WP1... what should it offer?

[gumpy]

For me I'll get about 2,600 sc's this year

For me to do something stupid to push for 3,600 and not put points on to AirNZ it'd have to be something like AA style automatic upgrades to the next cabin if there are seats available but for all QF flights... In my mind this one feature would be a game changer at this level and keep WP's spending on QF flights...

what would make you push for the WP1?

 

[Febs]

I would've made WP1 based on my membership year a few years ago...since then not quite, but hopefully in the future I'll get back to those SC levels again.

Things I'd like to see are:
- A minimum of x upgrades (let's say 6 domestic, 4 shorthaul int'l or 2 long-haul int'l) per year
- Anytime access to the F (int) and J (dom) lounges
- Increased guest capacity for lounges - 2 for F, 3-4 for J
- AIR magazine
- 125% or 150% QFF points

Those are the basics that come to mind.

 

[aus_flyer]

Given that CL does not come with free upgrades, I'd be very surprised if WP1 did.

 

[Jobu]

Well, I must say the announcement for me today was a nice surprise as I am always keen to see Qantas improving. I would qualify for the Plat One level, in fact I've sadly earned 4,000 SCs within the first four months of my membership year, so I must say that I hope that the benefits are significant enough to really encourage people like me to stick to our Qantas, even though the competition (for international travel) does feel superior in some aspects (such as seat comfort or schedule).

I really hope the benefits are a step-change from the benefits at 2400 SCs (which I feel are disappointing): vouchers for valet parking just don't appeal; more points are ok but a bit unimaginative, and Partner Gold is ok but my wife has no interest in it...

I hope Qantas tries to put itself in the shoes of people that travel as much to achieve 3600+ SCs when it comes to being creative about some nice benefits. I'm not a particularly imaginative person, but some ideas could include:

• Guaranteed J class seat at [72] hours notice (pipe dream I know but I have so much last minute travel that my travel agent hates holding so many different options for me);
• Automatic upgrades when seats are available (more dreaming but hey this will get people flying);
• Consistent treatment and benefits with other OneWorld partners (a OW Emerald+ level?) - Qantas struggles against some of its competition in terms of breadth of destinations serviced which means a big reliance on OW partners, and there is a big difference in quality of product and service from other OW partners...;
• Consistency across Australian airports would be nice (but probably a bit outside your control), such as F and J lounges and 'F' check-in outside of SYD and MEL;
• More guests allowed into F/J/QC lounges (would like to bring my wife and kids, or parents/in-laws without feeling guilty);
• Transport / hotel transfers at destination including for accompanying family / colleagues;
• Priority security / immigration (love my APEC card) / customs queues in international terminals - fast track so that I can check in later and spend less time in airports;
• CL lounge access? might as well share the nice wine and networking opportunities...;
• Partner Platinum... (much to my wife's indifference!);
• F class menu in J? (might be a bit embarrasing);
• F class amenities kit? (easy win);
• Blocked seats next to you if there's room;
• Blocks of additional J/F class seats for points redemptions;

And ofcourse... a titanium card

Cheers

 

[russ]

• Automatic upgrades when seats are available (more dreaming but hey this will get people flying);

Please, no! I pay my J class fare and I like having an empty seat next to me! Keep the economy riff-raff out of J!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Well, I must say the announcement for me today was a nice surprise as I am always keen to see Qantas improving. I would qualify for the Plat One level, in fact I've sadly earned 4,000 SCs within the first four months of my membership year

I suspect, to get 4,000 SC's within 4 months, you'd be flying J or F to achieve that. The only way upgrades will be useful, would be J > F vouchers.

