QF/EK FF benefits revealed

[Supersonic Swinger]

Has anyone read anything about how these flights will work into a oneworld RTW booking? I may be booking one and this whole 'out-of-alliance' thing with Emirates and the associated caveats makes it seem easier to go with a Star RTW.

 

[Awesom Andy]

The new luggage rule is a backwards step for some. e.g. WP in Y had 3x 32kg = 96kg. Now, it's 50kg, unlimited pieces. Say, if I only ever had 20kg pieces, 3 pieces will still take me to 60kg - excess charges payable.

 

[AVC]

Including a pram we took 86KGs with us to the UK - although that probably included 20KG of things we never used.

Personally I would consider taking all my dive gear including weights and tanks if I could.

I agree. Not that we've dived since the birth of Miss VC (now 5). But as soon as she's snorkelling we'll be back at it. And needing MAX BAGGAGE!!
One time (domestically) we did take the lot (weights and all). It looked like a travelling circus.

I don't get all these people lugging masses of baggage around. I don't believe I've ever taken more than 20kgs of luggage anyway, including multiple ski trips. What on earth are people packing? I just find the thought of an overweight person + 40 kgs of baggage scary and seriously wasteful.

I could get my carry on to weigh 20kg

Sorry - I promise not to mention priority boarding much in this thread!!

Too late!!

 

[TonyHancock]

Red Roo,

I am very disappointed that I can no longer dismantle my house brick by brick and transport it across the globe as checked in luggage. How inconsiderate.

TH

 

[docjames]

I think this has been commented on, but to be clear, when flying with:
- QF flight number on your ticket you will earn base points, status bonus, cabin bonus, status credits and minimum points guarentee
- EK flight number on your ticket you will earn base points and cabin bonus
for more info see Frequent Flyer - Earning Points - Fly - Airline Partners

Sorry, I was referring to SCs not points.


I would have preferred to have seen:

- QF flight number on your ticket you will earn base points, status bonus, cabin bonus, status credits and minimum points guarantee
- EK flight number on your ticket you will earn base points, status bonus, cabin bonus, status credits and minimum points guarantee

 

[Pleb Status]

Now that the full extent of the QF/EK alliance has been revealed, as a PER based WP, I can definitely say that I am worse off. All QF have done is use the cover of the alliance to actually cut my WP benefits and no new WP benefits have been added (at best they are replacements).

1. No new flights/destinations are available, as I could of flown EK before if had I wanted to (and have). EK have not added any new flights due to the alliance.
2. No status credits or status bonus on EK flight numbers. 0.5pts/mile earn in most Y classes. Forced to pay the ludicrous QF codeshare price (which in some cases is thousands of dollars more in J) just to get the SC and points that I earned before the change (on QF or BA via SIN or HKG).
3. I cannot fly to Europe on QF at all (except by backtracking 5 hrs to the east coast) and even Asia is now limited to a single flight to SIN a day (any bets on when that will be changed to JQ/3K?).
4. Being forced to fly on EK, even as a QF codeshare passenger, I cannot upgrade for any amount of points. Any op-ups etc will be given to Skywards members before QF FF so there will be no chance of getting an upgrade of any sort.
5. I now have the benefit of ~50% less baggage allowance.
6. I have F lounge access in SIN or HKG. I was happy with this. Giving it to me in DXB is not an increase in benefits.
7. The comfort of sitting in the luxury EK 10Y seating arrangement.
8. No chance of flying in PE (but saying that QF could not be bothered offering that all the way to Europe either).
9. It is undetermined if the Any Seat Rewards on EK flights (or QF codeshares) will be available at Classic rates or only at the 'million point' rates that QF generally offers on all non-QF metal J/F flights. Completely useless to most FF if they are at the 'million point' rates.

If I was able to vote on it, the EK/QF alliance would be history. Only if you live in SYD or MEL can you call the alliance a 'benefit'.

 

[mannej]

Sorry, I was referring to SCs not points.


I would have preferred to have seen:

I think most of us would have as well - but the info that came out of QF from day 1 suggested that it would be points only on EK flights.

