Will QFF make changes in response to Velocity?

[Kiwi Flyer]

What do you reckon?

 

[NM]

In typical Qantas fasion, I expect they will take a "wait and see" attitude. So don't expect any changes in the short term. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

 

[browski]

I expect Qantas to "suddenly" find that there are actually more redeemable seats available on the FF program

 

[Guest]

the graphical designer for the velocity card should be shot immediately.
By far the ugliest credit card I have ever seen.

 

[icarus]

We might see a temporary discount or moratorium on the fee to join QFF. The free membership to Velocity might tempt some Christmas travellers to fly with Virgin, so Qantas might respond to that. Overall I don't see much in the DJ programme to tempt serious frequent flyers.

 

[dajop]

I think you will see QF targetting "deserters", but that's about all.

 

[moa999]

Maybe some rebalancing on the pts earned on the flexible tickets...

eg SYD-MEL where all price points get the minimum 1000 miles.

 

[Mal]

I think there will be some "rebalancing" by Qantas.

Maybe a reduction in the joining fee. Can't see them going to "free*" as that would be likely to bring in too many riff-raff members.

More availability on domestic economy seats.

Apart from that, not sure what other changes will happen.


* Plus fuel surcharges, taxes, assorted credit card fees and other possible fees

 

[JohnK]

I don't think that QF is in any danger from velocity from what I have seen so far and therefore do not need to make any changes to qff.

Velocity appears to target a totally different customer to the one attracted to qff. I know people who fly locally, with virgin or jetstar depending on which fare is cheaper. They have never joined qff but once they find about velocity and that it is free will end up joining velocity and using virgin instead of jetstar. So I think at worst virgin may end up with some extra business from jetstar rather than QF directly.

QF need to be careful and not make any changes to the lower end of their program (eg. reduce minimum points earned, non earning flights) otherwise there may be a backlash of people wanting to join velocity and therefore QF lose customer base.

 

[oz_mark]

Aside from maybe increasing available seats, I can't see the need for QF to respond to this.

Given the lack of anything that looks like the earning of status, is it possible that behind the scenes there are some unpublished benefits for the really frequent flyers? There's gotta be something somewhere, as I can't see Dixon shaking in his boots with this.

 

[freaky]

QF won't respond to this until it does damage. I don't think there is a proactive bone in their body.

I think the shift will be from the lower tiers of the FF program. Bronze members etc. who believe they are not getting value from the QF program with their credit card purchases. Very few top tiers will make the switch. The majority of top tiers that I dealt with as an agent would grumble about QF and their program, but would spit acid if I dared suggest a DJ alternative (program or not).

If DJ manage to shift that attitude, then watch QF spring into action.

Me personally, I'll probably have both cards. My QF one is sitting with a low balance and I'll pick a DJ one for the hell of it.

 

[JohnK]

Is it my imagination or are there more award seats available through QF and 1world carriers?

If so, has this been in response to velocity or that QF is being a lot more generous to their customer's needs.

 

[bigjobs]

i think that if QF do anything in response to the Velocity program it will be through Jetstar. as there are already arrangements for QF FFs to earn SC's and points on Jetflex fares i think this will do for now.

if virgin are to do anything in the business market it might force QF's hand.

in that bastion of journalism, the courier mail, there was an article yesterday that talked about Singapore Airlines entering the pacific market to the US. QF and DJ have teamed up to lobby the Australian government to stop it from happening, as we all know. the interesting thing though is that Virgin are currently allowed to fly from the east coast of Oz to the West Coast of the USA and there was an ever so slight hint that they might one day take that route up.

now that would be interesting.

 

[NM]

the interesting thing though is that Virgin are currently allowed to fly from the east coast of Oz to the West Coast of the USA and there was an ever so slight hint that they might one day take that route up.

There is no restriction regarding coasts as far as I am aware. If they want to purchase 777-200LR or A340-500 aircraft there is nothing stopping them overflying the Oz east coast and/or USA west coast. Except that they cannot use the name Virgin due to a contractual constraint put in place by Mr Branson several years back (hence the name Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue for international services).

 

[dajop]

Except that they cannot use the name Virgin due to a contractual constraint put in place by Mr Branson several years back (hence the name Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue for international services).

OK - No Virgin until Sir Richard agrees - so fly Pacific Blue instead (it is the Pacific Ocean) What about having "blue" in the name? Any trademark infringment in the US with Jet Blue??

 

[NM]

OK - No Virgin until Sir Richard agrees - so fly Pacific Blue instead (it is the Pacific Ocean) What about having "blue" in the name? Any trademark infringment in the US with Jet Blue??

No problems using Pacific Blue name, which is the obvious choice should they choose to fly the route. But obviously not with their current fleet of 737 aircraft. And introducing a new aircraft type would break away from the original low-cost model they chose.

So I don't see Oz-USA as a guaranteed route for DJ. I expect it is being considered and the bean counters are counting.

 

[danielh]

I think that a suitable counter to the Virgin effect is to allow earning dicounted FF points on DISCOUNTED Jetstar flights. This may help contain the riff-raff and prevent bleeding on the cheaper airline.

Frequent Qantas flyers (including all corporates) will stay but the potential bleed from Jetstar and Bronze will hopefully force this to happen as I'm a cheap ba$tard that loves his points and if I'm paying for the flight i'll go cheap as possible.

I don't think a Jetstar flight should offer SC's but hey, if they do I'm not against it.

Regards
Daniel

 

[aus_flyer]

I think that a suitable counter to the Virgin effect is to allow earning dicounted FF points on DISCOUNTED Jetstar flights. This may help contain the riff-raff and prevent bleeding on the cheaper airline.

Agreed. It certainly wouldn't be the first backflit Jetstar has made.
(QC access is the obvious one in my mind)