QFF Ideas & Suggestions

[drron]

On a purely selfish note if I go straight from work i will often wear a tie.When flying JQ like this I have always been allocated an exit row.it is now my preferred dress if on JQ.
However i agree with people like notzac and bossreggie-dress down in places such as the QP means you do not care what I feel so that feeling is reciprocated.Sorry-just human.

 

[Postcode]

I have been reading this thread with interest since it was opened by redroo but this is my first post. From my point of view a lot of what has been requested is what will "enhance" an individuals benefit, but, redroo did ask what would cause us to fly with Qantas more.

First point I have to take up is the dress code for the QP, yes I agree thongs (flip flops) and singlets should be banned from the QP, but why should the clean work uniform of the actual miners and/or mine management (see Twiggy) be banned. This is singling out one group, which give considerable support to QF. I am not on FIFO, but do occasionally fly to PBO and ZNE wearing hi-vis. Banning this apparel from the QP would be at Qantas peril I suspect.

Getting OT, with me being a very loyal QFFer with over 23,000 LTSC's, and some recent years of +4000 SC's, what would make me fly with QF more? At present redroo, I think you should be more concerned with why should I continue being loyal to QF.
I have had 1 opup (KTA to PER) over 5 years ago, but 1 very poorly handled opdown (SYD-PER) about 7 years ago.
I spent 15hours in PER waiting for a delayed flight PER-MEL because you wouldn't move me onto one of the many flights that left in between, even though I was flying on a full J fare.
I have seen benefits eroded, with points worth less, fuel charges, taxes etc on award flights accounting for more that it would cost to fly with a payable fare on your competitors.
I have seen much crowding of the QP as more members attain access levels through QFF and cheap offering from QF for QC membership
I have seen wonderful F lounges in SYD and MEL, and wonderful J Dome lounges in SYD, MEL and BNE, but not much use when I mainly fly out of PER is it.
I can purchase AONE fares from PER, but there are no first class flights from PER.
To fly AKL-PER on QF I have to go via SYD (missed connection several times due to wait times at the INT transfer desk) and MEL which was great, but you have played with the schedule so that this is no longer possible. Yet NZ see the value in AKL to PER flights, which are nearly always full according to NZ flight staff.
So now I am QFLTG, QFWP, QFPG, NZ*Gold and now considering taking a run at status with EK who provide better service connections into Europe than you do.
I missed out on the Status match with Virgin, but have already directed some of my foreign colleagues to Virgin Australia and Virgin Blue, costing you some $14K. When the next status match comes along I to may be gone.

So what can you do to make me fly more with you / or at a minimum not lose me -
Recognise my value and status to you - how do you do that, well, your at the pointy end and have lots of advice on this thread, I'll leave that up to you and your colleagues, but it needs to be good and fast.
Either remove your fuel taxes or include it in the fares and stop ripping me off as a BIS QFFer
Recognise my status as a QFF BIS flyer over a OW flyer crediting to QF.
Status Gifts like NZ give to their high tier FFer's
More access to flight awards in F, J and Y. I fly paid J in the majority, but access award J seats as so few are released.
Provide actual priority boarding not the joke free for all that you currently have.
Train you baggage handlers on what priority means, and then enforce it. Any priority baggage handled by your PER QF handlers is a complete joke, it has been so bad lately, I can't even be bothered to complain to you, as it is obvious there is no concern at all. Many times by baggage has been in the last 10 bags to come out with priority tags on it. I have made feedback comments etc in the past to no avail. However on the positive for you, QF handle NZ baggage in PER, so the priority baggage for them is just as bad.

Enough from me now.

Reggie

All good points made here and actually on topic. And aspects of QF service or whatever they call it would help with original poster with answered questions. And perhaps help AFFs.

Can we get this back on track?

There's another thread here somewhere about lounge attire, which would probably be better discussed there.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/dresscode-in-the-lounges-7171.html

Original posting

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about QFF here, with a number of interesting suggestions raised. To follow on from this theme, I'd like to ask for your ideas.

How would you improve Qantas Frequent Flyer and how could the program encourage you to fly more with us?

This is a pretty diverse community, across all tiers, with a variety of domestic/international network flyers and airlines flown. There's no shortage of knowledge and creativity here, so look forward to an interesting discussion.

Thanks and have a good weekend.

The original topic needs positive suggestions and easily achievable enhancements for the frequent flyer to encourage us to fly more with QF. They should be cost effective to QF and frequent flyers.