 

[Newk]

Now that the full extent of the QF/EK alliance has been revealed, as a PER based WP, I can definitely say that I am worse off. All QF have done is use the cover of the alliance to actually cut my WP benefits and no new WP benefits have been added (at best they are replacements).

1. No new flights/destinations are available, as I could of flown EK before if had I wanted to (and have). EK have not added any new flights due to the alliance.
2. No status credits or status bonus on EK flight numbers. 0.5pts/mile earn in most Y classes. Forced to pay the ludicrous QF codeshare price (which in some cases is thousands of dollars more in J) just to get the SC and points that I earned before the change (on QF or BA via SIN or HKG).
3. I cannot fly to Europe on QF at all (except by backtracking 5 hrs to the east coast) and even Asia is now limited to a single flight to SIN a day (any bets on when that will be changed to JQ/3K?).
4. Being forced to fly on EK, even as a QF codeshare passenger, I cannot upgrade for any amount of points. Any op-ups etc will be given to Skywards members before QF FF so there will be no chance of getting an upgrade of any sort.
5. I now have the benefit of ~50% less baggage allowance.
6. I have F lounge access in SIN or HKG. I was happy with this. Giving it to me in DXB is not an increase in benefits.
7. The comfort of sitting in the luxury EK 10Y seating arrangement.
8. No chance of flying in PE (but saying that QF could not be bothered offering that all the way to Europe either).
9. It is undetermined if the Any Seat Rewards on EK flights (or QF codeshares) will be available at Classic rates or only at the 'million point' rates that QF generally offers on all non-QF metal J/F flights. Completely useless to most FF if they are at the 'million point' rates.

If I was able to vote on it, the EK/QF alliance would be history. Only if you live in SYD or MEL can you call the alliance a 'benefit'.

ditto for RAds. Except we get to backtrack a little less

 

[docjames]

I think most of us would have as well - but the info that came out of QF from day 1 suggested that it would be points only on EK flights.

Not necessarily debating that, just that it is an opportunity lost, and QF as a "premium" airline (as they love to shove down our throat) should have done better. And the allusions to "matching the best" etc also grates in the same way.

If everyone else is happy to accept points only, good for you. I'm disappointed. It could have been so much more.

 

[Cynicor]

All up, some winners and some losers but it is better than I expected when the whole thing was first announced. I thought it would just be a cover to devalue a heap of the programme. Being PER based we have lost a lot, especially with regards to asia so this year will be my re-evaluation of QF and MH as my airline of choice. I rarely fly domestic but I get at least 1 free flight on VA so I don't need to worry much about local/domestic benefits.

As a OWS/QF Gold, can I use the EK lounge in PER when flying to SIN on QF? I think I may be allowed but am slightly confused now...

 

[chonetsao.co.uk]

Does this QF/EK network cover EU-Asia flights or only EU-South Pacific flights? In other words, can I book Europe-Asia on QF codes operated by EK or not?

 

[Tannin]

No worries. I'll prob give QF a call anyway, seems a bit ridiculous that new bookings get 30kg but those of us who booked early get dudded.

You're not "dudded". You booked, and paid, knowing the allowance was 23kg. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Do you buy a 2012 Porsche, then see the 2013 Porsche is out a few months later and expect to get it instead?

PS - I think the new charges per kg are extortion.

 

[amaroo]

The new luggage rule is a backwards step for some. e.g. WP in Y had 3x 32kg = 96kg. Now, it's 50kg, unlimited pieces. Say, if I only ever had 20kg pieces, 3 pieces will still take me to 60kg - excess charges payable.

As a WP frequent flying family that enjoys shopping - I agree.

 

[ethernet]

One advantage may be safer and speedier boarding.
I generally run 20kgs of luggage and 10 + for hand luggage.
Emirates one did something unexpected: Offered to check in my hand luggage no extra, no we wont charge you at all - no matter what. Besides inherently safer from .the security POV, imagine 300 people boarding without oversized cases, just duty free - way way faster, and we got off early.

However, those with golf bags, scuba, or fashionistas with 60prs shoes will be worse off. (3 week USA visit!).

