enhanced" my customer experience with the airline, to a level where I simple do not trust the current management team.

Qantas is constantly testing the level to which it can "cut costs" before customer revolt (the most recent experiences expressed on this website being - Qantas Club members' lack of access to BA’s revamped business class lounges when flying BA), and then if revolt happens, at a scale larger than that mathematically modeled, management back peddles.

Qantas IMO, can no longer to be trusted with any absolute statement about future customer commitments*, as the current management appears hell-bent on devaluing their product as much as possible.


To me Qantas is clearly no longer the innovator in the Aussie market, and has ceded that position to Virgin, and their committed and empowered staff.


*Not the least of which is Lifetime Gold Status privileges

 

[theintelligent1]

Now where does that leave OneWorld Sapphire members regarding Premium Boarding for domestic flights? They are very definitely included in Priority Boarding for International flights, but seem to be specifically excluded for domestic flights, while the OneWorld status benefits as published on the OneWorld web site do not seem to make an differentiation between International and Domestic departures. Or is there some interpretation difference between "boarding at convenience" and "Premium Boarding"?

Id like an answer to this as well......being excluded means i will continue to fly Virgin domestically, as a Y flyer they provide a much smoother airport experience.......

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I am not aware of any other OneWorld FF programs that have two tiers at Emerald level (ignoring invitation-only programs like Chairmans Lounge equiv).

JAL has 2 Emerald Levels

JAL Mileage Bank - Service Status(For Our Most Frequent Flyers)
JAL Premier
JAL Diamond

Both are OW Emerald equivalents and are open to public if you so desire.

 

[simongr]

With any respect, I believe very little that spins out of Qantas these days.

Qantas IMO, can no longer to be trusted with any absolute statement about future customer commitments*, as the current management appears hell-bent on devaluing their product as much as possible.

*Not the least of which is Lifetime Gold Status privileges

Then I suggest you never fly QF and don't bother reading any of their materials. Your life will be filled only with honesty and pleasure.

 

[medhead]

....and this is what annoys me about the QF Marketing/Spin department. Don't get me wrong I applaud the implementation of priority boarding, but come on QF it has been openly listed as a benefit for Platinum FF's for more than six months.

I disagree - more than at least 12 months.

Oh, also thanks to medhead (and others) for staying on QFs back about this.

Qantas probably wouldn't have taken any action at all if it wasn't for all the noise these guys made about it.

I think mostly others, but thanks for acknowledging my small part in pushing this.

Now where does that leave OneWorld Sapphire members regarding Premium Boarding for domestic flights? They are very definitely included in Priority Boarding for International flights, but seem to be specifically excluded for domestic flights, while the OneWorld status benefits as published on the OneWorld web site do not seem to make an differentiation between International and Domestic departures. Or is there some interpretation difference between "boarding at convenience" and "Premium Boarding"?

Surely there is a difference between these two things. Without getting into that debate again, I think this is the key basis for the situation for domestic flights.

 

[Danger]

Thanks for the definitive answer. Great to hear.

Now where does that leave OneWorld Sapphire members regarding Premium Boarding for domestic flights? They are very definitely included in Priority Boarding for International flights, but seem to be specifically excluded for domestic flights, while the OneWorld status benefits as published on the OneWorld web site do not seem to make an differentiation between International and Domestic departures. Or is there some interpretation difference between "boarding at convenience" and "Premium Boarding"?

I look forward to trying it out on Sunday night at BNE.

Where is it stated oneworld Sapphires receive priority boarding?

Surely there is a difference between these two things. Without getting into that debate again, I think this is the key basis for the situation for domestic flights.

I agree. I think the use of the word "premiuim" over "priority" is telling.

Regardless, the QF website still says "priority" - Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges - Status Privileges.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Where is it stated oneworld Sapphires receive priority boarding?

Oneworld - Tiers

View attachment 4748

(^Note; Board at convenience)

I also posted screen shots in the QF Priority Boarding thread (long time ago).

 

[Danger]

Oneworld - Tiers

View attachment 4748

(^Note; Board at convenience)

I also posted screen shots in the QF Priority Boarding thread (long time ago).

This is my point. "Boarding at convenience" is not "priority boarding".

 

[Oneworldplus2]

This is my point. 'Board at convenience' is not 'priority boarding'.

What is the difference?

 

[Danger]

What is the difference?

To me, 'board at convenience' is board whenever you want. So if there's boarding by rows (which I know is the new QF way, having been shown the guide book by a gate agent in MEL), you can board whether your row is called or not. Indeed, even if your row is called, you can board another time (like later if you wish). 'Priority boarding', however, means beating the queue, either by a pre-call or, more preferably I think, a separate lane.

Again, that's just my interpretation but I genuinely believe the former is not nearly as "premium" as the latter.

 

[medhead]

What is the difference?

One is: get priority to board in front of other passengers. The other is board when convenient with the other passengers.

But that is kind of irrelevant really, unless there is something on the Oneworld site that says QF can't give their platinum's extra benefits - like premium boarding?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I only ask because; if your in the lounge, call goes out that boarding has commenced, turn up at gate and board via priority line (which is enforced properly, like VA), isn't that board at convenience?

 

[Danger]

I only ask because; if your in the lounge, call goes out that boarding has commenced, turn up at gate and board via priority line (which is enforced properly, like VA), isn't that board at convenience?

Well, yes, to me, that is. Good point. But, while you're boarding at convenience you are getting priority to do so. It's semantics but so is Galleries Lounges v Terraces Lounges so we need to be very careful.

 

[medhead]

I only ask because; if your in the lounge, call goes out that boarding has commenced, turn up at gate and board via priority line (which is enforced properly, like VA), isn't that board at convenience?

Well, yes, to me, that is. Good point. But, while you're boarding at convenience you are getting priority to do so. It's semantics but so is Galleries Lounges v Terraces Lounges so we need to be very careful.

I'd say it is more convenient, not a problem assuming there is nothing to say Qantas can't give more than the standard OW benefits to Emerald and platinum.

 

[dfcatch]

Priority Boarding, Boarding at Convenience - means the same to me!!

And that is via a dedicated Premium lane - period.

AA can do it, BA can do it, QFi can do it - there is no excuse for QFd not doing the same - and this should include Golds (as Sapphires).

It's simple - why does it have to be so over-complicated!!

 

[Kendall Roy]

Bit harsh on us old Sapphires given OW published benefit

 

[simongr]

Bit harsh on us old Sapphires given OW published benefit

OWS published benefit is and hasn't changed - boarding at your convenience. Take it up with OW - our work here is done

 

[serfty]

OWS published benefit is and hasn't changed - boarding at your convenience. Take it up with OW - our work here is done

As I posted earlier, I can see sapphires successfully using these lanes anyway ...

Qantas can exclude their 'own' elites from oneworld benefits (and they do), but it's much harder when it comes to elites of other oneworld FF programmes.