QFF Ideas & Suggestions

[ejb]

I doubt I’d manage to qualify for Gold at that level, and re-qualification would be a task.

A lot of people would struggle.

I don't see them upping the required SC's or they would have lumped them in with this lot of changes. YMMV.

ejb

 

[AnonymousCoward]

The membership of the hotel programme is not free.

And?

In any case, I'm not aware of any hotel chains where you have to join their program in order to get FF points - you just give them your FF number. Most people join a hotel program to get benefits at the hotel chain.

 

[straitman]

And?

In any case, I'm not aware of any hotel chains where you have to join their program in order to get FF points - you just give them your FF number. Most people join a hotel program to get benefits at the hotel chain.

Hilton.

If you join HHonors you can get 1000 QF points per stay (other programs are available also). If you do not join HHonors you get no FF points :!:

 

[hgwells01]

I'd love to have the option to fly Qantas more often, however being in Newcastle I get Jetstar, Qantaslink or Virgin. I get no points or status credits for my flights and as a QC Silver member have no lounge to access at NC. I travel only for my purposes no work costed travel in it, and just qualified for gold, I usually holiday a few times a year and go either J class on Qantas or *class and pay for it myself. Others have mentioned getting some points/status credits for Jetstar flights, i'd like to see that as I travel a few times a month on them, usually to Melb or Brissy, recently they moved the Melb Jetstar arrival gate down to 24 or 28 from the Qantas area with aerobridges - its the one right at the end of the airport, it has poor access, I travel with only a carry on (yes some women can travel light) and have to lug it up and down stairs (no escalators but I guess there are lifts somewhere) to get to the gate, and if its raining - well bad luck you are soaked when you get to the plane. So how about priority boarding so we are not left standing on the stairs, so seeing if you can improve the access to the planes for the regional flights would be great, an umbrella would be nice at the least , if I fly Virgin at least I land with an aerobridge. I know you probably don't have enough traffic in Williamtown (now up to a million civilian movements a year) but what about a small self service lounge for regional areas, just with clean toilets, wifi and nice seating, perhaps the baggage drop staff could hand you over a couple of tokens to qualifing members to poke in a vending machine for a drink and a cheese and biccie pack if you can't staff it, that way we get more out of our QC membership.

 

[JohnK]

I doubt I’d manage to qualify for Gold at that level, and re-qualification would be a task.

Only speculation but I think a lot of us would struggle at those levels. I know I would struggle to get 1600 SC's/1400 Sc's for Platinum.

 

[medhead]

My ideas are going to upset a few of the people who think they should be treated like royalty on here. But I'm trying to find innovative ways to use FF points and not just complain about being treated better cause I'm a whatever....

I'm certainly not upset with your suggestions we all have different ideas. However, I think perhaps a slight change of focus is warranted. The question asked is what would make people spend more money with Qantas. So it isn't really a question of being treated like royalty. More about saying what things people at various status level would want in order to spend more money with Qantas. On the same token, they aren't really complaints about being treated better, more about the things that happen that discourage maintaining status at a level. Well, at least, IMHO.

Silver effectively is a slightly heavier bag and free luggage tags now plus slightly better earn on flights over 1,000 miles.

Actually the better points kick in for flights over 800 miles for silver. 25% bonus, hence 801 miles X 1.25 is about 1001 points

Only speculation but I think a lot of us would struggle at those levels. I know I would struggle to get 1600 SC's/1400 Sc's for Platinum.

I could get 1600 fairly easy (I was planning to stretch to 2100 for PG a couple of months ago) but I don't think the current platinum benefits would be worth it.

 

[dundas]

I think the QFF program is fine. My complaint is with the basic Y product, where the seating is just too tight for someone taller than 170 cm (and I am 194 cm). Some planes in particular (think A330s) seem to have much less legroom than the 31" that Qantas claims.
I recently travelled Y class on Asiana between SFO and Seoul, and had an experience that was actually enjoyable - adequate legroom (and yes, on one leg they gave me an exit row seat and did not ask for any money, despite the fact I don't yet have any tier status), attentive, even personalised, service (one attendant looks after 'their' part of the cabin the whole trip), and great food. It made my experience of Qantas Y international (mostly across the Pacific) look second-rate. I am now a convert to Star Alliance, that's entirely to do with the superior product (OK, not all Star Alliance airlines, but Asiana and Thai in particular), and not the program. I am a member of TG's program, and I know it isn't as generous as the Qantas one (once you get silver status and above). What's important for me is the comfort onboard - and that's where Qantas truly needs to lift its game.

