PS to lose priority DOM Checkin

[dfcatch]

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

This is an excellent point.

My plan was to make it to LTS and reassess things at that point. If my flying wasn't to continue enough to make LTG I would have still been happy with having the priority check in etc.

If this disappears then I'm not sure of the point of aiming for LTS..??

 

[chrisb]

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

Funny how that works isn't it. Then again, AA has had the same issue with lounge access for Sapphires so we shouldn't comment.

 

[Sequel]

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!
​

Dont joke, and I shouldn't mention it, but it wont belong before they start charging for boarding passes!

I can see the next "enhancements" now:

"For those that have a mobile phone, our NGCI now allows you to check in with out the need for a boarding pass, of course for those who would still like to use a boarding pass, they are available for $7.70 or 2,000 FF points (until 31 March 11, from 31 March 11 5,000 points)"

 

[samh004]

Unless you have luggage.

Priority Checkin is about the only Silver benefit I use.

you can use the NGCI kiosk to print a baggage tag (or eventually use the Q tag and just put it on the carousel.

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?

Well the $4000 cost to get to Silver might stop you

Or the $3333.33 renewal

 

[chrisb]

you can use the NGCI kiosk to print a baggage tag (or eventually use the Q tag and just put it on the carousel.

Nice in theory, but you're saying there won't be any queues at Economy Bag drops now? Qantas isn't that good. You still have to get there, swipe your card, put the bag down, wait for it to get a weight, wait for it to figure out if it can read the tag and then send it away.

 

[QF WP]

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

Like the Priority Club promotion after the Hilton devaluation. Much mileage can be made by Virgin if they approach it carefully.

 

[Feper]

Hi All;
Sorry to be controversial, but I for one think that this is an enhancement for me. All too often the supposed quicker line option is full of QP and PS members, as a WP I rarely check in luggage but for those times that I do, I now look forward to a shorter wait when flying domestically, Internationally it won't have any affect as QP and OWE can check in F.

 

[samh004]

Nice in theory, but you're saying there won't be any queues at Economy Bag drops now? Qantas isn't that good. You still have to get there, swipe your card, put the bag down, wait for it to get a weight, wait for it to figure out if it can read the tag and then send it away.

True, there should be the same number of people using NGCI as would have formerly stood in the J/QP line, except some will now be at the premium line, and all the non-status and NB’s can’t be anywhere other than in the Y line (unless they’ve bought an NB NGCI card… I think that’s right).

So from all of that reasoning, it should in fact have less people using it.

Initially it’ll be a chore, and occasionally you might find a newbie on the machines, but once everyone knows how to use it, it’ll be speedy I’m sure… until the IT system crashes that is.

Hi All;
Sorry to be controversial, but I for one think that this is an enhancement for me. All too often the supposed quicker line option is full of QP and PS members, as a WP I rarely check in luggage but for those times that I do, I now look forward to a shorter wait when flying domestically, Internationally it won't have any affect as QP and OWE can check in F.

I take the same view, as I tried to explain above.

Right now we have Y and J/QP.

In the future we’ll have Y, J/SG/WP and a whole load of NGCI.

 

[drewbles]

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.

Qantas *are* honouring obligations to *other* OneWorld Ruby, just not their own.

As I and others have stated elsewhere, it may suck, but AA have done the same to their Plat/EXPLat members in regards to lounge access. We can access it as OWS/OWE, but they can't unless they pay for AC access, or, are travelling internationally. No DOM lounge access for AA's OWS/OWE.

If you had AA Gold, OW Ruby, you'd be able to check-in at a business desk. In all likelihood though, the "Premium" desk for NGCI, will be classed as a 'First class' check-in, so would only be available to OWE and WP only (there's no where in the the OW rules that state they have to have J checkin, it's a benefit - where available).

It stinks, but it's all legit unfortunately.

 

[jakeseven7]

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.

I actually think its a great move - there are WAY too many people in the priority queues!! It was ridiculous allowing the lowly silvers access. This will serve to ensure Golds + get better service.

And I don't mind if the low value Silvers desert (which they probably won't anyway) - just means more room for everyone else

Selfish post I know, but just being brutally honest.

 

[antycbr]

Qantas *are* honouring obligations to *other* OneWorld Ruby, just not their own.

