Upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes

[Danger]

I have not read all the comments here (too many!!) BUT the one big thing missing is any incentive for long term Platinum FF. Most business reward their top customers for years of custom.

Another member suggested, a few months ago, that adding domestic Businss Lounge and international First Lounge access to the benefits of Lifetime Gold would be nice. This might be along the lines of what you're thinking.

One important point to note is that, as a Platinum Frequent Flyer, we do offer this feature (full details at the link). This is a benefit which is earned via tier status that is earned from flying.

I for one do take the point that status is only achieved from flying. You can have a few million points in your account and still be Bronze. I like that status credits can't be bought through a company credit card turning over several thousand a week.

But, with due respect, let's have a look at the benefits for Platinum that you have provided the link to:

Priority telephone service

For me, a real benefit that I appreciate. I can't remember the last time I had to wait more than 30 seconds on hold with Qantas using the premium number and 95% of the time the service is fantastic. However, the benefits for Gold, according to the QF website, also include a priority telephone service (although presumably a different number).

Complimentary Advance Seat Selection with preferential seatinge

Works fairly well for me (although I can never seem to pre-select the front row or two in economy on any flight, even days or weeks in advance). But, guess what, your website lists the very same benefit for Gold.

Preferred seating

Once again, the exact same text as for the Platinum benefits page is featured on the Gold benefits page.

Priority Economy seat purchase for up to two, including yourself

Granted, no such benefit for Gold. But the benefit only applies (as far as I understand it) to the most expensive (fully flexible) economy ticket. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but if I wanted a seat from Australia to overseas, I could be paying several thousand dollars for an economy seat. Why wouldn't I go to JQ or EK or SQ or . . . What's more, the fine print says "Facility may be restricted due to operational constraints". Hmmm.

Preferential access to selected Qantas Classic Award seats

Again, the exact same text as for the Platinum benefits page is featured on the Gold benefits page. What's more, the benefit says ". . . preferential access . . . may be available" [my emphasis]. So it's just like the priority economy seat purchase - subject to QF's whim.

Priority check-in

Hardly a benefit now considering the continued roll-out of Q Bag Tags (more on that later). The First check-in suites are, however, great (in Sydney and Melbourne) and I personally find First check-in desks internationally save me time. Of course, one gets this benefit as a oneworld Emerald so, for example, top tier in AAdvantage would get the same.

New Next Generation Check-In benefits being introduced from late 2010

Yep, again, the exact same text as for the Platinum benefits page is featured on the Gold benefits page (not to mention the fact is still refers to late 2010).

Make Bag Drop even faster with Q Bag Tags being introduced in late 2010

Ah, huh. You guessed it: the exact same text as for the Platinum benefits page is featured on the Gold benefits page.

Priority baggage on Qantas, regardless of your class of travel

Similar to Gold, but better, agreed. If only it worked in reality.

Generous extra checked baggage allowance

As another AFF member noted on another AFF thread recently, the changes are now in and the difference in baggage allowance between Platinum and Gold is notable. Good. Thank you.

Access Premium Security Lanes

Again, identical to Gold, except Platinums get "International: Where this facility is available you will be provided with an Express Path card at check-in." Others have noted, of course, they're not always handed out and express lanes don't exist at all airports (few, really).

On Departure Upgrade requests for domestic flights in Australia

And again, the exact same text as for the Platinum benefits page is featured on the Gold benefits page.

Priority Waitlist/Airport Standby

Cue broken record: the exact same text as for the Platinum benefits page is featured on the Gold benefits page. (And as someone else has pointed out, the footnote used "?" is a little concering!)

Priority boarding

Oh dear: the exact same text as for the Platinum benefits page is featured on the Gold benefits page. When exactly will this happen? When exactly will priority boarding occur? If I get it once in six flights, I'm surprised.

In the lounge

Definitely, some clear distinctions here. I don't think you'd find anyone around here who's had the pleasure of experiencing your First Lounges in Sydney or Melbourne who would rate them anything less than superb. Again, though, First Lounge access is a oneworld Emerald benefit, not necessarily a Qantas Platinum benefit.

