So, Have you made the switch?

[drewbles]

I confess. When I was originally status matched to Gold last year, my DJ experience was negligible. Short of a return SYD-PER-SYD back in around 2002, I had not flown them.

Then, between turning gold and being recently re-matched to Platinum, I had taken a grand total of 4 DJ flights.

Now, since being gifted the shiny card, I have 8 bookings with more to come, where QF have zero (and will only, at this stage, be getting one via my free flight from Amex).

So the question is, who has genuinely made the switch and attempted to pass more business to DJ since being gifted new status? I appreciate that some people will not be able to due to work contracts or lack-of-schedule/coverage to/from certain destinations, but how many of us are making a genuine attempt to 'repay the love'? I know I am for once taking money from where my shiny Platinum card (will soon live), and handing it to DJ.

 

[Simsy85]

I guess I still have a foot in each camp.

For work, I tend to always fly QF J - mostly because my boss is a CL member and he doesn't like the whole catching a flight at 1am (VA times)..

That being said, I do considerable personal flights out of DRW, so i'll be flying QF & VA next weekend - QF DRW - SYD - CBR and VA - CBR - MEL - DRW to see which platinum status is better.

Based on that, I may just switch.

Interesting note, we put in a status match for the boss for CL - but we haven't heard anything....

 

[Meggsy]

Interesting note, we put in a status match for the boss for CL - but we haven't heard anything....

I'll bet that dilemma saw a few heads being scratched at VFF's status matching department.:shock:
I got a status match last year to gold and have maintained gold with QFF and will also requal gold with VFF this year. Mainly I am waiting on some new DJ lounges OOL, MKY and so on and then I will divert whatever I can to DJ and hopefully reach Platinum. Gold with both works better for me at the moment based on destinations I fly to. I had done very little DJ flying before the status match but have had 10 flights in the last month and a further 8 booked until mid October.

 

[LiamR]

I made the switch in Jan, most of my flights are on Virgin these days.

I use to flt Qantas weekly, enough to easily make Platinum. Being based in OOL, I had a really early morning flight, and decided that instead of driving up to BNE as usual, I'd grab a Virgin flight out of OOL. Flying out of OOL is a hell of a lot more convient (and cheaper) for me.

I was fairly taken back, not by the aircraft (which I can't stand), but by the service. I was made to feel special. After emailing one of the Virgin executives and explaining my situation, they matched me to Gold status.

Since then I've never looked back. I started flying when the airline was in my eyes, a LCC. Since then I've seen it transform into an airline which challanges Qantas. Since hitting Platinum & seeing the new aircraft and lounges, I would never go back. The only thing I miss is the F Lounge access, and access to better lounges here and overseas. Hopefully that will improve with time.

So I voted with my feet, and I encourage any others who are sick and tired of the "They'll always fly with us, no matter what we do" attitude from Qantas, to do the same.

Who knows, you might just enjoy flying again.

 

[theintelligent1]

Posting this from the Virgin lounge........so yes I've switched all domestic.....first flights were this week and all next weeks flights are going to Virgin as well.....

Avoiding the mining bogans at PER QP and having no priority boarding were the big factors for me to ditch QF....yes there are a number of things Virgin still need to work on....but for me on domestic legs to have a smooth experience at the airport & onboard are worth the tradeoff......

Hoping the Delta (& SQ) SC earn gets sorted very soon so I can also give Virgin a try for my upcoming USA & Europe trips.....

 

[UP4014]

Like others, got DJ gold if I want, but haven't changed. Happy with QF and Virgin routes and times are limited unless you visit the main cities.

In a word. No. :mrgreen:

 

[777]

Like others, got DJ gold if I want, but haven't changed. Happy with QF and Virgin routes and times are limited unless you visit the main cities.]

Less limited than trying to visit NTL, OOL or MCY on QF though!

 

[UP4014]

Less limited than trying to visit NTL, OOL or MCY on QF though!

Half my flights a the present would be on QANTAS Link and Virgin don't fly there at all. I could spread the trunk routes a bit but prefer to have proper connections and of course not spread my points thin across two airlines. (my flying is up and down, some years every week or two and others every month or two)

Matt

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I tried to make the switch...........but QF wouldn't status match, so I'll stay where I am, with DJ!

 

[Mal]

This weekend will be the 3rd and 4th flights on dj since being matched. All are flex excluding one tonight in PE. As I generally pay for my own travel it is easy for me to switch around if I want. Should be silver very shortly, aiming for gold at least this year

I am prepared to give them a go. If I head to the us again this year I will probably choose PE on v Aust.

