PS to lose priority DOM Checkin

[trippin_the_rift]

Would have made more sense to increase the sc needed to attain/renew to achieve the same outcome. This would also make status more valuable.

Imagine this scenario: RBA keeps interest rates on hold, but puts a limit on ones income instead of increasing the cost of living. This is what airlines are doing and it's turning their once great loyalty programs into piles if crud.

 

[pauly7]

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

Don't feel bad! It may have been an intended outcome by QF, they may have crunched the numbers and worked out that level of flyers was costing more than they contributed perhaps? And the benefit then is making all the other tiers more premium oriented.

I'm sorry for the QC and Silvers, but just leg it up to Gold!

I have to agree though with the last few more rational posts IMHO, I think QF were stretching themselves too far offering all that priority service to Silvers etc.... I am actually very happy with this announcement.

Hopefully they lose the priority tagging as well (haven't read the announcement through properly yet - running through an airport of all places!) - I think there is way too many people getting priority tagged as well.

 

[pauly7]

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.

Not controversial at all, I and a few others are agreeing with you.

 

[blueflamenco]

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.

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...

They are cutting access to priority lines for QC & PS for domestic flights only. You will still have access to priority lines when travelling internationally according to the website.

Changes to domestic check-in benefits for Silver Frequent Flyers with Next Generation Check-in
By early 2011, Silver Frequent Flyers will receive a new Qantas card featuring 'intelligent Q' smart chip technology and stylish new Marc Newson designed Q Bag Tags. New chip-enabled Qantas cards allow Silver Frequent Flyers to enjoy smoother, faster check-in with just one touch of the card at a Q Card Reader. 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

 

[samh004]

Hopefully they lose the priority tagging as well (haven't read the announcement through properly yet - running through an airport of all places!) - I think there is way too many people getting priority tagged as well.

I don’t think priority tags do that much anyway, admittedly sometimes they work, but I don’t think reducing the number tagged is the solution, I think fixing the system is

 

[serfty]

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.

Another example is how QF treat Elite and Guest access to their lounges:

• A guest of a Qantas WP/SG needs to be travelling with the member to gain access to a Qantas Lounge.
• A guest of a (non Qantas) oneworld Emerald needs to be travelling on a oneworld flight to gain access to a Qantas Lounge.

 

[blueflamenco]

I don’t think priority tags do that much anyway, admittedly sometimes they work, but I don’t think reducing the number tagged is the solution, I think fixing the system is

I thought priority tags would be thrown out the window when we receive the new readable tags?

 

[drewbles]

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.

QF PS still gets International J check-in queue. It appears to be just Domestic based on the fact that all ports that have J will be converted to NGCI and regional airports never have had premium checkin queues.

 

[Groundfeeder]

I'm sorry for the QC and Silvers, but just leg it up to Gold!

Been there, done that, and thanks for the fish.
What is the equation that long term paid QC members (eg: me) regularly dancing between PS & SG for regular DOM travel at full Y rates are now a hindrance to their system?

 

[blueflamenco]

Been there, done that, and thanks for the fish.
What is the equation that long term paid QC members (eg: me) regularly dancing between PS & SG for regular DOM travel at full Y rates are now a hindrance to their system?

Are you a lifetime Qantas Club member?

It seems that QC life members got a pretty good deal and acknowledge this. I'm not suggesting that it is fair to take away the benefits but to me it still seems like a good deal even without domestic priority check in.

 

[markis10]

Are you a lifetime Qantas Club member?

It seems that QC life members got a pretty good deal and acknowledge this. I'm not suggesting that it is fair to take away the benefits but to me it still seems like a good deal even without domestic priority check in.

I think QP lifers have been hard done by, especially the more recent ones such as being restricted to one piece of luggage regardless of class and the check in change.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

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....

I was in a similar position 2 years running. Spent 5k and was only silver. Depressing. Then l found this site and got WP for 1.5k and 30k points.

The cherry is there for the picking for DJ.

 

[pauly7]

but I don’t think reducing the number tagged is the solution,

Clearly you aren't flying the golden triangle in peak hour

Put it this way - if there is a bag that ISN'T priority tagged in some way shape or form its worth photographing!

I go back to others points that the benefits were extended too low - and I'm happy they are being pulled back a bit. Selfish I know but I think it increases value of other tiers.

 

[Australian]

I go back to others points that the benefits were extended too low - and I'm happy they are being pulled back a bit. Selfish I know but I think it increases value of other tiers.

But they're 'basic' benefits that any business FF requires - and while some (ie, a very small fanatic number!) will go on 'SC runs' to rack up quick points, many business flyers are too busy slogging it out in commutes in Y here, there, and everywhere ... like the other posts mentioned earlier that mean $$$$ and STILL only stay within silver ... in which case DJ silver/gold is looking WAY better - esp if we're talking regular/frequent business-paid flights domestically ...

