Rewarding Long Term Frequent Flyer Loyalty

[leadman]

Funny how people complain about QF pushing the boundaries on prices, every business surely changes the maximum they can.

QF and the QFF are a premium product like it or not therefore they can charge a premium and know precisely how much the market will bear like all premium items.

I would add the word "perceived" in front of premium!

 

[drron]

I define a loyalty program as the one that will do the most for me at this time.

 

[UP4014]

I would add the word "perceived" in front of premium!

A Bentley is a premium car at 400k, does that mean a Range Rover is not at 150k.

Just because it's lessor to you doesn't mean it's not premium.

I think perceived is the wrong word as if you live in West Africa then QF is certainly premium and you aspire to that.

I think "opinion" is the word.

 

[TonyHancock]

A Bentley is a premium car at 400k, does that mean a Range Rover is not at 150k.

Just because it's lessor to you doesn't mean it's not premium.

I think perceived is the wrong word.

I think "opinion" is the word.

I think perceived is spot on.

 

[leadman]

A Bentley is a premium car at 400k, does that mean a Range Rover is not at 150k.

Just because it's lessor to you doesn't mean it's not premium.

I think perceived is the wrong word.

I think "opinion" is the word.

For someone that has never driven a car i perceive they are both OK; a lump of steel composites and a battery. In my industry quality is often a perception not an opinion......

 

[UP4014]

I think perceived is spot on.

What's your metric for premium?

Mine is safe, clean, reliable, has a drinks cart and gets my bags on the same flight; because there are plenty who can't get that right.

 

[UP4014]

For someone that has never driven a car i perceive they are both OK; a lump of steel composites and a battery. In my industry quality is often a perception not an opinion......

It doesn't matter if it's a car or a refrigerator or a set of noise cancelling headphones.

What is your industry out of interest?

 

[leadman]

It doesn't matter if it's a car or a refrigerator or a set of noise cancelling headphones.

What is your industry out of interest?

Sorry i could not find the smiley icons for my last message!!!!!! The industry is metals and my nickname should give you an idea which one! (found it!)

 

[TonyHancock]

What's your metric for premium?

Mine is safe, clean, reliable, has a drinks cart and gets my bags on the same flight; because there are plenty who can't get that right.

My metric does not in any way shape or form include "drinks cart" , have no idea about bags I am carry on only, clean is a given, as is reliable - these are basic requirements as is getting one's bags on the same flight. (I believe an airline called Jetstar managed to do this for someone I know! )

Premium for me means, attentive service, lie flat bed that doesn't droop, decent food (that I don't need to google), high quality spirits and wine, direct aisle access and privacy.

I do need to clarify that my travel is overwhelmingly international and in J or F. (I pay Y+ because I am a cheapskate though!!!)

 

[Pleb Status]

What's your metric for premium?

Mine is safe, clean, reliable, has a drinks cart and gets my bags on the same flight; because there are plenty who can't get that right.

That is a pretty low bar.

I now understand why you consider QF a 'premium' airline.

 

[wandering_fred]

OTOH there are some of us who would demonstrate a great deal more "loyalty" to QF if they would schedule international flights (of less than 10 hour duration) into PER that arrived between 0700 and 1500.

Now loyalty to the QFF program has slightly different priorities. I would certainly consider the "leg up" for future qualification as an incentive. But to make it practical for QFF - say 150 SC at LTS and 350 at LTG.

Perhaps too much wandering
Fred

 

[juddles]

That is a pretty low bar.

I now understand why you consider QF a 'premium' airline.

Just to add fuel to this thread's fire, another "metric" for a premium airline could be its success, economically (ie for shareholders).

At not just the "end of the day" but also the start, it is a company, a business, not a charity. The QF share price has rocketed over the past few years. IE it has changed and has become a succesful business. They may be selling Corollas at SV6 Commodore prices, BUT THE PUBLIC KEEPS BUYING THEM!! Succesful marketing, succesful hype, whatever. Many on here shout about how you can get a better car for less elsewhere - maybe true, but why would Qantas change from what is working for them??

 

[RooFlyer]

I like this discussion

I would add the word "perceived" in front of premium!

Spot on.

think perceived is the wrong word as if you live in West Africa then QF is certainly premium and you aspire to that.

Can't see the relevance of west Africa to the current discussion, but I agree that relativity is part of the definition (see below)

Just to add fuel to this thread's fire, another "metric" for a premium airline could be its success, economically (ie for shareholders).

Sorry, juddles, I don't regard Big Macs as a premium product Your definition might translate to Qantas being a 'premium security' to hold, but it doesn't work for customers, which is what we are on about here, I think.

For 'premium', how about "good quality, and in the top 20% of similar types of product"? 'Premium cabin', 'premium beer', 'premium spa experience', 'premium house location'.

Qantas' international business class is a 'premium' product over its economy class, but i don't regard it as a premium product amongst business classes generally. Those who only fly QF business, with maybe a BA and other flown in from time to time, may regard it as a 'premium product' but that's a perception I reckon. They haven't flown the range of other airlines to know whats out there to really compare. I think I've flown 18 (edit: 16 ... oops) different airlines in J, at least twice, over the past 5 years. Overall, Qantas business is good, but not in the top tier; not a premium J product for me.

