WP1... what should it offer?

[samh004]

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

Don't sell us all short, upgrade upgrades were announced for everyone else by year end, so let's hope what you posted will come to everyone else, while P1's can get even better perhaps.

 

[david-au-2000]

Yes, that would be a big improvement for Qantas if WP1s could have upgrade requests confirmed a week ahead or even, gasp, locked in rather than pending confirmation.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Breaking news - first platinum one benefit released:

LOL!!!

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.

I hear what your saying trippin', however, you have to look at the $$$ that some of these companies throw around and why they get a few CL memberships. Have a look in WA with the FIFO situation. RIO, Woodside, BHP, they all have multi-million dollar contracts in place and l'm sure that what BHP spend in 1 week on flights l wouldn't be able to spend in a lifetime.

 

[Hvr]

Priority boarding?

NPPs?

No idea because I will never achieve this level. Just hoping current WP benefits aren't further degraded to pay for them.

 

[Jasecoop]

All this talk on upgrades won't mean anything soon if you fly j normally. Soon only 380 will have first. What then?

 

[gumpy]

All this talk on upgrades won't mean anything soon if you fly j normally. Soon only 380 will have first. What then?

Buy PE tickets and fly J,

and F for LAX and LHR

 

[Durin's Bane]

Hello AFF's,

I almost reached 3600 SC in 2007/2008. If I ever had the opportunity to get to 3600 SC again, I'd want:

• Priority lanes for security / immigration / customs in Australia's international terminals
• Anytime access to the International F and Domestic J lounges
• Increased guest capacity for First and Business lounges
• Status bonus of 150% QFF points
• Proper priority baggage handling
• Upgrade confirmations sooner than the current 5 (?) hours before flying

Automatic upgrades and the like would be nice, however I won't hold my breath.

DB.

 

[Jobu]

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 average 2 long haul multi continent trips a month mostly in J, occasional Y legs. Comes with the territory I imagine for many who run or work in multi-national businesses.

 

[Jobu]

All this talk on upgrades won't mean anything soon if you fly j normally. Soon only 380 will have first. What then?

Then you'll upgrade on the A380s...

 

[gumpy]

Would this be possible you reckon?

Instant confirmation of upgrades (using points on the same burn rates) if a seat is available at the time of request? That's not as good as an auto upgrade but yeah... would be awesome... unsure if I'd push for WP1 to get it but would be a very nice improvement.

 

[david-au-2000]

Instant confirmation of upgrades (using points on the same burn rates) if a seat is available at the time of request

I agree but I also think this should be available to all WPs not just exclusive to WP1s, like a lot of the other 'WP1 benefits' which we are talking about.

Also as I see it WP1s fly so much anyway that QF doesn't really need to actively encourage them to fly more, it needs to reward them by making them feel like true VIPs.

WP on the other hand is more of an attainable goal and you have golds who want to become WP because they want the WP benefits, so practical WP benefits really need to be made better.

 

[gumpy]

Also as I see it WP1s fly so much anyway that QF doesn't really need to actively encourage them to fly more, it needs to reward them by making them feel like true VIPs.

I don't think is true. Heaps of people on this forum hit their required mark for WP and then put their flights to other carriers. This is something I do as well where I start putting flights on to AirNZ after awhile. Having 3600 to aim for if the rewards are good enough would help QF keep the business until the 3600cs mark. I think it's actually a highly intelligent move by QF, they just need to follow this announcement up with rewards that are actually worth chasing. Else it's all gone to waste...

 

[jamesatfish]

Also as I see it WP1s fly so much anyway that QF doesn't really need to actively encourage them to fly more, it needs to reward them by making them feel like true VIPs.

I have a feeling this is exactly what QF are thinking with the WP1 tier.

We've already seen statements from Red Roo that confirm that the 'typical' WP member travels more in premium cabins than in Y/Y+, and indeed you'd have to do a massive amount of flying to make it to 3600SCs on nothing but discount Y fares. So it makes sense to assume that a WP1 member is most likely travelling in J domestically and J/F internationally.

As such, there's not much benefit to either party to offer upgrade guarantees to WP1 flyers. If they're already paying for F then the attraction of a guaranteed upgrade is meaningless (unless there's the offer of sitting in the coughpit jump seat...), and indeed if they do become entitled to guaranteed / pre-confirmed upgrades then QF are simply telling them to book a J fare and upgrade rather than buy an F fare - which is certainly not a commercially sound decision.

Similarly the re-introduction of anytime lounge access, regardless of which lounge, isn't of much benefit to someone who spends a significant chunk of their life in airline lounges anyway.

The press release, executive sound bytes and FF emails suggest the WP1 tier will be more about soft product improvement than hard benefits. I can imagine the offering will be things like valet parking (already an option for high-earning WPs), limo transfers for international flights, priority in phone / customer service queues (no doubt already occurring), QF 'hosts' to walk you through check-in, security etc, invites to QF events (anyone remember the Veuve Cliquot tastings held for WP members some years ago).

My guess is that there won't be much worth striving for as a 'regular' WP, but that those who would normally fly enough to reach the WP1 level will be pampered sufficiently to keep them flying with QF in the future.

 

[gumpy]

I have a feeling this is exactly what QF are thinking with the WP1 tier.