I know your opinion on this but the letter was to Qantas and I have my opinion. I am also aware of the AA counter example, or even the fact that BA doesnt have a ruby tier at all. But it seems stupid to me,they may as well on the OneWorld website put a star next to that line about Business Class and say "* subject to conditions".

So I can use business class checkin on AA, BA, CX, IB, MA, AY, LA, JL, RJ but not QF.

I dont mind if the NGCI rollout happens everywhere, but as I stated they need to think about airports where it won't happen by 1 Feb (or ever).

 

[jakeseven7]

Hi All;
Sorry to be controversial, but I for one think that this is an enhancement for me. All too often the supposed quicker line option is full of QP and PS members, as a WP I rarely check in luggage but for those times that I do, I now look forward to a shorter wait when flying domestically, Internationally it won't have any affect as QP and OWE can check in F.

+1 and everyone in our office agrees with you!!

 

[DMMatlin]

I have been a QP member for 10+ years and at varying level of PS and SG over the years. Currently a QP with PS status.

The major reason for retaining QP membership was the priority check-in. Certainly not the priority baggage handling. The lounge access is not really that huge a benefit when the overcrowding of Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are taken into account.

So it seems that renewing is looking harder to justify.

At least this move might reduce the QP overcrowding....

Well the $4000 cost to get to Silver might stop you

Or the $3333.33 renewal

Just checked the accounting system and I have spent $9.3K with QANTAS in the past 12 months. Yet I am still only a PS level customer. So that $4000 looks pretty good too me right now....

Does that give me priority check-in over there?

 

[chrisb]

I actually think its a great move - there are WAY too many people in the priority queues!! It was ridiculous allowing the lowly silvers access. This will serve to ensure Golds + get better service.

QC loses access too.

 

[drewbles]

I know your opinion on this but the letter was to Qantas and I have my opinion. I am also aware of the AA counter example, or even the fact that BA doesnt have a ruby tier at all. But it seems stupid to me,they may as well on the OneWorld website put a star next to that line about Business Class and say "* subject to conditions".

So I can use business class checkin on AA, BA, CX, IB, MA, AY, LA, JL, RJ but not QF.

I dont mind if the NGCI rollout happens everywhere, but as I stated they need to think about airports where it won't happen by 1 Feb (or ever).

Not my opinion, fact based on evidence as to what AAnother AAirline has done.

OW Ruby can use J checkin on OW airlines outside their home airline, subject to it being available.

OW Ruby can access J checkin on BA, despite BA as you say, not having a OW Ruby Tier.

What an airline does on its own FF program has no bearing as to how other OW members are treated, just their own, which happen to have OW benefits when not travelling with the airline who their FF program is with.

 

[samh004]

At least this move might reduce the QP overcrowding…

I was thinking similar, even though I feel bad for thinking it’s a good thing there might be less paid up members :-|

Does that give me priority check-in over there?

Yup.

QC loses access too.

But not Gold.

Even though QC is free to Gold members, Golds get access to the queue, but QC members do not. So this hardly affects jakeseven7.

 

[markis10]

Bring on LTG as a safety net, because LTS just became as useful as the letter I got congratulating me on the "achievement", QF are certainly focusing on immediate short term gain at the expense of lifetime customer loyalty in the case of LTS and QP Life.

 

[pauly7]

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

I think they are caught up with the tiny issue of trying to fix their computers to accept bookings and check in without diaster, let alone send emails with FF offers

EDIT: I'd happily take a status match with DJ to go check them out again though!

 

[dfcatch]

I actually think its a great move - there are WAY too many people in the priority queues!! It was ridiculous allowing the lowly silvers access. This will serve to ensure Golds + get better service.

And I don't mind if the low value Silvers desert (which they probably won't anyway) - just means more room for everyone else

Selfish post I know, but just being brutally honest.

Agreed that there are lots in the priority queues. But as a recent QP PS, and no doubt going back there in the future I will consider it a great setback to not have priority checkin, particularly internationally.

FWIW, remember that if the priority queue is full and long, it either means the Y queue is empty, or QF are understaffed.

 

[markis10]

FWIW, remember that if the priority queue is full and long, it either means the Y queue is empty, or QF are understaffed.

Or its 6AM Sydney time, 5AM Brisbane time on a Monday.