Upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes

[OverrideServlet]

In terms of points earn, the main area that Platinums can benefit from are the increased cabin bonuses in premium cabins. As a group overall, Platinums in general undertake quite a significant amount of flying in these cabins.

I thought about this a bit more. I just can't buy the spin I'm afraid.

The increased cabin bonuses are a program-wide benefit.

Don't get me wrong, if the cost for purchasing award seats does not increase then this change gets a thumbs up from me.

I don't however see this as being a Platinum targeted (or specific) benefit. Again, this is a program-wide change.

In trying to put myself in QFs shoes I can kind of image that giving WPs 125% bonus may result in an overly generous allocation of points to this tier (if we accept it as fact that a majority of their flying is done in premium cabins). One would have to assume they considered a smaller number, like 110%, and still thought it was overly generous?

In lieu of this, some sort of other Platinum specific enhancement would have been nice. There have been many suggestions in this thread already, so no need to provide any in this post.

Also, some people really need to get it through their heads that WP1 is not a benefit of the Platinum tier. It's just another membership level.

 

[simongr]

I again concur. Also as amusing as "First World Problem" is as a website - I think you could apply the opinion to pretty much every complaint thread posted on this site.

I would add as well that WP1 is also a program wide benefit - anyone can become WP1 if they fly enough.

To recap as well on the recent hard and soft product improvements and program improvements - there has been nothing targetted at WP at all - nothing positive at least.:

- Improvements to J lounge - that is a Biz lounge benefit so not targetted at WP
- NGCI - program wide
- Hard product - program wide
- Better status bonuses - only for PS/SG
- Better cabin bonuses - program wide
- WP1 - not actually a benefit for WP as it is not available to WP not earning 3600 SCs
- Access to additional award inventory - benefit only for SG/PS
- Lowered amounts of SC for qualification/retention - only for SG/PS

Now lets look at the program degradation:

- Removal of any time access (I admit I couldn't give a toss about this but it is a program reduction) - only impacts WP
- Increased hurdle for Partner Gold - only impacts WP

So the only negative things that have happened to the program target either QF's most frequent fliers, QF's most profitable fliers or QF's most frequently profitable fliers...

 

[MiLK_MaN]

And who would provide this VPN service? Where would users get their username/password? Where would you get the necessary VPN client from? Which platforms would be supported?

None of this is trivial.

Better to stick to using remote endpoints that provide some level of security (e.g. SSL/TLS, or a VPN of some kind for your corporate stuff)

A VPN does not require a username and password. VPN client would be SSLVPN based with java applet downloaded into the browser (the major vendors support Microsoft, Linux & MacOS). Just remember, it would be an opt-in service, and people with unsupported platforms could continue through unencrypted.

It is trivial, you just need to stop thinking Cisco/Juniper installed end-to-end ipsec vpn clients

 

[Danger]

The Australian Financial Review has an interesting article on Platinum One today ('Qantas' Club of Three', p. 4, by Emily Parkinson, 18 May 2011), offering a little more information than we've been given so far:

With Alan Joyce playing the role of Willy Wonka, Qantas Airways revealed yesterday the first three frequent flyers to be awarded Platinum One cards, making them the most rewarded flyers in the country.

The club of three are: David Wood, the managing director of natural resources at Merrill Lynch, Rebecca Norton, the chief financial officer of Bravura Solutions, and Justin Greig, a Sydney-based partner in Ernst & Young's advisory business.

The airline touts it as a new level of money-can't-buy pampering saved for the most frequent flyers . . .

Qantas promises to treat members to experiences such as celebrity chef dinners, access to Qantas flight simulators and a dedicated employee for bookings.

Qantas' Head of Airline Loyalty, Stephanie Tully, declined to say how many Platinum One memberships would be issued. She said "numbers are still being finalised but it will be quite a small group" . . .
​

While the article only apparently gives details of part of the benefits of Platinum One, it so far offers me no encouragement whatsoever to go triple Platinum. As someone else pointed out, if you're flying that much you've probably already got someone arranging your flights for you. A flight sim experience would be cool, definitely, but it'd probably be a once a year thing and then of course you've still gotta find the time to do it and be in Melbourne. And the thought of Neil Perry teaching me how to make his party pies does not get me excited!

 

[TonyHancock]

So the only negative things that have happened to the program target either QF's most frequent fliers, QF's most profitable fliers or QF's most frequently profitable fliers...

