Upcoming Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes
#106
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 202
#108
Company Representative - Qantas Airways
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: Qantas Airways
Posts: 72
Apologies for the less frequent updates here, I've been trying to satisfy the voracious appetite at AFF, with 29 posts from me over the last day.
Rest assured, we appreciate your input here. There are differences in the audiences between the two forums and it's useful to have that perspective.
Rest assured, we appreciate your input here. There are differences in the audiences between the two forums and it's useful to have that perspective.
#109
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
The increase in Cabin bonus benefits Platinum Members more significantly than other tiers, by virtue of the cabins typically flown. Platinum Frequent Flyers have a distinctly higher incidence in premium cabins, compared to other tiers.
In our last round of changes, we added a reward option of 50,000 points at 2400 Status credits, which has been extremely popular, in fact more popular than any of the other options available at 2400 Status credits.
Just to reiterate the point, Platinum remains a oneworld Emerald tier with access to the Qantas International First Lounge and Domestic Business Lounge. This has been a concern raised on AFF, so we just wanted to make this clear. Platinum One will involve the introduction of new benefits in addition to what Platinum Frequent Flyers have today.
I can't say too much at this point in time, but we are paying extra attention to Platinum Frequent Flyers for the upgrade process.
There has been work taking place behind the scenes on improving delivery of benefits, such as baggage delivery.
In our last round of changes, we added a reward option of 50,000 points at 2400 Status credits, which has been extremely popular, in fact more popular than any of the other options available at 2400 Status credits.
Just to reiterate the point, Platinum remains a oneworld Emerald tier with access to the Qantas International First Lounge and Domestic Business Lounge. This has been a concern raised on AFF, so we just wanted to make this clear. Platinum One will involve the introduction of new benefits in addition to what Platinum Frequent Flyers have today.
I can't say too much at this point in time, but we are paying extra attention to Platinum Frequent Flyers for the upgrade process.
There has been work taking place behind the scenes on improving delivery of benefits, such as baggage delivery.
The change to loyalty bonus is also not affected by status, it is just that Platinums to attain/retain status will achieve at least 1 lot more than Gold.
The fact that the 50,000 points at 2400 is so popular is probably an indication of the poor quality of the other offerings and the inflated redemption costs for QF.
What I wanted was recognition of status benefits with JQ instead I see vastly increased prices and a reversal of the value of the product which will take me back to NZ domestic and now retention of NZ Gold.
IMO these changes were designed by QF to keep the most vulnerable flyers, Silvers and Golds from DJ and I am thinking that it may have driven Platinums to accept the drop to Gold and to fly the competition when the value is better as the Business Lounges are not significantly better than the Qantas Club or THe Lounge.
I have no desire to go for Partner Gold or even Platinum One and appreciate the Platinum will retain some of its former Lounge Access, not that there are too many lounges in NZ.
Improve the lounge offerings, baggage priority, JQ recognition, upgrade process and better value redemptions.
#110
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
To make matters worse, QF has not had a market leading J or F (with the exception of A380 F) product in many years. Even the "new J" (yet to be rolled out on the 747 fleet) won't be particularly ground breaking. The irony is that the situation cannot be particularly great for shareholders either as it's not an efficient use of the space to create a flat bed cabin- the new CX, US, AY, LX, DL and AC cabins are all arguably better.
As they say, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig!
#111
#112
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sydney
Programs: QF Plat, VA Gold, HH Diam, PC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,082
#113
#114
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SYD
Programs: QF Platinum (LTG), OW Emerald, Accor Platinum; Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 2,165
The increase in Cabin bonus benefits Platinum Members more significantly than other tiers, by virtue of the cabins typically flown. Platinum Frequent Flyers have a distinctly higher incidence in premium cabins, compared to other tiers.
In our last round of changes, we added a reward option of 50,000 points at 2400 Status credits, which has been extremely popular, in fact more popular than any of the other options available at 2400 Status credits.
Just to reiterate the point, Platinum remains a oneworld Emerald tier with access to the Qantas International First Lounge and Domestic Business Lounge. This has been a concern raised on AFF, so we just wanted to make this clear. Platinum One will involve the introduction of new benefits in addition to what Platinum Frequent Flyers have today.
I can't say too much at this point in time, but we are paying extra attention to Platinum Frequent Flyers for the upgrade process.
