Too many people with QP access?

[Groundfeeder]

I have the benefit of membership to a corporate program for State Government employees which gives me access at a discounted annual rate. I won't disclose that rate however, as I might have things thrown at me.

Ditto.
I have self-funded QP membership for many years since the demise of Golden Whinge, whereas our top level execs get membership free. There are actually only about half a dozen in my Dept that are allowed access to the corporate discount justified by the solid flying we do, as I checked the list when last renewing.

 

[medhead]

Ditto.
I have self-funded QP membership for many years since the demise of Golden Whinge, whereas our top level execs get membership free. There are actually only about half a dozen in my Dept that are allowed access to the corporate discount justified by the solid flying we do, as I checked the list when last renewing.

I never can understand such restrictions on letting staff access the corporate scheme. There is no real good reason* not to let employees use the corporate scheme if they are paying for it themselves. In fact it probably benefits the scheme by making it large and hence likely to get a better membership rate.

*except if it is a centrally managed scheme. But that is unlikely if there are members who pay for themselves.

 

[nlagalle]

I never can understand such restrictions on letting staff access the corporate scheme. There is no real good reason* not to let employees use the corporate scheme if they are paying for it themselves.

I can't understand it either. our work allows us to purchase QP membership if it isn't part of our package - I did this to begin with. worst case if it is centrally managed, they either dock it our of your pay, or invoice you for it.

 

[proskyneo]

Remember that many people in that QP are probably flying jetstar. Which is why some people (like me) buy QP memberships, and stay at the NB/PS level despite flying fairly often.

Haha, I was waiting for someone to comment on this. I totally agree that Jetstar might be a good reason for many NB or PS to buy QP membership. Prices are generally much cheaper and for shorter routes e.g. SYD-MEL, not everyone likes/needs a refreshment when they can pop into the lounge to freshen up beforehand.

FWIW, I also bought QP membership because I will be flying Jetstar mostly with a few Qantas segments thrown in there - please don't take my QP access away !

 

[PaulC83]

Well the return trip was not any better, DRW lounge was full to the brim, and I had work to do and not a single powerpoint or bench/desk space available (even though they were not technically all utilised). It was less than standing room only. There is a little bench with power and internet near the international departures security, and this area is actually more spacious (and quiet) than the QP!

 

[malwcal]

Well the return trip was not any better, DRW lounge was full to the brim, and I had work to do and not a single powerpoint or bench/desk space available (even though they were not technically all utilised). It was less than standing room only. There is a little bench with power and internet near the international departures security, and this area is actually more spacious (and quiet) than the QP!

Aha, if I understand correctly, you were in what remains of the old golden wings lounge!

Darwin flights are very bunched up at, most of them are at noon or midnight, and the lounge gets very full.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I agree with kezsco.
Everyone seems to be talking about trying to reduce capacity/entry, when in fact, the TOTAL number of people in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program is expanding.
I read an article last year that there were 1000 people per day joining the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program. I think membership is around 7 million now. Percentage wise, QC, Gold and Plat members might stay the same, but with more people in the program overall, that means more on each level.

So, as more and more people join and fly, a % of them will either;
- Get paid QC membership (through QF or a corp discount program)
- Become Gold flyers
- Become Platinum flyers
and don't forget, more people might fly J Class too

Maybe l wasn't clear and explained myself thoroughly. l have done a simple graph just to illustrate how more and more people flying, would increase the number of people with status overall and over time. Now, bear in mind, these are not real figures, just an "EXAMPLE" of what has "probably" been happening in the last decade. I'm a bit rusty on excel, so excuse me if l coughked up with the graph, but that's about my limits on that.
I did do another graph with the "total" number of Qantas Frequent Flyers in relation to NB, PS, QP, SG, WP + CL members, but the scale was just too great.

View attachment 869

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Maybe l wasn't clear and explained myself thoroughly. l have done a simple graph just to illustrate how more and more people flying, would increase the number of people with status overall and over time. Now, bear in mind, these are not real figures, just an "EXAMPLE" of what has "probably" been happening in the last decade. I'm a bit rusty on excel, so excuse me if l coughked up with the graph, but that's about my limits on that.
I did do another graph with the "total" number of Qantas Frequent Flyers in relation to NB, PS, QP, SG, WP + CL members, but the scale was just too great.

