Yet another cost saving measure - new FF cards

[Fungus]

Regarding durability, I've had the new card for <2mths and although I only fly a couple of times a month, half my name has already rubbed off and the barcode is on its way out.

 

[oz_mark]

It's been a while since a lounge attendant has used a click-clack manual machine to make an imprint of my card (actually, they never have ... I was just being a little facetious), so I also don't see the value of the embossing.

There's little need for embossing these days, and there is a trend toward printed cards over embossed cards - it's not just Qantas.

 

[flycop]

I just received my new QF FF card. It has a barcode on the back.

So does anyone know what this is used for now? Or is it something they are introducing later???

I suspect its to do with boarding passes not being required. Just 'swipe' your card through the reader.

 

[straitman]

I just received my new QF FF card. It has a barcode on the back.

So does anyone know what this is used for now? Or is it something they are introducing later???

I suspect its to do with boarding passes not being required. Just 'swipe' your card through the reader.

flycop,

Have a look further back in this thread for the answer.

Short answer to a longer discussion is 'nothing yet.'

 

[simongr]

There is some belief that this is the planned use of the barcode.

 

[oz_mark]

There is some belief that this is the planned use of the barcode.

Although Qantas statements have said that there will be a chip in the cards to facilitate this.

I suspect the barcode is part of the wider plan away from using mag strips across the board.

 

[straitman]

Although Qantas statements have said that there will be a chip in the cards to facilitate this.

I suspect the barcode is part of the wider plan away from using mag strips across the board.

.... and we will get to know when Qantas decide to tell us and probably not before.

 

[markis10]

Although Qantas statements have said that there will be a chip in the cards to facilitate this.

I suspect the barcode is part of the wider plan away from using mag strips across the board.

The barcode will be used as a drinks token for your QP two free drink allocation that comes into effect with the "enhancements" on Apr 1, no bar code no drinks :shock:, thats the nightmare i had last night !

 

[straitman]

The barcode will be used as a drinks token for your QP two free drink allocation that comes into effect with the "enhancements" on Apr 1, no bar code no drinks :shock:, thats the nightmare i had last night !

I wish you would keep your nightmares to yourself and not give QF ideas :!: (or us nightmares)

 

[djfuzz]

Regarding durability, I've had the new card for <2mths and although I only fly a couple of times a month, half my name has already rubbed off and the barcode is on its way out.

Have to agree with this - my old QFF NB card has been sitting in my wallet for many years, but the embossing remains legible. My AA PLT card has only done a year and the printed text is already smearing - I don't know if it will last until its renewal in Feb '11. I know the QFF cards are printed slightly differently (the name printing on the WP card appears to be integrated somehow into the printing of the card as a whole), but it seems Fungus' experience suggests that they may have similar issues.

So say what you will about how meaningless a card is, but embossing is far more durable than laser / heat printing, and it is possible that printed cards are less likely to last up to the two years they may be required (or longer if NB) than embossed cards.

 

[NM]

Would be nice if the barcode could be used for things like registering a Woolies purchase for Everyday Rewards. Link then to the one card so we don't have to carry so many cards.

 

[straitman]

Would be nice if the barcode could be used for things like registering a Woolies purchase for Everyday Rewards. Link then to the one card so we don't have to carry so many cards.

NM,

You are being logical again :!:

 

[oz_mark]

So say what you will about how meaningless a card is, but embossing is far more durable than laser / heat printing, and it is possible that printed cards are less likely to last up to the two years they may be required (or longer if NB) than embossed cards.

I had cause recently to talk to a clients fulfillment house about the names embossed on their membership cards. As a sideline to that discussion, it was mentioned that they no longer actually embossed cards, they were all printed. Based on that, it may have been the QFF card supplier that drove the change to printed versus embossed cards

 

[oz_mark]

Would be nice if the barcode could be used for things like registering a Woolies purchase for Everyday Rewards. Link then to the one card so we don't have to carry so many cards.

How would you get your petrol voucher then?

Having a common card between the two companies would likely to require privacy declarations, and consequent admin overheads for the two companies.

 

[NM]

NM,

You are being logical again :!:

oops, sorry. Back to my hole

 

[djfuzz]

I had cause recently to talk to a clients fulfillment house about the names embossed on their membership cards. As a sideline to that discussion, it was mentioned that they no longer actually embossed cards, they were all printed. Based on that, it may have been the QFF card supplier that drove the change to printed versus embossed cards

Seems entirely possible, I imagine no one other than CC companies or banks would insist on embossing these days (not even sure why Medicare is still embossed), and the cost of maintaining embossing equipment may have become superfluous. Still, the durability, look and feel will be missed.

 

[moa999]

On Woolworths I have a photocopied barcode sticker on the back of my Everydayoney card. Works perfectly well at the self-checkout kiosks, and I use the pay at pump feature of the card

 

[Flying Fox]

Would be nice if the barcode could be used for things like registering a Woolies purchase for Everyday Rewards. Link then to the one card so we don't have to carry so many cards.

Yes that was what I was hoping for too.

Just a question, if no boarding passes how will we remember our seat number? I always refer to my boarding pass. And how will QF staff check when someone is already in 'my seat'?

 

[simongr]

I guess it will work however it works with NZ's little tag thing...

 

[NM]

Yes that was what I was hoping for too.

Just a question, if no boarding passes how will we remember our seat number? I always refer to my boarding pass. And how will QF staff check when someone is already in 'my seat'?

Seat number will be laser-etched on your forearm by the barcode scanner at the boarding gate.