Virgin "Next Generation Loyalty Programme" coming

[needaholiday]

In today's (11 Nov '05) Sydney Morning Herald Virgin Blue has placed an advertisement 'heralding' the imminient introduction of their "Next Generation" loyalty programme. It is in the style of the guy sitting in an otherwise empty 737.

It will be very interesting to see what form it takes, and whether the scenarios laid out Qantas's recent market research survey bears any resemblance....one ten flights free...Virgin Dollars to spend on Virgin products..a link-up with the One World Alliance...or Virgin Atlantic for redemption

 

[bigjobs]

speaking for myself, i am really interested to see what they offer. i think that they have demonstrated that they can compete with Qantas for leisure travel and i see no reason why they would not be successful in this area too.

 

[JohnK]

1 free flight in 10 sounds like a pretty good deal considering the low fares on offer already.

Some decent competition from a virgin ffp may see improvements in the Qantas ffp. One can only hope anyway.

 

[QF WP]

Inside Flyer (Nov 05) had an article on it where Brett Godfrey is quoted as saying: "It's got to be what I'd call a category killer, it would have to prove to be an industry game changer"

Virgin had advertised in September for two loyalty program managers - a Partnership Manager and a Marketing Manager.

 

[AndersB]

It's about time! What took them so long?

 

[Mal]

A competitive scheme to the QF FF scheme can only bring more competition to the FF market in Australia.

Competition is good for the average consumer. Monopolies are bad!

I fully support DJ in their efforts. Will probably end up using both as I do fly DJ occasionally, but prefer the global outreach of the QF program.

Now if DJ joins the Star Alliance... things may change dramatically about the way I think.

 

[NM]

A competitive scheme to the QF FF scheme can only bring more competition to the FF market in Australia.

Competition is good for the average consumer. Monopolies are bad!

My concern is that Qantas will reshape their program to match or compete against the VS program. And for me that is unlikely to be a good thing.

The more they offer "enhancements" to those making regular short-haul and domestic flights, the more we are likely to see "enhancements" at the other end of the program. Note the marketing drive behind the reduction in cost of "our more popular rewards" when the dropped the cost of SYD-MEL economy class reward flights, and at the same time hiked the cost for SYD-LAX, especially in business and first class.

Thanks for the enhancement, but I purchase my SYD-MEL flights with a credit card and save my points for something of more value to me. I don't want to see any further enhancement of the QF program in response to competition from VS. I would rather them respond to competition from other long-haul international carrier's programs. Then there might be some enhancements that provide benefits I will actually use.

However, that is my perspective based on my travel patterns (predominantly long-haul international flights). People to do lots of domestic travel may have a different view.

 

[Mal]

NM,

I do agree with your comments. However, Qantas competes with FF schemes both within Australia and also the world.

They have to remain competitive at both levels to ensure their sustainability.

DJ bringing in a FF scheme will assist. At the very least it may stop the super high influx of Credit Card points going just to Qantas.

I have a feeling that the influx of CC points does seriously affect the FF scheme and put pressure on rewards etc.

 

[NM]

NM,

I do agree with your comments. However, Qantas competes with FF schemes both within Australia and also the world.

They have to remain competitive at both levels to ensure their sustainability.

I agreee wit you. I am just being selfish .

 

[JohnK]

I agreee wit you. I am just be selfish .

You are not alone I think we all agree wit you when it comes to benefits from qff scheme.

 

[shillard]

Seems that DJ are taking a few leaves out of the QF book - start making announcements about something at least 20 years before you will see it in action.

Haven't they been crowing about some sort of loyalty scheme since (at least) 2001?

 

[oz_mark]

They have been playing quite a few ads on the radio today about it, so I would think that their scheme is not too far away from seeing the light of day.

 

[icarus]

I'm with NM. Domestic flights are relatively inexpensive and I'm happy to pay for them to get my two annual flights to the US on FF points (especially the one I've just booked J class.).

 

[JohnK]

DJ bringing in a FF scheme will assist. At the very least it may stop the super high influx of Credit Card points going just to Qantas.

I have a feeling that the influx of CC points does seriously affect the FF scheme and put pressure on rewards etc.

I tend to agree that CC points do affect a ff scheme.

I know a couple who go on 3-4 trips a year purely on points accumulated from amex cc. She has business and pays expenses of ~$35,000/month through personal amex and then reimburses amex from company funds. They only ever pay charges & taxes and I can't remember the last time they paid for a flight. They also happen to be very good friends with someone at Qantas and last award trip got upgraded to business class free of charge. :shock: Work that one out. :?

I don't think that these people are the only ones doing this and I seriously think that it de-values true awards accumulated through flying time.

 

[cssaus]

Whatever happened to the notion that a "frequent flyer" program is just that, a frequent flyer program not a "frequent spender" program? :cry:

 

[icarus]

True - I rang QFF a few weeks ago to make changes to an award the booking, and the guy told me there was a fee in points. Then he looked again at my status and said something along the lines of that there wasn't a fee for people who actually flew a lot and it was nice that there was actually some benefit to real frequent fliers.

Yep, it is.

 

[ksthommo]

What do you reckon the chances of Virgin unveiling their Frequent Flyer Program this week to Crash Qantas 85th Birthday?

 

[oz_mark]

I just wish they would get on and announce the scheme and the details so we can take a look at it and see if it lives up to the all their hype.

 

[thadocta]

True - I rang QFF a few weeks ago to make changes to an award the booking, and the guy told me there was a fee in points. Then he looked again at my status and said something along the lines of that there wasn't a fee for people who actually flew a lot and it was nice that there was actually some benefit to real frequent fliers.

Yep, it is.

Silver and above have the change fee waived - it isn't a "published" benefit though. The passenger doesn't have to be silver or above either, only the donor of the points (I used mine to send mother, brat #1 and brat #2 away in JAN06, needed to change flights, no change fee applied).

Dave

 

[JohnK]

... brat #1 and brat #2 away in JAN06...

ROFLMAO.

Very affectionate way of describing them.