Qantas surveying members about spend-based status attainment

[33kft]

Talking about the lounge here… you fly domestically in the US and get cheap status. Then you fly a £27 fare on BA but consume a £50 bottle of champagne in the galleries First lounge.

The problem is you can build a scenario like this for Australia - flying JQ on some sale fare from the intl terminal or leveraging one of the domestic widebody services departing intl, but to suggest it is endemic is utter bs, nobody can be bothered going through the rigmorale, or tolerating JQ flights:

K

Thread 'Qantas Lounge Access on Domestically International JQ Flight'

Apr 6, 2023

Quick question - I notice that JetStar operates one flight right now that departs from the international terminal of MEL but is domestic service (i.e. JQ15 from MEL to CNS). I'm wondering if one would have access to the QF lounges if taking such flights?

The reason I ask is that I reckon it could be exceptionally good value to book one of those tickets for 120ish dollarydoos and then proceed to spend some quality time at the Qantas First lounge (e.g., as a Qantas World Platinum member). And with the reliability and on-time performance JQ is world renowned for, I wouldn't be particularly...

• kangarooflyer88
• airline lounges
• Replies: 25
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

• 

Just because you can, doesn't mean everyone does. If QF are gonna act on the 1%, so be it.

 

[Lynda2475]

So simpler/cheaper making SCs more expensive would be to not run DSCs and remove lounge access for JQ flights; easily done as aren't OW.

Although again I think you over estimate how many JQ passengers are in the F lounge on any given day.

Noting that QF First already impose a 1 glass per person limit on the rare occasions they have something expensive like Grange on offer and also have extra menu options available for those on F tickets.

Spa treatments are a fixed cost and limited. F pax and P1s flying QF are given first choice of appointments ahead of those flying partners or of lower status in J and whY.

Having spent a couple of extended periods (5hours + due to delays on my flight) in the QF first cant say that Ive really witnessed people gorging themselves on food or drinking excessively. And I watched a lot of people come and go.

Im sure QF (and this is a QF thread) have done the maths and wouldnt be running DSC promos if they felt they needed to reduce number of elites in the F lounges.

As Australia tends to be a end/start point its Int lounges dont see the volume of pax that would visit lounges in major hubs like LHR or even HEL; as there are few connecting international flights. And QF lounges don't serve full strength coughtails or the breadth or premium wines that EU first lounges have.

 

[Sabot]

The problem is you can build a scenario like this for Australia - flying JQ on some sale fare from the intl terminal or leveraging JQ15 from MEL or whatever, but to suggest it is endemic is utter bs, nobody can be bothered going through the rigmorale, or tolerating JQ flights:

K

Thread 'Qantas Lounge Access on Domestically International JQ Flight'

Apr 6, 2023

Quick question - I notice that JetStar operates one flight right now that departs from the international terminal of MEL but is domestic service (i.e. JQ15 from MEL to CNS). I'm wondering if one would have access to the QF lounges if taking such flights?

The reason I ask is that I reckon it could be exceptionally good value to book one of those tickets for 120ish dollarydoos and then proceed to spend some quality time at the Qantas First lounge (e.g., as a Qantas World Platinum member). And with the reliability and on-time performance JQ is world renowned for, I wouldn't be particularly...

• kangarooflyer88
• airline lounges
• Replies: 25
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

• 

Just because you can, doesn't mean everyone does. If QF are gonna act on the 1%, so be it.

It would not be difficult to solve this issue directly through the ticketing system either.

 

[Laptop Jockey]

So long as it isn't a backdoor to devalue status credit earn overall, I personally support it.

The days of frequent flyer "miles" is long dead, and I would argue even the idea of a "Frequent Flyer" and customer loyalty being seen as valuable are long dead, with the way status credit are so heavily skewed to premium seats. The system already massively tips the scales to spending over actually loyalty, so this is just calling a spade a spade. You will know you need to spend $x000 to reach gold status, and $x0,000 to reach platinum and so forth.

