Should long term Qantas Club membership be recognised?

[Smackbum]

Yes, it's called Partner Lounge Agreements.

I think this whole discussion is misguided by talking about status (earned from flying), and QC (earned by paid membership) being in the same bucket.

Let's rephrase the original question -

"For those who didn't get to take advantage of buying lifetime QC whilst it was available.... How about a discount off renewal fees after x number of years..??"

I agree with this approach that a few members have mooted - frequent flyers get certain benefits associated with flights, frequent QC members should get certain benefits associated with lounges. Discounted lounge membership on a sliding scale after 5/10/20 years (dare I call it Silver/Gold/Platinum?) would be consistent.

 

[antycbr]

Just a reminder that Monday is the last day for domestic Priority Checkin for Qantas Club members.

Not too sure what will happen on Tuesday, but I don't have any more domestic forward bookings on Qantas (for the first time in 10 years).

 

[fiscal]

Thanks to all who responded to the post. I like a good debate, and it has certainly made me reconsider what the benefits of QC membership are from my perspective based on my flying needs.

In short, QC is offering less to me than ever before, but it still offers some benefits that remain of some value, but even these are diminishing.

The level of catering has fallen considerably, especially in Perth, but I have not been impressed with Sydney or Melbourne these past few years either.

Priority check in was always a boon, as you had a face to face encounter when you checked in, but now it will be all machine fed.

Domestic priority baggage has seldom been successful. Perth is notorious for late arrivals on the baggage carousels. I am sure baggage handlers resent anyone with a status.

Extra baggage allowance has always been good, but this new domestic one piece rule is not a practical way of utilizing the extra baggage allowance. I do not think baggage handlers appreciate lifting lots of 32Kg bags, rather than two smaller ones, and excess baggage prices are expensive for extra pieces.

There is no extra benefits with QC Bronze, or priorities with award bookings like there exists with silver and upwards, and no advance seat selection either on regular bookings.

So QC membership only really gives me a access to a generally more comfortable seat, some free drinks and nibbles, some extra baggage allowance, and that is about it. So for maybe 4 or 5 trips a year, it is starting to become very marginal.

Maybe I should start a new thread on how unfair it is for Perth flyers, that can spend up to 36% more that Sydney/Melbourne dwellers, to get status. That might start the great divide

 

[samiam]

Maybe I should start a new thread on how unfair it is for Perth flyers, that can spend up to 36% more that Sydney/Melbourne dwellers, to get status. That might start the great divide

Only if you first consider that some Sydney/Melbourne dwellers also fly to Perth. Strangely, the fare from MEL-PER is the same as Perth dwellers pay, on a PER-MEL flight :smile:

 

[oz_mark]

There are not too many business around that give away much to someone just because they are a long term customer. I can only think of a couple. As for Qantas in particular, they just want you on that status treadmill that gets you in the air.

 

[nlagalle]

The level of catering has fallen considerably, especially in Perth, but I have not been impressed with Sydney or Melbourne these past few years either.

Really? I was in PER 4 times in the last month and I thought it's food wasn't too bad at all. Especially since the revamp. Certainly beat the pant off the DJ Lounge.

 

[Archphoto]

Admittedly, I joined QC just for the lounge access - the extra allowance in baggage, and check-in was a bonus for me.

Have been a member for about 10 years and to be honest the offerings of food have never really been outstanding. ADL never had the wonderful specials that SYD offered at one stage: real barista made coffee and the beers from The Belgian Beer Cafe.

Try using MEL on a Friday - forget it! More room at my local front bar, in fact myself and two colleagues walked in, fought the crowd and walked out to try our luck at the burger bar - certainly more room, and whilst the food on offer couldn't be called ideal, at least it was there for the taking, unlike the QP which seemed to have copious amounts of the amber flowing, but little in the way of food.

I'll still keep QC, even if I only fly 4 times a year - just being able to sit away from screaming kids for a short time is well worth the $$$. :mrgreen:

 

[openseat]

Interesting question - but given that QF ended life membership, obviously they are moving in the other direction from long-term recognition.
As a lifetime member of QP, the most value I've had is access to Admirals' Clubs in the US - not that they are that good, but they are much better than the public areas of the airports they are in.
It is concerning that there seems to be less and less on offer for QP members. I'm particularly glad for my AA EXP status in MEL, to escape into the Business lounge, though even that is getting overcrowded at times.

 

[fiscal]

Only if you first consider that some Sydney/Melbourne dwellers also fly to Perth. Strangely, the fare from MEL-PER is the same as Perth dwellers pay, on a PER-MEL flight :smile:

I was thinking MEL/SYD returns vs PER/SYD returns. The former get lots of extra status points for the dollars spent, and extra FF points per mile due to 1000 point guarantee.

