Qantas Platinum One experiences?

[Pleb Status]

I don't think anyone would go 0-1800 (3600 with dsc ) in the 3 months to fully take advantage of gaining p1 cheaply.

If on the rare occasion they do , they absolutely deserve p1.... and remember They need to continue to fly to enjoy the benefits.

With the scenario outlined above, they have 'really' earned only 50% of the SC required and do not deserve P1 at all. The qualification criteria is the qualification criteria. If QF believe their qualification criteria is too harsh, they should change it for everybody, not for the privileged few to get a DSC promotion.

If you have a balance of ~530000 FFP, a few thousand dollars and some time on your hands, 3600SC can be quite easily earned with a DSC promotion in three months (along with some KUPP AA fares).

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

I hope QF Loyalty ramps up their innovation and customer engagement quickly because it's clear from threads like this that with the right formula, loyalty could be significantly more profitable than it currently is.

All well said. I find when I do get a survey from QF, its either very narrowly focused (ie 'how was check-in of flight QFXX you took recently?') and/or seem to only want you to re-inforce the status quo. No free-form answers to questions like:

"What was good ...... and bad .... about your experience in xx_ lounge today? "

"If there were 2 things we could do for you on your QF journey today, either better, or in addition what would they be?"


No doubt because free form surveys cost money to interpret and, horrors, implement if its something not being done now. Better for management weenies to be able to report on a survey result that 90% of respondents gave a favourable response to check-in.

 

[ReLoad]

With the scenario outlined above, they have 'really' earned only 50% of the SC required and do not deserve P1 at all. The qualification criteria is the qualification criteria. If QF believe their qualification criteria is too harsh, they should change it for everybody, not for the privileged few to get a DSC promotion.

If you have a balance of ~530000 FFP, a few thousand dollars and some time on your hands, 3600SC can be quite easily earned with a DSC promotion in three months (along with some KUPP AA fares).

You are totally majoring in minors, and again we are talking about how many people?

IF you had half a million points free to burn for no reason
IF you got a DSC promotion with dates that suit you.
If you don't have flights already booked for that period.
IF you had the time to go to the USA on a SC run.
IF you had the time to get the QF compulsory component.
IF you had the thousands of dollars spare

IF, IF and more IF....

WP1 has never been worth chasing ever. Again it's not the Athenaeum club, or some other DYKWIA institution, it's an extra level of service.

So open question to those that want DSC offers removed etc, what exactly is it that you want from the removal of these offers? What would your ideal outcome be?

 

[Kangol]

I'd imagine this is perhaps true for CL, but not P1. Where did you read this?

Post #308 of this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....inum-one-experiences-35716-31.html#post922210

Whoops, it said QF metal, not dom only.

I had a sad call from Qantas last week...

"Mr PPW, so and so from Qantas here. Your Platinum One membership has expired and we are sending you a new Platinum card. Can we confirm your mailing address please...." My two year stint as P1 is over. It was good and I thought you might be interested in a short summary of my P1 experience. The benefits I most enjoyed were:

...

*the unlimited luggage allowance on QF metal - I used it a few times with up to 8 pcs on one occasion (again, documents for work, not shopping, wine or something exciting),

 

[trippin_the_rift]

WP1 has never been worth chasing ever. Again it's not the Athenaeum club, or some other DYKWIA institution, it's an extra level of service.

So open question to those that want DSC offers removed etc, what exactly is it that you want from the removal of these offers? What would your ideal outcome be?

I won't post it here but there are multiple reasons why WP1 is worth chasing (some members here are taking advantage of this secret).
Unfortunately for QF Loyalty, those reasons actually destroy loyalty rather than build it. QF doesn't know it yet because this is a multi-year plan and won't show on the balance sheet until it's too late. Dare I suggest the opportunity cost here may be equivalent to a new 737 annually.

QF Loyalty is obviously running thin on new ideas, so they're rolling with something they know kind of works and has yielded results in the past. Nothing wrong with that.
What would be my ideal outcome? I'd like to see them come up with innovative and engaging ideas that build loyalty, increase member satisfaction and ultimately boost profitability of QFF.

Maybe they're getting lazy, the junior kids are taking over or perhaps people making the decisions are too jaded in their job. Whatever the case - the program needs a fresh set of eyes to improve areas that it's lacking in (keeping in mind most of the program works flawlessly and does it's job very well).

