What Does The Noob Status Matched QFF Need to Look Out For?

[JohnK]

I am not being critical but a few things to look out for from my perspective

- Lack of Advance Seat selection
- Online Check-In only gives one chance to select seat
- Lounge in BNE is OK but a little too funky, trendy with lots of wasted space
- No easy way to get status
- Alliance is still worth more than partnerships

Also need to spend more time studying the program but

- Availability of round the world awards (similar to Oneworld award)

 

[pshepvic]

I am not being critical but a few things to look out for from my perspective

- Lack of Advance Seat selection
- Online Check-In only gives one chance to select seat
- Lounge in BNE is OK but a little too funky, trendy with lots of wasted space
- Alliance is still worth more than partnerships

Also need to spend more time studying the program but

- Availability of round the world awards (similar to Oneworld award)

Agree that they need advance seat selection, but for online check in seat selection refer to post #37 - there is a way around this to get more than one chance to select a seat.

My issue with the lounge in Brisbane is I hate the flooring! I actually thought it was unfinished - feels gritty and looks dirty to me!

 

[LiamR]

Agree that they need advance seat selection, but for online check in seat selection refer to post #37 - there is a way around this to get more than one chance to select a seat.

My issue with the lounge in Brisbane is I hate the flooring! I actually thought it was unfinished - feels gritty and looks dirty to me!

+1 about the need for advanced seat selection, this was brought up on Wednesday night and was told "Work in Progress"

Also asked about the BNE floors on Wednesday. Apparently, they are snow angels. (When you lay in the snow and move your legs and arms in and out... leaving that pattern in the snow)

I had to look at it for a while to see, but in the end it looks alright. I have no problems with the BNE lounge, but I'm into that modern design style. So naturally I'd like it.

 

[Noob]

I have to agree, I love that ultra modern almost retro design look - same kind of design which Marc Newson used in the F lounges.

 

[medhead]

- No easy way to get status

What's easier than sending an email.

 

[QF WP]

I'm the same as others here about not being "into" The Lounge, but I don't see that as a deal breaker. The Lounge Angels and Goddess - slightly better than QF.

The seat selection work around (excellent, thanks for sharing) settles my issue about that.

The major benefit with VA (deal maker) that I see is having Dom PE. That and perhaps newer planes with slightly younger and potentially friendlier staff, so long as they don't do the corny jokes - that's a big turn off.

 

[JohnK]

What's easier than sending an email.

No need to send an email!

I will have VA Platinum for the first 12 months and then VA Gold for the second 12 months. I cannot see how I will earn VA Gold for the third 12 month period cheaply and if I cannot earn cheaply I will not bother with status which brings us back to the handcuffs....

 

[futaris]

A 220 USD First Class flight on Virgin America SFO-LAX should earn 40 SCs. 25 of those means Platinum (1000 SCs) could be earnt for around 5500 USD. I am sure that there are better/cheaper ways to earn Platinum though. Of course, you'll need to meet the minimum number of segment rule.

In any case, Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Runs probably should be discussed in another thread, aka QANTAS JASAs, etc...

 

[JohnK]

In any case, Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Runs probably should be discussed in another thread, aka QANTAS JASAs, etc...

And when does any thread on AFF remain on topic?

 

[Sequel]

Question regarding the rolling status credit review:

Review date 29 August, assuming no other travel for ease sake, if I do 800 SC's in September 2011, I will drop to gold in September/October 2012, however if I put of my trip, I can do 800 SC's in August 2012, and maintain Plat until August 2013?

So I should do bulk of my QF flying in Sept-Feb (QF review is also 31 August) and then switch to DJ for Mar-Aug.

 

[anat0l]

- Lounge in BNE is OK but a little too funky, trendy with lots of wasted space

I'd agree with you a bit here, but I think that's what some people were kind of complaining about QF's lounges in the first place. Notwithstanding that the numbers aren't quite even-Stevens in both camps, so that's one thing Virgin have got for them (comparable sized lounge for not as many patrons).

- No easy way to get status

Shock horror. Does that mean we'll have to get status the honest way? :shock: :shock:

For the run of the mill traveller, the status levels are actually pretty low targets IMO.



