Retaining P1 how is everyone looking

[turtlemichael]

What additional benefits would P1ers like to see? I mean from the things that are currently and demonstrably available for top level elites on other airlines?

 

[froggerADL]

And so much for those "special" invites and gifts - where are they??? has anyone received anything?

I received 2 bottles of wine a couple of weeks ago. I was already a member of Epicure (thanks to the lock-out). The little card said they were a P1 thank you, I think.

The best thing about P1 so far is getting row four on every flight. My first P1 International trip is coming up in May so I'll see how that goes. I already have my preferred Y seats on every sector.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

I was lucky enough to gain P1 status from the Launch date in Nov 2011 having done a total 7,800 SC's for the previous 12 months with about 85% on QF metal. The initial P1 status granted was from Nov 2011 - May 2013. Not that it comes into play - I'm currently sitting on 7,800 with 6 weeks to go until 31 May 2012 when my SC's expire. Based on current bookings I should get somewhere close to 9,520 SC's for the 12 months 1 June 2011 - 31 May 2012 with the completion of a Sth / Nth Asia trip this week and a DONE4 through LatAM, Nth America and Europe before the 31 May 2012 comes around.

As for benefits of P1 - I'm OK with what has been provided:

- Operational upgrades over the last 3 months between SIN-SYD (J->F), SYD-AKL-SYD (Y->J), WLG-SYD (Y-J), SYD-ADL (Y->J), SYD-HKG (J->F) and I received one yesterday between PEK-HKG on CX (albeit I don't think this was due to QF's P1 status as CX would only see me as a OW Emerald).
- RTW Classic award booking in J for 2 Adults + 3 Children SYD-DFW, MIA-LHR-SYD during the Xmas School Holidays and New Year period
- A call from the P1 desk a couple of days out from departure for all international (non Trans Tasman) flights checking if everything is OK
- During the QF shutdown my QF17 SYD-EZE flight with connections to SCL and ASU was changed to LA SYD-AKL-SCL-ASU within about 30 minutes of the QF announcement.

My guess is P1 members may not see the real benefits until a signficant event disrupts their travel plans (e.g Volcanic ash in Europe) and they need to have their itinerary re-scheduled quickly.

 

[richie9x]

What additional benefits would P1ers like to see? I mean from the things that are currently and demonstrably available for top level elites on other airlines?

The biggest benefit I would like to see would be anytime lounge access. Cathay offer their MPC diamond level access to their business lounges if departing on any airline in addition to normal lounge access.

Malaysian give their platinum members complimentary platinum cards for partners. If arranged beforehand Malaysian can provide first class meals (chef-on-call) for platinums sitting in business.

One thing Qantas could have done was instead of providing the aluminium P1 case, they could have provided some P1 aluminium luggage tags. Luggage tags tend to get quite battered.

 

[simongr]

I think that there is a real risk with P1. Reading posts here you see people now have been told that they are better than WP so they now expect "more" - when that "more" is that special I think some people rethink their travel plans and fly on other carriers and even other programs...

 

[ChrisGibbs]

What additional benefits would P1ers like to see? I mean from the things that are currently and demonstrably available for top level elites on other airlines?

Each individual has their own lifestyle that drives what sort of benefits they would like to see. Personally I spend anything up to 180 nights away from home each year with up to 2 * RTW and 1-2 Asian trips per quarter. Being married with 3 children (Ages 11 -> 5) puts a lot of demands on the family. You miss too many birthdays, anniversary's and other significant events. I'd would personally like to see some additional benefits that could flow to my family to share as a way of saying thank you.

 

[froggerADL]

What additional benefits would P1ers like to see?

I'd like to see Chairman's Lounge access where one exists and there is no business lounge, like ADL.

 

[DTM1]

Sure, there are plenty of WPs who work in the resources industry (although this may drop with FIFO on charters), but I'd be surprised if there were many (or even any) who got to P1 (at least for those working at site - no offence intended).

 

[GoldenWinger]

simongr I really think you've hit the nail on the head with that statement...the worst thing a company can do is promise something and then fail to deliver...especially to their top tier clients. All it does is alienate them and direct them to the competitors. This is exactly what has happened to me...

 

[DTM1]

I think that there is a real risk with P1. Reading posts here you see people now have been told that they are better than WP so they now expect "more" - when that "more" is that special I think some people rethink their travel plans and fly on other carriers and even other programs...

I agree with Simongr.

As a PPS with SQ, the CSM comes up to me on every flight to welcome me back and thank me for flying so much with SQ - those little things count and Qantas really falls down on the little things. How hard would it be for the QF CSM to make that little bit of extra effort? And I'm not talking about short hop domestic flights - they don't do it ever.

But at the end of the day, the real question is - will I switch flights to specially fly on QF to retain W1 when there are reasons for flying with other airlines? Probably not.

If I had to choose between retaining PPS and retaining P1 (which I might have to do this year), it would be a no brainer - PPS would win hands down (particularly as I will already have got to WP+).

Another reason for this is the 3rd pty benefits that SQ provides to PPS members - like DJ's HH diamond. QF could have gone down that road but did not - it is really lagging its competitors on that front. If we're already traveling so much, then some benefits along the way also help.

 

[turtlemichael]

Let's hope QF is reading this thread and noting it.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Let's hope QF is reading this thread and noting it.

Just like they are reading the 'priority boarding' thread? Don't hold your breath....

 

[DTM1]

Just like they are reading the 'priority boarding' thread? Don't hold your breath....

Yes, but in theory, WP1 are their most valuable customers. If they do any market listening, it should be to the WP1s - although, that's a a big if....

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Yes, but in theory, WP1 are their most valuable customers. If they do any market listening, it should be to the WP1s - although, that's a a big if....

I agree, please don't take my previous comment as an insult.
Sometimes QF can really shine and be outstanding, other times, it drops the ball on the basics - priority boarding and WP1 (not that l'll ever make WP1).

 

[11sjw]

Probably because the great majority of CX elite wear suits not high vis shirts

What's wrong with High Vis shirts?

 

[TonyHancock]

I suspect (perhaps hope might be the correct word) that the real benefit of P1 might only be seen when things go wrong. That said I think QF has missed a real opportunity to deliver some tangible benefits to it's most frequent flyers:

International Upgrades at time of booking (even if this is limited to one or two per year.)
Anytime Lounge Access
Express Cards at non Australian airports if not flying J or F

These are the three for me.

I was greeted by the CSM on my MEL-AKL flight today and offered a drink from J. It was a nice touch. I also like the ability to select a seat in the first row of economy. If you are reading this QF I have little interest in special events, flight simulators, or epiqure. Tangible benefits when flying are more my interest.

.....and for crying out loud please fix priority boarding on domestic flights.:evil:

 

[amaroo]

What's wrong with High Vis shirts?

Did you not see the at the end of my post

 

[aus_flyer]

As others have already noted, I think it's better to under-promise and over-deliver, than over-promise and under-deliver!

What is actually delivered could be the same.... but it's about the expectations that have been created.

And what's with limiting the Loyalty Bonuses to 4 per year??

 

[bossreggie]

Please don't "chase" P1.

As I mentioned VERY early in the roll out of P!...... It is NOT for anyone who needs to rearrange travel plans. I re-qualified in 2 and 1/2 months. I'd NEVER shuffle travel arrangements to do it though.

 

[Jobu]

P1 is, as a package, disappointing. There are some positive elements, but i think qf talked it up too much. Been thinking of trying for EK IO instead, pity the requirements and benefits are secret, but qf arent helping their own case by rationalising international services.