Upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes

[Mal]

So criticise QF for announcing things that aren't finalised, and say they are bad and then compare it to a program that has been announced but no detail.

So you are saying:

QF "Trust Us it will be good" = bad
DJ "Trust Us it will be good" = good.

Nope. Qf announced a new tier and has been back-pedling ever since. They really botched it. At least dj hasnt promised stuff that they are already moving away from. And based on the changes we've already seen from dj, ie new lounges, private security screening, kerb check-in etc, it is obvious their changes are not vapourware.

 

[oz_mark]

Nope. Qf announced a new tier and has been back-pedling ever since. They really botched it. At least dj hasnt promised stuff that they are already moving away from. And based on the changes we've already seen from dj, ie new lounges, private security screening, kerb check-in etc, it is obvious their changes are not vapourware.

But on what basis are you saying that the revamp will be a "huge shock" to the FF market? Based on Virgin Marketing? Virgin can go either way - a huge letdown or a game changer. Historically both have happened.

 

[Anna]

DJ can introduce the world's best ever FF program - I'm still not going to fly them again until the number of cancellation / delay stories I hear about them is the same as the number I hear about QF.

The only change DJ could possibly make that would make me reconsider that position for even a nanosecond would be if DJ joins *A. And even then I would have significant doubts.

 

[medhead]

Are you serious? No disrespect to anyone here, but do you really think the CEO of a $5bil company should be sacked because a tiny group of people are complaining on an internet forum over an announcement of future plans that doesn't contain every single last detail to your fully satisfaction?

Well funny you should mention this. Got a text from a good mate, who is platinum, flys way more than me and who has called me a D**k when I talk about stuff on AFF. The text just said "are you medhead". So here is someone who doesn't really care too much about gaming the system, a non forum QFF, who is annoyed enough about these changes to search the Internet, find AFF and read stuff here.

That gives a good indication of how much this has been stuffed up, IMO

 

[jamesatfish]

This used to be terrific, and used to happen on even quite full flights. Last year my success rate was much lower (and it had reverted to computer driven rather than manual I believe). I was advised that can only be requested if certain booking classes are available (D in business, Q in economy I think) - don't know if that is true or not, but I was told this by premium desk. Trouble is with economy in particular if the low booking classes are available there's a good chance that there's a redemption seat. Also was told it only applies to international flights, whereas once you could do for domestic as well.

The system still works, but it's certainly harder to book flights this way than it was 2-3 years ago.

From my understanding (having used this numerous times - including earlier today to grab 2x F MEL-LAX-SYD in about 7 weeks time) the manual system still exists but the process is to first enter the requests into an automated request system which returns a decision within a few minutes. If you want to 'appeal' the decision you can still put the request to a human being which takes a day or so to process.

Apparently the automated system only accepts requests where seats are available in the cheapest paid booking class - which I believe means A for First and I for Business.

 

[Alanslegal]

Apparently the automated system only accepts requests where seats are available in the cheapest paid booking class - which I believe means A for First and I for Business.

James, I have never used this unwritten WP feature before, so are you suggesting that if I can find A availability, I can ring up the WP desk to "try" and request that that seat be open up for an award redemption?

 

[jamesatfish]

James, I have never used this unwritten WP feature before, so are you suggesting that if I can find A availability, I can ring up the WP desk to "try" and request that that seat be open up for an award redemption?

I believe the requirement about lowest fare class isn't a guarantee they'll open the seat for award redemption, but rather a restriction as to whether they'll even make the request.

That is, if the desired flight is A0 then the automated system won't let you place a request at all. If the desired flight is A>0 the automated system will place a request for Z availability but whether that request is granted is still at the whim of the load management gods.

The bonus for First redemptions is that A availability tends to be fairly closely related to actual free First seats whilst with Business redemptions I always sells out well before the total number of Business seats are sold. Hence it is often easier to request (but not necessarily redeem) First awards.

For reference, the fare buckets on some of the flights I requested 2 Z seats over 3 days in July:

QF12 388 F9 A9 J9 D9 I8 Approved
QF108 744 F9 A9 J9 D9 I9 Rejected
QF12 388 F9 A7 J9 D9 I9 Rejected
QF108 744 F9 A9 J9 D9 I9 Rejected
QF12 388 F9 A9 J9 D2 I2 Approved
QF108 744 F9 A8 J9 D9 I2 Rejected

 

[serfty]

James, I have never used this unwritten WP feature before, so are you suggesting that if I can find A availability, I can ring up the WP desk to "try" and request that that seat be open up for an award redemption?

