Rewarding Long Term Frequent Flyer Loyalty

[TomVexille]

The thing is.. you would go to the airport when not flying just to use a QC or J lounge?

I've heard of someone who used to do exactly that. Friday night drinks at the airport. Often with guests in tow. It wouldn't surprise me if blatant abuse like this is part of why QF is probably never going to bring such access back.

 

[woodborer]

I've heard of someone who used to do exactly that. Friday night drinks at the airport. Often with guests in tow. It wouldn't surprise me if blatant abuse like this is part of why QF is probably never going to bring such access back.

Some companies used to have meetings at the 'Mascot Office'

 

[Happy Trails]

WP has arrivals access from Transcon flights.
.

Just needs a same day BP.
It's non-platinum J pax that get the transcon dispensation.

 

[opusman]

If the passenger is not there because they are flying F as Class of Service, then the lounge owner/operator (eg CX) *will* charge back to QFF for those uses (the secondary reason to scan BP's as well as confirming eligibility).

But they're already entitled to use (e.g.) the CX J lounge, so QFF are already paying for that - how much more would the F lounge cost in reality? 28,000 SCs is quite a lot in reality, I doubt they would ever have significant numbers of LTPs.

 

[Pleb Status]

But they're already entitled to use (e.g.) the CX J lounge, so QFF are already paying for that - how much more would the F lounge cost in reality? 28,000 SCs is quite a lot in reality, I doubt they would ever have significant numbers of LTPs.

With the constant DSC promotions, 28k LTSC is now down to around 20k LTSC in actual flying (the rest is the bonus)...

 

[Pushka]

I've heard of someone who used to do exactly that. Friday night drinks at the airport. Often with guests in tow. It wouldn't surprise me if blatant abuse like this is part of why QF is probably never going to bring such access back.

Oh we used to do that when we were first married waaaaay back and Ansett had anytime access. God, we were avi geeks forty years ago!

 

[TonyHancock]

But they're already entitled to use (e.g.) the CX J lounge, so QFF are already paying for that - how much more would the F lounge cost in reality? 28,000 SCs is quite a lot in reality, I doubt they would ever have significant numbers of LTPs.

I suspect that when QF launched LTG 14k SC was considered a high number. I'm at 31k with no double SC offers, and I stopped collecting SC's four years ago. I am at 33k BA TP's, which are earned at a similar rate to QF SC's. I suspect there are a significant number of FF's with 28k+ SC's, certainly significant enough for QF not to be interested in LTP.

 

[JohnK]

P1 has this more or less. WP has arrivals access from Transcon flights.

The thing is.. you would go to the airport when not flying just to use a QC or J lounge? lol Or you mean if flying on another airline you'd use the QC? hmm

There are times where one might be at the airport and not flying or flying another airline. What's a glass or 2 of Coke Zero and some cheap slop worth?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Content stuck out by moderator team as advice received from OP as it is no longer accurate.

It could be hefty. Pax could also be flying on a oneworld carrier in any class, QF or JQ. EK's a little different.

The cost for say a QF WP going to the CX F lounges or BA Galleries F well obviously I do not know, but there IS a charge back. If the passenger is not there because they are flying F as Class of Service, then the lounge owner/operator (eg CX) *will* charge back to QFF for those uses (the secondary reason to scan BP's as well as confirming eligibility).

Here is how it works for Oneworld:

- Pax travelling in F/J, the marked airline pays for lounge access (eg: regardless of which airline status you hold in the Oneworld alliance, if you travel in biz class, the carrier flight number you are booked on will pay the lounge provider for you/guests entry. So say you're in first class on BA#xx_x but on Qantas plane, BA will pay for the lounge. Similar to how your points earning into any FFP will be determined by the marked flight#/ticket you are travelling on)

- Pax travelling in any other cabin, the host airline/frequent flyer programs pay for lounge access. (eg: travelling economy class on CX, with your QFF Platinum as FQTV and entering the MH Golden lounge. QF will pay MH)

- JQ members can't access Oneworld lounges because JQ is not a Oneworld member, and therefore has no agreements with other OW carriers. Fiji Airways becoming a OW Connect member means they're hybrid (ie: contracts with only a few OW member airline programs).

Really though I think the maginal cost may NOT be that much relatively speaking, but QFF simply feel that the only real outcomes for them would be increased cost from LTP's using partner F lounges and associated benefits possibly while putting revenue to other carriers (like CX or AY) but could well still fly QF and give revenue, but perhaps not as much as before... and QFF probably think, as discussed earlier, there's no real NEED to give this sort of benefit. There's no pressure from VA in this space, and the likely outcomes are unlikely to be strongly revenue positive for the carrier, so why do it except to make us happy?! Of course not, they're not here to do that!

QF won't introduce a public LTP tier. There's simply no commercial benefit. Improving LTG and increasing the SC threshold may make sense though. Other airlines May Have more reasons to introduce lifetime Emerald based on regional competition etc. They could use it as a commercial carrot to lure more business away from competitors. Check my previous posts in this thread for detailed analysis

 

[oz_mark]

- Pax travelling in any other cabin, the host airline/frequent flyer programs pay for lounge access. (eg: travelling economy class on CX, with your QFF Platinum as FQTV and entering the MH Golden lounge. QF will pay MH)

Gee! That could be an expensive proposition. Lots of expense, with potentially little revenue.

