What frequent flyers really want?

[ksksks]

Voted a number of items plus others

For "others", the items that come to mind are priority call centre (WP vs something like NB wait times are a world of difference), F lounges, increased baggage allowance, and boarding via priority (ie smaller) queue

 

[moa999]

I'd also say the want can vary considerably.
Consider a businessperson on
- short haul economy
- long haul business
- family holiday with partner and kids.

 

[BenP]

On one occasion we boarded with 115.6 kg used out of our 116 kg allowance.

That is super impressive, I'm guessing you guys have a scale at home that is calibrated pretty close to what they have at check in

 

[elanshin]

Luggage is always a nice to have.
Especially since many airlines have questionable luggage limits domestically overseas. Not having to think about it is actually a nice perk. (I can be pretty confident unless im doing something crazy I've always got luggage allowance).

That said i have most certainly hauled stuff for my parents that would raise the eyebrows. Did a small washing machine and dryer (2 small units) that weighed 23kg each.
A 28kg rangehood as well on a separate trip. (I have given up questioning - I'll just lug it if its physically doable and I'm not injured).

As for lounge access - this needs to remain imho. For the people that easily attain status year on year this may feel a bit boring after a while, but think about to the first few times you go to the J lounge and then the F lounge. That was part of the chase for most people as well as excitement to check out.

Granted QF could do some renovations here and there but having seen some of the brand new AA admiral club lounges - yes you can make them interesting again and not suck (LGA is one of the brand new ones with their new terminal and they had a taco station in it). I think DCA had some arcade game units in it and some interesting nap rooms.

Rather than lack of lounges - a better question is what should lounges have instead for FF. Is it the Wing's Cabana? Some private nap room areas? Better F&B? Beer pouring machine? Relaxation rooms? Private cubicles?

 

[Ade]

If the pax cancelled or postponed the flight 2 days before departure, can't the airlines re-sell the seat to another customer (with frequent flyer) by using classic reward?

Definitely a good idea @Bjet ... last minute reward seats to sell or offer them as last minute/gate upgrade to frequent flyers. Airlines may be doing the latter already, though I'm not sure.

 

[BenP]

I'm still a rookie in terms of flying and having status so I'm still getting a little thrill from visiting the lounges to the priority lanes for security

Not sure how this would be possible but you read/hear the odd complaint about "I don't get any real benefit from high level status" but what I would like is a year in review of the benefits that we received both
1) the ones we know about (lounge visits, requested point upgrades granted etc),
2) the ones that aren't used that often (you were able to use the Express lane X times flying International)
3) the hidden benefits eg on medium to long haul flights in economy you would have been prioritised above X percentage of other passengers in regards to getting your preferred meal (this assumes thats what happened), which next available flights you were re-booked on for delays (or offered to fly ahead to prevent delays)

 

[Scarlett]

I wanted to vote other, plus maintaining lounge access, but they seem written as mutually exclusive.

Anyway, my ‘other’ values:

1. Free/extra luggage allowance. My golf clubs have probably done over 1M miles flown and 90% of the time they are taken for free using luggage allowance.
2. Lounge access. Anyone saying they’re happy to sit at the gate hasn’t properly experienced the trend toward metal, utilitarian seating. Even more valuable during delays.
3. Priority check in. Five minutes in the J check in queue versus 30 minutes in the whY queue.

Although not widely (as in, many programs, widely) available these days:
Access to Econ X on VA or that kind of equivalent: DL, AA and UA used to give access to their better Y seats but I believe much of that benefit has been ‘enhanced’.

 

[Archipelago]

Have cast my votes - but I am still coming to terms with OP's reference to 'kettle class' in the opening post

 

[Seat0B]

That is super impressive, I'm guessing you guys have a scale at home that is calibrated pretty close to what they have at check in

We do - it’s a little battery operated thing with a hook that you insert through the bag’s handles. It’s been very accurate and does calibrate closely to the airport scales.

Seat Son was impressed and grateful - but said, only semi-joking, that we did still have room for one more packet of Shapes

 

[Seat0B]

You ought to chase VA plats plus (top shelf one) 5x32kg = 160kg

Wow I’m not sure how we’d manage that qty of bags and weight. It’s hard enough as it is!! The things parents go for their (adult) kids .

 

[jastel]

For Australia I was super impressed with my first Qantas bag tag that avoided me having to wait in line to get a tag from a stupid robot operated by even stupider people with never a "helpful staff member" to be seen.

Overseas it doesnt work and I'm back lining up wasting time again. Then got more status and could get the staff to do it for me in Business Class line. My pet hate is getting to airport early and having to wait until some one will take the luggage off me and let me into the "terminal" to spend some money on overpriced food and drinks.

But where status really helps is when the flight is cancelled or things go south. You definitely more help the higher up the food chain you are.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Finding them okay maybe, but 'waxing lyrical'? Certainly a low bar there.

edit:certain first class lounges overseas probably excepted. AlSafwa at Doha, SQ's The Private room at Changi and for what I’ve seenAir France's first class lounge CDG and Lufthansa's first class lounge at FRA.
Qantas first class lounge at Sydney not in the mix for me until they do a renovation

You see i don’t go crazy over The PR or LH’s FCT! I think this part of this actually ties in to the other thread here on AFF about ‘unique’ airport lounge experiences. If there’s something unique, a lounge can be fun.

For example aI’d turn up early for flagship dining. But not for TPR for example.

As a FF what i value most is expedited ground handling. I’d like to be able to arrive at the airport as late as possible and go straight to the plane.

For domestic that’s like 25 mins prior, and for international it’s 65 mins. I’ve been doing the latter most of last year and it’s great… check-in is empty, you’re usually the last person there. You go straight to security and boarding starts like 10 mins later. Qudos to SYD and MEL airports for really haveing good security times these days. And for smart gates for border control.