PS to lose priority DOM Checkin

[drewbles]

From the changes page:

From 1 February 2011, access to priority check-in counters at domestic airports will no longer be available for Silver Frequent Flyers, although this privilege will continue to be available for Qantas international flights.

Looks like they just massively de-valued PS at the same time as letting more people in. It also means LTS is next to useless for me (I was only in it to avoid having to ever queue in a normal economy queue).

Summary of change page is at Frequent Flyer - Member Specials - Latest News

These changes also apply, as mentioned by others, to QP members. QP members *do* get a Q Chip FF card, contrary to the rumours that they don't (see bottom of the above page).

 

[antycbr]

This seems to breach the Oneworld Ruby benefits and I would be sorely tempted to argue the point with printout in hand. There's no exclusion for Domestic flights, or anything else for that matter other than saying that Oneworld Ruby is entitled to Business Class Priority Checkin.

Also, IntelligentQ technology is at... Perth. Unless they plan on rolling it out really quickly, it's not going to be ready everywhere by the cutoff date.

 

[drewbles]

This seems to breach the Oneworld Ruby benefits and I would be sorely tempted to argue the point with printout in hand. There's no exclusion for Domestic flights, or anything else for that matter other than saying that Oneworld Ruby is entitled to Business Class Priority Checkin.

Also, IntelligentQ technology is at... Perth. Unless they plan on rolling it out really quickly, it's not going to be ready everywhere by the cutoff date.

Not really, as mentioned elsewhere, QF seem to be going the way of AA.

AA do not grant lounge access to their OWS/OWE's at all either on Domestic Flights.

It's a OW Ruby Benefit, for people using OW Ruby Status, not QF PS status (they're eg a 'home airline' program, not an alliance program).

It may suck, but it's nothing against the terms. AA and others have been doing things like this for years.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Reading one enhancement upgrading a few people to Silver but then Qantas take away with the other hand.

I am a little annoyed by the removing of Qantas Club and Qantas Silver from priority check in. Check in lines for domestic economy can be insane.

Once the new check in procedures are in place then I think this benefit can be changed but not until then, and I can't see the new check in being available at all capital cities before February 2011.

 

[Groundfeeder]

From 1 February 2011, access to priority check-in counters at domestic airports will no longer be available for Qantas Club members, although this privilege will continue to be available for Qantas international flights.

Does this mean no more QP lanes:evil:

 

[antycbr]

I agree it sucks and pretty much means I'll be switching to Virgin. Not a lot of point sticking with QF when the principal benefit of Silver tier membership is withdrawn. With the minimum point guarantee of 1,000 points for most east coast flights you never get the benefit of 25% status bonus, and I rarely pay for QF international.

Just wait till my QC membership expires and switch over... better service on Virgin generally anyhow at a lower price, provided the IT systems stay up.

 

[thewinchester]

This seems to breach the Oneworld Ruby benefits and I would be sorely tempted to argue the point with printout in hand. There's no exclusion for Domestic flights, or anything else for that matter other than saying that Oneworld Ruby is entitled to Business Class Priority Checkin.

Couldn't agree more, and there's nothing on the Oneworld Tier Status page which says any exceptions by airline are provided for or allowed.

I can't begin to exclaim just how annoyed I am with these changes, particularly since as a QPNB I'm finding out online the benefits I pay for are being devalued, before the airline bothers to tell me directly. Shameful behaviour by QF, but this is par for the course on how they operate.

 

[anat0l]

This is not a good change.

I'm not a PS now, but I was one before, and if the likely scenario that my travel will drop soon eventuates, I could very well be a PS soon with no real benefit of the status.

The only thing I can make of this is that if NGCI is being rolled out, there will be no more desks except for the standard service desk and the premium desk. The latter was only to be used by J/WP and possibly SG anyway, so PS wouldn't have access to a "priority check-in" since they otherwise would use the same hardware and the same bag drop facilities. So is it a real removal of benefit? Almost not in theory (note the emphasis *puts flame shield up*).

During the transition period (where ports do not have NGCI) the hurt will be realised. Might also stem to smaller airports where NGCI may not be rolled out, e.g. CNS, ASP, DRW and HBA.

 

[Flashback]

It looks like there's no reason for me to keep PS anymore as it provides no benefit. Given my *A Gold status now and not being in an area where OW is strong it looks like time to consider *A for my flying.