View attachment 869

Oh, how I'd love business growth like that chart

What needs to be factored in is member dropoff (death, non-qualification). Also, for those numbers to increase over time there would logically need to be more people travelling, and more flights. Passenger numbers are not growing at the same rate as the graph shows.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Oh, how I'd love business growth like that chart

What needs to be factored in is member dropoff (death, non-qualification). Also, for those numbers to increase over time there would logically need to be more people travelling, and more flights. Passenger numbers are not growing at the same rate as the graph shows.

Far out. Please read my post.
As l stated, it was just an "example". Can't win on this site.

 

[ajw373]

Maybe what this highlights is how lounge capacity hasn't kept up with the demand growth over the 10 years or so since Ansett went under.

 

[medhead]

I did do another graph with the "total" number of Qantas Frequent Flyers in relation to NB, PS, QP, SG, WP + CL members, but the scale was just too great.

Great graph (note I haven't actually looked in detail but I'm sure it'll be great)
I'd really love to see the graph on the numbers in each status group. Mainly because I thought qantas had published some information on the current breakdown but i can't find it. It seems like you have found such detailed information.

 

[medhead]

Also, for those numbers to increase over time there would logically need to be more people travelling, and more flights. Passenger numbers are not growing at the same rate as the graph shows.

That's not correct. Qantas now has a frequent spender program. They are targetting signing up non flyers to QFF. They are putting a major focus on non flight rewards. With such nonflying growth there is no need to increase the flights or assume the number of people flying is going to increase.

 

[ejb]

Oh, how I'd love business growth like that chart

What needs to be factored in is member dropoff (death, non-qualification). Also, for those numbers to increase over time there would logically need to be more people travelling, and more flights. Passenger numbers are not growing at the same rate as the graph shows.

That is my thought, although there are millions of new members the numbers of SG/WP will stay roughly the same as most of these new members are very infrequent flyers.

That's not correct. Qantas now has a frequent spender program. They are targetting signing up non flyers to QFF. They are putting a major focus on non flight rewards. With such nonflying growth there is no need to increase the flights or assume the number of people flying is going to increase.

This is my point, so the QP should not be getting any busier.

ejb

 

[medhead]

That is my thought, although there are millions of new members the numbers of SG/WP will stay roughly the same as most of these new members are very infrequent flyers.

This is my point, so the QP should not be getting any busier.

ejb

It is not possible to draw such a conclusion from the increase in non flyiny members. All that increase does is change the ratios of non status to status members. It doesn't stopp the underlying rate of growth in usage. It is also reasonable to expect that non flyers who join QFF will discover the benefits and aspire to attain those benefits, much like many here on AFF, and hence start to fly more. But the demand on flights is going to be a lot lower that is suggested by the gross membership increase. But that doesn't mean that the demand on the QC isn't going to continue to increase as it has been. There are 2 distinct groups involved and I can't see how it is possible to draw a conclusion about either group based on the other group.

 

[ejb]

It is not possible to draw such a conclusion from the increase in non flyiny members. All that increase does is change the ratios of non status to status members. It doesn't stopp the underlying rate of growth in usage. It is also reasonable to expect that non flyers who join QFF will discover the benefits and aspire to attain those benefits, much like many here on AFF, and hence start to fly more. But the demand on flights is going to be a lot lower that is suggested by the gross membership increase. But that doesn't mean that the demand on the QC isn't going to continue to increase as it has been. There are 2 distinct groups involved and I can't see how it is possible to draw a conclusion about either group based on the other group.

Other people have said that due to the large numbers joining QFF QF should build bigger QP's. I am of the opinion that most of these members may never fly QF and will stick to their 1 or 2 flights a year (or less) and always choose the cheapest option. Therefore these people will never access the QP so will not add to the numbers.

I think there will be a slight increase every year as more people attain status or join QP but I don't think the numbers would be huge.

