Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Goodbye QR...

QR supporters for a secession to its own forum, your wish is granted!

Just announced today on TalkBoard: QR forum approved.
(http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=804326&page=3)
My impression is QR has made a huge impression at HOM in Freddies votes (or something relating to its FFP?) and this has filtered through to the TB members, who have this not yet public info on which to nudge this one over the line.


As I seem to have entirely missed the attraction of QR... it does not fly here or anywhere near this end of the earth, can some QR fans please explain.
Is it just the nonstop UK ads,
the link to other FFPs,
something else with its own status and miles accumulation?
IS the product superior to other F/J offerings?
Why does QR get so much attention in the UK?

Generally, they're cheap upfront and you can collect LH miles for them. As I am not a frequent LH/*A flyer, I've never flown them, but I can see why others do.

By the way, where is the forum? :D

The forum might only be a refresh away. I knew QR had a non-product reason for the number of hits (but little or no discussion) relative to other Gulf airlines. :rolleyes:

QR supporters for a secession to its own forum, your wish is granted!

Just announced today on TalkBoard: QR forum approved.
(http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=804326&page=3)
My impression is QR has made a huge impression at HOM in Freddies votes (or something relating to its FFP?) and this has filtered through to the TB members, who have this not yet public info on which to nudge this one over the line.


As I seem to have entirely missed the attraction of QR... it does not fly here or anywhere near this end of the earth, can some QR fans please explain.
Is it just the nonstop UK ads,
the link to other FFPs,
something else with its own status and miles accumulation?
IS the product superior to other F/J offerings?
Why does QR get so much attention in the UK?

Although I despise QR for the shoddy ground handling (particularly in Doha) and their terrible customer service (particularly in Doha), and the fat they fly the crappiest leased plane on my route (DOH-BKK), I know the marketing guys in Doha and they're sharp and happy to spend a ton of cash on advertising. In the UK, every 5 minutes on BBC World in the Middle East and Asia.

Plus their flights are amongst the cheapest in the world for a reasonably good product in the air (on QR-owned aircraft) ex-Europe (they are less competitive from Middle East to Asia than, say, Asian carriers like Thai Airways).

If I was watching Sky News for the news I'd be absolutely sick of the QR ads!
So it's cheap and available ex-UK to the mid-east, is a pretty good product in the air and that's about it.

I thought there was something else to it - like crazy mileage earning opportunities on cheap premium tickets.
So it's cheap and pretty good IF one can get around hassles with customer service or airport staff. :confused:

Another good thing could be the flights LHR-CMB. Perfect for more low-priced premium tickets!

I'm kind of sad QR will be leaving. Personally, I don't see why it needs its own forum, and it might leave this forum quite dead. Regardless, it is a testament to QR's success at marketing and efforts at making its brand recognized. I have even seen QR ads in the Toronto subway!

Cheers,

Is there a metric FT uses to determine whether or not the number of posts/threads regarding an airline have reached critical mass, and a separate forum is needed?

Personally I think it's for the better - makes it easier to find info on QR.

If I was watching Sky News for the news I'd be absolutely sick of the QR ads!

Personally, I'm too sick of Murdoch to watch Sky News!

So it's cheap and available ex-UK to the mid-east

Got that wrong. It's cheap and available between Europe and Asia.

The question remains: Where is the forum? :D

Maybe there is a traffic jam of tech stuff and the QR forum is backed up behind others. :D

(I couldn't believe that 'Sky News Centah' ALWAYS has QR ads either side of any news bulletins. Talk about monotonous. Hopefully that's changed by now!)

I fly QR since they are the cheapest from Asia to Africa in C and F, and their product on the A340 is vastly superior to pretty much any other airline.

I'm kind of sad QR will be leaving. Personally, I don't see why it needs its own forum, and it might leave this forum quite dead. Fully agree. :(

I fly QR since they are the cheapest from Asia to Africa in C and F, and their product on the A340 is vastly superior to pretty much any other airline.Unbelievable fares from Africa - and direct from CPT^ - in J (no F from here sadly) are what persuaded me to try them (to MLE). At those prices I would fly them again even though the schedules are "awkward" and they weren't exactly a flawless experience on the ground. In the air they generally impressed me.

But they're now competing with EK from CPT so I will in future choose based purely on price and schedule.

It was the HKG-DOH leg on the A340 that won me over. Nice timing and awesome service. And by far the cheapest way from HKG to NBO.

but where is the forum? :p

but where is the forum? :p

The delay is QueeR but there must be a reason.
The QR genie isn't out of his bottle yet, but patience is a virtue. ;)

So, how about my EY QueRy?

You know I have more EY news, but most of the flyers seem to be from the Mid-East or just don't visit FT!
(Maybe EY should put lots of annoying ads in Sky News to attract UK visitors to Sydney and the Gold Coast ;))

I fly QR since they are the cheapest from Asia to Africa in C and F, and their product on the A340 is vastly superior to pretty much any other airline.

Their coach fares are pretty darn good too !

Plus as a Privilege Club member, one gets relatively good service! And the occasionally op-up! :D

I booked last night to beat a deadline on a fare and also joined PC.
On a J fare, isn't BMI a better place for miles and status accumulation?

Looking forward to saying 'hello, QR!' :D