 

[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.

If you don't have time to fly why do you want status?

ejb

 

[bossreggie]

Respect for whom? Sorry, but I truly don't understand your thinking here.

Yourself!

As I am saying... This is MY opinion. I was brought up in a manner which means I would not find it appropriate to "dress down" too much, when travelling, dining out etc.

I think my parents instilled this into me from such a young age that it is now just how I am. It's like how I give the FA's Chocolates every time I board a plane... In my nature.

 

[medhead]

The original topic needs positive suggestions and easily achievable enhancements for the frequent flyer to encourage us to fly more with QF. They should be cost effective to QF and frequent flyers.

I agree that whatever suggestions are implemented will be cost effective. But the cost should not be a limitation on suggestions. It is up to Qantas to determine what is cost effective not people making suggestions! Since no one here is the CFO for qantas then no one is qualified to comment on cost. IMO.

Basically, let qantas run their business and let people here have ideas.

 

[sometimeflyer]

My first post here. I echo many of the comments made so far. To that extent I apologise for repetition.

I recently attained SG for the first time and am likely to reach WP by the end of my membership year. I often travel with a CL member.

From my perspective, changes to the FF program which would make me fly more with Qantas would be:
1) A worthwhile loyalty bonus. I completely agree with what has been said so far - 5000 points is very small in today's "points rich" world of credit card and store points. I can sign up to a credit card, pay a $95 annual fee and receive 16,000 bonus points. Or I can rack up 450 SC (at a cost will in excess of $95!) and get 5,000 points. I would say either upgrade certificates or at least 20,000 points (and perhaps ideally, a choice between the two) would be an incentive to try to keep racking up the status credits.

2) Retaining the current baggage allowances (or similar). The new one piece limit for SG in economy seems wrong. It would make me consider flying DJ instead on an economy leg. I don't like travelling with one heavy bag.

3) Better classic award redemptions. I like the idea of discounts on the number of points needed as your status level increases. I would try harder to get to WP if I knew that my points would be more effective in getting award flights.

4) Removing points fees for things that can't be done on the Qantas website - won't impact my flying per se, but the waiver of fees would intangibly contribute to a feeling of loyalty I think.

Now, a couple things that aren't directly connected with the FF program, but impact my loyalty to Qantas:
1) Business check-in in Brisbane. It might just be that I'm always there at the worst time, but there is usually a substantial queue. And often only one or two people serving the Business/QP "check-in" and "bag-drop" lines. Time after time I just get the impression Qantas is trying to get away with the fewest staff possible and it doesn't leave a good impression. Maybe NGCI will change the dynamics of all of that. I'll wait and see.

2) Priority baggage. It seems to be priority about 30% of the time in my experience. That's probably not good enough.

 

[BOSTON08]

I am fliying only 6-7 times per year- and always in Y. therefor it is almost impossible to attain enough status credits to gain a tier. I don't really have an issue with this. When I do these trips I always take carry-on, however probably once per year I check in baggage. One of the reasons I have 'paid' membership of the QP is for the priority check in on these rare occasions I use it. Now the goal posts have been moved and I willl lose this benefit. Having experienced the debacle of baggage check in at Alice Springs airport ( where my friends spent 1 and 1/2 hours queueing to check in baggage while I walked straight through Business checkin and into the QP)- I wonder if my QP membership is as valuable now. I am concerned that the NG checkins will still be slow and tedious, and not all airports will have them immediately. Joining QP was an incentive for me to fly with QF all the time , ( over and above the 6-7 flights per year I already fly with QF )however if the value of the membership is eroded, there is less incentive to remain a member, or show loyalty.
And a quick comment on the guest allowance for QP- 95% of the time I fly I don't take a guest into the lounge, and then aprox. 1 or 2 times a year, I would like to take in 2 guests. I think the suggestion of guest credits could be a good idea. Perhaps for every 2-3 lounge entries without a guest, your card could apply 1 credit for an extra guest another time ( which would expire annually) . Noone wants overcrowding in the lounge, however I would see this as valuable and an incentive to fly more with QF and retain my QP membership.

