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.
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.
- Tailoring P1 to the individual pax. Not everyone travels the same and the current "one fits all" program is not effective.
[Emphasis added, edited for brevity]
Hi
Boomy. I can understand your sentiments, and agree you are mostly likely right in stating P1 isn't three times better than WP. In status programs generally, the higher you go up the more gradual the benefits become, in terms of jumps in benefits. For example, from Silver to Gold is a rather big benefit upgrade (in terms of everyday benefit). Most of the top-tier benefits really come into play for high benefit/irregular events. P1's SST assistance during cancelled flights/operational problems, for example, is a benefit that doesn't come into play often, but is sure valued when the s***t hits the fan I'd say.
So even though you are right about the jump in SCs required, I don't think it'll ever work out as 3x the benefit.
On upgrades, this has got to be the trickiest area for every airline - because the last thing they want to do is forego potential revenue. Hence op-ups on Qantas aren't really foreseeable - so if you really want to ensure J/F you have to use $ or points (which is exactly what Qantas wants). Murphy's Law in that if the airline thinks you'll bite the bullet, that's when your least likely to get op-up'ed lol. Still the P1 upgrade success advanced notice is a nice benefit, and the chances of an op-up as a P1 have to be better than most. The trouble with actually specifying the number of op-ups that *will* be given (from the airline's point of view) is that they will have to give you that number lol.
It's interesting that PEV is the 'hidden' status level that impacts shadows, op-ups and the like (although it should be roughly aligned with known status). This really is Qantas mining data for leveraging.
As to tailoring P1, this will hopefully get better as time passes, and is likely to be really useful in the future. Qantas just has to start collecting the small data to make it happen. Imagine them already having your favourite drink prepared, to give to you soon after you have seated. Knowing that you always like to get away to Noosa every year, and giving you individual only deals to match your desires. Right now, it's true, this happens mostly on a personal relationship basis between customers and FAs that keep meeting each other onboard - but it'll get there I think.
Congrats for being a foundation P1 (you'll forever retain that experience) - it probably will never make absolute sense to kill yourself just trying to retain P1, but if you just happen to get there without making much of an effort, it's good that it's there I'd say.
