PS to lose priority DOM Checkin

[medhead]

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.

I'm not sure they will end up with the high end, QF have burnt the low end and the high end and left the middle relatively untouched. Provide DJ get their premium offering out there soon I think a chunk of the high end is there for the taking.

Someone also made a comment about extending priority check in too low, to PS. But I would just say that paid QC is also losing this benefit. When I first paid for my QC there was no silver, gold and platinum. So I have trouble with the idea that priority check in was extended too low to include paid QC. If I wasn't a platinum now, I would be having serious problems with this move. But I do also think that NGCI will make priority check in irrelevant in many ways.

 

[Alanslegal]

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.

I disagree purely because my logic would be that SGs/WPs flyers fly so much more often than most PSs/QPs and because of this, that the people in the priority queues, would be likely filled with more SGs/WPs rather than PSs/QPs.

 

[samh004]

But I do also think that NGCI will make priority check in irrelevant in many ways.

Essentially it is priority check-in, and although NB members can buy cards, I doubt many will.

I do wonder what happens if you drop down to NB status from lofty heights though, will the card still check you in or do QF expect you to buy a new card each year

 

[dfcatch]

So in the future when I drop back down to QP PS, or even just QP, and I lose priority check in for domestic flights, I notice I can still use a priority queue for international ....

Seeing as I'm based in Cairns and have to fly domestic to BNE or SYD to connect, will I now be stuck in the long Y queue (with the other million QF flights out of CNS at the same time of day)??

On that note, in the absence of NGCI in CNS, is priority checkin still provided??

Will be interesting to see...

 

[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.

Jake, not dissing your post, but just wondering if your status is self-funded..??

 

[dfcatch]

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

So WP's with carry on will love NGCI in this case. Doesn't justify screwing QP and PS.

 

[thewinchester]

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.

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

It's been said that some agree with this, and some don't.

As a QPNB who pays for his own membership (and they went up this year) - priority domestic check-in is the #1 reason why I joined the QP. Removing this benefit, even if they 'offset it' with introduction of the QCard is a devaluation of the program.

The major reason for retaining QP membership was the priority check-in.

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.

As with what DMMatlin and rtyuiop have said, I couldn't agree with them more;

I disagree purely because my logic would be that SGs/WPs flyers fly so much more often than most PSs/QPs and because of this, that the people in the priority queues, would be likely filled with more SGs/WPs rather than PSs/QPs.

Couldn't agree more. Using the argument that QPNB & QPPS were clogging J/QC queues as jakeseven7 and ors. have is complete tripe. I've travelled at varied times of the day, and I'll be perfectly honest that in 3yrs of flying as a QPNB I have never encountered a priority queue that's taken more than 5min to clear.

Catch a red eye out of PER, and you'll understand just how much of a godsend the priority queue is for me and why I'm incensed that a benefit I've expressly paid for and sought is being taken away.

So WP's with carry on will love NGCI in this case. Doesn't justify screwing QP and PS.

Amen.

 

[Flashback]

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.

I'm not sure that will be the case. Think of the US and people carrying with lots of hand luggage. There is always going to be newbies at any given time slowing up the process... for every wisened up person, there is always another n00b to take their place :mrgreen:

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.

Very much agree on this. I wonder if/when I move back to Australia whether exceptions will be made or whether I'll have to fly via the US to get the piece system.

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.

Internationally the benefit of business class check-in still exists, so moot point here.

So in the future when I drop back down to QP PS, or even just QP, and I lose priority check in for domestic flights, I notice I can still use a priority queue for international ....

Seeing as I'm based in Cairns and have to fly domestic to BNE or SYD to connect, will I now be stuck in the long Y queue (with the other million QF flights out of CNS at the same time of day)??

On that note, in the absence of NGCI in CNS, is priority checkin still provided??

Will be interesting to see...

I wonder whether because you're connecting to international, can you still use the business class check-in as technically you're starting an international itinerary? I would think so, but that being said most airports I've been to have a specific check-in area for those with international connections which has never had any priority lines anyway.

 

[Sprucegoose]

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 wasnt aware QP could check in F on int????

 

[samh004]

I'm not sure that will be the case. Think of the US and people carrying with lots of hand luggage. There is always going to be newbies at any given time slowing up the process... for every wisened up person, there is always another n00b to take their place :mrgreen:

I’d argue it would have to be a very clued up newbie, unless QF issues Q cards to NB’s, as right now they’ve said the offer will be that they can purchase them, but they don’t get them automatically. So most of the complete newbies wont be using the machines, and the ones that have made it through the ranks, I can’t imagine will be that dense

I wasnt aware QP could check in F on int????

Based on what was said previously and the proximity of Q to W on a keyboard, one can only assume woxlee meant WP.

