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

[medhead]

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

That 7.30PM flight does have a tolerance of + or - 2 days/weeks.

I did say almost perfect.

 

[Sequel]

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

A lounge at BNE INT would be pretty high on my list of needs (although it didn't stop me flying DJ to NAN last year, but then I also had anytime access at the time!).

The DJ product is close but up until now not quite enough to get me across the line. I fly a pretty even split between the golden triangle and regional QLD, so only have capital city lounges is a big detractor, as well as flight frequency to the outback.

Having said that, seems how the gap between SG and WP is narrowing, I could pretty much fly DJ on the golden triangle and QF for the regional stuff, maintaining gold status at both. Hopefully with my increased patronage as well as other QF dissatisfied, then the DJ product would get better, overcoming the old catch 22 - if they dont fly there/operate a lounge I wont fly with them, and because I wont fly with them then they wont/dont need to open the lounge/routes.

To answer the original post, I wouldn't leave QF just because they removed anytime access, but if I dont have anytime access at QF, then why wouldn't I look at going elsewhere so that I have lounge access when I need it. And to echo others, it is not the "enhancements" as such, but more the attitude behind them, the old "if that's the way you think then you can stick it!".

 

[crazydave98]

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

DJ Gold able to use domestic lounge on arrival. Anytime lounge access is nice in theory, but not necessary. The main reason I value anytime access is so I can grab a shower after a flight -- and now that's been taken away from me as a WP.

We allow lounge access on arrival already - always have.

Confirm that DJ Silver still gets priority check-in. Pretty obvious really.

No plans to downgrade Silver access to priority check-in.

Add priority check-in to the "The Lounge" program. Another obvious one - what QF taketh away, DJ giveth back.

Standby on this - quite a bit going on with Lounges at present and all will be revealed in time.

Change everything to a mileage-based earning system, with a multiplier depending on fare class. Having different airlines earn in different ways is a PITA to try keeping in memory, plus if it's mileage based then you're possibly going to attract those that don't actually pay for their fare (and thus have no influence over how many miles they earn).

Agree we need to be consistent in how we award points across the group and this is being examined. Will post something about another post on this thread...

Also, 25% mileage earn on VA for deeply discounted whY sucks. It makes sense for you guys, but QF aren't doing it and it's definitely a detractor.

My personal view is that if someone's loyalty is purely to price then why incur the expense of giving them points. Only makes sense to match points if matching price too.

Add upgrade credits for every x many miles flown on DJ/VA metal.
Mostly because it would piss QF off that you're bringing back something from an earlier QFF "enhancement" .

Like your thinking!

Oh yeah, that would mean actually offering upgrades to begin with

noted.

I've already mentioned a bunch of stuff to you in previous threads and PMs as well.

all appreciated thanks.
~~

Also, if you're going to do the lounge run -- take us on an AFF tour of the DJ lounges!
Actually, I'd be really really really interested in something like what the Delta folk are doing for the Delta Flyertalk members ... hosting a DO and doing tours and talk sessions, etc.. I can find the thread if you're interested.

yes I would like to see that thread please.

 

[crazydave98]

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

Given that the changes to QFF may in turn lead to more people transferring business to DJ I would have to say that now would be a good time to improve the food offering in The Lounge.

Visiting the PER Lounge last Thurs I was disappointed to see that the food offering is identical to every other DJ lounge I've been to in the last 2 years,
.
.
.
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I have to say all other aspects of my visit were outstanding: very friendly welcome at front desk and bar, good shower facilities and general ambience. SYD lounge is still my favourite though for the runway view

Yes the food offering will certainly be improved.

 

[crazydave98]

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

So the SQ (PPS) method, rather than the QFF method..

What is the SQ (PPS) method please?

 

[crazydave98]

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

Fantastic post djfuzz and it's also good to see Dave from DJ getting some feedback from the QF crowd.

For me to swap to DJ...

1) DJ to join *Alliance. (First priority)
2) DJ to have upgrade certs as a loyalty bonus, instead of QF's 5000QFFP's when 450SC is achieved.
3) Serve meals on Trans-con routes. Syd-Per and vv is long and on QF, they have meals, drinks and AVOD for pretty much the same price as DJ.
4) Lifetime recognition (Then again, QF LTS just got thrown back to the stone age).
5) Promo's like the recent QF Double SC Promo, or xONE's, eqivilant CX Runs, or AA Y/K Up's or Plat Challenges to get to higher status quicker.