Even more benefits

We've debated the magic 2400 status credits on AFF already so no need to go into it here.

My point in going into this great detail in comparing the benefits is because, as countless others have noted, there is little distinction between Platinum and Gold. Your website not only points it out, it highlights it in glowing detail. All I needed to do was have one internet window open with the Platinum benefits and one with Gold and flick between the two. It's blatantly obvious that the similarities are glowing.

I echo others' sentiments here that no Platinum (as far as I can tell) is begrudging Golds or even Silvers or Bronzes, we're simply wondering what's in it for us past 1400/1200. What's the incentive to spend the extra dimes, the extra hours on QF planes?

Thank you again for commenting and interacting.

 

[medhead]

I've been thinking about about many demanding what's in it for platinum, and I know I've made noises along those lines here. But I really do think that there is more to come for platinum. Red Roo has stated as much. I am prepared to wait and see what happens, even if making noise in the interim. I would suggest (humbly) that we should take a wait and see approach.

Danger - nice run through of the benefits. I would make a couple of points.

• in terms of upgrades and awards and stuff, yes it does say platinum and gold get preference and it also says that there may be different availability for different status levels. The difference is not in the benefit but it how the benefit works for the different levels. Yes at qantas' whim, but still better for higher status.
• there is a trick for preferred seating, and I'm not saying it in public.
• priority check in. Yes a major bug bear for me. The same for international. But platinum is supposed to get priority boarding on domestic flights. This happens very, very rarely and when it does happen on domestic flights gold status gets it as well! :shock: No doubt this happens because it is a OWS benefit, but really frustrating that an extra listed platinum benefit means absolutely nothing in reality.

That would be something good, to not have paper benefits but real benefits.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Great post Danger
If Red Roo/ QF is listening may I suggest a published no/minimal cost benefit that should be introduced for WP's.
Can you please state explicitly in the benefits that we can bring our children ( under 18 and thus not eligible to join QP) into the J and F Lounges?
I personally have not ( yet) had any problems but I would like to know with certainty that on the relatively few occasions I travel with my kids that I can legitimately bring them into the lounge with me.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

But - it need not be this way. Sure, my perspective is individual/anecdotal only, but : WHY, why, nothing for us?

"Getting screwed" is a bit melodramatic don't you think?

You are rewarded every year you retain Platinum status with the benefits that a WP gets. So you can hardly say you get "nothing"

Any enhancement is just going to result in demands for further enhancement in 12 months time. So, if you are so unhappy, please go fly another airline. I'm sure the grass isn't any greener over there.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Great post Danger
If Red Roo/ QF is listening may I suggest a published no/minimal cost benefit that should be introduced for WP's.
Can you please state explicitly in the benefits that we can bring our children ( under 18 and thus not eligible to join QP) into the J and F Lounges?

How is this "no cost"? It makes lounges more crowded and less pleasant for everyone else there when they get full.

I have no problem is QF decides that it's in their best interests to do so - I make my own decisions about who to fly with, or what lounges to stay in. But to say that this is "no cost" is a bit disengenous. Might as well allow anyone to bring any relatives in - because 100 extra people in the lounge (kids or no) doesn't have any effect or cost anything.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Argh! They are missing out on a huge opportunity!

Personally I don't think so. But we'll see in a year. DJ handed out a bunch of comps (Gold and Silver), and we'll see how many people fly enough to keep it in a year's time. Judging by the comments to-date, it doesn't seem so many people have moved.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Granted, no such benefit for Gold. But the benefit only applies (as far as I understand it) to the most expensive (fully flexible) economy ticket. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but if I wanted a seat from Australia to overseas, I could be paying several thousand dollars for an economy seat.

I've used the facility before for international flights, and it books in B each time I've used it. So, not cheap but not horrendously expensive.