QF might end up at the 'high end' ... with less numbers, but higher payers -- but i suspect that they'll be an erosion of hard, serious business BIS flyers gravitating towards DJ benefits (not to mention their competitive BFOTD offers that fall within most corporate policies), and other shake ups still to come under their new leadership.

as a current QFF, that's my 2c

 

[samh004]

Clearly you aren't flying the golden triangle in peak hour

Put it this way - if there is a bag that ISN'T priority tagged in some way shape or form its worth photographing!

I go back to others points that the benefits were extended too low - and I'm happy they are being pulled back a bit. Selfish I know but I think it increases value of other tiers.

You confused me there for a second, as I’m sure that selective quote was not what I meant, and I had to re-read what I wrote.

It’s not a problem how many bags are tagged, even if they all are, because they don’t actually work most of the time. What QF needs to invest in is an RFID tag that is read by the machines and placed in the correct order to come out first, etc… it can’t be that hard to do

No offence to baggage handlers, but most of the time I’m sure they couldn’t care less which coloured tag should get onto the carousel first.

But they're 'basic' benefits that any business FF requires - and while some (ie, a very small fanatic number!) will go on 'SC runs' to rack up quick points, many business flyers are too busy slogging it out in commutes in Y here, there, and everywhere ... like the other posts mentioned earlier that mean $$$$ and STILL only stay within silver ... in which case DJ silver/gold is looking WAY better - esp if we're talking regular/frequent business-paid flights domestically ...

QF might end up at the 'high end' ... with less numbers, but higher payers -- but i suspect that they'll be an erosion of hard, serious business BIS flyers gravitating towards DJ benefits (not to mention their competitive BFOTD offers that fall within most corporate policies), and other shake ups still to come under their new leadership.

as a current QFF, that's my 2c

DJ doesn’t have priority tagged bags

 

[rtyuiop]

As a recent graduate from PS to gold, if I lose gold in a year or so I will have precisely zero reason to take a QF flight over any other reasonable airline with these changes - unless NGCI works differently to how I'm expecting, there's really no difference between silver and NB.

Besides there being no reason for me to chooise QF, there's an element of betrayal here - PS and QC folks made plans and spent money on the belief they'd get some benefits out of it, and those are being removed without so much as an apology (in fact with a 'look at this wonderful thing we're doing for you!' tone). It might not be rational, and I believe DJ would certainly do the same thing if required, but emotionally it still doesn't exactly endear me to QF.

And to make things worse, we're all well aware the QFF program isn't exactly costing them money!

Shame it doesn't seem like DJ is likely to join*A with their recent announcements, wouldn't this be a great time to announce it!

Danny

 

[Brettmcg]

As I understand, and I have been known to be wrong (seldom, but it can happen), the NGCI involves two types of check-in.

1. The normal kiosks for plebs with no status/Bronze

2. The Q-Card Readers which can only be used by status members eligible for Q-Cards. These being the same members who were previously eligible for priority check-in?

Does this not mean that basically the priority check-in is retained, simply that it is now done by machine rather than in person? So long as their technology actually does what it is supposed to, I can't see that the check-in benefits are hugely reduced. From what I gather you just tap your card and that is it. Furthermore if you are worried about queues then you can still check-in online and/or via mobile.

Internationally: in my experience because staff in foreign ports are often NOT Qantas staff, they are a lot less tight about the benefits offered to premium pax. One example being a friend of mine having been First Class tagged in FRA despite only being a QP. Probably an exception to the rule, but reflective of most of my experiences.

Sure some of these enhancements suck, especially those for WP but I'm not quite sure the sky is falling in as some would suggest.

 

[pauly7]

Sure some of these enhancements suck, especially those for WP but I'm not quite sure the sky is falling in as some would suggest.

Whether the enhancements suck or not is completely personal. As anytime access was not wanted, used or needed by me as a WP - don't really care.

But some people here clearly like it alot and love spending time in the airport lounges both before and after flights (I'm more of a last minute get to airport then after the flight - get the hell out kinda guy!). I appreciate they may be feeling a bit upset.

But agree with you on no sky falling in, this is typically what happens on here - people scream for a while then it all dies down and its all back to normal

 

[blueflamenco]

I think QP lifers have been hard done by, especially the more recent ones such as being restricted to one piece of luggage regardless of class and the check in change.

Maybe so. From what I have picked up though it seems as though these life memberships worked out to be very good value for money.

 

[markis10]

Maybe so. From what I have picked up though it seems as though these life memberships worked out to be very good value for money.

I have been lucky enough to only have one paid year of QP, the rest being included in my FF, so I do feel for those that parted money recently.