Qantas Introduces New Domestic Fares and Further Frequent Flyer Enhancements

[Limewood]

It also looks like Q fares booked before the 7th July and not status applicable do not qualify for new offer. Pitty I have return flights booked.

 

[drron]

There really are some pessimists who live here.Remember the words of Brian-always look on the bright side of life.
These are genuine enhancements.OK dont make up for the last few rounds but a move in the right direction.
Why the worry about once a year flyers upgrading to the J cabin-the vast majority wont even think about it.
More of a concern is what already happens.QF528 on Thursday.12 J seats,2 of us on JASAs,4 QF cabin staff in uniform,1 QF staffer-well she spent the flight reading QF draft policies-so leaves a maximum of 5 paying pax.However I must say was the best QF service I have seen in years.

 

[JohnK]

Adding my experience to N = 2, was very impressed with NGCI SYD-PER this week. Did online check-in and used bag drop at SYD with Q Card scan at gate.
Bag was amongst first 10 off-loaded at PER.

I know this off-topic for this thread and not meaning to be rude in any way but do you really think NGCI had anything to do with your bag being out in the first 10?

 

[pauly7]

There really are some pessimists who live here.Remember the words of Brian-always look on the bright side of life.
These are genuine enhancements.OK dont make up for the last few rounds but a move in the right direction.
Why the worry about once a year flyers upgrading to the J cabin-the vast majority wont even think about it.
.

Couldn't agree more.

It honestly scares me how much negativity exists around this forum these days. Im not saying those people shouldn't post, it is their right, just is mine to naturally be more positive but wow try glass half full for once

Honestly think if QF or DJ handed out gold bullion with dinner onboard some people here would complain about the weight!

 

[macrop]

Personally, I actually like the red-edeal upgrade changes. I thoroughly enjoy flying in the comfy seats (can't sleep on planes) when flying outsite of work so I've had a few JASA's through out the year but next month I'm doing PER-MEL return run on the A333. One fight is a 36000point JASA and the other is a flexi ticket with a 10000 point upgrade. The JASA still cost me $120 on top of the 36000 points (which is 1/4 of my yearly earn) and the flexi ticket plus upgrade was $350 from memory. If I do a return JASA run that is 72000+$240. With the new changes I can do a return run in red-edeal for $500+20000points of which I get over half back anyway. IMO I find this method much better value for money/points. The difference being the status credits issued but as a platinum now this is not such a worry/need as I wont quite get to the 2400 mark. There's probably other scenarios where this method is not maybe suited?.

Two thumbs up from me.

 

[dk4]

It honestly scares me how much negativity exists around this forum these days.

Presumably due to many years of negative "enhancements"...

In fact there may have been some confusion out there, given yesterday's mass email from QF, advising -

Dear valued customer, You may be aware that Qantas recently announced changes to our domestic fare structure effective 7 July 2011. As you have a Qantas domestic flight departing on or after 7 July 2011, this e-mail is a courtesy to inform you that the changes announced this week will not affect your booking. Existing domestic bookings will remain in the same booking class as originally ticketed and the fare rules are those which apply to the ticketed fare at the date of purchase. However, you might like to know that from 7 July 2011 at qantas.com, Qantas Frequent Flyers* can request an upgrade to Business on all Qantas domestic Economy flights with a QF flight number, including Red-e-Deals.^ Note that Qantas domestic flight upgrade awards are not available on Qantas and Partner Classic Awards. For all domestic bookings from 7 July 2011, you will find the following key changes: Four simple fare types to make it easy to select the right fare for you. [TD="width: 23"] [TD="width: 327"]Name changes~ are now permitted on flexible fares subject to conditions. A fee applies for Flexi Saver tickets.

[TD="width: 23"]

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[TD="width: 327"]Domestic Red e-Deals are now upgradeable using Qantas Frequent Flyer Points.^
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[/TD]

 

[medhead]

Adding my experience to N = 2, was very impressed with NGCI SYD-PER this week. Did online check-in and used bag drop at SYD with Q Card scan at gate.
Bag was amongst first 10 off-loaded at PER.
Now if they could fix the J Catering to match the checkin

I know this off-topic for this thread and not meaning to be rude in any way but do you really think NGCI had anything to do with your bag being out in the first 10?