There has been work taking place behind the scenes on improving delivery of benefits, such as baggage delivery.
In our last round of changes, we added a reward option of 50,000 points at 2400 Status credits, which has been extremely popular, in fact more popular than any of the other options available at 2400 Status credits.
Just to reiterate the point, Platinum remains a oneworld Emerald tier with access to the Qantas International First Lounge and Domestic Business Lounge. This has been a concern raised on AFF, so we just wanted to make this clear. Platinum One will involve the introduction of new benefits in addition to what Platinum Frequent Flyers have today.
I can't say too much at this point in time, but we are paying extra attention to Platinum Frequent Flyers for the upgrade process.
There has been work taking place behind the scenes on improving delivery of benefits, such as baggage delivery.
I'm sorry to labour the point but there is still ZERO new for platinums in this "upgrade" of the QF FF program. Bronze, Silver, Gold all got something and you created a plat 1 with benefits to be announced. Plats received zip, nudda, niente. You have only recited what we currently get.
Once again I realise you are a foot soldier but from my perspective I'll never reach Plat 1, as many plats wont; thus this whole episode for many loyal plat pax has been a non event. Qantas have left a present under the Christmas Tree for all tiers except plats-simple as that yet we have been the most loyal-have I missed something here?
As for the luggage I certainly hope QF is simply applying logic here;it's not rocket science having premium bags off-loaded first AND more importantly onto the belt/carousel first
I appreciate your input and respond with all due respect
CJ
Last edited by Cedar Jet; May 18, 2011 at 7:36 am
#115
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 949
I do think Qantas has lost it, and my family has been loyal for countless years now. A QF Platinum flying on CX gets much better treatment compared to flying on QF.
Personally, once the Virgin Australia transformation is complete (assuming the product is comparable at least on a price point) it may be good bye to QF, especially as QF is quite useless internationally.
I know this is besides the point of a frequent flyer upgrade. QF service has gone downhill in recent times too. The most recent example, My Dad (Platinum+PG for countless years), on a flight from BKK a couple of weeks ago in J, declined the entree and main meal. He requested a fruit plate with one piece of cheese. This request was denied as it is "Fruit or Cheese only" - with no apology, and the F/A moved on. Not to mention the Boeing 747 featuring lie-flat and not fully-flat seats. I know this may seem like a superficial example, but it is the small differences that can make all the difference in a competitive marketplace.
The point of including the above example - Qantas reduce the benefits to Platinum Frequent Flyers. Qantas charge a higher price for J than any other airline out of Australia yet offer a declining and substandard level of service. Where is the benefit of sticking with QF?
Personally, once the Virgin Australia transformation is complete (assuming the product is comparable at least on a price point) it may be good bye to QF, especially as QF is quite useless internationally.
I know this is besides the point of a frequent flyer upgrade. QF service has gone downhill in recent times too. The most recent example, My Dad (Platinum+PG for countless years), on a flight from BKK a couple of weeks ago in J, declined the entree and main meal. He requested a fruit plate with one piece of cheese. This request was denied as it is "Fruit or Cheese only" - with no apology, and the F/A moved on. Not to mention the Boeing 747 featuring lie-flat and not fully-flat seats. I know this may seem like a superficial example, but it is the small differences that can make all the difference in a competitive marketplace.
The point of including the above example - Qantas reduce the benefits to Platinum Frequent Flyers. Qantas charge a higher price for J than any other airline out of Australia yet offer a declining and substandard level of service. Where is the benefit of sticking with QF?
#116
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NUE,MUC,INN,FDH
Programs: QF LTG, LH (SEN*** till 02/26), AF, AA, AB-G†
Posts: 2,076
To make matters worse, QF has not had a market leading J or F (with the exception of A380 F) product in many years. Even the "new J" (yet to be rolled out on the 747 fleet) won't be particularly ground breaking. The irony is that the situation cannot be particularly great for shareholders either as it's not an efficient use of the space to create a flat bed cabin- the new CX, US, AY, LX, DL and AC cabins are all arguably better.
Similar as BA, SQ is slightly better. But QF offers very attractive Fares form Germany to Australia.
#117
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NUE,MUC,INN,FDH
Programs: QF LTG, LH (SEN*** till 02/26), AF, AA, AB-G†
Posts: 2,076
I do not mind a superduper Platinum, as it is out of reach for me.
I do not mind the increase of the status-bonus of PS and SG.