I think the cost of matching me and stroking my ego has been met. So a quick win for DJ.

 

[Mogul]

I tried to make the switch...........but QF wouldn't status match, so I'll stay where I am, with DJ!

Wonder if QF would status match, maybe an email needs to be sent.

 

[markis10]

I have never known QF to status match in the last 14 years.

 

[Mogul]

Email sent.

:mrgreen:

 

[UP4014]

Wonder if QF would status match, maybe an email needs to be sent.

They don't need to at present, they have nothing to prove.

 

[Justchecking]

While no doubt DJ have scored some early adopters I don't think the outcome of the status match will really be known for another year or two. Much like the rest of the changes they need time to be tweaked and mature before you can say 'people switched to DJ because of xyz...'

 

[UP4014]

While no doubt DJ have scored some early adopters I don't think the outcome of the status match will really be known for another year or two. Much like the rest of the changes they need time to be tweaked and mature before you can say 'people switched to DJ because of xyz...'

Some will jump because the grass looks greener, but after a year might come back. Some of this forum have bagged out QF and praised DJ, I'd guess they are the ones QF doesn't want anyway.

Matt

 

[JohnK]

I have booked more VA flights than I usually book mainly due to the luggage allowance and lounge access and 10% credit back with Virgin mobile.

Will I switch? I don't think so as VA still has a long way to go in my opinion. I don't like the aircraft, don't like the seats and I am not keen on the way the FAs behave.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Wonder if QF would status match, maybe an email needs to be sent.

I wondered if people would think I was joking . If I see a possibility, I try it. Don't ask, don't receive and all that.

Thank you for contacting The Qantas Club and Frequent Flyer Service Centre.
We don't Status match with other Frequent Flyer programs, and so I'm unable to consider your request.
We recognise our most loyal Qantas Frequent Flyers with higher levels of membership and increased benefits. To keep the program fair and consistent we're unable to forego the requirements of status elevation. We aim to provide all our members with an opportunity to have their status elevated through a qualification process and enjoy the benefits that this entails. Each member can do this through the accrual of Status credits for eligible domestic and international flights during a membership year.
In the meantime, to find out more about the benefits of Qantas Frequent Flyer membership, please visit qantas.com/frequentflyer
Kind Regards,
　
Pasha
The Qantas Club and Frequent Flyer Service Centre
qantas.com/frequentflyer

 

[maninblack]

So the question is, who has genuinely made the switch and attempted to pass more business to DJ since being gifted new status? I appreciate that some people will not be able to due to work contracts or lack-of-schedule/coverage to/from certain destinations, but how many of us are making a genuine attempt to 'repay the love'? I know I am for once taking money from where my shiny Platinum card (will soon live), and handing it to DJ.

You have it somewhat wrong I believe. It is up to airlines to repay our loyalty not the other way round. Virgin has attempted to grab elite tier flyers with a good business move. "It's not personal, it's only business," as is said. They will get my business if it suits me and currently domestically it does. And yes I applaud the competition. Internationally Virgin barely has a leg to stand on. Virgin cannot match the schedules, alliances and service of QF and Oneworld nor the worldwide benefits of OW Emerald status. For example they have no direct (partner included) service into Asia (and beyond) from MEL, at least that I can find. Only three services a week to the US and so on. They also don't fly international First class cabins except on one partner. So they have a way to go.

I have been flying QF since...(I was 4 years old) a very long time and countless flights later they still put out a great product despite the fact I have some complaints and irritations with them from time to time. Virgin will definately get some of my business but I am certainly not "dumping" QF which is a comment I have regularly been reading on the forum.

 

[serfty]

...
So the question is, who has genuinely made the switch and attempted to pass more business to DJ since being gifted new status? I appreciate that some people will not be able to due to work contracts or lack-of-schedule/coverage to/from certain destinations, but how many of us are making a genuine attempt to 'repay the love'? I know I am for once taking money from where my shiny Platinum card (will soon live), and handing it to DJ.

If you mean by "switch" that is moving all travel where possible to DJ then no, I have not "Genuinely made the switch" and probably won't.

I will book and fly with whatever airline suits my needs/aims best, in the last 12 months I have travelled on NZ, CX, QF, JQi, BA, DJ, AA, US, UA, & JL.

Domestically DJ will probably get more of my travel this year, mainly due to me being already re-qualified for WP, I do intend to try the new service out several times and the good value PE redemptions. With the DJ/NZ co-operative I don't see myself chasing status on DJ going forward since I am Gold Elite with NZ and will continue to be (on current bookings) until mid 2013 thus giving Virgin Australia lounge access until at least mid 2014.