The marginal price for excess luggage is too high - this need reducing for pre-booking - it could cost them sales.
My impression is that Emirates had a reputation for being easy on luggage - and that did win them sales.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Does this QF/EK network cover EU-Asia flights or only EU-South Pacific flights? In other words, can I book Europe-Asia on QF codes operated by EK or not?

Codeshares have already been setup for DXB-SIN/KUL/BKK. Haven't tried running it through the online booking engine though.

 

[vitagen]

Now that the full extent of the QF/EK alliance has been revealed, as a PER based WP, I can definitely say that I am worse off. All QF have done is use the cover of the alliance to actually cut my WP benefits and no new WP benefits have been added (at best they are replacements).

1. No new flights/destinations are available, as I could of flown EK before if had I wanted to (and have). EK have not added any new flights due to the alliance.
2. No status credits or status bonus on EK flight numbers. 0.5pts/mile earn in most Y classes. Forced to pay the ludicrous QF codeshare price (which in some cases is thousands of dollars more in J) just to get the SC and points that I earned before the change (on QF or BA via SIN or HKG).
3. I cannot fly to Europe on QF at all (except by backtracking 5 hrs to the east coast) and even Asia is now limited to a single flight to SIN a day (any bets on when that will be changed to JQ/3K?).
4. Being forced to fly on EK, even as a QF codeshare passenger, I cannot upgrade for any amount of points. Any op-ups etc will be given to Skywards members before QF FF so there will be no chance of getting an upgrade of any sort.
5. I now have the benefit of ~50% less baggage allowance.
6. I have F lounge access in SIN or HKG. I was happy with this. Giving it to me in DXB is not an increase in benefits.
7. The comfort of sitting in the luxury EK 10Y seating arrangement.
8. No chance of flying in PE (but saying that QF could not be bothered offering that all the way to Europe either).
9. It is undetermined if the Any Seat Rewards on EK flights (or QF codeshares) will be available at Classic rates or only at the 'million point' rates that QF generally offers on all non-QF metal J/F flights. Completely useless to most FF if they are at the 'million point' rates.

If I was able to vote on it, the EK/QF alliance would be history. Only if you live in SYD or MEL can you call the alliance a 'benefit'.

Couldnt have summarised it better myself.

 

[amaroo]

This is not a surprise but for me is the biggest issue I have with this arrangement. If QF codeshares on EK are reasonable then this is a non-issue but if there is a significant premium (ignoring the current pricing anomalies whilst things are sorted) then I wont be flying EK or QF code - I will be flying CX or BA.

After 17 years of QF flying......I'm thinking QF is not for me

Near extinction of F
Flat J replaced with sloping J
Aligning themselves with a non - OW partner
Reduction of baggage allowance
Elimination of Asian stopovers
Re-timed flights that take the joy out of the flying

There is more.....but whats the point!

 

[Ken1]

Alan Joyce had said they had agreed to make the higher benefit their standard. He obviously wasn't talking about benefiting the passengers. Qantas will cash in much more for excess luggage.. very beneficial to AJ

I think this needs to be pointed out to the ACCC, that the greatly increased excess baggage charges have certainly not made the higher benefit their standard, so that aspect of the changes is not a QF/EK benefit. I know some of you are happy with the new arrangements but, even with the changes to the luggage allowances announced today, if they at least retained a reasonable cost of adding an extra bag like we've had since last May, rather than charging over $50 per kg, the changes would be much more acceptable.

I've had a look at the ACCC website and there is a phone number to call with complaints so I'll call them tomorrow to pass on my thoughts.

 

[blackcat20]

You're not "dudded". You booked, and paid, knowing the allowance was 23kg. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Do you buy a 2012 Porsche, then see the 2013 Porsche is out a few months later and expect to get it instead?

PS - I think the new charges per kg are extortion.

No, I booked assuming everyone would get the weight increase, because an increase was on the cards, not that it would be applied only after an arbitrary date. So I feel a little cheesed. Sure, I know that 23kg was always the standard, but other people on my exact flight will have 7kg more than me, so your 2012/2013 doesn't work.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I think this needs to be pointed out to the ACCC, that the greatly increased excess baggage charges have certainly not made the higher benefit their standard, so that aspect of the changes is not a QF/EK benefit.

They have certainly made the higher benefit the standard - to the airlines themselves.