 

[Saba]

My two cents worth.
While my opinion is that Qantas is a good airline, I am also of the opinion that Qantas has not really had competition for the FF business traveller and therefore has gone about devaluing the FF program. Once Virgin/V Australia have their Asian sectors sorted out I will seriously consider jumping ship.
Some opinions;
The domestic Qantas Clubs are a waste of space. With the design of most airports, you are better off sitting in one of the cafes around the airport enjoying a decent cappuccino. Less crowds, better coffee.
The International first lounge is magnificent. This is service at its best. A great experience.
What I want is to streamline my flight experience, therefore:
Priority check-in - done well in most airports (I fly mostly international).
Priority boarding - What a joke this is at some airports. Please police this.
Priority seating at the front of the plane
Friendly staff - I don’t appreciate staff that make up answers or just ignore questions by never returning with an answer. This is a cultural thing in Qantas.
Priority service in general and the feeling that Qantas value their FFs and will go out of their way to help them out.
The ability to book, change bookings, select seats, etc on line – Some way to go but not bad at present.
Finally and most importantly when you ask for my loyalty I want the ability to find Classic Award seats for flights. I am looking at going to the USA next year and want to go Premium Economy. I will go for 10-12 days and am flexible with travel – August to October. Nothing available at all. This for me is what will drive me away. I am not interested in Any Seat awards and paying an enormous amount of FF points for a flight.
What I don’t care about:
Anytime access. I saw someone post that they should be allowed to use the Qantas Club when flying another airline. If we all think this way we have seriously lost perspective.
Paying for Exit row seats – I don’t mind paying for these seats. Mostly it means I have no one next to me as others don’t seem to like paying for them. What I do not like is when I pay for the seat and the steward allows someone who did not pay to move in next to me once the flight has taken off.

 

[Ewing]

Finally and most importantly when you ask for my loyalty I want the ability to find Classic Award seats for flights. I am looking at going to the USA next year and want to go Premium Economy. I will go for 10-12 days and am flexible with travel – August to October. Nothing available at all. This for me is what will drive me away. I am not interested in Any Seat awards and paying an enormous amount of FF points for a flight.

What are you searching for?

I just did a search for Premium economy seats from SYD-LAX (as an example). I only searched August, but I can get at least two classic PE seats on:
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th, 31st.

Your status indicates you are Platinum, so AFAIK you should be able to see at least what I can see.

-Shaun

 

[medhead]

Anytime access. I saw someone post that they should be allowed to use the Qantas Club when flying another airline. If we all think this way we have seriously lost perspective.

To restore some perspective I'm up to 101 qantas flights this calendar year. I don't see any problem with wanting to use the lounge, for example when qantas doesn't fly to the required destination, when doing that much business with qantas. I've used anytime access twice this year.

How has removal of anytime access affected my spend with qantas? That 101 would have been 104 flights. As I go forward I'll be looking to get it towards 50 qantas flights next year.

 

[Saba]

What are you searching for?

I just did a search for Premium economy seats from SYD-LAX (as an example). I only searched August, but I can get at least two classic PE seats on:
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th, 31st.

Your status indicates you are Platinum, so AFAIK you should be able to see at least what I can see.

-Shaun

I should have been more clear. I am traveling with my partner, therefore two tickets. The outward journey presents no problems, but there are no return journey seats available at all.

 

[Ewing]

I should have been more clear. I am traveling with my partner, therefore two tickets. The outward journey presents no problems, but there are no return journey seats available at all.

Yes, coming back is definitely more limited now that I've checked.

There are however exactly 2 PE award seats left on QF12 flying LAX-SYD on August 14th, with plenty of outbound availability.

That'll give you your 10-12 days

Note: if there's classic availability you can book those seats as an any seat award for a comparable points cost except that it includes taxes, and you'll earn points + status credits.

Anyway, going OT now. Good luck.

 

[sitdown]

Posting here is new to me and I must admit the acronym jargon wears me out but I'm sure it will embed itself soon. All this massive concentration on QF lounges puzzles me. When we travel we get to the airport as late as possible (to minimse time in the godawful place). Ocassionally we use the lounge but have never been able to see the value in it
One. We always eat too much on the plane so why we would want to start early in a lounge is puzzling. Two. Ditto for drinks
I can see the value for people on connecting or delayed flights but otherwise ?????
Even factors like priority baggage seem relatively unimportant. If you have been sitting in an aircraft for 10 hours what's another 10 minutes? It makes me think of all the people that stand up jostling forward in the aircraft after landing but minutes before the doors are opened, shove their bum in my face only to meet again waiting at the carousel. That behaviour is seriously weird
I would think QF FF improvements would be better directed to the purpose of the FF program in the first place which surely was to provide incentives for people to book with Qantas rather than Air Whatever. The more restrictions Qantas place on this program the lower the level of incentive
Major problems like recent changes to level qualifications and long standing problems with seat availability and upgrades would easily outweigh any of the minor stuff and would go a long way to restoring the original aim of the program
Improvements to the minor stuff gives Qantas a way to "improve" without much effort. A bit like checking the tyre pressures on a car with a blown motor

 

[Saba]

Yes, coming back is definitely more limited now that I've checked.