 

[hollydavid69]

Hey Red Roo

Why does the bar in the QP'S have a opening time that is different to the opening time of the QP ?

 

[samh004]

I recently travelled Y class on Asiana between SFO and Seoul, and had an experience that was actually enjoyable - adequate legroom (and yes, on one leg they gave me an exit row seat and did not ask for any money, despite the fact I don't yet have any tier status)

I was given an exit row last year for free. Didn't ask, they just gave me the seat. I was Bronze at the time.

Hey Red Roo

Why does the bar in the QP'S have a opening time that is different to the opening time of the QP ?

You mean the J lounges? They open earlier because to get in them you either fly a lot more or are paying for J. Extra benefits in the air and on the ground makes sense.

 

[hollydavid69]

You mean the J lounges? They open earlier because to get in them you either fly a lot more or are paying for J. Extra benefits in the air and on the ground makes sense.

No i mean the regular domestic QP'S.
As the last that time that i was flying, i got to the QP in Hobart & the beer fridge was locked, mind you it was only about 9 AM, but i have my need's .

 

[blackhelicopter]

Liquor licensing regulations (ie state law) would probably play a very large part in this.

 

[dundas]

I was given an exit row last year for free. Didn't ask, they just gave me the seat. I was Bronze at the time.
.

The difference I was referring to was the policy. When I asked for an exit row seat last year in Singapore for SIN-MEL, I was told that the policy was you had to pay the $80 or whatever, the only possible freebie exit row seat was a window seat, which on a 744, doesn't offer much - typically cold, always cramped by the the exit door. I don't think it's any better than an ordinary seat.

In the conversation I had in Singapore, it sounded like Qantas were being quite ruthless in policing their policy. I opted not to pay and sat for 8 hours jammed into a seat somewhere in the middle of the cabin. When the person at the front of the cabin reclined their seat, everyone behind them in that column did the same, not by choice, it was the only sensible thing to do. It was quite amusing to watch, not so amusing to be part of it.

Asiana to my knowledge has no such policy (yet) of charging.

And it's interesting there's a huge difference on Qantas between an exit row seat and a ordinary Y class seat. Qantas can charge a $80 premium per international sector for the "privilege" of sitting in the exit row because their ordinary Y seats are so miserable.

On Asiana, and any of the other airlines with 34" pitch, the exit row seat is a bit better, but not all that much. I didn't mind at all sitting in a aisle Y class seat for 10 hours from Seoul to LA, for instance, no problem. It was a lot easier flight than my 8 hour SIN-MEL flight last year on QF.

I had been a silver Qantas FF for 9 or 10 years, and a Qantas Club member for nearly all that time. Letting go of my Qantas Club membership when it expired this year was easy after that incident ... Qantas are entitled to ask for extra money, but it's a great reminder that there are other choices, and better ones for my money.

 

[samh004]

No i mean the regular domestic QP'S.
As the last that time that i was flying, i got to the QP in Hobart & the beer fridge was locked, mind you it was only about 9 AM, but i have my need's .

Probably to limit costs and reduce the amount of drunks. BNE QP opens at 12 this year, but OOL JQ lounge is 24-hour. However the JQ lounge also doubles as an international lounge. So it could be part of an international/domestic lounge restriction.

 

[markis10]

Probably to limit costs and reduce the amount of drunks. BNE QP opens at 12 this year, but OOL JQ lounge is 24-hour. However the JQ lounge also doubles as an international lounge. So it could be part of an international/domestic lounge restriction.

All airport lounges are not covered by state laws whether they are beyond the control point or not, so they are not limited by the states trading hours as such, the federal government as far as I can tell does try to limit the hours to those deemed reasonable for the location of the licence, it's entirely possible the licence allows 24 hour trading but it's limited by the licensee.

