Some ideas to enhance QF FF prog for PLATINUMS

[Standby]

JQ bottom feeders...

I guess that I am a JQ bottom feeder then as my choice of airline between melbourne and sydney is JQ. I also have a full status earn while flying JQ

Im trying to fathom your learned assumptions here Standby, the bottom feeder in question is a person like me - 2500+ SC earn on QF and JQ metal each year, I have the right to be in the QP, or another type of bottom feeder is the QP member - the ones who pay for the privilege to use the QP - they too have the right to be in there, while on it, status holders (SG) or from other airlines with a OW arrangement - they too have the right to be in there...

Bottom feeders....

Oh, and a question - how do you get in the QP - earned status - Gold or Platinum, or is it because you bought your way in with a QP membership - I would be interested to know...

a fair question...As I said I'm Gold earned excusively on Qantas. I'm not a fan of the paid members either nor as I mentioned those who get access by not using QF to earn their OW status.Thats my oppinion and the reason I think they need to look at total spend or % of total trips on markets where there is a QF alternative and recognise those who choose the rat than others when they have a choice.
Out of curiosity do you earn status on JQ on SYDMEL on dom services to Tulla or on starclass top ups. If the former, I admit I'm quiet surprised as I dont know many people who choose to pay flex on JQ when there are many more QF options. I know lots that think a$29 fare and 6 crownies beforehand in the lounge is fair game.They are ones I dont want in the lounge

 

[samh004]

Out of curiosity do you earn status on JQ on SYDMEL on dom services to Tulla or on starclass top ups. If the former, I admit I'm quiet surprised as I dont know many people who choose to pay flex on JQ when there are many more QF options. I know lots that think a$29 fare and 6 crownies beforehand in the lounge is fair game.They are ones I dont want in the lounge

When paying to upgrade to *C at the airport, you shouldn’t earn points/SC on the new fare, but this sometimes happens. Certainly not something to expect.

As for domestic on JQ, only Flex earns, and I was surprised to see it only earns as Discount Economy the other day, I had thought it was full economy (for the price paid for a Flex…).

However, a few beers in the lounge before a cheap JQ flight is just the answer to QF’s idea to JQ all their old routes. If I can’t earn points/SC’s, I think I’m entitled to free drinks in the lounge.

 

[munitalP]

a fair question...As I said I'm Gold earned excusively on Qantas. I'm not a fan of the paid members either nor as I mentioned those who get access by not using QF to earn their OW status.Thats my oppinion and the reason I think they need to look at total spend or % of total trips on markets where there is a QF alternative and recognise those who choose the rat than others when they have a choice.
Out of curiosity do you earn status on JQ on SYDMEL on dom services to Tulla or on starclass top ups. If the former, I admit I'm quiet surprised as I dont know many people who choose to pay flex on JQ when there are many more QF options. I know lots that think a$29 fare and 6 crownies beforehand in the lounge is fair game.They are ones I dont want in the lounge

I fly Jetflex (Y) AVV/SYD as I find it less effort than Tulla at 0630 in the morning

Going back to your argument - how would we feel if the same was applied (earners on other airlines) when we hit the US or the UK - opps sorry Mr Standby, please go join the plebes in the general waiting area 'cause you didn't earn your status of Gold on our airline...

That is why it is honored... a OW agreement

As for the moral side, I somewhat agree with you, especially with AA status members who do 2 flights a year in the states and still credit all QF flights to their AA accounts - I know and understand the benefits.... (I will go and put my fireman suit on now as I know I am about to get flamed...) but still disagree that it is morally right...

Mr!

 

[Dave Noble]

As for domestic on JQ, only Flex earns, and I was surprised to see it only earns as Discount Economy the other day, I had thought it was full economy (for the price paid for a Flex…).