Yep! Not first class, but I did it for Business class earlier this year. I wanted 2 U seats and the flight was showing J9 C9 D9 I6 ...

 

[docjames]

Are you serious? No disrespect to anyone here, but do you really think the CEO of a $5bil company should be sacked because a tiny group of people are complaining on an internet forum over an announcement of future plans that doesn't contain every single last detail to your fully satisfaction?

How many potential WP1s are even on AFF? Do we have any evidence that any potential WP1s even upset about this new level which will clearly benefit them?

Why are you so angry about this? Does it even affect you? I'm guessing if you're only 39% to LTS, then QF will have announced all the details you want long before to make it to WP1.

Qantas's strategy of outlining a new initiative and then releasing progressively releasing details is completely legitimate, common practice, and not at all surprising (I say this as a communications strategist who advises senior management of some of the biggest companies in Australia on marketing & PR issues).

If you don't like it, try DJ's new frequent flyer program... oh wait...

Nice quote out of context.

No, I am not suggesting AJ be sacked purely for that statement - merely responding in line with the previous poster (who i'd quoted and had used the word "sacked"). Sheesh, pedantic much. I was using the previous posting to illustrate my opinion. To be starkly clear:

I dont think AJ is doing a particularly good job as CEO for a host of reasons (which are OT to this thread and I wont go into). And yes, perhaps he needs to go. (The WP1 reason is illustrative of some of the issues with current QF management, but not on its own a reason for him or other management to go.)

I'm not angry. I'm quite happy (I'm SG so I get more points now).

I doubt I'll ever be WP1 in my lifetime so their benefits dont really affect me directly (i'll be behind them in any upgrade queue / ff redemption queue forever, whether they get a step ahead of platinum or not).

I've also commented in other threads (regarding DJ/VA) about drip-feeding information - I dont happen to think it's a particularly effective strategy, but i'm sure evidence can also be produced to the contrary. I'm sure if you're "a communications strategist who advises senior management of some of the biggest companies in Australia on marketing & PR issues" you'll be able to post some info describing how it's such a great strategy.

And yes, I await VA's new FF programme - if it's any good, i'll be sure to consider it. I'll balance up my travel preferences and maximising my "fringe" benefits from either program and choose the one that meets my requirements best. Currently that's QF. If it's VA, i'm quite happy to switch.

YMMV.

 

[drewbles]

And what can be seen as a very clever move by DJ...

Exclusive: Virgin Australia opens Sydney and Melbourne lounges to Qantas Frequent Flyers - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

- Allow SG and WP with a DJ ticket to access The Lounge in SYD and MEL as well as kerbside checkin in SYD

- Allow SG and WP without a DJ ticket to get a personal tour of the lounge, but not spend any time in it.

Only for a month, but what a great idea

It looks like DJ are running with how disgruntled a lot of WP's are...

 

[medhead]

And what can be seen as a very clever move by DJ...

How very dare they! I worked hard for DJ gold!



I bet someone takes this the wrong way.

 

[futaris]

Only for a month, but what a great idea

Two months:

The trial program will run for eight weeks, from Thursday May 26 to Friday July 22, and will cover any gold or platinum Qantas Frequent Flyer even if they're holding a Virgin Australia economy ticket.

 

[Alanslegal]

The bonus for First redemptions is that A availability tends to be fairly closely related to actual free First seats whilst with Business redemptions I always sells out well before the total number of Business seats are sold. Hence it is often easier to request (but not necessarily redeem) First awards.

Yep! Not first class, but I did it for Business class earlier this year. I wanted 2 U seats and the flight was showing J9 C9 D9 I6 ...

Thanks for answering my question.

One more before I get O/T. Would the timing of a flight make any difference to the award release? I would logically think that requesting a seat to be open for a flight a few weeks away would be more likely than asking for something 11 months away (as they still have plenty of time to sell them).

 

[TonyHancock]

Looks like my next flight to Sydney will be DJ!! Anytime Access - gotta love it, even if it is only for 2 months!!*



* Well almost ATA!!!

 

[jamesatfish]

One more before I get O/T. Would the timing of a flight make any difference to the award release? I would logically think that requesting a seat to be open for a flight a few weeks away would be more likely than asking for something 11 months away (as they still have plenty of time to sell them).