IME the QP's are no more packed now than they have ever been since AN went down. A few QP's at times are overflowing (PER around 11pm) but on the whole I would say that they are big enough currently and into the foreseeable future.

Apart from the peak times there is plenty of room, and just like peak hour on the roads if you travel at peak times you should expect crowds.

ejb

 

[jaffa]

Okay, just for fun
here's my take.

1/ Jetstar provides its own lounges and Jetstar flyers lose use of QP.
2/ Comp QP booze is only available to QG-WP-CL. (show your card at bar) Bar opens 10am.
3/ NB, QS, Guests pay for the booze. Exception: tea, coffee, soft-drinks and juices remain free.
4/ Corp members receive drink vouchers.

That should clear a few out!

To me its the free bar/booze that's the prob, so limit that to the higher tiers/FF and make the rest pay, that should clear a bit of space.
Paid QP membership should give you access to a seat and the services, showers, computers and service desk only.

Ok, you can attack me now, i'm sitting down

 

[medhead]

Okay, just for fun
here's my take.

1/ Jetstar provides its own lounges and Jetstar flyers lose use of QP.
2/ Comp QP booze is only available to QG-WP-CL. (show your card at bar) Bar opens 10am.
3/ NB, QS, Guests pay for the booze. Exception: tea, coffee, soft-drinks and juices remain free.
4/ Corp members receive drink vouchers.

That should clear a few out!

To me its the free bar/booze that's the prob, so limit that to the higher tiers/FF and make the rest pay, that should clear a bit of space.
Paid QP membership should give you access to a seat and the services, showers, computers and service desk only.

Ok, you can attack me now, i'm sitting down

Interesting ideas. Shame about the inconsistencies. paid members pay for booze and corp members don't? But corp members are also paid members. Along those lines NB and PS members are also corp members or paid members. But what about the PS members who use their free pass tempter to suck them into the QP world, do they get the full WP, SG experience that the pass is supposed to be providing them, or do they get the PS paid member treatment.

Also glad you cleared up that you pay for booze and tea, coffee, softdrinks etc. are free. Did i miss when coffee, tea softdrinks became booze?

Personally I don't think booze is a big attraction to the lounge. Sure when I was paid I would see the booze as a way to value for money. But I was paying for my membership because of the facilities, shower, relaxing atmosphere and food, soft drinks, tea/coffee and newspapers. I consume much more of those things every week then I do booze.

 

[serfty]

When JQ first flew, there were no lounge access rights to QP members.

So the business traveller avoided JQ.

~18 months later, QP access was made available to QP members in an effort to gain the business travellers patronage.

There is no way that JQ PAX will be excluded from QP access in the near future.

 

[jaffa]

Sorry should have been clearer.

Corp members receive a certain amount of drink vouchers dependent on there value to QF, eg a big corp membership buy say a multi-national ect might be bonus-ed some drink vouchers as a sales incentive per member.
Otherwise they pay.

Free pass = 1 drink

"Personally I don't think booze is a big attraction to the lounge. "

I know of many associates who chose flights on the basis of QP bar times.
I know of quite a few others who hit the airport way early so they can get their "money's worth"
This is particularly true of low tier and infrequent flyers who want all the bang for their buck that they can get.
They fill seats for hours, and if they can, they bring their mates! it's a status thing.:evil:

Personally, l think the booze plays a much bigger role than you might think!

 

[serfty]

...
I know of many associates who chose flights on the basis of QP bar times.
I know of quite a few others who hit the airport way early so they can get their "money's worth"
This is particularly true of low tier and infrequent flyers who want all the bang for their buck that they can get.
They fill seats for hours, and if they can, they bring their mates! it's a status thing.:evil:

Personally, l think the booze plays a much bigger role than you might think!

Actually, I agree with you - all those points you mention I have come across.

In the 90's and early 00's the bar did not open until 3pm (generically). It was only after AN's demise it was moved forward to 1pm and later to Noon so the lounges did not get 'too' crowded.

Back in 1996, one sponsor I worker for would not book a flight for earlier than 4pm; we would hit the lounge ~2:55pm