We've already seen statements from Red Roo that confirm that the 'typical' WP member travels more in premium cabins than in Y/Y+, and indeed you'd have to do a massive amount of flying to make it to 3600SCs on nothing but discount Y fares. So it makes sense to assume that a WP1 member is most likely travelling in J domestically and J/F internationally.

As such, there's not much benefit to either party to offer upgrade guarantees to WP1 flyers. If they're already paying for F then the attraction of a guaranteed upgrade is meaningless (unless there's the offer of sitting in the coughpit jump seat...), and indeed if they do become entitled to guaranteed / pre-confirmed upgrades then QF are simply telling them to book a J fare and upgrade rather than buy an F fare - which is certainly not a commercially sound decision.

Similarly the re-introduction of anytime lounge access, regardless of which lounge, isn't of much benefit to someone who spends a significant chunk of their life in airline lounges anyway.

The press release, executive sound bytes and FF emails suggest the WP1 tier will be more about soft product improvement than hard benefits. I can imagine the offering will be things like valet parking (already an option for high-earning WPs), limo transfers for international flights, priority in phone / customer service queues (no doubt already occurring), QF 'hosts' to walk you through check-in, security etc, invites to QF events (anyone remember the Veuve Cliquot tastings held for WP members some years ago).

My guess is that there won't be much worth striving for as a 'regular' WP, but that those who would normally fly enough to reach the WP1 level will be pampered sufficiently to keep them flying with QF in the future.

Very interesting point of view,

I always thought it would be about hanging a further carrot out to pull more business and still think that would be the case. But what you mention also makes sense

 

[Scrimo]

I'm curious to know how many people do you think would go north of 3600 on a regular basis. Based on the fact they have around 8 million members

This year I have 3625 with one month to go but really its more in line with 2400 to 2600 each year on average

Wondering if I'll get an invite to WP1

In regards to the potential offers of limo pick up and escorts through security, this is provided by certain credit card companies at airport all over the world so not a game changer.

 

[ajca]

In regards to the potential offers of limo pick up and escorts through security, this is provided by certain credit card companies at airport all over the world so not a game changer.

Which credit cards? Even Amex Centurion doesn't do this...

 

[melbourne rebel]

Which credit cards? Even Amex Centurion doesn't do this...

In fact, Centurion offers both services through Centurion Fast Track and Centurion En Route:

"Ask Centurion Travel for the Centurion Fast Track service when you book your international Business or First Class flight. They will arrange for a representative to meet you at the end of the aerobridge. You’ll be ushered past the long queues at immigration and customs, after liaising with your driver, taken to your car - which can also be arranged through Centurion Travel.

Naturally, if you’re travelling with friends or family, Centurion Fast Track will help your entire party through, right up to five people.

This benefit is available at the following destinations: London, Hong Kong*, Singapore, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Rome, Tokyo, Bangkok, Frankfurt, Shanghai, Athens, Kuala Lumpur and Beijing"

"Centurion En Route has always been able to provide you with stress-free passage to and from the airport* in Australia as part of your International travel and accommodation booking.

Now we have expanded Centurion En Route to also provide a complimentary limousine when you arrive at your overseas destination. So when you book your International business or first class flight and accommodation though Centurion Travel, we can arrange to have a limousine meet you at your destination to take you straight to your hotel.

Of course, if you use Centurion Fast Track, your representative can liaise with the limousine beforehand and ensure that you’re not kept waiting at any point.

Centurion En Route is available at the following overseas destinations:

London | Hong Kong | Singapore | Paris | Dubai | Rome | Bangkok | Auckland | Frankfurt | Vancouver | Kuala Lumpur | Shanghai | coughet | All major US cities."

 

[Scrimo]

Which credit cards? Even Amex Centurion doesn't do this...

As noted from another person this is offered by Amex Centurion. Its a great service that I use all the time and if offered by WP1 would be of no real use.

If you request other airports not listed it can also be arranged on a case by case basis.

 

[medhead]

I don't think is true. Heaps of people on this forum hit their required mark for WP and then put their flights to other carriers. This is something I do as well where I start putting flights on to AirNZ after awhile. Having 3600 to aim for if the rewards are good enough would help QF keep the business until the 3600cs mark. I think it's actually a highly intelligent move by QF, they just need to follow this announcement up with rewards that are actually worth chasing. Else it's all gone to waste...

Very interesting point of view,

I always thought it would be about hanging a further carrot out to pull more business and still think that would be the case. But what you mention also makes sense

Such incentive only works if one is capable of getting to 3600SC. In my case I'd have to do 240 of my usual flights to get there, so the carrot is pointless. And there are many here in that situation. Those that do credit elsewhere are probably in that same boat. I would guest that it will only be people currently getting about 3000SC who will be able to spend more to make the grade. It's great that the level exists but I'm not sure of the value as a carrot.

 

[gumpy]

Such incentive only works if one is capable of getting to 3600SC. In my case I'd have to do 240 of my usual flights to get there, so the carrot is pointless. And there are many here in that situation. Those that do credit elsewhere are probably in that same boat. I would guest that it will only be people currently getting about 3000SC who will be able to spend more to make the grade. It's great that the level exists but I'm not sure of the value as a carrot.

If the WP1 benefits were awesome wouldn't you consider putting your 240 usual flights all on the QF and partners?