I've used this process quite a few times since reaching WP - either for short notice travel (ie flights 2-8 weeks away) or planning large family trips as far ahead as possible (ie ~1 year ahead) so as to use points from multiple accounts (some WP, others SG or NB where we need to redeem 'normal' award availability first then request additional seats on the same flights).

In both cases (short and long notice) we've found that by allowing about 5 days flexibility for each flight we end up with suitable award availability being opened upon request.

 

[LiamR]

I haven't been following the whole thread. But I just want to say...

Nowonder Red Roo dosen't interact as much as VA does, every new post they have created, has somehow turned into a Qantas bashing thread.

It really annoys me, I think they have made an improvement to the program. Yet some Platinums are whinging that they don't get anything new.

I'm no mod, but maybe we can try to be respectful of the Qantas reps who gave up their time to speak to us on here? Maybe if we are a bit kinder, we will hear from them more often.

 

[samiam]

And what can be seen as a very clever move by DJ...

Exclusive: Virgin Australia opens Sydney and Melbourne lounges to Qantas Frequent Flyers - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

And, I note:

Even Qantas gold and platinums who are travelling with The Red Roo out of Melbourne will still be welcome to check out the lounge on a private escorted tour, Daley said.

"I've asked our Melbourne Lounge team to allow any QF Gold or Platinum member who is travelling with Qantas and who wishes to see our Lounge, to be given that opportunity and we will escort them around. It wouldn't be possible for them to sit and use the facilities instead of using Qantas', but it's a chance for them to see our facilities and for us to showcase the lounge."

Looks like I'll be getting there early tomorrow morning for a guided tour... have the champers ready, Pats!

 

[dajop]

I
It really annoys me, I think they have made an improvement to the program. Yet some Platinums are whinging that they don't get anything new.

I'm no mod, but maybe we can try to be respectful of the Qantas reps who gave up their time to speak to us on here? Maybe if we are a bit kinder, we will hear from them more often.

To be fair, whilst there are some whinging about not getting anything new, there are also a few simply making the observation and providing feedback that the improvements for gold members have somewhat reduced one of the difference between gold and platinum, and as a result may make the "sweet spot" gold (if you like double gold - VA & QF) instead of trying to retain platinum.

 

[11sjw]

I haven't been following the whole thread. But I just want to say...

Nowonder Red Roo dosen't interact as much as VA does, every new post they have created, has somehow turned into a Qantas bashing thread.

It really annoys me, I think they have made an improvement to the program. Yet some Platinums are whinging that they don't get anything new.

I'm no mod, but maybe we can try to be respectful of the Qantas reps who gave up their time to speak to us on here? Maybe if we are a bit kinder, we will hear from them more often.

To be fair, whilst there are some whinging about not getting anything new, there are also a few simply making the observation and providing feedback that the improvements for gold members have somewhat reduced one of the difference between gold and platinum, and as a result may make the "sweet spot" gold (if you like double gold - VA & QF) instead of trying to retain platinum.

Have to agree with dajop here. Plenty in here povided feedback that QF seems to be targetting Silver and Gold FF's. Not being a WP it did seem strange to me that these guys weren't given something even if it wasn't a FF status increase.

The agro tended to be between posters rather than at the QF rep (BTW Red Roo thx for stopping in).

I'm reasonably certain that there is enough decent posts in here to constitute useable feedback. Slightly OT but RedRoo "Bring back anytime access to the Lounges"

 

[Archphoto]

I always thought there was a difference between whinging and feedback; one provides constructive criticism, whilst the other does not.

Red Roo asked for feedback - and you're *always* going to get good and bad. If they don't get both sides of the coin, how can they improve their product?

By asking, I'm sure Red Roo knew they'd get opinions from both sides, after all we all value the FF program and use it differently, dependant upon our own individual needs/wants/$$$$/flying patterns etc.

Certainly the majority of concerns came from Platinums, and their choice to provide examples of how the changes/enhancements (whatever you want to call them) should not be taken as whinging - just venting their concerns at their take on the information provided and how it may or may not affect them.

I hope that my query on why a WP who flies Y is not shown the same consideration as one who flies Premium cabin isn't construed as whinging. It was a legitimate question as it will affect my flying habits personally.

Of course, if I only flew Y+/J/F - the question wouldn't have been asked in the first place, as it wouldn't affect me directly. . . . . . .