Lunch with Lesley – Attendees

[Reggie]

Hmmm. A clever non-answer from QFF, I think. Thank you Princess Fiona.

Well, it's not a published benefit, so I guess we can't reasonably complain about it if it's enhanced.

mrpooky.

My question was more related to the comp level on the 3 year average than the soft landing. To be fair to Steph, I don't think there was a no answer either from QFF at the table or in front of the group. Steph did say it was an unpublished benefit but as Princess Fiona has said Qantas is aware that loyalty extends to more than one year. My take was that QFF allow for this with the soft landing and look at more than the 3 year average when considering loyalty.

 

[Reggie]

Thanks to QF Loyalty (RedRoo, Lesley, Steph, Katie and others) and my fellow WA AFF travellers mannej and JohnM for a wonderful trip, stay at the Sofitel and lunch at Gowings.

Yes they may have been some marketing hype (but hey QF paid for the flights and lunch so they want to get something from it), however all questions asked were answered, there was no avoidance. the biggest issue was a very short period of time for 24 members x 3 questions each (not allowing for same questions asked) plus questions without notice. There will be some people not at the lunch who will be upset that their question wasn't asked, but time just didn't permit. As it was there 4 "last question"s.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The message was that the program isn't set in stone and they are keen for feedback, but their model is to see how things work before making changes. So while there were some key points they took onboard, others might need more investigating over time.

and people honestly believe that? I can't recall a single 'enhancement' that has been reversed?

but i see plenty of problems that aren't even addressed... like being able to book an award seat out of Thailand.

To be honest... I could manage with a lot of these changes... but the one thing that lets QF down is the inconsistency of service... be it ground staff (just don't know the rules... 'pick up your bags in Sydney even though you're connecting to oneworld'), call centre staff ('we know better than you'), cabin crew (we've got attitude, please thank us for bothering to turn up), catering ('so what if we run out of food and beverages, be thankful you're flying with us').

there are great QF staff, but the bad ones ruin it. It's often just not worth the risk to fly QF these days.

if QF could fix that I'm convinced they'd get more premium revenue.

as for asking about questions such as 'soft landings'... my gut feeling is that questions like that will only be used to 'enhance' the benefit in future. What QF hasn't turned their attention to (eg if it's computer generated) maybe better to let sleeping dogs lie?

 

[QF WP]

Now that I'm finally home and can see who formatted my posts, I'd like to thank QF WP!

I was surprised at your ability to get so many full Q & A's down in print, so the least I could do was format them so you could get on with more typing.

I knew you realised somebody behind the scenes was helping if you saw the formatting change

 

[TomVexille]

I only just got around to finally reading this, but it looks like everyone who was lucky enough to attend had a great time and a big thanks to samh004.for posting all the Q&A's

 

[medhead]

Forgive me for not reading Sam's posting of the Q&A. One thing I took away was the Simplification of the award table and upgrade table. They are working on simplification of the table and aligning it with the simplified earning table. This is a slow process because they are concerned about not increasing the cost of awards as an unintended consequence of the new regional settings. So this change will take a bit of time was the answer. It wasn't clear if they appreciated that increasing the mileage zones for the short and medium haul domestic implied that some domestic awards should become cheaper.

As for the simplification itself, taking one massive table with all possible routes and cutting it down to the new table, technically this is simpler. However, I'm not sure the explanation accounts for the the wonders of the human mind that allows us to take two bits of information and combine them. The old way involved finding the mileage and then applying that to a very simple table. A system that was never intended to be one massive big long table. Glad they had a justification but I think simplification is a nil all draw.

Yes they may have been some marketing hype (but hey QF paid for the flights and lunch so they want to get something from it), however all questions asked were answered, there was no avoidance. the biggest issue was a very short period of time for 24 members x 3 questions each (not allowing for same questions asked) plus questions without notice. There will be some people not at the lunch who will be upset that their question wasn't asked, but time just didn't permit. As it was there 4 "last question"s.

I agree there simply wasn't time to answer all the questions about such a big change. They also did answer every question. But I think there was a element of avoidance in the answers given, as they didn't always address the real issues. There was also some very similar answers given by different people to the same question asked at the table and in the general Q&A. Suggesting a level of scripting.

Still they gave the answers I expected to the questions. As someone else said at our table, it is exactly what I'd do in their position. The benefit is that issues can be raised and taken away for consideration.

I do feel bad that Justin didn't get to enjoy his lunch due to being bombarded with questions at our table.

 

[medhead]

and people honestly believe that? I can't recall a single 'enhancement' that has been reversed?

