JohnK, honest question, what effect do you think Virgin have had on the number of QF elites?
Qantas would have lost a few elites to Virgin.
How do people define elites? Someone who does some serious flying. Those who are at Platinum One level or pretty close to it. Double SCs offers are not going to create too many elites, with the exception of
simongr, as that still requires serious flying.
Not sure whether I would be classed as an elite, probably not, but I also do a lot of flying.
So someone receives a double SCs offer and gets to the next level then the year after does not receive any offers and drops back down a level. What have you achieved? You have encouraged that person to take a few extra flights. Wouldn't making airfares realistic again have the same effect and sell a few more seats?
And you are also creating an uneven playing field. How? I book all my flights in advance and earn Platinum status the hard way except for some creative cheating that everyone has similar access. Do I say congratulations to everyone who can get Platinum status requiring only half the flying? No. Why?
I look around me and I see Platinum benefits devalued, I see crowded lounges, it is becoming increasingly difficult to consistently get to the first rows of economy, I see airfares increasing (20%-50%) yet the cost for an any seat award staying the same, I see partnerships created that are of no use to me and my flying patterns, etc.
So what do I do? Firstly I fast track Lifetime Gold. Secondly I do enough flying to maintain Virgin Gold every year which is more than enough for me while I am commuting as that gives me luggage and lounge access. Thirdly I invest more money into buying AA miles and US Airways miles for my overseas travel which then provides me with luggage and lounge access.
So you tell me what has Qantas achieved with their non-stop double SCs offers?