I was going to say that it wasn't technically NGCI, rather OLCI and NGBD (NG Bag drop)

 

[Standby]

Finally time to read thru the changes and I agree the changes are a pretty good package of changes both price product and FF.
The FF upgrade and earn seems more like QF getting in ahead of the Velocity changes. For once they had the balls to take a chnace & lead rather than meekly follow.
A few comments about 'isnt competition good' and 'wouldn't have happened unless DJ changed' and 'thanks JB' etc.
I reflected on these and thought yes thanks JB (and the others whilst you worked at QF) for actually defining such a consistantly good Domestic product vs world standards that has actually forced DJ to changes its model to have longterm relevance in this market with the punters who can keep airlines profitable ie the roadwarriors. So I sort of saw the comments as a chicken and egg statement in that QF's strength and quality forced DJ to change which QF reasonably responded to and in some instances raised the bar.Every one wins and the 1 constant is JB

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I don't see how you think more people will make Silver/Gold/Platinum with these changes. You don't get extra SC's for getting an upgrade.

Anything except the cheapest category nows earns Full Economy SCs. There are a lot more booking classes earning extra SCs, and those extra SCs mean more status pax.

Why will they forgo revenue? Look at the average punter buying a ticket, most wont be rushing for an upgrade! Yes we might, but think of the average!

What do you think is paying for this? These changes *cost* money. That money has to come from somewhere.

 

[david-au-2000]

I strongly agree with those who say that these are real "enhancements" and that some AFF people seem to be all too ready to have a whinge. Seems like QF are "damned if they do and damned if they don't"!!

Look, I am happy for the chance to earn more SCs on cheaper fares. And also thanks to DJ for encouraging QF to do this in the first place, LOL!

 

[TonyHancock]

Honestly think if QF or DJ handed out gold bullion with dinner onboard some people here would complain about the weight!

Weight wouldn't be the issue, as a WP I would expect platinum, not gold!

 

[dajop]

I reflected on these and thought yes thanks JB (and the others whilst you worked at QF) for actually defining such a consistantly good Domestic product vs world standards that has actually forced DJ to changes its model to have longterm relevance in this market with the punters who can keep airlines profitable ie the roadwarriors. So I sort of saw the comments as a chicken and egg statement in that QF's strength and quality forced DJ to change which QF reasonably responded to and in some instances raised the bar.Every one wins and the 1 constant is JB

In the turn you could almost thank Tiger for entering the market, as it created the market conditions where DJ could no longer happily coexist with Jetstar feeding at the bottom. Could probably go back further than that as well.

 

[Zippy7]

Got this in the inbox...

Dear valued customer,
You may be aware that Qantas recently announced changes to our domestic fare structure effective 7 July 2011.
As you have a Qantas domestic flight departing on or after 7 July 2011, this e-mail is a courtesy to inform you that the changes announced this week will not affect your booking. Existing domestic bookings will remain in the same booking class as originally ticketed and the fare rules are those which apply to the ticketed fare at the date of purchase.
However, you might like to know that from 7 July 2011 at qantas.com, Qantas Frequent Flyers* can request an upgrade to Business on all Qantas domestic Economy flights with a QF flight number, including Red-e-Deals.^ Note that Qantas domestic flight upgrade awards are not available on Qantas and Partner Classic Awards.
For all domestic bookings from 7 July 2011, you will find the following key changes:

Four simple fare types to make it easy to select the right fare for you.

Name changes~ are now permitted on flexible fares subject to conditions. A fee applies for Flexi Saver tickets.

Domestic Red e-Deals are now upgradeable using Qantas Frequent Flyer Points.^

Read more about the new domestic fare changes.
Log into Manage Your Booking or your Qantas Frequent Flyer account to view your booking today.