I echo others' sentiments here that no Platinum (as far as I can tell) is begrudging Golds or even Silvers or Bronzes, we're simply wondering what's in it for us past 1400/1200. What's the incentive to spend the extra dimes, the extra hours on QF planes?

You get to enjoy the benefits of Plat (e.g. increased luggage allowance), plus at 2400 SCs you get 50K points, or Gold to gift to someone who hasn't even set a foot in a plane (or the parking vouchers). It's really that simple

 

[Princess Fiona]

How is this "no cost"? It makes lounges more crowded and less pleasant for everyone else there when they get full.
. Might as well allow anyone to bring any relatives in - because 100 extra people in the lounge (kids or no) doesn't have any effect or cost anything.

I agree with you completely regarding lounge overcrowding. What I am saying is that what I have observed from my own experience as a WP ie. being allowed to take my kids into the lounge with me should actually be a published benefit ( subject of course to the usual capacity constraints of any guests)
If my experience is different to other FF then I appreciate there would be a cost but if not it would be minimal.
I am also suggesting that this could be a published WP benefit for obtaining quadruple the PS and double the SG SC's.
Ok , now preparing to get seriously flamed !!

 

[nlagalle]

I agree with you completely regarding lounge overcrowding. What I am saying is that what I have observed from my own experience as a WP ie. being allowed to take my kids into the lounge with me should actually be a published benefit ( subject of course to the usual capacity constraints of any guests)
If my experience is different to other FF then I appreciate there would be a cost but if not it would be minimal.
I am also suggesting that this could be a published WP benefit for obtaining quadruple the PS and double the SG SC's.
Ok , now preparing to get seriously flamed !!

No flaming from me.. I agree with you..

 

[WWTFC]

Being a bronze FF who travels perhaps 3 times interstate and once a year o/seas alot of the programme wont ever apply to me.

Thus the FF program is really a loyalty prog for the likes of me - credit card, shopping some flights get me points.

In 2 years have got to 250,000 points just used 70,000 for Mrs WWTFC and me to get upgrade singapore to frankfurt into PE. So very happy and will keep building point balance.

The only thing for me is the 'loyalty bonus' change - I apreciate that this is a frequent flyer program and the changes do reward those who fly a lot.
I would suggest that the changes apply to silver and above but that the current system of 5000 loyalty points remain at bronze for when you get to the 450 SC.
Keep the bottom tier folk as is and give a loyalty boost as you earn SC and has the psychologial effect of not taking a reward away.
Give Silver and above better rewards for flying often and being loyal.

 

[medhead]

I agree with you completely regarding lounge overcrowding. What I am saying is that what I have observed from my own experience as a WP ie. being allowed to take my kids into the lounge with me should actually be a published benefit ( subject of course to the usual capacity constraints of any guests)
If my experience is different to other FF then I appreciate there would be a cost but if not it would be minimal.
I am also suggesting that this could be a published WP benefit for obtaining quadruple the PS and double the SG SC's.
Ok , now preparing to get seriously flamed !!

No flaming from me either I totally agree and have said it a number of times.

I hate feeling like I have to beg to enter the lounge the once or twice a year I travel with my children, for the sake of a 7 year old. But the rest of the year I can have 2 people with me if I so wish, every time I travel. If the 40 cents of post mix my 7 year drinks is going to break the bank, I'm suggest a return of guest passes (again) at a level somewhere lower than the 180 (90 flights x2) guests that I'm currently allowed. What about even 10 guest passes that can only be used for children/wife/parents and maybe siblings. That's enough detail but I do have a fully thought out guest pass scheme, in my mind.

Oh gotta laugh about the crowding thing. Not having my 2 children in the lounge is not going to help crowding if my wife and I choose to occupy a spot with 4 seats. Probably better if the kids are there so the seats aren't left empty.

 

[JohnK]

QF international B fare flights should credit at full economy SC (AA/BA/MU/AY/IB/LA/MA/RJ/S7 B fare flights already earn economy SC in the QF program)

Unless there has been a reent change only Y class fares earn full economy SCs on the QFF program.

