Qantas Club value deminishes

[Richdave]

I have been a QC member for 15+ years and it seems it's value is declining.

It seems that all the perks are now aimed at FF Gold or above who get FREE QC access.

No real value for those who up till now were prepared to PAY for a few extra perks.

No priority check-in for domestic, refused entry to Air Pacific lounge while FF Gold get free access

Cant use the priority security lanes either

All this leaves me queuing at the Business check-in and waving the QC card around asking where the QC line is...Seems to work so far

 

[drewbles]

I have been a QC member for 15+ years and it seems it's value is declining.

It seems that all the perks are now aimed at FF Gold or above who get FREE QC access.

No real value for those who up till now were prepared to PAY for a few extra perks.

No priority check-in for domestic, refused entry to Air Pacific lounge while FF Gold get free access

Cant use the priority security lanes either

All this leaves me queuing at the Business check-in and waving the QC card around asking where the QC line is...Seems to work so far

It won't work for long. The signs now clearly state 'Gold, Platinum and Business' no Silver or QP.

There has been much heated discussion over in the Qantas part of the forum about the latest round of 'enhancements' to the program.

You are entitled to use the Business check-in only for International flights now. The idea being that NGCI will negate the need to see people to check-in (although it's still not working overly well yet).

 

[reductionist]

The idea being that NGCI will negate the need to see people to check-in (although it's still not working overly well yet).

As a Qantas Club member I would have been much happier with the "enhancement" to priority check-in if they'd pitched it to me like this (excuse my wording, I'm not a marketing type):

"We are removing priority check-in for Qantas Club members because NGCI is faster and more convenient. When NGCI is fully implemented and considered stable & reliable you will be given x days notice of removal of priority check-in for Qantas Club members."

The point being that they have removed this privilege way (way) to soon because NGCI still has a lot of kinks and isn't really a viable alternative yet. I'm yet to receive a new card or baggage tags for instance.

 

[drewbles]

As a Qantas Club member I would have been much happier with the "enhancement" to priority check-in if they'd pitched it to me like this (excuse my wording, I'm not a marketing type):

"We are removing priority check-in for Qantas Club members because NGCI is faster and more convenient. When NGCI is fully implemented and considered stable & reliable you will be given x days notice of removal of priority check-in for Qantas Club members."

The point being that they have removed this privilege way (way) to soon because NGCI still has a lot of kinks and isn't really a viable alternative yet. I'm yet to receive a new card or baggage tags for instance.

I couldn't agree more, unfortunately, companies don't think logically. They just say 'oh it's coming, just bag the QP/PS checkin and let 'em wait a few months it won't be long'.

The idea was that PER was getting it, it was 'tested and found to work fine' and then rolled out, despite overwhelming evidence that it was not, as they thought, working fine.

Logic and Airlines seldom go hand in hand

 

[reductionist]

drewbles, your post in the other thread was pretty much on the money. Qantas Club & QFF Silver members can complain all they want but QF is unlikely to do a back-flip on this.

The best course of action is to vote with your feet/wallet/butt-cheeks, perhaps accompanied with a sternly worded letter to QF. I'll be reaching QFF Platinum next month but will be thinking seriously about whether or not to requalify, especially with the supposed impending launch of DJ's business product.

 

[Briz.QffBoi]

I have been a QC member for 15+ years and it seems it's value is declining.

It seems that all the perks are now aimed at FF Gold or above who get FREE QC access.

No real value for those who up till now were prepared to PAY for a few extra perks.

No priority check-in for domestic, refused entry to Air Pacific lounge while FF Gold get free access

Cant use the priority security lanes either

All this leaves me queuing at the Business check-in and waving the QC card around asking where the QC line is...Seems to work so far

Richdave, I hear your pain - but the reality is its a business decision and nothing else. Qantas Club membership starts at around $450/$550 and for that (up until recently) members recieved virtually identical benefits to silver and gold QFF members. To reach silver, a punter has probably spent a minimum of $2,800/$3,000 flying on Qantas or associated metal - Gold FF'ers upwards of $5,700 or more.

I have stood in the premium check-in line (sometimes for 15 minutes or more) behind half a dozen QC members who's general demenor and preparedness would suggest limited travel and have wondered why someone (ie ME) who flys a return journey typically once and often twice a week has to wait to recieve the supposed benefit of QFWP behind those who travel once a year but who's kindly son/daughter coughed up $400 at Xmas to give them a QC card.

Yep, its a total snobby wank of a response - but WP's and Gold FFers have got snotty about it and Qantas has listened.

That being said, I agree that there should have been a bit more thought given as to when and how these changes should be implemented - and I agree that in circumstances where NGCI is not yet operational that privilages should perhaps be extended until an effective alternative is available.:shock:

 

[oz_mark]

Richdave, I hear your pain - but the reality is its a business decision and nothing else. Qantas Club membership starts at around $450/$550 and for that (up until recently) members recieved virtually identical benefits to silver and gold QFF members. To reach silver, a punter has probably spent a minimum of $2,800/$3,000 flying on Qantas or associated metal - Gold FF'ers upwards of $5,700 or more.

Silver members no longer get priority check-in either on domestic flights.

 

[Briz.QffBoi]

Silver members no longer get priority check-in either on domestic flights.

In reality whats difficult about bag-drop and/or check-in in the lounge?

If you OLCI the time saving is nix.

In smaller centres outside Briz, Syd. Melb and Perth the wait is only a few minutes in any case - and there's no priority line anyhoo.

Once NGCI is fully operational there will likely only be one or two check-in staff anyhow - as you (read: everyone) will be encouraged to DO IT YOURSELF.

Funny how change is so unsettling.