There are however exactly 2 PE award seats left on QF12 flying LAX-SYD on August 14th, with plenty of outbound availability.

That'll give you your 10-12 days

Note: if there's classic availability you can book those seats as an any seat award for a comparable points cost except that it includes taxes, and you'll earn points + status credits.

Anyway, going OT now. Good luck.

This is true but I cannot fly out until after August 11. To completely clarify my needs as you are so anxious to help me out, I need to fly out after August 11 and be back prior to end of October. I think you are kind to help out but miss my point. From August 14 there are no PE return leg seats until November 2 (at last look anyway). This is becoming more the norm than an exception and may influence how I feel about Qantas.

 

[Lawlass]

And a quick comment on the guest allowance for QP- 95% of the time I fly I don't take a guest into the lounge, and then aprox. 1 or 2 times a year, I would like to take in 2 guests. I think the suggestion of guest credits could be a good idea. Perhaps for every 2-3 lounge entries without a guest, your card could apply 1 credit for an extra guest another time ( which would expire annually) . Noone wants overcrowding in the lounge, however I would see this as valuable and an incentive to fly more with QF and retain my QP membership.

I am one of those awful people who guests random strangers in to the QP. I would stop doing this if I could get credits for not bringing a guest in.

 

[simongr]

Posting here is new to me and I must admit the acronym jargon wears me out but I'm sure it will embed itself soon. All this massive concentration on QF lounges puzzles me. When we travel we get to the airport as late as possible (to minimse time in the godawful place). Ocassionally we use the lounge but have never been able to see the value in it

Are you talking domestic or international?

For my int'l flights the lounge is a place of peace and quiet where I can get a nice meal away from the masses of people.

I don't see the airport as an godawful place because of the lounge.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

3) Better classic award redemptions. I like the idea of discounts on the number of points needed as your status level increases. I would try harder to get to WP if I knew that my points would be more effective in getting award flights.

Platinums already get a 100% bonus on points for flying. I suppose they could take that away, and give you a 20% cut on redemption cost. Would that be desirable? Or would it just further tilt the field towards people who spend a lot (which seems to be another common complaint here)

4) Removing points fees for things that can't be done on the Qantas website - won't impact my flying per se, but the waiver of fees would intangibly contribute to a feeling of loyalty I think.

This should be removed for everyone - status or no.

 

[serfty]

When it come to acceptable attire in a QP, there is a defined rule: (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.

As to what is "smart casual dress", that's up to to the lounge mamager - and whether they wish to enforce it.

 

[KLN]

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about QFF here, with a number of interesting suggestions raised. To follow on from this theme, I'd like to ask for your ideas.

How would you improve Qantas Frequent Flyer and how could the program encourage you to fly more with us?

This is a pretty diverse community, across all tiers, with a variety of domestic/international network flyers and airlines flown. There's no shortage of knowledge and creativity here, so look forward to an interesting discussion.

Thanks and have a good weekend.

just in case Red Roo is still browsing this forum, just like to put my 2 cents worth in.

i rack up about 400,000 - 500,00 points a year, and i now do not fly QFF at all. the amount of times that i transferred over substantial amounts of points to QFF and then to NOT get an upgrade after putting in a reqest, just got too much for me, especially when you can get the same upgrade for far LESS points with the other airlines now attached to Westpac Altitude, and they will guarantee the upgrade. have flown Sing and Malaysian both twice in the last 18 months, and have received my upgrade on every flight, for 3 adults each time too. i certainly will NOT be flying QFF anymore. even domestic short trips, i prefer Virgin now for those too.

 

[oobi doobi]

I am in a similar situation to KLN post 399. Mrs oobi doobi and I now use SIA almost exclusively due to the ease (compared to Qantas) in obtaining business seats on Frequent flyer points. In the last 2 years have travelled to europe twice (including a side trip to Iran) & singapore many times. I now find it very hard to get qantas business out of Perth internationally, hence SIA patronage. I also prefer their lounge in Sing to qantas mainly for the food available.