Jetflex eans as Full Economy and is stated as such on Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Status Credits . "For flights on Jetstar, Economy includes travel on Jet Flex fares"

Within NZ I just did a trip using a Jetflex from Auckland to Wellington and earned 20 status credits

 

[samh004]

Jetflex eans as Full Economy and is stated as such on Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Status Credits . "For flights on Jetstar, Economy includes travel on Jet Flex fares"

Within NZ I just did a trip using a Jetflex from Auckland to Wellington and earned 20 status credits

Well, that’s what I thought, but recently searching for a flight I clicked on the Flex fare rules and it said it was discount economy. Guess the fare rules is generally wrong then.

 

[munitalP]

Well, that’s what I thought, but recently searching for a flight I clicked on the Flex fare rules and it said it was discount economy. Guess the fare rules is generally wrong then.

Sam, I have earned 100's of SC on jetflex fares - they are a Y class fare - full status earn on QF

Mr!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

a fair question...As I said I'm Gold earned excusively on Qantas. I'm not a fan of the paid members either nor as I mentioned those who get access by not using QF to earn their OW status.Thats my oppinion and the reason I think they need to look at total spend or % of total trips on markets where there is a QF alternative and recognise those who choose the rat than others when they have a choice.

But, when QF gouges Australian customers, l feel that if we can get a better deal on another OW carrier, on an alternative route, then why not? Some pricing on QF, to me, is just totally outrages and a complete rip off.

 

[dajop]

I was just thinking, to those who object to people getting status via other OW airlines, simple - go and put your business to Virgin Blue ..... a lot more difficult to get status there outside doing the hard yards on DJ/VA. OW is an alliance and the whole point is to share the benefits around simply because every airline can't operate everywhere. Sure there a few "loopholes" where people can get status with some easy runs here and there, but I am reasonably confident that only a small minority exploit these. I

I say this as one who last year retained status primarily on the back of CX flights with a few QF (mainly whY) flights thrown in for good measure, so maybe biased in my views on this! However, I did the hard yards on QF for 8 years with the vast majority of my flights on QF metal, now my work has taken me elsewhere so have my travel patterns gone to other airlines.

Also important to remember that those of us getting status largely on other airlines are probably not flying QF very often to use the benefits on QF. It has been a long time since I've taken a seat in the QP on a Friday afternoon, and my lack of domestic travel means one less person for other WP's to compete with for preferred seats on runs between MEL &SYD/CBR/BNE - like I used to.

And as for excluding JQ pax from QP's, well from a business perspective, if they do that QF might as well just send everyone a letter that we don't want your business, here's the call centre number and web address for DJ, and by the way here's your new Velocity Rewards card......

 

[Febs]

Wow, I've seen some out of touch members on here over the years, but "Standby" - you'd have to take the cake!

 

[JetLagged]

But, when QF gouges Australian customers, l feel that if we can get a better deal on another OW carrier, on an alternative route, then why not? Some pricing on QF, to me, is just totally outrages and a complete rip off.

Agree totally - :?:why is a Sydney to London J class ticket with CX (a full service airline)$3000 cheaper than a flight at the same time with QF (another full-service airline)? :?:

I have been very loyal to QF for years now, but that sort of price difference leaves one bewildered, shocked and somewhat angry.:evil: I'd prefer to fly with our own airline, but not going to put myself into hock to do it, especially as I don't have a company to foot the bill, nor claim much back from the ATO.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re O.D.U I can't see the logic in being told that an ODU isn't available (other than on ineligible fare classes, which in my case it wasnt) only to find upon boarding that the person in front of me has been opped up at the gate into a half empty business cabin; just part of QFs chook lotto.

Sounds like you tried a few days prior to travel to use points to upgrade but the allocation of "U" class was utilised leaving only "J" left for full revenue fares. If these are still unsold prior to departure QP can utilise these seats for ODU's on the day.

I'd say what's happened is yield have oversold the flight in Y as they've have J seats to get them out of jail so to speak. Yield Management have done the op-ups several hours prior to departure to clear the oversale in Y thereby leaving J full so when you enquired at the QP for an ODU it was too late.

You're really between a rock and a hard place as it's too late to get a "U" class online or over the phone but then too late to get it at QP as YMG have beaten you to it. I'm sure QF would rather have taken your points for the ODU in lieu of dishing out FOC op-ups but that's how the bikkie breaks sometimes!