On the alliance bit, we think that between DL, NZ & EY and an Asian carrier or two we would have all major global destinations covered. The trick will be to ensure consistency of frequent flyer benefits and lounge access to match an actual alliance offering. Problem with * is then members would have to fly United and Air China :shockhaving done the last one recently I swore to myself to do everything possible to prevent us having anything to do with them. Mabe a TR is in order - worst long haul experience of my life.)

Upgrade certs - let's just say we recognise that upgrades are a very highly valued benefit and that things that QFF have dropped are opportunities for us.

Meals on trans-con. Can't comment sorry but we are very well aware of deficiencies in our trans-con product and the A330 annoucement was only the first shot on that front.

Lifetime recognition - like upgrades we see that this is valued.

 

[serfty]

...

Also, if you're going to do the lounge run -- take us on an AFF tour of the DJ lounges!
Actually, I'd be really really really interested in something like what the Delta folk are doing for the Delta Flyertalk members ... hosting a DO and doing tours and talk sessions, etc.. I can find the thread if you're interested.

yes I would like to see that thread please.

• The 2010 Second Annual Delta Air Lines FlyerTalk Event — October 21-24, 2010 - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[jsd]

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

We allow lounge access on arrival already - always have.

Really! :shock:, so it is an official benefit then, I thought that the Lounge staff were just really nice to me all the time Well they still are anyway, but knowing that is is actually an official benefit to be able to have lounge access on arrival is a BIG plus.

Standby on this - quite a bit going on with Lounges at present and all will be revealed in time.

We're listening , would be great to get a little more info on some of the other BIG changes that DJ are making, the A330 for one and J class for another, please :mrgreen:


Josh

 

[dajop]

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

What is the SQ (PPS) method please?

The SQ(PPS) method is not unlike the DJ domestic model, you achieve status based on dollar spend with the company (ie SQ/MI codes on SQ/MI metal). But it is only earnt in premium cabins, not Y. Achieve $25K SGD spend in premium cabins gets you to PPS level (higher than Krisflyer gold) and * gold automatically comes with it. I guess from the DJ/VA perspective it would be loosely comparable to extending the points/$ spent to VA (but as I said for SQ it is only spend in J/F cabin).

It fits the star alliance model, where highest elite status usually only applies within the airline (or airline group) and is usually based on achieving a certain travel threshold on the airline itself (eg if it were QF, Platinum it would exclude people flying around on YUPs on AA in their so-called F cabins).

 

[oz_mark]

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

On the alliance bit, we think that between DL, NZ & EY and an Asian carrier or two we would have all major global destinations covered. The trick will be to ensure consistency of frequent flyer benefits and lounge access to match an actual alliance offering. Problem with * is then members would have to fly United and Air China :shock:

With a bit of luck, Malaysia Airlines will be a partner, although I understand they can be an interesting airline to deal with. I am probably a little biased here, having recently reached the lofty heights of Silver in the Enrich FF program

Upgrade certs - let's just say we recognise that upgrades are a very highly valued benefit and that things that QFF have dropped are opportunities for us.

The downside of the old QFF scheme of Upgrade Credits, was actually using the things. I had plenty expire before I could use them. Hopefully, if DJ were to go down this path, it may not be so big of an issue!

Meals on trans-con. Can't comment sorry but we are very well aware of deficiencies in our trans-con product and the A330 annoucement was only the first shot on that front.

I hope you can do something with this. Either way, I am going to try to get on one of the A330's across to Perth next year (at least one of which courtesy of my Amex card!)

Lifetime recognition - like upgrades we see that this is valued.

I think this is a valuable thing.

 

[jamesgou]

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

I'm Qantas Gold and Virgin Silver and i'd fly Virgin more if they could move the Melbourne Lounge to be within the Airport Security area or put in priority security lines for Lounge/Silver/Gold members if it's too hard to move.



James

 

[markis10]

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

I'm Qantas Gold and Virgin Silver and i'd fly Virgin more if they could move the Melbourne Lounge to be within the Airport Security area or put in priority security lines for Lounge/Silver/Gold members if it's too hard to move.