 

[MatF]

-sigh-

... and I've only recently achieved LTS status.
I was thinking that provided some nice little backup benefits for the day when I stop flying too often.

 

[tuapekastar]

When I was paid QP (and PS for that matter), I always considered priority checkin just about on par with lounge access as a benefit, considering some of the horrendous 'standard' checkin lines that I used to see at airports.

I don't know what the NGCI changes are going to do to checkin/bag drop queues but as a QP/PS I'd be bitterly disappointed if in the washup I found myself once contending with lengthy queues.

 

[samh004]

Does this mean no more QP lanes:evil:

Yes, because the lanes will become NGCI poles, so there wont be a lane there at all.

But as anat0l says, in theory it’s not so much an erosion as PS’ should still be able to check-in relatively fast at an NGCI pole.

After I get Gold, I doubt I’ll keep it for more than a year, so looks like I’m buggered come 2012, though I’ve seen the DJ-way and think I’ll stick around for a bit more before I make any hasty decisions.

 

[chrisb]

But as anat0l says, in theory it’s not so much an erosion as PS’ should still be able to check-in relatively fast at an NGCI pole.

Unless you have luggage.

Priority Checkin is about the only Silver benefit I use.

Oh, i notice this one.. Lounge access for Ruby?!

oneworld® benefits
Silver Frequent Flyers enjoy oneworld® Ruby status
So when you fly oneworld you'll enjoy privileges like preferred seating, priority check-in, and access to oneworld alliance airline Business lounges.

Good going with the proof reading Qantas.

 

[Harpoon]

I wont be renuewing my QP membership now theyve taken the priority Dom checkin away. That was half the reason for paying for it.

Disgrace.

 

[antycbr]

Sent to frequent flyer email

This email is to advise you as both a frequent customer and shareholder of Qantas of my displeasure of the removal of the access for both Qantas Club and OneWorld Ruby/Qantas Silver from access to priority check in services.

1. This has been a long standing benefit of both Qantas Club and Qantas Silver membership

2. The removal of priority check in should only occur in airports where Next Generation Check in Facilities are established.

3. Where airports do not have the Next Generation Check in facility, it is inappropriate to send customers who spend more time than most at the airport in the normal check in line for domestic travel, which is how most Silver customers would reach that level.

It is also concerning that Qantas is not honouring its obligations to Oneworld Ruby customers, who are entitled to use Business Class check in facilities.

As you can see from my lifetime status credits of 3,085 over 8 years membership I have remained loyal to Qantas however these changes, along with the continual increase in program fees and restrictions on what can be booked and changed online, severely tests that loyalty.

Customers at the Silver value point are bringing significant revenue to Qantas and quite often are spending their own money rather than a company travel account. In my case, I will be carefully reconsidering my options once these changes take effect.

Whilst I doubt you will reconsider the changes, I urge you to retain the benefit of priority check in at airports that do not have Next Generation Check in.
​

 

[chrisb]

It's funny that these benefits are designed to create loyalty. As a silver, once you take away priority checkin, what else is there to not make me pick Virgin instead?

The luggage allowance may be useful sometimes, but I'd say it won't be for 99% of flights for Silver travelers.

 

[antycbr]

It's funny that these benefits are designed to create loyalty. As a silver, once you take away priority checkin, what else is there to not make me pick Virgin instead?

More reliable IT systems?

Qantas is pleased to announce an exciting new benefit, that will speed you through the airport. we will keep our checkin systems available for our most valued customers. If you are a Gold or higher frequent flyer, enjoy access to baggage tags and boarding passes!
​

 

[harvyk]

So what is the real value of PS now? Seriously QF answer that question for the average PS flyer.

As has been said before - there is nothing cheap about loyalty, you need to remember that by screwing over those who have been loyal to your airline you may very well be screwing over your business.

If DJ where smart they would jump on this by having a "so QF doesn't value your loyalty" promotion of some description.

 

[dfcatch]

Priority checkin and extra/priority baggage are the only real benefits of PS.

When I drop back to QP PS, it will be a case of seriously rethinking loyalty, particularly on transpacific flights...

 

[alect]

Unless you have luggage.

Priority Checkin is about the only Silver benefit I use.

Makes me glad that i have AA LTG (1MM) - seems like it will still get me priority check-in whereas my QF LTS won't