I can't understand why, if there were still empty seats in J you weren't able to do an ODU in the QP. There may have been J noshows or J OLCI fail to board pax who were offloaded at minus 12 or J pax who changed to other flights at the last minute hence the flight would've showed full when you enquired.

 

[anat0l]

Agree totally - :?:why is a Sydney to London J class ticket with CX (a full service airline)$3000 cheaper than a flight at the same time with QF (another full-service airline)? :?:

I have been very loyal to QF for years now, but that sort of price difference leaves one bewildered, shocked and somewhat angry.:evil: I'd prefer to fly with our own airline, but not going to put myself into hock to do it, especially as I don't have a company to foot the bill, nor claim much back from the ATO.

I think the answer is quite common, although now it stands to be tested.

People will pay that much for it. If everyone (in the market for a J seat) was only motivated to buy the cheapest seat on offer, then QF wouldn't fill their cabins much with any cash tickets. They'd all be going to CX, EK or the like.

Fact of the matter is there are still people who will pay that amount. Some of them may be overseas people who are getting cheaper return fares (i.e. into Australia, rather than us who pay out of Australia). Some of them may be just forwarding the bill to Expenses. And some may not know any better.

 

[serfty]

Sounds like you tried a few days prior to travel to use points to upgrade but the allocation of "U" class was utilised leaving only "J" left for full revenue fares. If these are still unsold prior to departure QP can utilise these seats for ODU's on the day.
...

Sorry, but ODU's can only be accessed in QP's within 3 hours of a flight's scheduled departure time.

 

[anat0l]

Sorry, but ODU's can only be accessed in QP's within 3 hours of a flight's scheduled departure time.

Do ODUs have a separate inventory to other upgrades (i.e. that you can do online) and awards?

Otherwise, what ozbeachbabe said makes sense. If it is all one inventory - U - then any online upgrades and awards will use that inventory. Whatever inventory is left on the day of departure will be opened to ODUs.

The size of the U inventory can change with time, I suppose, but what is clear is that all upgrades on QF are clearly on an inventory available basis, not purely on space ("if there is a spare seat, you can have it").

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Do ODUs have a separate inventory to other upgrades (i.e. that you can do online) and awards?

Otherwise, what ozbeachbabe said makes sense. If it is all one inventory - U - then any online upgrades and awards will use that inventory. Whatever inventory is left on the day of departure will be opened to ODUs.

The size of the U inventory can change with time, I suppose, but what is clear is that all upgrades on QF are clearly on an inventory available basis, not purely on space ("if there is a spare seat, you can have it").

So in light of what Serfty has said,

a) if it's months, days or up to 3 hours prior to the ETD of the flight you must utilise "U" class which is for either J class redemption or points upgrade on applicable discount economy fare or

b) if there is only "J" inventory left you must wait until 3 hours before ETD to use one of those seats for your ODU.

Oz

 

[serfty]

More on ODU's here:

• Fly - The Qantas Club - Benefits

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Anyways, back to the original topic.

Enhancement of WP's, here are 2 that have floated around the place.

If a QF WP achieves PG, how about giving them the right to give it to someone other than their partner? What about those people who don't have partners? Or if their partner already has SG and another family member does not?

Transferring of points to people other than family members?

 

[PaulC83]

Sorry, but ODU's can only be accessed in QP's within 3 hours of a flight's scheduled departure time.

I believe there can also be a little button on the bottom of the screen on the self-service checkins, but I don't see it all the time (I OLCI mostly though).

 

[Danger]

Similar to the comments made by dajop and ajw373, I'd like the CSM meet and greet to be more consistent. I know for some people, however, this can be somewhat intimidating and uncomfortable.

Other suggestions:
* Two guests in international J lounges
* Waiving of 2500 points change fee for award bookings

 

[dajop]

Transferring of points to people other than family members?

Offically and legally that is. Don't see why they couldn't allow this, the fact is it does happen already. As it stands, it just not worthwhile for QF to pursue proof of relationship for every transfer made to a brother in law/ sister in law/ first cousin/ etc. So why not just make it legal?