What else is burning members about recent "enhancements" to QFF?

[oz_mark]

• Priority boarding for domestic flights (No interest)

• Priority boarding for domestic flights Where - I have never seen this

While not seeing it recently, and without getting into what priority boarding means, in the past I have seen it in two guises:

• When boarding the plane by sections, you can board regardless of where you are sitting
• When there used to be a business line and an economy line, you could use the business line (mostly saw that when the dual bridges started)

Either way, it's been a while:!:

 

[Reggie]

When there used to be a business line and an economy line, you could use the business line (mostly saw that when the dual bridges started)

The problem with the Business Line for INT and now I remember way back once or twice a DOM business line, they were/are full of non status and non J pax anyway. The gate attendants didn't/don't enforce it.

AA do a great job of enforcing the priority boarding. Something QF could learn from AA

 

[JohnK]

As many of us invest time/effort/cash into the QF program, it's a fair argument that we want to see benefits retained and improved as years go by.

And this is something that a lot of people do not want to understand.

Status is not just a by-product of doing a lot of flying but rather the loyalty shown towards one airline. What is the sweetener for a person to remain loyal to QF with inconsistent service, higher airfares and constant 'enhancements' to the FF program diluting top tier benefits?

And another spanner in the works is DJ only offers Gold status. What is the incentive to QF to go over the top and offer something far superior when all it has to do is offer similar benefits to DJ Gold which is QF Gold.

Priority boarding for domestic flights Where - I have never seen this

I have seen this in PER (the gate nearest the Qantas Lounge) and BNE (gates 22, 23, 24).

The problem with the Business Line for INT and now I remember way back once or twice a DOM business line, they were/are full of non status and non J pax anyway. The gate attendants didn't/don't enforce it.

To be fair most times the dedicated business line is enforeced early on in the boarding process but then opened to anyone to get through the boarding process as quickly as possible.

 

[Reggie]

To be fair most times the dedicated business line is enforeced early on in the boarding process but then opened to anyone to get through the boarding process as quickly as possible.

For INT, early in the boarding process, the J and status pax are still on their way from the lounge, by the time they get to the gate there is no priority boarding.

For DOM, I have been at the gate when boarding is called, there is digital sign that says economy, and then the other has said business/economy, so both line are full.

 

[dk4]

What is the sweetener for a person to remain loyal to QF with inconsistent service, higher airfares and constant 'enhancements' to the FF program diluting top tier benefits?

If people are NOT prepared to vote with their feet, and put half of their BIS on a different carrier's seat (even if it is a bit harder), then why should Qantas bother to overpay them for their loyalty - especially when they are prepared to remain loyal to "inconsistent service, higher airfares and constant 'enhancements'" ?

 

[JohnK]

If people are NOT prepared to vote with their feet, and put half of their BIS on a different carrier's seat (even if it is a bit harder), then why should Qantas bother to overpay them for their loyalty - especially when they are prepared to remain loyal to "inconsistent service, higher airfares and constant 'enhancements'" ?

You are right. We keep going for more and if the poll is any indication most will be staying with QF in one way or another.

I guess I am stuck with QF as long as there isn't a suitable alternative for me.

 

[Danger]

• Priority boarding for domestic flights (No interest)

The list of Platinum benefits on the QF website here seems to list priority boarding only for selected international flights. I'm confident I've seen it before for domestic flights; can anyone else?

 

[medhead]

The list of Platinum benefits on the QF website here seems to list priority boarding only for selected international flights. I'm confident I've seen it before for domestic flights; can anyone else?

The comparison table of benefits for all levels lists international and domestic for platinum.
http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/statusPrivileges

 

[trippin_the_rift]

If people are NOT prepared to vote with their feet, and put half of their BIS on a different carrier's seat (even if it is a bit harder), then why should Qantas bother to overpay them for their loyalty - especially when they are prepared to remain loyal to "inconsistent service, higher airfares and constant 'enhancements'" ?

You're right - for domestic flights.

Internationally is entirely different as there's more options and competition. I've got no problem flying another airline to forgo FLounge/points/SC. But then I don't ever fly Y internationally.