 

[Pleb Status]

So open question to those that want DSC offers removed etc, what exactly is it that you want from the removal of these offers? What would your ideal outcome be?

All I ask for is a level playing field when earning QF status. I would like to know that the P1 that takes my preferred seat etc actually earned the same number of required SC that I had to earn, not some reduced number of SC which was not available to me.

As stated previously, the qualification criteria is the qualification criteria. If QF feel that they need to modify the qualification criteria, this modification should be available to all, not just a select few. If you cannot satisfy the published qualification criteria, you do not earn the status. Simple as that.

 

[Richie Teh]

All I ask for is a level playing field when earning QF status. I would like to know that the P1 that takes my preferred seat etc actually earned the same number of required SC that I had to earn, not some reduced number of SC which was not available to me.

As stated previously, the qualification criteria is the qualification criteria. If QF feel that they need to modify the qualification criteria, this modification should be available to all, not just a select few. If you cannot satisfy the published qualification criteria, you do not earn the status. Simple as that.

Fully agreed with this.

Same should also applies to gifts and invitation to events etc.

 

[TonyHancock]

The DSC offer is a tool used by QF to increase business in the short term. It must be measured as "effective" or QF would not repeatedly do it.

In the longer term I have no idea if this has a negative impact on QF's business with the high SC FF. I suspect QF also has no idea. My guess would that it would not be overly negative.

It is certainly frustrating when you are racking up 5000 SC's a year without DSC's and then miss out on an event because the P1 team knows you are overseas when calls are made and chooses not to contact you.

In many respects QF is it's own worst enemy. Had there been no special events I would not have been annoyed with the P1 setup. I didn't care about events until I was promised something that QF reneged upon and then produced a half decent service recovery...but the sour taste was left.

I care much more about the benefits, service, and support offered when I fly. When I think back on this I have actually done quite well as a P1.

So I will complete this year's (Well until the end of July) P1 qualification, and implore QF to forget all of the special events and gifts and focus exclusively on delivering excellent service and benefits, pre, during, and post my flights.

This might upset the DSC P1's who may find their perceived benefits reduced but I suspect there would be a lot of happy P1's who are racking up the SC's. It seems a bit fairer too given that the DSC P1 would be flying less than the non DSC P1, so the latter would benefit more.

I could of course be completely wrong! As trippin_the_rift mentioned in an earlier post we all have different needs!

 

[Hvr]

All I ask for is a level playing field when earning QF status. I would like to know that the P1 that takes my preferred seat etc actually earned the same number of required SC that I had to earn, not some reduced number of SC which was not available to me.

As stated previously, the qualification criteria is the qualification criteria. If QF feel that they need to modify the qualification criteria, this modification should be available to all, not just a select few. If you cannot satisfy the published qualification criteria, you do not earn the status. Simple as that.

First up in the interests of full disclosure, I achieved WP1 with the aid and full utilisation of two DSC offers.

I used JASAs and YUPPs as well as 'regular' flying to attain the requisite SCs for WP1.

It was going to be my 4th consecutive year of WP but fortune smiled on me with DSC offers, work situation and residential location.

Now to get some of those QFF points used for my JASAs I purchased some gift vouchers last year which got 10x points. Is that a 'valid' way to earn points to spend on a JASA to attain WP1? I believe so. I purchased more gift vouchers this year to get even more points and will try to book a mASA in 2014 for 2015.

I'm going to BKK in a couple of days and will get 20,000 bonus points thanks to the J sale. Is this a 'valid' way to earn points etc?

Are SCs earned through work flying paid for by the employer a 'valid' way to earn status etc?

Many people (me included) get points from credit cards,... well you know where I'm going.

According to the T&Cs of the program all of these (and more) methods are valid.

My point (pun always intended) is that there are many ways to earn status and they all require effort and an appreciation of the benefits and determining that they are worth it for yourself.

While the focus of this thread is WP1 level, many people use their offers to attain status at all levels from PS upwards.

Qantas has determined that their business will benefit from these offers. From my perspective it has worked. I hope they consider that it has worked.

My ultimate goal is to get LTG in the near future and I expect to do so by the end of 2014. Again that is valuable to Qantas because even if my flying dries up then the few flights I take will probably be with them. Another benefit for QF is that my non-AFF friends and family have a better opinion of Qantas because the benefits I get from my frequent flying.