 

[kermatu]

It's cancelled as soon as QF are aware. I will try and remember to check what hapoens to their status and report back.

All the CLs I've known over the past few years who have left or retired from the positions that granted them that status have retained it for their current and next full membership year -- as has their partner -- after which they revert to their earned status.

Just one more reason why I reckon the CL level is a joke. Cull membership and these ridiculous benefits. Might create some room for a LTP level -- even if set at a far higher than 28K SC level. Won't happen of course.

 

[kpc]

All the CLs I've known over the past few years who have left or retired from the positions that granted them that status have retained it for their current and next full membership year -- as has their partner -- after which they revert to their earned status.

Just one more reason why I reckon the CL level is a joke. Cull membership and these ridiculous benefits. Might create some room for a LTP level -- even if set at a far higher than 28K SC level. Won't happen of course.

As I said before, CL membership is essentially a not to subtle bribe!

 

[oz_mark]

Just one more reason why I reckon the CL level is a joke.

CL is not really a level, but a whole other program - it just appears as a level in the FF program.

And a bribe? More a facilitation program

 

[Seat0B]

Ah yes but, Mrmaxwell, by not allowing me to strive for LTP, now I have LTG, I have little to no incentive to stay with Qantas for my future travels, and will be placing my spend with other airlines, say on the basis of price or destinations or schedule convenience. So they are losing all my potential future revenue.

 

[burmans]

Ah yes but, Mrmaxwell, by not allowing me to strive for LTP, now I have LTG, I have little to no incentive to stay with Qantas for my future travels, and will be placing my spend with other airlines, say on the basis of price or destinations or schedule convenience. So they are losing all my potential future revenue.

They are relying on inertia, this may sound cynical but the evidence is pretty strong that while many people complain and threaten to do as you say, very few actually do. And the costs to keep that minority exceeds the benefit.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Ah yes but, Mrmaxwell, by not allowing me to strive for LTP, now I have LTG, I have little to no incentive to stay with Qantas for my future travels, and will be placing my spend with other airlines, say on the basis of price or destinations or schedule convenience. So they are losing all my potential future revenue.

Unfortunately you are a marginal customer. Your spend on QF for the rest of your life is likely to be a drop in the ocean for them. Can't go back in time but in hindsight joining BAEC where you do have an advertised LT Emerald is what you should have done and what you could still do if you have 30,000 or 100,000 SCs/TPs left in you.

 

[flying_double]

Ah yes but, Mrmaxwell, by not allowing me to strive for LTP, now I have LTG, I have little to no incentive to stay with Qantas for my future travels, and will be placing my spend with other airlines, say on the basis of price or destinations or schedule convenience. So they are losing all my potential future revenue.

If you chased LTG on the basis that you thought at some stage they’d introduce LTP, well that’s your bad luck. It’s a shame you don’t have anything to strive for now but that’s the program.

If a lifetime of SG benefits doesn’t tickle your fancy, go spread your wings with other airlines! But placing spend with a number of airlines based on a whole range of factors will mean it’s likely that you’ll never accumulate status with another airline again and unless you fly J or F will get no benefits when you fly at all. Enjoy that experience!

You really should have assessed whether LTG delivered what you required before you spent years and your or your employers thousands chasing it. Platinum benefits are an appropriate recognition for CURRENT high value pax, if you’re not spending lots of money each year to achieve that hurdle, tough, no F lounge for you. Either suck it up and make the most of the SG benefits (if you can’t make WP), or move along and free up a seat at the already overcrowded Qantas lounges for another traveller who’ll actually appreciate it.

 

[amaroo]

I'm a late bloomer having hit P1 for the first time this week ....I'm also LTG and have accumerlated almost double that number at around 28,000 SC.

My plan for flying in the future has no reliance on any lousy FF loyalty scheme.... I've amassed sufficient points and cash not to have to worry about flying for SC or TP. Reliance on a FF scheme is a mugs game!

 

[Happy Trails]

Can't go back in time but in hindsight joining BAEC where you do have an advertised LT Emerald is what you should have done and what you could still do if you have 30,000 or 100,000 SCs/TPs left in you.

But it's only been an advertised benefit since 2013, whereas the OP's been with QF for 22 years.

 

[Captain Halliday]

A fascinating discussion as usual.

Unfortunately you are a marginal customer. Your spend on QF for the rest of your life is likely to be a drop in the ocean for them. Can't go back in time but in hindsight joining BAEC where you do have an advertised LT Emerald is what you should have done and what you could still do if you have 30,000 or 100,000 SCs/TPs left in you.

A hypothetical for you @wannabeinvestmentbanker: (Or anyone else who’d like to offer a view)
You’re sitting on an QF SC balance of around 6000.
Forward bookings will get you to LTS later this year.
You’re mid 40’s and average 300-400 SC per year, but have achieved/retained SG in recent years thanks to DSCs.
A computer error in your favour currently has you as WP until 2020 .
Corporate travel is currently a QF contract.

Do you:
1. Persist with QF, locking in LTPS then credit to BA, hoping that LTWP still exists by the time you get there.
2. Chip away with QF until reaching LTSG, then credit to BA.
3. Play the long game by dropping QF and credit to BA ASAP.
4. Fly BFOD for all self-funded travel and pay cash for any benefit you want eg. Premium cabins, lounge access etc?
5. Another approach?