It does rather seem that way......and now of course, after the big launch yesterday, QF has backed itself into a corner. To give WP's something now would be a huge turnaround requiring a loss of face and opening the door to changes next time they get it wrong. (which will presumably be the next time they make an enhancement announcement!)

I do not believe there is any intent at QF to alienate it's most frequent and profitable flyers. It think it is simply incompetence. The team(s) involved in dreaming up these enhancements have just not thought through all of the scenarios. As has been stated elsewhere this is about taking on DJ and turning the PS/SG potential waverers into loyal QF FF's. They have just forgotten about the solid WP's.

The failure to understand the implications of applying the new points earning structure to flights booked on or after 17th May 2011 is staggering. The u-turn was rapid once people picked up on it and rightly so.

I guess the smart, but frustrating thing for me, they have done is to hang back on the upgrades and higher level WP's so they can gauge reaction and respond accordingly.

When QF management actually understand how to use the forums here and at Flyer Talk they will get much better results with their enhancements. They can't just send representatives to these forums when it suits them, it is a full time, and genuinely two way role. :idea:

I wait with baited breath on the upgrades announcement! My interest in Platinum One is limited, 3600 SC's in a year would involve about 500 hours flying for me. :shock:

 

[OverrideServlet]

A VPN does not require a username and password. VPN client would be SSLVPN based with java applet downloaded into the browser (the major vendors support Microsoft, Linux & MacOS). Just remember, it would be an opt-in service, and people with unsupported platforms could continue through unencrypted.

It is trivial, you just need to stop thinking Cisco/Juniper installed end-to-end ipsec vpn clients

A Java applet?

1997 called and it wants it's copy of Netscape 2.0 back.

Seriously what you're proposing sounds like a horrible idea to me.

Also this discussion should really live in it's own thread.

 

[russ]

"numbers are still being finalised but it will be quite a small group"

They don't even know how many WP1s there are?!

I do not believe there is any intent at QF to alienate it's most frequent and profitable flyers. It think it is simply incompetence.

Judging by the quote attributed to Ms Tully, I think you hit the nail on the head!

 

[QF WP]

I am already happy that the new additional points system is working, as I flew PER/BNE yesterday and being Gold, I did receive 75% bonus miles this morning when it posted, not the old 50%.

Date      Description                           Base points  Cabin bonus  Status bonus  Total points  Status credits
18 MAY 11 QF 594 ECONOMY 17MAY11 PERTH/BRISBANE     2,244         -           [B]1,683[/B]         3,927           20 [IMG]https://www.qantas.com.au/img/icons/icon_wave.gif[/IMG]

Thanks Red Roo for posting here in advance of the general announcement.

Now let's go and make use of the "enhanced" benefits

 

[medhead]

Also, some people really need to get it through their heads that WP1 is not a benefit of the Platinum tier. It's just another membership level.

I wholeheartedly agree. However, I would suggest double checking how the rewards at 2400SC are marketed. As a benefit of platinum! Same with PG at 2100 SC. Similarly as for WPO these are benefits for everyone provided they get the SC. Getting to WP along the way is just coincidence.

When this is the message from qantas marketing of course there is confusion in classifying correctly. Maybe someone in qantas really thinks these are WP only benefits, that are better than what has been added at lower levels.

 

[Alanslegal]

Now let's go and make use of the "enhanced" benefits

Use them while they last

 

[Alanslegal]

Why would I Book Neil Perry when I can already Book The Cook with Singapore Airlines?!

And I order Lobster Thermidor please!

 

[markis10]

When QF management actually understand how to use the forums here and at Flyer Talk they will get much better results with their enhancements. They can't just send representatives to these forums when it suits them, it is a full time, and genuinely two way role. :idea:

Participation in this community is not a full time role for anybody and is entirely voluntary, neither is there an obligation on anybody to respond to anything posted here.

Participation by the airline reps is welcome but not mandatory and does not replace the ordinary channels of communication with any corporate entity, as such posts by company reps are appreciated but not EXPECTED nor REQUIRED. Any attack of any member will not be tolerated, no exceptions, and will be dealt with by admin and the moderators.

Please keep this topic on topic and show respect for others voicing their argument/concerns no matter who they may work for.

 

[Leumas]

The Australian Financial Review has an interesting article on Platinum One today ('Qantas' Club of Three', p. 4, by Emily Parkinson, 18 May 2011), offering a little more information than we've been given so far:

[...]