Important Information
* You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem points. A membership fee may apply. Membership and points are subject to the terms and conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program available at qantas.com/terms
~ Name change means using the value of an unused ticket as credit towards payment for a new ticket in another person's name.
^ To request Flight Upgrade Awards using points, Qantas Frequent Flyers need to have an eligible confirmed Qantas domestic ticket, which may be a Qantas & Jetstar Any Seat Award, on a Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number. Domestic Flight Upgrades are subject to availability at time of request and may be requested between 353 days and 24 hours in advance of departure. Qantas domestic flight upgrade awards are not available on Qantas and Partner Classic Awards. For more information visit qantas.com/flightupgrades.

 

[Standby]

In the turn you could almost thank Tiger for entering the market, as it created the market conditions where DJ could no longer happily coexist with Jetstar feeding at the bottom. Could probably go back further than that as well.

TT are annoyance but network reach is limited both in citypairs and frequency. DJ had to change because their competitors product for high yield punters was better overall

 

[serfty]

Got this in the inbox......

Thanks for that- it confirms what red roo had posted as being the new deal.

 

[dajop]

TT are annoyance but network reach is limited both in citypairs and frequency. DJ had to change because their competitors product for high yield punters was better overall

I tend to disagree. In a market that has a tendency historically to revert to two players, a committed third player creates a more competitive environment, even though they have only a small network. One could make the same argument about DJ when it first started in 2000.

I don't believe DJ "had to change" just because QF had a better product for high yield punters, as to do so brings additional costs and risks (and could easily be mismanaged and drive the airline out of business). If it was just DJ & QF, DJ wouldn't necessarily have to start going for high yield customers, and onecould envisage both airlines happily coexisting in the LCC and Premium carrier markets respectively. However I think DJ had no choice, as with a higher cost base than Jetstar (and Tiger) they would have been squeezed out by both. Maybe TT isn't such a big factor but one could easily speculate that Qantas - by creating Jetstar to put the squeeze on DJ- has in turn forced them to compete head on with QF itself!

So we perhaps we do have QF, and not DJ/VA, to thank for starting to make some real improvement for FF'ers - because they created Jetstar - which ultimately forced DJ to start competing with mainline QF!

 

[browski]

Of course these are good changes but let me tell you a little story.

Company A had my business for years. During that time, I brought to their attention many of their unreasonable charges and their lack of reward for my frequent flying and dollar spend. They simply chose to ignore me and/or give me no consideration.

Company B came along with a product that did not contain unreasonable charges. I liked the look of company B. I decided to give my business to company B.

Before I left, Company A came to me and said "Look, all that money I gouged from you and the lack of goodwill/reward to you should be now forgotten, because we will now give you the same benefits of company B (and maybe a bit more)."

The people roared "Hail to Company A!"

However, I didn't. I simply felt that Company A were a bunch of coughs.

 

[Limewood]

Not happy Jan..

"Existing domestic bookings will remain in the same booking class as originally ticketed and the fare rules are those which apply to the ticketed fare at the date of purchase".

I have flights booked before 7th.

 

[Aenveigh]

Anything except the cheapest category nows earns Full Economy SCs. There are a lot more booking classes earning extra SCs, and those extra SCs mean more status pax.

What do you think is paying for this? These changes *cost* money. That money has to come from somewhere.

Yes - from the points provider. And in many cases this will be credit card companies, stores that have signed up to the QFF program, etc - not necessarily Qantas itself.

Qantas may in fact be making more money by allowing easier point burn, particularly on products like business seats, which if a domestic ODU, isn't amazingly better than economy; an extra glass of water or juice, a bit of alcohol and maybe a little extra food in the lounge. It's nicer, but does are costs to QF the same as say the same points to provide an economy seat if the points were spent as a flight?

At the least, this may be a mitigating factor in any cost burden.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I know this off-topic for this thread and not meaning to be rude in any way but do you really think NGCI had anything to do with your bag being out in the first 10?

Sorry JohnK what I meant was that the new bag tag and scanner did seem to recognise priority. This was something that I was skeptical about when they were first sent out.