• Guaranteed J class seat at [72] hours notice (pipe dream I know but I have so much last minute travel that my travel agent hates holding so many different options for me); Sounds good
• Automatic upgrades when seats are available (more dreaming but hey this will get people flying); CL's don't, why should WP1's?
• Consistent treatment and benefits with other OneWorld partners (a OW Emerald+ level?) - Qantas struggles against some of its competition in terms of breadth of destinations serviced which means a big reliance on OW partners, and there is a big difference in quality of product and service from other OW partners...;
• Consistency across Australian airports would be nice (but probably a bit outside your control), such as F and J lounges and 'F' check-in outside of SYD and MEL; Sounds good, but if you don't have a F Product, why go to all the trouble of setting up F Check-in/Lounge?
• More guests allowed into F/J/QC lounges (would like to bring my wife and kids, or parents/in-laws without feeling guilty); Good idea
  
• Transport / hotel transfers at destination including for accompanying family / colleagues; A voucher system?
• Priority security / immigration (love my APEC card) / customs queues in international terminals - fast track so that I can check in later and spend less time in airports; Priority security has started at some domestic ports. Worked fine for me as did priority boarding a few weeks ago at SYD and BNE.
  
• CL lounge access? might as well share the nice wine and networking opportunities...; Not a bad idea.
  
• Partner Platinum... (much to my wife's indifference!); Yep
• F class menu in J? (might be a bit embarrasing); Short sectors...
  
• F class amenities kit? (easy win); Short sectors...
• Blocked seats next to you if there's room; BIG WIN. I find that having a free seat next to me (in Y) on a full plane is as good as an upgrade.
• Blocks of additional J/F class seats for points redemptions; Good idea
  

And of course... a titanium card

Cheers

Now, lets compare what other ultra top tiers get.
I'll stick to LH HON.
There is also BA Gold Executive Club Card and Singapore Airlines The PPS. However, the benefits aren't really that much more than their top tier levels, ie, BA Exec Gold get CCR access + a few upgrades while SQ PPS get minor advantages over SQ Gold.
To get LH HON, you need to fly 600k in 2 years in premium cabins on LH. However, some members on FT have stated that this can be done for 180k in 2 years when you take into account the cabin bonus', etc etc.

Lufthansa HON Circle status

LH HON - Wiki
Having collected 600,000 HON Circle Miles within two calendar years, Miles & More members receive HON Circle Status with validity of two years. The main perks of having HON status are:

• All advantages of LH Senator Status, in addition:
• The HON member's partner receives a complimentary Senator Card.
• Six eVouchers on achieving status, and six more for every status retention.
• Booking guarantee: Up to 24 hours before departure in booking classes C and D (and J on Lufthansa), and 72 hours in booking class Y.
• Pickup by limousine upon arrival at tarmac position at Frankfurt and Munich
• Limousine Service to the airplane when departing from a tarmac position at Frankfurt, Munich, Zürich and Vienna
• Expedited Priority baggage handling: Baggage is labeled with a "HON Priority sticker" to ensure expedited delivery on the luggage belt.
• Personal assistant at LH cities.
• Access to the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt and the First Class/HON Circle lounges in Munich, Vienna, Zürich and Geneva
• Access to the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge with valid Lufthansa Boarding Pass regardless of origin
• Exclusive HON Circle reservation hotline

 

[aus_flyer]

As CL is above WP1 and don't receive automatic upgrades, why should WP1's?

Did you actually read what I said?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Did you actually read what I said?

I must apologise. I was reading 4 threads on AFF at once and got mixed up inbetween them when replying.

 

[samh004]

I think it's important to note that CL is very much an honorary level, where you're given excellent service and can lounge sway from the riffraff but it doesn't mean you as an individual is commercially important. Your business might be, sure.

So Qantas needed another level to reward those that aren't CL but fly so much and need looking after that little bit more. In some ways the same benefits apply, and then there are other benefits that make more sense, such as guaranteed upgrades perhaps.

 

[Simsy85]

Given that CL does not come with free upgrades, I'd be very surprised if WP1 did.

No they don't, but put it this way, I've NEVER flown with my boss who is CL and not been in the highest cabin on the plane. ie if your a CL, your someone and its unlikely you'll be flying Y.

