This week one member reveals why they abandoned their loyalty to Qantas. After years of successive frequent flyer program devaluations, this member felt like their loyalty was no longer a two-way street. The loss of Any Seat Awards, reductions in earning rates on oneworld airlines and a loss of anytime lounge access all contributed to this member’s reasons for jumping ship.
Other members are divided on the question of whether Qantas still deserves our loyalty. Some share this member’s view and have already made the switch to competitors including Virgin Australia, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines. But others remain fully committed to the flying kangaroo.
Those who made the switch to Virgin say that friendlier service and perks such as family pooling & “fly ahead” remain large drawcards.
However, some have found that the grass is not greener on the other side. One former Qantas Platinum One member decided last year that Qantas did not value their loyalty enough. But after switching to Virgin, this member was left disillusioned by Virgin’s poor catering and seat comfort, among other grievances. This member regrets switching and has already returned to Qantas.
Other members sit on the fence. While they still fly Qantas from time to time, they have removed themselves from the “golden handcuffs” of blind loyalty and begun to look at alternative frequent flyer programs and airlines.
Over 100 votes have already been cast in our member’s poll, which asks: Have you stuck with Qantas through the “enhancements”? So far, around 60% of members say they have. Meanwhile, 40% claim to have ditched the flying kangaroo in recent years for “greener pastures”.
Have your say HERE.