The other ones I'll tip in here:

• There are no set food times on flights, except for Flexi (possibly, but I guess you could just get a sandwich early in the morning) and Business (set meal times).
• You can only book up to two sectors on a multi-city.
• Credit / Debit card surcharges are $4.50 per sector. Which means $9.00 on a return booking. (A sector being the same in definition as that used to determine SCs).
• Only one carry-on of 7kg plus a small item allowed. Not quite the same as Qantas, but like Qantas I imagine no one will really care unless you're carrying a small Imelda Marcos inheritance.
• Leather seats rather than cloth seats. Which means don't get too warm in your seat (better take your coat off), otherwise you'll baste.
• When doing points+pay, you vary your costing at the end of the booking process (i.e. same time as finalising payments).
• You can't multi-city book reward flights. Either you take the most direct routing or you need two bookings.

There are a few marked benefits that aren't available if you travel with luggage, e.g. Fly Ahead and Premium Entry at SYD T2. A little bit of a shame (understandably a problem if you did have luggage, except I don't know why there couldn't be bag drop facilities or porter service at SYD T2 Premium).

 

[QF WP]

Hmmm, some of them are a little concerning to this newly minted member.

Set food times - we'll have to eat in the Lounge first then
Surcharges per sector - hmmm, more expensive than QF, detrimental for taking multi sector flights
Hand luggage - hmmm, I have 2 x 7 on QF, might not work for me then
Leather seats - when does one get warm on a plane (unless sitting on the tarmac)? Sliding around on the seat might be more of a problem
Points+Pay - is that really a problem when one does it, beginning or end?
Multi city - if VA look at BNE/SYD/MEL/SYD/BNE as BNE/MEL/BNE, then I'll be booking BNE/SYD/BNE and SYD/MEL/SYD tickets to extract appropriate SC's & points

Lounge Goddess Annette has already told me to come out to the airport and have a beverage whilst she takes me through the program, Lounge access/benefits, online (booking etc).

 

[connieguy]

Lounge Goddess Annette has already told me to come out to the airport and have a beverage whilst she takes me through the program, Lounge access/benefits, online (booking etc).

Sounds good. How does one contact Annette? Does she have a clone in the Adl VA lounge?

 

[LiamR]

Leather seats - when does one get warm on a plane (unless sitting on the tarmac)? Sliding around on the seat might be more of a problem

Lounge Goddess Annette has already told me to come out to the airport and have a beverage whilst she takes me through the program, Lounge access/benefits, online (booking etc).

I've found myself stuck to them on more than one occasion. I find it a tad uncomfortable. Doesn't seem to happen with the new seats, just the old icky fake leather ones.

 

[anat0l]

Leather seats - when does one get warm on a plane (unless sitting on the tarmac)? Sliding around on the seat might be more of a problem

*slides in seat*

*people stare at slider*

"What? It wasn't me - I didn't do it."

*people keep staring*

"Can you smell anything?"

*people keep staring*

[another person breaks silence] "Sir, I'm happy to show you to where the loos are..."

 

[QF WP]

Sounds good. How does one contact Annette? Does she have a clone in the Adl VA lounge?

Is there not a list of VA Lounge Gods/Godesses? Sacriligeous :shock:.

I can extract that information from her tomorrow if she's on shift.

 

[serfty]

...
I can extract that information from her tomorrow if she's on shift.

Uggh! Sounds painful! :shock:

 

[nlagalle]

I have to agree, I love that ultra modern almost retro design look - same kind of design which Marc Newson used in the F lounges.

I think there is no similarity between the VA lounges and the F lounge. Totally different styles. I can see the VA lounge "dating" quicker than the F lounge.

 

[notzac]

I think there is no similarity between the VA lounges and the F lounge. Totally different styles. I can see the VA lounge "dating" quicker than the F lounge.

Agreed completely - it's nothing like the F Lounges. I'm not sure it'll date too quickly though, from my own impression they've kept the design relatively 'clean' .. it might require a little work every now and again, but I don't think it would need to be ripped out and replaced to keep up with the times.

Still reckon some (very quiet) background house music would go down nicely in the lounges..

 

[JohnK]

Shock horror. Does that mean we'll have to get status the honest way? :shock: :shock:

Maybe you will but I am not going to try and attempt 80 SYD-BNE flights just for Platinum status.