I think the biggest issue is QF has a near monopoly on credit card spending and this is where most FF points are created. The alternatives are average redemption earn/burn rates, and if you've already got a few points with QF..... nobody wants orphan points, right?

 

[yohy?!]

I think the biggest issue is QF has a near monopoly on credit card spending and this is where most FF points are created. The alternatives are average redemption earn/burn rates, and if you've already got a few points with QF..... nobody wants orphan points, right?

I don't see a monopoly on QF spend...more like QF in pushing people to direct earn cards has just pushed the market to see what else is out there that gives them more flexibiliy and better burn rates

 

[pauly7]

I don't see a monopoly on QF spend...

I agree, there are stacks of cards that connect to Velocity... No shortage of options there, it's just that Velocity simply does not stack up (YET) for most people!

 

[yohy?!]

I agree, there are stacks of cards that connect to Velocity... No shortage of options there, it's just that Velocity simply does not stack up (YET) for most people!

Even beyond Velocity there's Krisflyer and Skywards which have direct earn cards plus Amex MR partners.

 

[pauly7]

Even beyond Velocity there's Krisflyer and Skywards which have direct earn cards plus Amex MR partners.

The simple fact that these don't have a domestic airline puts them at a massive disadvantage compared to QF and DJ of course...

 

[drewbles]

The problem with the Business Line for INT and now I remember way back once or twice a DOM business line, they were/are full of non status and non J pax anyway. The gate attendants didn't/don't enforce it.

AA do a great job of enforcing the priority boarding. Something QF could learn from AA

This is what makes me puzzled. AA do it effortlessly, with almost zero cost to them (a sign post, and a sign, along with the rule enforced and announced boarding that clearly states 'First and AAEXP only' followed by the other elites followed by the first of the zoned boarding passes).

It would require a memo or basic training to QFF gate staff to get this going, and enforcing it. So simple, so little cost. They publish it as a benefit, they should provide it.

 

[reductionist]

This is what makes me puzzled. AA do it effortlessly, with almost zero cost to them (a sign post, and a sign, along with the rule enforced and announced boarding that clearly states 'First and AAEXP only' followed by the other elites followed by the first of the zoned boarding passes).

It would require a memo or basic training to QFF gate staff to get this going, and enforcing it. So simple, so little cost. They publish it as a benefit, they should provide it.

Once again you are the voice of reason drewbles.

QF needs to either enforce this or enhance it (away).

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I have PM'ed Crazydave and from the replies l have received thus far, l think that there could be some sort of co-branded DJ/Virgin CC's coming soon, like QF have with the AMEX + Mastercard/Visa options (ie, Westpac Earth series). More options l guess.

As others have already posted, why should/would QF improve their top tier with additional benefits when there is no competition or threat from another airline (but there could be soon...). Since Ansett's demise (2002) QF have had a monopoly on the J market. QF are living the dream, no competitors, 100% market share. They have the top end of the DOM market stitched up.

 

[oz_mark]

LOL just popped my head in can't believe this thread is still going on and on.... Same people, same posts.

But at least we have poetry now to break it up!! Nice touch thank you for that contribution - made my day!!

How about, I hate the way they have enhanced their jet engines. I want the old, reliable unenhanced ones

 

[Danger]

The comparison table of benefits for all levels lists international and domestic for platinum.
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges - Status Privileges

Interesting. Thanks, medhead. Another example of the intricacies of being a QFF and how one webpage differs from an phone agent differs from a check-in agent differs from a customer service agent . . . Seriously, did you see the list of footnotes on the comparison page? Wow.

I'll be printing that one out and keeping it in the carry-on.

 

[yohy?!]

The simple fact that these don't have a domestic airline puts them at a massive disadvantage compared to QF and DJ of course...

I'm happy to save my points for long haul as opposed to domestic. Apart from JASAs the burn rates aare shocking for both programs.

 

[JohnK]

I'm happy to save my points for long haul as opposed to domestic. Apart from JASAs the burn rates aare shocking for both programs.

This is one the DJ supporters love to ignore.

I love it that I can (at least could in the past) redeem a SYD-OOL award for 4,300 Velocity points + $26 or I can simply pay $49 and earn Velocity points at the same time.