Guidelines for Issuing and Administration of Liquor Licences

The service station at ADL airport used to have a very popular bottle shop at certain times of the year.

 

[bdfly]

One things needs to be brought back: Lifetime Qantas Club membership! It was discontinued about 6 months before my 18th birthday, and I was very disappointed. If that can't be done, a 24 hour promotional period (such as the recent waived joining fee) should allow FF members to join as lifetime club members.

 

[justin23]

But would 10SC actually be more valuable to you after 10 flights? I think 10 would be a raw deal on that

True I probably could have done some maths on that. But say a 10% SC bonus for every 10 legs flown on a Qantas plane maybe. Surely it benefits Qantas if SC's are earnt on Qantas flights

 

[justin23]

You already can do this, you just need to take a ASA and SC's are free.

From as little as 8000 points you can "buy" 10 SC's on a SYD-MEL flight.

ejb

True, but not everyon has time to take flights just to get status. I'd think the majority of QFFer's don't. My idea was basically a way of QF getting FF points back while rewarding people with status if they get close. Maybe only for retaining status and not gaining status. I don't know, but if was an option that may benefit QF and QFF.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

A point l have made a few times, is that the QP dress entry standards have slipped significantly over the years. To me, this has been most evident in PER QP, as more and more FIFO people attain status. (I have heard on several mine sites now that it's a "Qantas Pub, go and slam as many beers as possible before you flight" stuff and then seen it a few weeks later). Now, l know that you don't need to be wearing a 3 piece suit to gain entry, but surely "bogan" attire should be outlawed IMO (consisting of; singlets, ripper shorts, thongs, in that combo).

Here is a quick quote l found on the SMH site today that is similar to the encounter l had earlier this year;

Letters: Bogan outfit OK for Qantas Club?
Letters: Bogan outfit OK for Qantas Club? November 13, 2010

More casual than smart

I wonder what type of ''smart casual'' dress comprises thongs, shorts and an old shirt? At the Qantas Club in Singapore recently, two men came into the lounge, kicked off their thongs, propped bare feet on a foot stool and wriggled their toes as they drank beer and chatted about their corporate accounts. As a club member for 21 years, this takes the cake. I suggest Qantas should enforce a dress code if the club is to be more than your average gate-lounge experience.
Advertisement: Story continues below
- Russell Mills

The Qantas Club Terms & Conditions
10.7 Smart, casual dress standards apply at all times. Individual lounge managers will have discretion to administer these standards as they reasonably deem appropriate in the circumstances.

Before you jump up and down about the source (yet another newspaper BS....) and where it was (SIN QP), I have seen this myself in a few QP's over the years (Australian QP's) with traveling companions who have also commented on the lax dress standards. I had an experience that l wrote about where l was in the SYD T3 QP on 01/01/10 (SYD-MEL trip) and it looked like Tom Hanks in the movie "Cast Away" had washed up. I was so embarrassed. I had to turn and walk the other way, while shaking my head in disbelief and honestly thinking about my QP membership, is it really worth the money it's printed on??

Please QF, have a little bit of hand and say to the bogans, "No, that doesn't meet dress standards, no entry!".

I know that others may have different views, but this is something l have personally experienced and it didn't sit well.

This is one area l would like to see QF adhere to and actually follow their own rules.

Ok, rant over.

Feel free for criticisms. Shoot away.

Happy travels people.

 

[medhead]

All airport lounges are not covered by state laws whether they are beyond the control point or not,

Clearly, that is the case for liquor licensing laws, but it is not a case of saying that the lounge is not covered by state laws. All legislation can be binding on the crown, both state and federal. It is only by specific exclusions in the federal legislation that state law wouldn't apply. Where there is no applicable federal legislation and there is no specific exclusion state laws can apply to the lounge.

 

[bossreggie]

This is one area l would like to see QF adhere to and actually follow their own rules.

Ok, rant over.

Feel free for criticisms. Shoot away.

Happy travels people.

+1... I never wear a suit when flying... BUT... A reasonable standard of attire is expected and appreciated.