There are myriad opinions about whether or not using DSCs to earn WP1 is valid. Mine is that of course it is. As it is for any status level.

I look forward to hearing arguments both about my opinion and the other views expressed here.

 

[TonyHancock]

There are myriad opinions about whether or not using DSCs to earn WP1 is valid.

Firstly there is the obvious statement - it is absolutely valid because QF offers the opportunity and rewards those that take it.

Secondly I believe if the offer is there then one would be insane not to take it. (Surely there cannot be an opposite on this site?) Anyone who plays the system to full effect deserves a pat on the back.

The reality is that P1 status is there for the benefit of QF. If double SC's and MASA's were removed from the equation it is clear to me that P1, as indeed any status level, is about money spent with QF.

When QF needs cash it introduces DSC offers, and Bonus points on voucher offers etc. Presumably the extra cash benefit outweighs the possibility of losing the higher level FF's who feel their status is being devalued. It is a straight business, not emotional, decision.

We FF's might view QF's business decision differently. In an extreme example a P1 might find it odd that they could lose their P1 status if they were to earn 3595 SC's in their year, yet another FF might earn or retain it with 1800 SC's using DSC's. The question for QF is whether the former, probably of greater value financially, would move their business elsewhere. I suspect that it would be unlikely.

We are all pawns in a game that we like to think is about frequent flying. It is about business. If it were about Frequent Flying then members like dot, who flies more than most of us here, but unfortunately not at the pointy end,would be a P1.

 

[EmilyHoward]

I won't post it here but there are multiple reasons why WP1 is worth chasing (some members here are taking advantage of this secret).
Unfortunately for QF Loyalty, those reasons actually destroy loyalty rather than build it. QF doesn't know it yet because this is a multi-year plan and won't show on the balance sheet until it's too late. Dare I suggest the opportunity cost here may be equivalent to a new 737 annually.

QF Loyalty is obviously running thin on new ideas, so they're rolling with something they know kind of works and has yielded results in the past. Nothing wrong with that.
What would be my ideal outcome? I'd like to see them come up with innovative and engaging ideas that build loyalty, increase member satisfaction and ultimately boost profitability of QFF.

Maybe they're getting lazy, the junior kids are taking over or perhaps people making the decisions are too jaded in their job. Whatever the case - the program needs a fresh set of eyes to improve areas that it's lacking in (keeping in mind most of the program works flawlessly and does it's job very well).

I'm not sure of the multiple benefits trippin. I have been P1 since its inception and obviously not been using them, though I have been able to get a couple of good classic awards and always good seating. I'm missing out it seems but I will resolve for New Year to use P1 better.

EH

 

[boomy]

I won't post it here but there are multiple reasons why WP1 is worth chasing (some members here are taking advantage of this secret).

Must be a very well kept secret then...

I'm P1 from the day this program started (by traveling a lot of Dom Y) and I can say it does gives a higher level of service but I don't feel it's 3 times better then WP as it's 3 times harder to retain.

The problem with the current program is that it doesn't give much more then a better service (compared to WP) and no matter how good the P1 team is, how many times a year do I really need to use them with my "complicated" itineraries flying MEL-SYD-BNE-MEL?!

At the moment, the only constant benefit I get from being P1 is front row seat selection.

QF should really do more to make the P1 program significantly better then WP in order to justify crediting all the extra SC's to QF instead of other programs like AA.

A few ways to improve P1:

- Upgrades. QF doesn't seem to have a clear system of upgrades and it looks like P1's don't get more then WP's. QF should create a system that gives P1's more upgrades and make sure all members receive their fair share.

- Special treatment on board. I'm not talking only about the greeting but also more substantial things like offering coffee from J in the morning and wine in the afternoon. At the moment I feel that on many occasions the pax who get special treatment on board are not necessary the top tier pax, but it's the ones who personally know the FA's and that's wrong.

- Invitation to special events. I received 1 invitation this year (to circus de soleil) and I'm living in MEL where there is always something happening, so I'm not impressed.
I also read some complaints from members who don't live I the big cities or just missed out on events because they were overseas. Maybe QF can send them a gift from epiQure or give an extra upgrade instead.
- Tailoring P1 to the individual pax. Not everyone travels the same and the current "one fits all" program is not effective. Some reach P1 by traveling a few Int F every year, some by traveling a lot of Dom Y and others by traveling Int J. Each has its own needs and the P1 team should create a profile for each pax and try and match the benefits to their traveling habits.