James

Moving lounges would require two lounges unless you move security.

 

[jamesgou]

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

Moving lounges would require two lounges unless you move security.

That's why I was thinking of priority security lanes.

 

[serfty]

... The downside of the old QFF scheme of Upgrade Credits, was actually using the things. I had plenty expire before I could use them. Hopefully, if DJ were to go down this path, it may not be so big of an issue! ...

I had none expire.

Until 2005, you could use them on any revenue booking - you simply needed to ascertain those flights with reward availability in the upgraded class, book them and upgrade immediately. This for both Domestic and International.

 

[markis10]

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

I had none expire.

Until 2005, you could use them on any revenue booking - for business class you simply needed to ascertain those flights with reward availability, book them and upgrade immediately. This for both Domestic and International.

Ditto, I found them good value.

 

[oz_mark]

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

I had none expire.

Until 2005, you could use them on any revenue booking - you simply needed to ascertain those flights with reward availability in the upgraded class, book them and upgrade immediately. This for both Domestic and International.

Yes, you could - but try doing it to/from PER or where the company chooses your flights (i.e. you travel with all the other business travellers) and they can be hard to use. Not for lack of trying.

My last two didn't expire, but did get used in the last weeks of their life - on a DRW-PER flight.

 

[Keith009]

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

I actually looked at Velocity, discovered how easy it was to make Gold, thought about my options for 5 minutes, and unfortunately have decided to stick with QFF.

The main reason being that with my travels primarily centering on SFO, and SIN to a lesser extent, Qantas still suits my schedules best with daily flights or daily one stop flights. V Australia and their codeshare partner Delta only fly into LAX and most of the flights are ex-SYD or BNE, so I'd need to either choose a date that doesn't suit or make a 2 stop journey via SYD and LAX. To SIN, I'd need to fly MH via KUL. It'd also mean a very high ratio of traveling on another carrier's metal to justify using Velocity instead of that other airline's program. I want to be able to fly V Australia overseas, just as I'm now able to fly QF on key routes prior to having to use another carrier's metal. I completely understand that the airline and the FFP are 2 different entities, but these days I prefer to hold status with the airline I like and fly most with.

For the most part, the removal of Anytime Access doesn't affect me as I've only used the benefit once to attend the BNE AGM. I don't live close enough to MEL to make the MEL QP my local. I am also pretty loyal to QF so have no reason to take advantage of Anytime Access even when traveling.

The heightened Partner Gold requirement probably affects me more - even though the OH travels with me most of the time and has no need to use his Gold card for lounge access, we'd miss the increased luggage allowance for all the shopping we do. However due to my changed travel pattern this year, it is unlikely that I will make PG again even at the old levels. If anything, this movement of goal posts mean I simply won't bother aiming at PG. I'd simply credit to QFF the bare minimum to make WP, and credit the surplus flying to AA or send some business to Virgin when the schedule suits. I have been rather impressed by DJ the few times I've used them domestically - very clean planes for starters, and The Lounge has a cooler decor than QF's.

I agree with those who stated that there's less of a Wow factor being WP. But I'm still holding on to it as an insurance policy, knowing that I'd be looked after in case anything goes wrong, and for the priority on the upgrade lottery. I will probably re-assess if QF futher dilutes lounge benefits (eg removal of Flounge access if not in F) and/or upgrades, or V Australia strengthens their international network.

So, wishlists for Virgin:
- Upgrades
- More flights ex-MEL
- Full service on trans continental and transtasman routes
- International lounges with that sexy Virgin flair

Somehow I suspect, with your recent efforts, some of these changes are coming slowly but surely. I await with bated breath.

 

[flying foon]

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

I can’t imagine Gold (or a level beyond) would bring anytime lounge access or departure/arrival) but I’d suggest such a thing would be greatly received. It’s a nice benefit at the top

You’d surely win some hearts there, Shirley

I have not had any issues with accessing Virgin's Lounge at departure and arrival.

 

[Warks]

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

For me it means as a Silver QC I'm really going to go out and get those last 45 SCs I need before the end of this month to get Gold. So it does work in their favour for me.

Now where should I go?

 

[thewinchester]

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

Now where should I go?

If you have the points or the cash, take a return JASA or J to any of the east coast capitals for the weekend. That should see you right