Really? I was in PER 4 times in the last month and I thought it's food wasn't too bad at all. Especially since the revamp. Certainly beat the pant off the DJ Lounge.

I have not been to the revamped lounge yet. When I last went, before it was finished, it was full of early morning fly in/ fly out mining workers waiting for their QantasLink flights. My next domestic flight is in June, so I will be able to see for myself. In the meantime, PER international will have to do....

 

[adrian]

I'll still keep QC, even if I only fly 4 times a year - just being able to sit away from screaming kids for a short time is well worth the $$$. :mrgreen:

They are keeping out the screaming kids now???? Not on my last visit...:shock:

 

[medhead]

Really? I was in PER 4 times in the last month and I thought it's food wasn't too bad at all. Especially since the revamp. Certainly beat the pant off the DJ Lounge.

In the 14 odd years I've been a QP member the food has certainly declined.

 

[anat0l]

In the 14 odd years I've been a QP member the food has certainly declined.

Food has certainly declined, but in comparison to most of the world around (with possible exception of most of Asia), it is still quite good. I know that it's unfair to say 'good' when we know otherwise, but I've been to a handful of lounges the world over and the food quality and variety is often lacking much compared to QPs.

One thing I'm thankful for in the QPs (major centres, anyway) is that there are showers available. Can't say that for a lot of the world.

 

[drmikki]

I was in Perth QP at about 5pm on NYE when there was a grand total of 6 people in there - was like being in the twilight zone compared to the normal riot before a flight Karratha heads off! The revamped food was great - whoever thought of liquorice allsorts at the coffee counter is a legend!

The hot food was beautiful too - I had the best steak pie that I've had in a long time. Proper little pot pies with big chunks of steak, not party pies. I believe there was also chicken curry pies as well. Hope this wasn't just a NY special to lull me into submission...

 

[codash1099]

I joined nearly 20 years ago for lounge access and priority check-in and paid for life membership to lock those in.

It would cost QF very little to provide infrequent flying QP members with priority check in and early seat selection. The latter would probably cost nothing (they could block as many seats as they like) and the former is what I paid for.

There can't be too many members who would use these - by definition, they don't fly very often.

Partner lounge access is a reciprocal benefit, but doesn't affect me (yet) as I do all my int. flying in J

 

[Archphoto]

They are keeping out the screaming kids now???? Not on my last visit...:shock:

Maybe I should have said "less screaming kids. . . . "

Aside from them, I do like to be able to sit away from the masses (except on Friday afternoons!!) and enjoy a coffee that didn't cost me $10.00, and a couple of beers to boot. :mrgreen:

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I joined nearly 20 years ago for lounge access and priority check-in and paid for life membership to lock those in.

I wish l had joined back in the day, but l couldn't afford it, l think it was around $3k-$5k. I've had corporate discounts from various employers over the years, so l've never paid full price to start with.

Answer to the thread question? Should l be rewarded for continuous membership?

==Maybe==

Does Telstra, Fitness First, Medibank Private or my bank reward me for loyalty, NO. Why should QF?

 

[fiscal]

Does Telstra, Fitness First, Medibank Private or my bank reward me for loyalty, NO. Why should QF?

When I first joined the QC, Qantas were promoting it as a members club, not just providing a product, as the other above mentioned do. So, Yes, I do see a difference.

Admittedly, Qantas have certainly changed that attitude over the past few years, and I do not think for the better, but maybe that is just the current leadership, and their perspective on profit margins, growth and loyalty.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

This can be argued forever. At the end of the day, your paying for a service. You can also substitute my above examples to something like the Tattersalls Club etc etc.

I don't see why QF should offer more for a member of say 5/10/15/20 years? They are running a business, not a charity. If you don't like the services offered for the price you pay, don't join/renew and vote with your wallet.

 

[BJReplay]

I joined nearly 20 years ago for lounge access and priority check-in and paid for life membership to lock those in.

It would cost QF very little to provide infrequent flying QP members with priority check in and early seat selection. The latter would probably cost nothing (they could block as many seats as they like) and the former is what I paid for.

There can't be too many members who would use these - by definition, they don't fly very often.

I agree 100%. I paid for benefits that have been removed. Of course, that's part of the risk for paying in advance, but that doesn't mean I need to be happy about it.

To those saying "fly more if you want status" - I don't want status, just the benefits I paid for. I agree that customers who fly a lot should get status, but I cannot understand why as a paying member, I get less than a silver frequent flyer.

 

[medhead]

I agree 100%. I paid for benefits that have been removed. Of course, that's part of the risk for paying in advance, but that doesn't mean I need to be happy about it.

If you feel strongly about it the qantas club terms and conditions do provide for a refund if any Changes substantially deprive you of your intended use of your membership. I'm on iPhone right now so can't provide a link, sorry.