When it comes to P1 I don't agree with the statement "expect nothing and appreciate everything". When I'm spending so much flying QF and being loyal to the airline, I believe that I earned the right to expect a few perks in return.

If the P1 program will not improve soon I think more members will decide to stop at WP and credit the rest of their SC's to other loyalty programs.

 

[ReLoad]

I won't post it here but there are multiple reasons why WP1 is worth chasing (some members here are taking advantage of this secret).

I'm with EH and Boomy, I'm obviously missing something, especially if it as valuable as you say.

I value your input Trippin' you always have something valuable to offer thread and comment wise, would you mind sharing with some of us long time members who are in no danger of spilling the beans?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm with EH and Boomy, I'm obviously missing something, especially if it as valuable as you say.

I value your input Trippin' you always have something valuable to offer thread and comment wise, would you mind sharing with some of us long time members who are in no danger of spilling the beans?

Thanks for the kind words ReLoad ;-)

I've had a few PM's actually.
It's not so much of a secret for P1's but rather a valuable reason why someone who is Platinum would want to actively try and gain P1 under certain circumstances.

 

[AirKat]

We had a fantastic experience with the P1 team in Nov. We were flying to HKG via Manilla. Why would someone do this? Well, we were spending a week in HKG and then a week in Boracay and the Philippines have severe restrictions on flight bookings, basically we had to have an inward and outward ticket. So, QF Mel-Syd-Manila then Cathay onto Hong Kong. We allowed 2.5 hours in Manila but our QF flight was delayed in Sydney by 4 hours. We were going to miss our connection and had no idea what we would do in Manila (surely one of the world's worst airports) for the night.

The P1 team, along with Alastair the fabulous F-lounge host, negotiated to move us onto a direct Cathay flight to HKG and managed to get all of our luggage off the QF plane an onto the Cathay one on time. They also kept our other flights in tact on the system so that we wouldn't have any problems trying to return to Manila etc.

Although the delay was QF's fault, we felt they did everything they possibly could to look after us and rectify the problem. About the only issue we ended up with was missing out on Billecart champs… but after 6 hours in the F-lounge… we'd probably had enough to drink!

 

[Pleb Status]

Checked in this morning for the first time as a P1 on a QF code share flight operated by EK. I noted that my status was shown as WP on the EK website and also on the EK boarding passes. I emailed the QF P1 Apologies and Excuses team to find out if this was correct, particularly after QF sent an official email on 21 October 2013 inferring that EK would now be recognising QF P1 status.

The official written response from the P1 A&E team was that EK cannot differentiate between QF WP and P1 (in anyway whatsoever) and both groups are lumped together with the EK platinums. This is why my status is only shown as WP by EK rather than P1. This will always be the case, unless EK start a 'P1 scheme' of their own.

It was therefore inferred by the P1 A&E team that there is no difference at all being a P1 over a WP when flying EK. The EK alliance just keeps giving.......

 

[erkpod]

Checked in this morning for the first time as a P1 on a QF code share flight operated by EK.

Does this mean you have to change your AFF username now?

 

[Pleb Status]

Does this mean you have to change your AFF username now?

No. I am still a pleb in the eyes of QF.......

 

[ReLoad]

Checked in this morning for the first time as a P1 on a QF code share flight operated by EK. I noted that my status was shown as WP on the EK website and also on the EK boarding passes. I emailed the QF P1 Apologies and Excuses team to find out if this was correct, particularly after QF sent an official email on 21 October 2013 inferring that EK would now be recognising QF P1 status.

The official written response from the P1 A&E team was that EK cannot differentiate between QF WP and P1 (in anyway whatsoever) and both groups are lumped together with the EK platinums. This is why my status is only shown as WP by EK rather than P1. This will always be the case, unless EK start a 'P1 scheme' of their own.

It was therefore inferred by the P1 A&E team that there is no difference at all being a P1 over a WP when flying EK. The EK alliance just keeps giving.......

That's pretty lame!

Do EK recognise CL? And v.v do QF recognise IO?

 

[The Flying Brick]

That's pretty lame!

Do EK recognise CL? And v.v do QF recognise IO?

Flying J on an EK codeshare in a couple of weeks from AKL to MEL in a few weeks time and will report back if CL is recognised by EK or not.