The change of the Loyalty Bonus is quite significant for my NB/PS Family. They wont fly 500 SC/Year. So why should they be loyal. Now they will get nil/nada/nothing.
For me, as I will end up with 1200 SC, it wont be a big change.
On the other hand: My goal of LTG will be a bit more attractive.
What I would like to see:
Cabin Bonus similar on BA and AA.
Why is there no status bonus on IB, as they are now one group with BA?
#118
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
I don't disagree, however I think you have missed the whole picture I was trying to paint. Also QF probably don't consider LH much of a competitor due to their positions geographically.
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
+1. Keep that one a secret. I'm just finalising a trip to the EU on LH because their Biz fare is thousands less than QF. And since LH pays very well into the UA program, it'll get me over my UA status level again.
#120
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: East Cheam
Programs: QF, BA, VA
Posts: 198
Oh dear QF is getting a bit of a bashing over at Facebook over the recent announcement.
The more I think about it the more I believe that QF is failing in it's communication strategy. On face value there should be a lot of satisfied customers. PS and SG got a nice points bump. There is a new top level WP to aim for too. The group that misses out is WP, it does't really lose out, it misses out.
I suspect QF would have expected some positive responses to the announcement.
If I were Alan Joyce I'd want to understand why there has not been such a positive response. QF is suffering the same issue that faces a lot of large corporations that deal directly with the public:- The pace of change in social media.
These days an announcement is analyzed and dissected by a number of QF's frequent flyers within minutes of release. Feedback is fast and furious and any flaws are picked out rapidly and posted in forums, on twitter and Facebook.
I believe that QF has to find a way to deal with this and embrace it. To be serious in the social media QF will need to allocate appropriate resource. Keeping up with Forums and feeds is a full time job for a department.
Why would QF do this? I think it would get them closer to their customers, and give them a better understanding of expectations. It just might make program announcements thet bit easier. It would be a little uncomfortable for the QF management, because it would mean empowering the front line staff in the social media to be able to answer questions and deal with problems.
None of this is easy, keeping up with the pace of change in media is hard even in small businesses.
I'm sorry if I have offended anyone by this post. I am certainly not being critical of Red Roo who I believe has a incredibly difficult job to do. (i am however critical of QF's management) I just sincerely believe that the QF management has to embrace change and commit to using social media to the full.
For me the lack of incentives for WP is poor, and the handling of the announcement was very poor. We had marketing blurb directly contradicting terms & conditions.
As a WP I feel unloved and wait with baited breath to see how the upgrade issue will pan out. Come on QF look after your WP's!!
The more I think about it the more I believe that QF is failing in it's communication strategy. On face value there should be a lot of satisfied customers. PS and SG got a nice points bump. There is a new top level WP to aim for too. The group that misses out is WP, it does't really lose out, it misses out.
I suspect QF would have expected some positive responses to the announcement.
If I were Alan Joyce I'd want to understand why there has not been such a positive response. QF is suffering the same issue that faces a lot of large corporations that deal directly with the public:- The pace of change in social media.
These days an announcement is analyzed and dissected by a number of QF's frequent flyers within minutes of release. Feedback is fast and furious and any flaws are picked out rapidly and posted in forums, on twitter and Facebook.
I believe that QF has to find a way to deal with this and embrace it. To be serious in the social media QF will need to allocate appropriate resource. Keeping up with Forums and feeds is a full time job for a department.
Why would QF do this? I think it would get them closer to their customers, and give them a better understanding of expectations. It just might make program announcements thet bit easier. It would be a little uncomfortable for the QF management, because it would mean empowering the front line staff in the social media to be able to answer questions and deal with problems.
None of this is easy, keeping up with the pace of change in media is hard even in small businesses.
I'm sorry if I have offended anyone by this post. I am certainly not being critical of Red Roo who I believe has a incredibly difficult job to do. (i am however critical of QF's management) I just sincerely believe that the QF management has to embrace change and commit to using social media to the full.
For me the lack of incentives for WP is poor, and the handling of the announcement was very poor. We had marketing blurb directly contradicting terms & conditions.
As a WP I feel unloved and wait with baited breath to see how the upgrade issue will pan out. Come on QF look after your WP's!!
Last edited by TonyHancock; May 19, 2011 at 12:53 am Reason: Fixing up typos from predective text!!!!!!