 

[Pushka]

Clearly Qantas value my loyalty. In the activity list today. I have the entry. No extra points. No extra credits. So......

 

[Pleb Status]

Just to add fuel to this thread's fire, another "metric" for a premium airline could be its success, economically (ie for shareholders).

At not just the "end of the day" but also the start, it is a company, a business, not a charity. The QF share price has rocketed over the past few years. IE it has changed and has become a succesful business. They may be selling Corollas at SV6 Commodore prices, BUT THE PUBLIC KEEPS BUYING THEM!! Succesful marketing, succesful hype, whatever. Many on here shout about how you can get a better car for less elsewhere - maybe true, but why would Qantas change from what is working for them??

Whilst I disagree with this definition of premium (particularly from the customers point of view), I will agree there are plenty of suckers out there lining up to pay substantially more to QF to receive arguably less product/service.

QF charges premium prices, that is certainly something premium about QF...

 

[RichardMEL]

A few comments:

1. Agreed totally with QF being "Perceived" Premium.. though I would add that QF considers itself in the top tier of world airlines for premium product (eg: F and J) but only delivers, imo, 2nd tier for F, and average first for the new J suites(let down my F&B)... but that is all very subjective of course. The thing is that QF price themselves as very premium. I don't really mean on domestic where the duopoly makes it pretty easy for both QF and VA to go nuts, but international with competition including better product (eg: Kangaroo route, flying to Asia etc) QF definitely prices as a) the dominant source in Oz (which works for some markets but not others) and b) premium product.

2. The comment a few pages ago about how LTG being earned by self funded vs paid for by work/others I suppose is only relevant in the view of the particular person. For example, if I earned my status on the boss's dime, well I've done pretty well but I feel more personl ownership if it's on my own dime(and probably more blame for spending all that $$$ on QF )

3. It's interesting to me that the OP seems to dismiss LTG as basically being nothing in terms of lifetime recognition... that's how it reads anyway. OK it doesn't suit if one has been Platinum of P1 for years but then drops back to LTG but remember so many people out there would be so so happy just to attain Gold. I've gifted it over the past 5 or so years to people who don't have status(but big trips and stuff) and the reports I get back aboit how they've so enjoyed having that and making use of it are really great for me as a gifter. Yes, once you've had the higher levels it's hard to go back, but it's certainly not nothing, and it does cost QF something to provide (for every time a LTG member uses that status of course). Yep we all want more of course, but gee I think it's a bit rich to dismiss it as nothing.

And, as the old saying goes, if we really want a certain level of product or service.. the best way to get it is to pay for it. So seems Ruth may head to other airlines, and that's her choice absolutely and probably a good one for her. She'll always have that LTG should the time come where it's needed

 

[kpc]

I'm about to requalify Plat for the 10th year in a row...and am LT Gold mainly on work's dime. If I was to fork out my own hard earned cash, I would not fly QF internationally in either F or J....ok, maybe on points. QF F is miles behind its competitors in both hard and soft product (Ok the bed is very comfortable), and the J bed on A380 well, is even further behind. I find QF J food internationally almost inedible! I owe QF nothing and they owe me nothing in return imho!....the only thing premium about QF are the prices they charge!!

 

[JohnK]

Also, I wonder how many people get to 28,000 SC on their own dime?

Possibly not many but I should be there in 5 years and I'd say 97+% have been self funded.

Lifetime Platinum would be nice but I know it won't happen as there's quite a cost involved as you mention. If Qantas did introduce Lifetime Platinum I would think it would be a stretch target, something along the lines of 56,000 SCs. Perhaps more. But that's just my opinion.

 

[woodborer]

2. The comment a few pages ago about how LTG being earned by self funded vs paid for by work/others I suppose is only relevant in the view of the particular person. For example, if I earned my status on the boss's dime, well I've done pretty well but I feel more personl ownership if it's on my own dime(and probably more blame for spending all that $$$ on QF )

I guess the issue is, that if you have done it on the bosses dime, you could easily question whether you have demonstrated loyalty at all - especially if you had no choice in the carrier. For example, I achieved Lifetime Status on the back of a corporate contract - that doesn't really make my loyal.

 

[TonyHancock]

I guess the issue is, that if you have done it on the bosses dime, you could easily question whether you have demonstrated loyalty at all - especially if you had no choice in the carrier. For example, I achieved Lifetime Status on the back of a corporate contract - that doesn't really make my loyal.

I know it has been discussed before I just don't get the loyalty, emotional and self funded thing. I don't consider myself loyal to any airline at all. I want to get from A to B in the most comfort I can.........for the lowest price I can get. My goal is to maximise the FF program to do this and when the mASA was available QF made sense, when it was enhanced BAEC* was and is the best means for me. I'm sure this will be enhanced in the future and I will need to find an alternative.

BA is well below the premium level, by pretty much anyone's definition, but for the price it represents a reasonable option. The problem with QF, as others have stated, it is well below the premium level but charges premium prices.

*Disclaimer: Everyone has different travel patterns so I am not advocating BA is the program for everyone