 

[dfcatch]

I wonder whether because you're connecting to international, can you still use the business class check-in as technically you're starting an international itinerary? I would think so, but that being said most airports I've been to have a specific check-in area for those with international connections which has never had any priority lines anyway.

This is exactly my question.

CNS doesn't have a "Domestic to International Connections" counter. I always check in at QP/J counter (as WP or previously as QP PS).

 

[Flashback]

I’d argue it would have to be a very clued up newbie, unless QF issues Q cards to NB’s, as right now they’ve said the offer will be that they can purchase them, but they don’t get them automatically. So most of the complete newbies wont be using the machines, and the ones that have made it through the ranks, I can’t imagine will be that dense

Based on what was said previously and the proximity of Q to W on a keyboard, one can only assume woxlee meant WP.

At least having a Lifetime QP membership, I'll always have a NGCI card even if dropping back to NB.

This is exactly my question.

CNS doesn't have a "Domestic to International Connections" counter. I always check in at QP/J counter (as WP or previously as QP PS).

In which case I'd just continue to do so. Only one way to find out! :shock:

 

[drron]

I really dont think there will be too many life members of QP who will lose a lot-mostly will be limited to those who got in just before life membership was axed.i would guess a reasonable proportion of life members have status on QF or another OW program.
It is just that i will now have to take my Aadvantage card with me(probably leaving the QP card behind)when travelling domestically.
One thing i find a little off putting is that PS will get the RFID tags for their bags but as a QP I will have to pay.On the other hand I certainly would rather wait until the bugs are ironed out.
As to priority tags my personal opinion is that they are worse than useless most times at Australian airports.My bags come out quicker if I ask not to have a priority/business tag.Coming in on QF 16 last week 1 bag had not been tagged at DFW-it was first of our bags out.I did not notice a business tag on any bag in the first 50 or so.

 

[k_sheep]

So when is the PS acronym going to change to NS?

Lowering the qualifying rate got me slightly excited that I would requalify if I changed one of my flights from D7 to QF/JQ. Now I'm not going to bother.

Decisions - priority pass and cheapest flights, or *A? Hmmm.

 

[JeniSkunk]

So when is the PS acronym going to change to NS?

Other acronyms for QF silver I can think of are:
Worthless Silver
Devalued Silver
Useless Silver

Jenifur Charne

 

[djfuzz]

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.

Hmm - the few times I've checked bags domestically since being WP have been at the J/WP counter, which has been distinctly different from the QC/PS/SG counters (admittedly, that's only been at MEL, SYD and ADL).

So isn't there a loss of benefit for WPs as well from this as the change effectively lumps you with SGs as well, right?

 

[samh004]

Hmm - the few times I've checked bags domestically since being WP have been at the J/WP counter, which has been distinctly different from the QC/PS/SG counters (admittedly, that's only been at MEL, SYD and ADL).

So isn't there a loss of benefit for WPs as well from this as the change effectively lumps you with SGs as well, right?

As far as I’ve seen domestically, there’s a J/status/QC line and a Y line. This is further split by bag drop and no bags, but I’ve never seen a WP line domestically, or at least, not a line designated as J/WP.

Maybe I’m not looking hard enough.

 

[djfuzz]

As far as I’ve seen domestically, there’s a J/status/QC line and a Y line. This is further split by bag drop and no bags, but I’ve never seen a WP line domestically, or at least, not a line designated as J/WP.

Maybe I’m not looking hard enough.

My assumption too - but I'm fairly certain that the few times I've done this at those three ports, the priority area queues were split in two as noted above. I do recall pretty clearly walking down a lane straight to a desk while avoiding a longer QC/PS/SG line.

It is possible I was hallucinating or incredibly rude, but I'd like to think I wasn't that inconsiderate.

 

[anat0l]

Hmm - the few times I've checked bags domestically since being WP have been at the J/WP counter, which has been distinctly different from the QC/PS/SG counters (admittedly, that's only been at MEL, SYD and ADL).

So isn't there a loss of benefit for WPs as well from this as the change effectively lumps you with SGs as well, right?

Whatever the signage would suggest, J/QFF elite/ow elite/QP were treated all the same with priority check-in. Having the two lines or whatever was farcical.

With NGCI it's not going to matter much at all - J/WP will use the Premium Desk for inquiries, the rest use the regular desks for inquiries, and that is if they happen to have a problem (otherwise everyone - from NB to WP - is check, drop and go). The transition to NGCI, however, will hurt PS and QP members the most.

 

[djfuzz]

Whatever the signage would suggest, J/QFF elite/ow elite/QP were treated all the same with priority check-in. Having the two lines or whatever was farcical.

Only mentioned it because I would have thought woxlee's concern about lining up behind (and being served after) QC/PS/SG wouldn't have been an issue, which would still have been a marginal (however small) point of difference for WP that this change may have diluted.