As someone who regularly flies to locations like Darwin, Canberra and Port Moresby with (often wildly) overpriced tickets, it would likely benefit me assuming they don't use it as a cover to "enhance" the system.

I really don't see most of the "downsides" in the article as losses; Gamification? Really?

 

[trader10]

I have no doubt QFF intends to go down this path. Look at the American Airlines and BA. As for the FIFOs most are Platinum anyway from my WA trips. I have dropped Platinum FF and now go with another carrier International.

 

[Simpic]

It's gonna happen. No matter how much people moan.

 

[elanshin]

It's gonna happen. No matter how much people moan.

I have no doubt QFF intends to go down this path. Look at the American Airlines and BA. As for the FIFOs most are Platinum anyway from my WA trips. I have dropped Platinum FF and now go with another carrier International.

Well yes no-one here doesn't believe that some form of change will happen but is it 1 year? 3years? 5years? 10 years?

All those timelines mean very different things. 10 years and most of the FF here would be LTG even if you started the game today.

So long as it isn't a backdoor to devalue status credit earn overall, I personally support it.

The days of frequent flyer "miles" is long dead, and I would argue even the idea of a "Frequent Flyer" and customer loyalty being seen as valuable are long dead, with the way status credit are so heavily skewed to premium seats. The system already massively tips the scales to spending over actually loyalty, so this is just calling a spade a spade. You will know you need to spend $x000 to reach gold status, and $x0,000 to reach platinum and so forth.

As someone who regularly flies to locations like Darwin, Canberra and Port Moresby with (often wildly) overpriced tickets, it would likely benefit me assuming they don't use it as a cover to "enhance" the system.

I really don't see most of the "downsides" in the article as losses; Gamification? Really?

I don't think QFF would be as simple to go down AA's path but maybe some other version of revenue spend in the future. There are many status programs out there and not necessarily all of them are the most profitable - it could even be that in the future some of the other airlines revert back to a points based system for status if their analysis determined it was better.

Loyalty is a big and complex thing and honestly a whole business in of itself. It probably already is QFs most profitable division and as such they're going to make sure to not shoot themselves with any major changes.

 

[kgreenuq]

I hate the idea -- I'd lose status, and without that there's no reason for me to continue to preference Qantas when I fly.

 

[justinbrett]

It’s like some people didn’t even read the article.

 

[Sabot]

I think I have made this point before but something to consider would be the impact on the international business as a byproduct of changes to domestic passenger behaviours.

Qantas has a relatively weak product in the international space and I imagine QFF loyalty helps them significantly here. It would be easy to conceive of a scenario in which domestic profitability is improved at the expense of the already marginal international offering.

 

[trader10]

Agree that Qantas I believe will go the same route as BA and other airlines. Earn per $ spent on the plane or shopping via rewards. You just have to look at the absence of Classic Reward seats on overseas flights for their “ points and pay”. I used to be Platinum and given it up for another International carrier despite being lifetime gold. Don’t forget the age of the Qantas fleet. The pointy end always costs $ on any airline . For me personally I have moved on.

 

[33kft]

I have dropped Platinum FF and now go with another carrier International.

I used to be Platinum and given it up for another International carrier despite being lifetime gold.

For me personally I have moved on.

Clearly....

 

[MooTime]

I hate the idea -- I'd lose status, and without that there's no reason for me to continue to preference Qantas when I fly.

I hear you.

I'm from other side of the fence (VA) and will lose my status quickly in time too.
WP to silver here I come as I've resigned myself to the dark side....BFOD.

The world is far from ending.

 

[Bigkev]

I just renewed platinum with Virgin for another 12 months, but with their changes I’m seriously looking at Qantas right now. I’m even planning to change credit cards, and I hardly ever churn.
I figure, if I’m spending about as much on Virgin to maintain status for a lesser program (fewer lounges-Darwin RIP), I might as well go with a program that supports more locations and international travel.