I have flown with another CL who wasn't my boss on SYD - DRW and he was upgraded without even having to ask (he was a late booking and could only get a Y ticket). Her words were something like "Ahh Mr CL member, we've moved you up to Business" He responded with "Oh, I tried to book J" she said "oh we've had a cancellation, enjoy your flight"

She then moved me to 4A which was his seat, being we were travelling together and there was only one spare seat in J.

Me thinks it won't have an Automatic upgrade attached, but the same principle applied...

 

[gumpy]

Given that CL does not come with free upgrades, I'd be very surprised if WP1 did.

I'm merely stating what it would take for me to push for it.

I'm sure CL benefits will be modified as well

 

[Jobu]

Maybe the WP1 benefits should provide something for CLs to aspire to! :mrgreen:

 

[Nam Taf]

Well, I must say the announcement for me today was a nice surprise as I am always keen to see Qantas improving. I would qualify for the Plat One level, in fact I've sadly earned 4,000 SCs within the first four months of my membership year, so I must say that I hope that the benefits are significant enough to really encourage people like me to stick to our Qantas, even though the competition (for international travel) does feel superior in some aspects (such as seat comfort or schedule).

Off topic, but what on earth kind of schedule nets you that earn rate and if you don't mind me asking what kind of job requires that travel?!?

On-topic: I don't see an issue with giving some of the CL privs to WP1 members. CL is basically an honourary level, not something you earn from lots of travel, so it's like an honourary degree in that regard. Either you can work hard and prove your mettle through the traditional avenue, or you can be noticed by the bigwigs and given the honourary status equivalent. As such, why is it necessarily a bad thing to share some of the privs between the two?

Obviously you'd tailor the two to suit - CL is going to be a lot more about QF sucking up to important people with influence, whereas WP1 is going to be about QF offering happy endings in the massage parlour to keep you flying with them. However, I don't see how having the two align is necessarily as horrible thing as some of you make it out to be.

 

[samh004]

On-topic: I don't see an issue with giving some of the CL privs to WP1 members. CL is basically an honourary level, not something you earn from lots of travel, so it's like an honourary degree in that regard. Either you can work hard and prove your mettle through the traditional avenue, or you can be noticed by the bigwigs and given the honourary status equivalent. As such, why is it necessarily a bad thing to share some of the privs between the two?

Obviously you'd tailor the two to suit - CL is going to be a lot more about QF sucking up to important people with influence, whereas WP1 is going to be about QF offering happy endings in the massage parlour to keep you flying with them. However, I don't see how having the two align is necessarily as horrible thing as some of you make it out to be.

Didn’t I say pretty much the same thing in post #9?

 

[Nam Taf]

Didn’t I say pretty much the same thing in post #9?

Moist soitenly! I should definitely give you credit for having a great mind and thus thinking alike!

 

[burrco]

Breaking news - first platinum one benefit released:

"As a Platinum One Member Qantas aims to make your trip pleasurable before you even board the plane. While relaxing in our renovated Marc Newson inspired domestic business class lounge you will now have enhanced dining opportunities. When our world renowned wood fired themed pizza is released - platinum one members will have five minutes exclusive access to the tray. This means that our most important members will never again run the risk of having to have those odd slices where the topping does not fully cover the base."

 

[trippin_the_rift]

It should offer everything Chairmans Lounge comes with and more.

CL members don't have a minimum spend OR status credit attainment level - AND CL memberships are generally dished out to either ultra ultra oober FFers (1 in a million people) or to strategic people that help make the choice of airline for their company.

Based on this, it makes Platinum One flyers MORE important as individuals than 99% of CL's.

 

[david-au-2000]

- Limo pickup and home within a decent km limit of the capital city airport
- A decent discount on overnight at a good airport hotel, both at the city of departure and at a transfer point like Singapore
- Access to a private password-protected wifi network at Sydney lounge which actually works!

 

[Robert K]

Breaking news - first platinum one benefit released:

Really makes me want to become a WP1. Wouldn't want to miss out on PIZZA!!

 

[NM]

Perhaps one benefit could be upgrade requested confirmed up to 7 days before travel.