Ok - I'm going to get shot down here... but I for one hope the new WP1 level WILL bring some restrictions to current WP access to First class lounges.

I understand the need to feel 'love' from the airline. But I guess this is a case of different strokes for different folks.

There are many lounges where entry is dictated by wallet size - TG First lounge BKK, SQ Private Room, Concorde Room, Lufthansa FCT, Munich FCL.

To me they're no boring... but then I prefer to have peaceful lounges with as much privacy as possible and where someone genuinely anticipates my needs....

I thnk you are right! You do not deserve to be in the same lounge as the rest of us. Qantas should build First Class passengers a new Executive room, not a lounge, a room. The room shouldn't be too big and only self funded First Class passengers will be allowed. First Class passengers on award tickets, upgrades or company funded seats will have to use the Platinum Lounge which will be the current First Class Lounges.

Please stay out of our lounge....

 

[Princess Fiona]

I thnk you are right! You do not deserve to be in the same lounge as the rest of us. Qantas should build First Class passengers a new Executive room, not a lounge, a room. The room shouldn't be too big and only self funded First Class passengers will be allowed. First Class passengers on award tickets, upgrades or company funded seats will have to use the Platinum Lounge which will be the current First Class Lounges.

Please stay out of our lounge....

The voice of reason, if I wasn't on the iPhone I'd just "like" it

 

[awilcockson]

Sure WPs have lost a few things like anytime access and International exit rows for free but....

You sure about that (int exit rows?), because I selected 16A on my LAX-BNE flight coming up in a couple of weeks and it didn't cost me anything.

 

[awilcockson]

...or, as in this case, neither loss nor gain, but someone else did better :shock:

Sorry Mark, but there are plenty of people that are going to lose out due to the changes to the loyalty bonus (fwiw, I am far more upset about this change than the increase in bonus points for Silver and Gold).

 

[awilcockson]

I've been thinking about about many demanding what's in it for platinum, and I know I've made noises along those lines here. But I really do think that there is more to come for platinum. Red Roo has stated as much.

I agree, I'm just waiting with baited breath to see if they are enhancements or "enhacements".

 

[Jobu]

I think you'll need to tighten up your WHERE clause with a

AND last_membership_year_QFSC >=

Are you going to publish this number? Or can you hint at it?

 

[geoffl]

Red Roo, I think it is obvious from comments made by EPSC, DAJOP, RONONE69, MATF, NLAGACLE, etc, etc, that a great number of Platinum Members feel duded, in my case by no corresponding increase in Status Credits. Also, as a Life Gold and 15 year Platinum Member, I have written about twice a year to the FF Centre, suggesting that long term Life Gold Members should be entitled to continue using the International F Lounge should they eventually lose Platinum Status, due to age, retirement, or change in business circumstances. This would then give this long term, loyal section of the Qantas community a good reason to continue to use the Airline instead of looking for alternatives. Frankly, if Qantas insist on continuing to lower the Platinum benefits, then SQ I think offers a terrific alternative.

 

[gumpy]

Red Roo

I'd like to appologise on behalf of some of the folk here.

Not all of us think you've done a bad thing. Yes you've eroded a fair bit of benefits off WP's in the last 18 months but this change has actually improved the overall QFF program. Some of the WP's feel a bit left out but they will get over it. If you sit back and look at it WP's a better place to be than SG that's for sure.

Just don't do the following:
1. take more away from WP (you just haven't given anymore this round)
2. come up with a list of worthless benefits for WP1.
3. Combination of the above like take away from WP and move it to WP1 from this point onwards. Many suspect things like anytime access has been removed for this reason...

 

[oz_mark]

Sorry Mark, but there are plenty of people that are going to lose out due to the changes to the loyalty bonus (fwiw, I am far more upset about this change than the increase in bonus points for Silver and Gold).

Reading this thread, it seems to me that there is far more angst from platinums about not getting an increase in loyalty bonus.