 

[medhead]

To reach silver, a punter has probably spent a minimum of $2,800/$3,000 flying on Qantas or associated metal - Gold FF'ers upwards of $5,700 or more.

these numbers are a bit high. Based on my average flight cost last year (regular same routing flying) $2360 for silver, or $4720 for gold. I also did have 2 flights that got me silver requal for $1600 and combined with my average flight would = silver for $1972. There is nothing special about my ability to get flights, except I flight the same route every week and therefore I'm really familiar getting flights.

As for the value, many around here will tell you that the profit from my $4720 to get gold would be nowhere near the $450 QC membership fee. Then factor in the resources that a gold member travelling a return per week requires from the QC compared to a paid QC member travelling twice per year and I think it is totally incorrect to decide that a paid QC member hasn't contributed enough.

 

[TC15]

As for the value, many around here will tell you that the profit from my $4720 to get gold would be nowhere near the $450 QC membership fee. Then factor in the resources that a gold member travelling a return per week requires from the QC compared to a paid QC member travelling twice per year and I think it is totally incorrect to decide that a paid QC member hasn't contributed enough.

Well said. I'm neither QC nor Gold though, so probably should stay out of this!

 

[Moopere]

I've made this observation in another thread, but it seems relevant here too: The off-the-street up front cost of QP = $840 (I know there is opportunity to get it cheaper).

When you look at what you get for that its a big ask in my view. I wonder if perhaps the reduction in memberships value to purchasers really is in fact a wake up call to QPers direct from QF to stop being members and give way/space to the gold / plat FFers?

By just outright cancelling the directly purchased QP membership they'd get a storm of protest, so, instead, they whittle away value to the point where folks just won't buy - then it becomes the sacred domain of elite FFers and J class passengers.

With DJ's The Lounge about to dump Priority Pass (or so I hear) there will soon be precious few options left for low status economy lounging I fear.

 

[Alanslegal]

I have stood in the premium check-in line (sometimes for 15 minutes or more) behind half a dozen QC members who's general demenor and preparedness would suggest limited travel and have wondered why someone (ie ME) who flys a return journey typically once and often twice a week has to wait to recieve the supposed benefit of QFWP behind those who travel once a year but who's kindly son/daughter coughed up $400 at Xmas to give them a QC card.

And that's where your point about QP'ers hogging the queues fall down. QP'ers buy into membership because they usually do not fly enough to qualify for any status, and hence are not as regular flyers as you and many road warriors out there.

It's easy to blame QP'ers because you think they don't deserve to be there ie. they do not fly as much as yourself or they (cheated and) bought into membership, but QF wants to continue sell them and because of those benefits, almost lock those QP'ers to exclusively fly QF/JQ/AA/BA on their trips than spreading their love to other competitors. The QP is like the honey to Winnie The Pooh bear.

 

[GT351]

Is QC membership not mostly all cream to Qantas.
500-800 dollars for very little in return if you dont fly so often.

 

[Moopere]

Is QC membership not mostly all cream to Qantas.
500-800 dollars for very little in return if you dont fly so often.

Its such a bad deal for the PAX that I wonder if they are trying to clear space in the lounge. Less QP PAX = more space.

I presume this same type of thinking is behind Virgins "The Lounge" dropped Priority Pass (or is about to drop it). Making more space in the lounge for their own status or (soon) J PAX.

I have no idea of the numbers involved of course.... anyone care to offer a guess as to the QP usage on any given day by QC cardholders?

I guess the other possibility is that QF is simply gouging their customers, high entry fee and lower return by way of services ...

 

[tuapekastar]

Its such a bad deal for the PAX that I wonder if they are trying to clear space in the lounge. Less QP PAX = more space.

I presume this same type of thinking is behind Virgins "The Lounge" dropped Priority Pass (or is about to drop it). Making more space in the lounge for their own status or (soon) J PAX.

I have no idea of the numbers involved of course.... anyone care to offer a guess as to the QP usage on any given day by QC cardholders?

I guess the other possibility is that QF is simply gouging their customers, high entry fee and lower return by way of services ...

QF did have a (admittedly brief - for 90 hours) promotion not so long ago when celebrating their 90th birthday where the QP joining fee was waived for any new joiners, so that does seem a little at odds with trying to cut the numbers. But they work in mysterious ways, so who knows?

 

[medhead]

QF did have a (admittedly brief - for 90 hours) promotion not so long ago when celebrating their 90th birthday where the QP joining fee was waived for any new joiners, so that does seem a little at odds with trying to cut the numbers. But they work in mysterious ways, so who knows?

They have also had a more recent promo offering cheap QC membership.

 

[Moopere]

Hmm, yes, both good points - I'm off track then. Must be the gouging customers thing then (hehe).

 

[oz_mark]

They have also had a more recent promo offering cheap QC membership.

I must have missed it. I only remember the 90th anniversary offer.

 

[medhead]

I must have missed it. I only remember the 90th anniversary offer.

Yeah, I almost missed it, only noticed when I was sniffing around the QF website one day. I can't remember the details, but I did mention it on AFF somewhere at the time, maybe in the ATA thread - pretty easy to miss something in there

 

[warpspeed]

I fly a bit, but never quite enough to get up the tiers of QFF.

QP membership to me, is (was) a great way to be able to get that little bit more. I enjoy flying and having those few extra perks is really handy.

However, I'm less and less interested with paying the QP fees with the reduction in value. I think I'll be voting with my feet.

I'm quite disappointed at the NGCI changes, having the domestic priority checkin removed and not being given any bag tags isn't a very nice gesture from Qantas, the least they could have done was give the QPNB folks the bag tags.