Qantas' Head of Airline Loyalty, Stephanie Tully, declined to say how many Platinum One memberships would be issued. She said "numbers are still being finalised but it will be quite a small group" . . .
​

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Funniest thing I've read all week! Is Ms Tully suggesting they have no idea how many of their most valuable customers fly more than 3600 SCs each year? Did they just pluck 3600 out of thin air?

The spin and contempt these guys show to the public is beyond belief...

 

[drewbles]

A VPN does not require a username and password. VPN client would be SSLVPN based with java applet downloaded into the browser (the major vendors support Microsoft, Linux & MacOS). Just remember, it would be an opt-in service, and people with unsupported platforms could continue through unencrypted.

It is trivial, you just need to stop thinking Cisco/Juniper installed end-to-end ipsec vpn clients

Totally O/T, but i'm yet to see any SSL VPN solution (Cisco AnyConnect/WebVPN or client-less based VPN solution) that does not have some kind of authentication.

End of the day, I use VPN whilst on any wifi that I don't manage. And if I do manage it, I'll still fire up a VPN for sensitive things (and I have deployed many client based and java-ssl VPN solutions in my time).

 

[drewbles]

A Java applet?

1997 called and it wants it's copy of Netscape 2.0 back.

Seriously what you're proposing sounds like a horrible idea to me.

Also this discussion should really live in it's own thread.

Java based SSL forwarding is very much so in use in a wide use of situations. I use it for various reasons.

But I'm getting waaaay OT again!

 

[Leumas]

Participation in this community is not a full time role for anybody and is entirely voluntary, neither is there an obligation on anybody to respond to anything posted here.

Participation by the airline reps is welcome but not mandatory and does not replace the ordinary channels of communication with any corporate entity, as such posts by company reps are appreciated but not EXPECTED nor REQUIRED. Any attack of any member will not be tolerated, no exceptions, and will be dealt with by admin and the moderators.

Please keep this topic on topic and show respect for others voicing their argument/concerns no matter who they may work for.

But I bet market research is someone's full time role, if not an entire department. Anyway, we've talked about this before. If they're happy to just read whatever is here and other similar places and go back to their meeting rooms and talk among themselves, it's their call.

They obviously think this role is different from what we think it should be, so let's move on.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Big shout out to all AFF members and Red Roo for putting up with our questions (good and bad).

l'm sure that we have broken a AFF record in this thread.

In just over a 24 hour period, this thread is up to page 38 (which means over 380 replies if you have 10 per page). WOW!

l have also noticed a few AFF virgins on this very thread (Platinum One and WP1 and others).

Welcome, and we (as in AFF regulars) always love input from both sides of coin.

 

[TonyHancock]

Participation in this community is not a full time role for anybody and is entirely voluntary, neither is there an obligation on anybody to respond to anything posted here.

Participation by the airline reps is welcome but not mandatory and does not replace the ordinary channels of communication with any corporate entity, as such posts by company reps are appreciated but not EXPECTED nor REQUIRED. Any attack of any member will not be tolerated, no exceptions, and will be dealt with by admin and the moderators.

Please keep this topic on topic and show respect for others voicing their argument/concerns no matter who they may work for.

If I have offended anybody I apologise, I'll keep out of this now.

 

[oagroup]

Hi all, long time reader first time poster!!

I agree with others that it’s good to see Red Roo actively participating - I just hope they listen and take note of the concerns & compliments raised!
I am one of those WP's that flys 110+ flights per year in economy (not 1 single business sector). On top of my domestic flights I fly twice a month Adl - Akl return and have repelled many requests from my clients to fly Air NZ direct from Adl. Whilst it is clearly easier to fly Air NZ direct, largely due to the travel times being far more favourable than connecting in Syd/Mlb and then arriving in Akl at midnight NZ time on the late QF flight, I have resisted the move chiefly through loyalty to my country's carrier and then from a selfish view point the QP and Business lounges!
I am so disappointed with the lack of change for WP - as many others have stated already, I feel un loved. All WP's were a SG at some stage but some of us have to fly a serious amount to maintain WP whilst flying economy. My best mate make 3 business class return trips a year to London and maintains WP - I fly 110 flights and scrape through most years with 1400+ SC's. I feel that type of loyalty (even if its blind loyalty!) deserves more than the only additional benefits being a 25% premium on status bonus points from SG’s and access to the business lounges.
I don’t normally contribute to forums but this has really disappointed me.

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF regardless oagroup!