New QRPC Improvements
Oct 15, 2019, 8:08 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,757
Oct 15, 2019, 10:05 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,078
Well, after three months on the job, Jake has delivered on two minor ‘wins’. Thanks Jake and team.
However, Would have been great to see Platinums exempted from the ridiculous booking fees per reward flight segment. It is a reminder that QR ‘got ya’ again with the nickel and dimeing. Remove those fees for Platinums might be a real encourager for people to strive for Platinum status.
As a side note, I have over 1000 Qcredits and don’t see the adjustment. I wonder if it will not take effect on my dashboard until my renewal next September?
However, Would have been great to see Platinums exempted from the ridiculous booking fees per reward flight segment. It is a reminder that QR ‘got ya’ again with the nickel and dimeing. Remove those fees for Platinums might be a real encourager for people to strive for Platinum status.
As a side note, I have over 1000 Qcredits and don’t see the adjustment. I wonder if it will not take effect on my dashboard until my renewal next September?
Oct 15, 2019, 11:27 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: QR Platinum, Star Alliance Gold (LH Sen)
Posts: 764
The Al Safwa access is pretty big news for Platinum cardholders, and something which I first reported was being discussed 2 years ago.
It was sidelined, but Jacob has managed to get it across the line in the first 3 months of joining QR - so I think we can see that the focus has shifted on to making customers happy.
M
It was sidelined, but Jacob has managed to get it across the line in the first 3 months of joining QR - so I think we can see that the focus has shifted on to making customers happy.
M
It is good to see, that a new manager is implementing measures for the customer and not targetting cost cutting as his first move. The direction is the right one, so keep on Jacob....!
Oct 15, 2019, 11:32 pm
#49
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: QR Platinum, Star Alliance Gold (LH Sen)
Posts: 764
No company would release detailed information about such topic to the "general public" and I understand that. So general hints / information is what we got to "the numbers", what is fine in my opinion.
Oct 15, 2019, 11:47 pm
#50
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 795
I'm not sure I was particularly whinging either. Al Safwa access is really good for those booked in J, and the extra Qcredits are good for those travelling in Y.
But perhaps some additional uses for all these extra Qcredits that are entering the system would plug the gap though?
For example, maybe using them to achieve a percentage reduction on a Qmiles redemption?
There's no harm in making practical suggestions 😊
But perhaps some additional uses for all these extra Qcredits that are entering the system would plug the gap though?
For example, maybe using them to achieve a percentage reduction on a Qmiles redemption?
There's no harm in making practical suggestions 😊
Oct 15, 2019, 11:52 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: QR Platinum, Star Alliance Gold (LH Sen)
Posts: 764
I presume they have worked through the numbers on Al Safwa access. They could have tweaked this by, for example, charging accompanying guests a nominal fee - say USD 25 - for access, to see how the numbers went, and then waive the charge at a later date if there was still plenty of capacity. Win-win for QR in terms of enhancements. With this new policy, it would be so negative if they have to tighten up access later because of over-use.
The devil is in the detail, of course. The email states (my bolding): "From 16 October, Platinum members and 2 guests travelling in Business Class will be able to access Al Safwa lounge located at Hamad International Airport, Doha."
Does this include upgraded tickets? Also, what about Platinum members travelling in Y? It would have been so positive to grant them Al Mourjan access.
Does this include upgraded tickets? Also, what about Platinum members travelling in Y? It would have been so positive to grant them Al Mourjan access.
Yes, Platinum members in Y only got the additional Qcredit policy till now.
Oct 16, 2019, 12:13 am
#52
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,949
QR management specifically asked for none of the comments from the meeting to be revealed until they had done so themselves, and those present respected that. I asked whether I could reveal that there would be upcoming improvements, albeit not mention them, and was told that I could.
M
Oct 16, 2019, 12:15 am
#53
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,949
I totally agree, access to Al Safwa is big news for Platinum cardholders! And the wording "....travelling in Business class...." would imply for me, that upgraded tickets should be eligible as well. Let´s see...
It is good to see, that a new manager is implementing measures for the customer and not targetting cost cutting as his first move. The direction is the right one, so keep on Jacob....!
It is good to see, that a new manager is implementing measures for the customer and not targetting cost cutting as his first move. The direction is the right one, so keep on Jacob....!
M
Oct 16, 2019, 12:57 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I think it's not the company's totally understandable discretion railways is irritated by, it's posters hinting at insider knowledge.
Oct 16, 2019, 1:30 am
#55
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: QR Platinum, Star Alliance Gold (LH Sen)
Posts: 764
Oct 16, 2019, 2:01 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
A difficulty with QR is the autonomy managers enjoy: well, the lack of it. It seems pretty clear that the marketing strategy is product is king, and it trumps FFP (and predatory pricing) in attracting and maintaining passenger demand.
Al Safwa can be seen as enhancing the trip experience, so so it can be sold as a no-cost boost to the wider marketing straegy. It's going to be difficult for the team managing the FFP to row against the tide with more meaningful changes: and generally, in any company, there's resistance to back-tracking.
Me? I'd happily pick up my QR card again, but being allowed in Al Safwa isn't going to swing it. While I'm pleased to fly QR, I do it because of the product: I'm happy to salt the miles away into my BAEC account.
Oct 16, 2019, 3:00 am
#58
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,078
Considering it is already a leap to go from gold at 300 and platinum at 600, I would think it correct the benefits to be similarly proportionate in value. Again, it's the carrot to encourage people to strive for the higher level.
Oct 16, 2019, 3:18 am
#59
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,727
My biggest concern is the poor Miles burn rates. And lack of award availability. Better this year but oh well, I have moved my business to Star Alliance in general. Well, not that I give big business to QR anyway.
The zero notice on the massive devaluation is hard to swallow and the online upgrades issues with q credits... I just can't help but move away from the programme. Nevertheless, I do miss QR business class. They are really top of the world in flight.
The zero notice on the massive devaluation is hard to swallow and the online upgrades issues with q credits... I just can't help but move away from the programme. Nevertheless, I do miss QR business class. They are really top of the world in flight.