 

[outthere1000]

Air Canada has a hybrid model that seems to work well. To attain status one needs to fly a certain number of sectors OR aceetain number of miles, PLUS a minimum spend. For example, to attain SuperElite status (approx P1) one needs to fly 100,000 miles OR 100 sectors (the latter obviously suiting FIFO workers and some business persons), AND spend $20,000 (Canadian residents; IIRC for non-residents it's $9000) on AC flights or Star Alliance partner flights written on AC paper.
All tiers are reached with flights only, except for the lowest tier, 25K, where daily spend can get you there.
Details here:

Qualifying for Aeroplan Elite Status

Reach Aeroplan Elite Status based on how much you fly with Air Canada and the Star Alliance member airlines, as well as how much you spend within a calendar year.

www.aircanada.com

 

[clifford]

I'd suggest that anyone with Qantas status (not lifetime), who wants to retain it or improve on it should be actively researching alternatives to QFF.

When they drop the (very) unfavourable changes on you (and it could be tomorrow), you should be prepared for it (of course, you won't like it).

Just look at the reaction to BA's changes to BAEC:

BA ANNOUNCEMENT - BA to move to a spend based Tier Point system From 1st April 2025 - FlyerTalk Forums

British Airways | Executive Club - BA ANNOUNCEMENT - BA to move to a spend based Tier Point system From 1st April 2025 - Just released by BA (with more analysis over at headforpoints.com obviously): Introducing The British Airways Club: More ways to earn Tier Points than ever before As part of a...

www.flyertalk.com

Anyone kidding themselves (apologies to Matt Graham) that it won't happen will more than likely be disappointed.

Certainly, I have been very disappointed with the other FF programs I have status with, ie: BA, UA ,VA, but thankfully in the case of UA I have attained lifetime status at the Platinum level, although the award redemption rates have rocketted skywards, which makes it much less attractive.

If it doesn't happen within the next 2-3 years I am prepared to send a bouquet of roses to every member who reads this (may be cheap ones).

 

[justinbrett]

If it doesn't happen within the next 2-3 years I am prepared to send a bouquet of roses to every member who reads this (may be cheap ones).

I’ll settle for Cadbury Roses thanks

QF isn’t BA. It starts from a pretty low standing PR wise with the last several years being extremely turbulent, and now a competitor trying to get back in to long haul.

I thought Matt’s article quite eloquently stated why QF is unlikely to follow in the near:/ medium future, but I wouldn’t rule out other significant changes such as a 50% QF marketed requirement and/or further reduced partner earn. As far as QF marketed goes I’d say they’ve set it up just the way they want it, the only thing to tweak is to cease DSC if they want to reduce the number of elites. But doesn’t look like that’s what they want.

 

[hugamuga]

As for the FIFOs most are Platinum anyway from my WA trips.

Based on my experience, it varies a lot from company to company and roster. Many people are one 2:1 or 2:2 swings and even if they are flying on a full flex ticket to KTA or PHE they would only just get Gold. People flying to KGI, ZNE, PBO, LEA, ONS wouldn't even reach gold. Contractors who fly a mix of virgin and Qantas depending on the site often struggle to maintain silver on either airline. People commuting from the eastern states or on very travel heavy swings 4:3/5:2 (BHP) tend to get platinum pretty easily. Changing status to spend based would definitely have a huge impact on the amount of people using the Perth and regional lounges, especially in peak times like mornings.

 

[Yarros]

After 40 years of ‘loyalty’ and 25 years of Platinum this can be classified as the potential “last nail in the coffin” of my relationship with Qantas. Average product, average service and now it’s going to be a pure $ calculation? While my spend is much lower in retirement, it will now be my life’s work to make sure Qantas doesn’t get one cent of it. But I’ll make sure I drink and eat my weight in their lounges via my LT Gold.

 

[jase05]

and now it’s going to be a pure $ calculation?

It hasn’t happened yet and it may not happen for some time.
QF may ultimately decide not to go down that route