To be honest... I could manage with a lot of these changes... but the one thing that lets QF down is the inconsistency of service... be it ground staff (just don't know the rules... 'pick up your bags in Sydney even though you're connecting to oneworld'), call centre staff ('we know better than you'), cabin crew (we've got attitude, please thank us for bothering to turn up), catering ('so what if we run out of food and beverages, be thankful you're flying with us').

There are a few enhancements that have been reconsidered and refined as a result of feedback. I think that is the best we can expect here.

Red Roo is it too late to add inconsistency to my list of 3 negatives?

Anyway, I better stop thinking on this, too many things I'd add in hindsight.

 

[medhead]

Actually, who was at the table with me that raised the analogy about saving up baggage allowance and using it all at once?

I wasn't actually suggesting we should be able to save up all out guest allowance to use on one visit. I was actually suggesting a trade off between the fixed 2 guests per visit versus having one or two extra guests once or twice per year. I would like recognition that allows me to bring in immediate family on a rare occasion, rather than 2 random strangers everytime I fly.

They could achieve this by issuing a small number of annual guest passes per year, say gold 2, plat 3/4, plat one 4-6, for use when travelling with the status member at the same lounge level as the member (possibly for family only). Any problems with fraud or forgery could be solved with technology. But I can't imagine those are big problems given the large number of guest passes that are handed out with credit cards and etc. these days.

 

[docjames]

Just caught up with this thread.

Thanks to all who posted q&a's, especially samh004 for the "running commentary".

 

[samh004]

and people honestly believe that? I can't recall a single 'enhancement' that has been reversed?

Anytime access was removed, there was a backlash and arrivals access was introduced (to the best of my knowledge).

 

[Mattg]

Actually, who was at the table with me that raised the analogy about saving up baggage allowance and using it all at once?

I wasn't actually suggesting we should be able to save up all out guest allowance to use on one visit. I was actually suggesting a trade off between the fixed 2 guests per visit versus having one or two extra guests once or twice per year. I would like recognition that allows me to bring in immediate family on a rare occasion, rather than 2 random strangers everytime I fly.

They could achieve this by issuing a small number of annual guest passes per year, say gold 2, plat 3/4, plat one 4-6, for use when travelling with the status member at the same lounge level as the member (possibly for family only). Any problems with fraud or forgery could be solved with technology. But I can't imagine those are big problems given the large number of guest passes that are handed out with credit cards and etc. these days.

I actually think this is a very good idea. I quite often don't use my guest allowance but it would be very nice to bring in my whole family on the odd occasion we fly together.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Anytime access was removed, there was a backlash and arrivals access was introduced (to the best of my knowledge).

thats my point... hardly a 'reversal'... we didn't get anytime access back.

 

[Happy Trails]

thats my point... hardly a 'reversal'... we didn't get anytime access back.

And arrivals access was sneakily wound back from dom and international to domestic only.

 

[medhead]

thats my point... hardly a 'reversal'... we didn't get anytime access back.

A refinement that addressed Qantas' concerns as well as providing an important element of ATA for platinum status. The other side of the scales, I more than doubled the annual number of flights I took with VA in response to removing ATA.

And arrivals access was sneakily wound back from dom and international to domestic only.

In practical terms was there ever arrivals access? Most airports in Australia separate arrivals and departures and only allow lounge access from departures levels.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A refinement that addressed Qantas' concerns as well as providing an important element of ATA for platinum status.

accepted... but it's on their terms.

they say (spend millions of dollars?) on campaigns saying we are the reason they fly.

but everything is about them.

as you say - little things like removal of ATA, or even removal of free exit rows... potentially costs them thousands in lost revenue in the broader picture.

sure they have the right to determine how to run their business... but we ultimately have the right to fly someone else.

 

[amaroo]

Has anyone mentioned whether DSC offers have been canned?

No. They're targeted and at some point you might get one, but it's about getting you to spend.

"DSC are still happening but they want to be unpredictable - so don't rely on them"

I'll have a half! Didn't have to wait long, received this morning.

Get the Status credit advantage

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Register and book a new eligible Qantas flight[SUP]^[/SUP] between 9 April and 17 April 2014, for travel between 9 April and 31 May 2014. And make sure your Qantas Frequent Flyer number is in your booking, so you can start earning 50% more Status credits[SUP]*[/SUP]. The more you fly, the greater the rewards.

BTW from the T&C...

Qantas Segments booked in X, U, Z or P classes are eligible to earn points and Status credits only when booked as part of a Qantas & Jetstar Any Seat Award.

 

[blackcat20]

Now that I'm also back home (and tucked up in bed wearing my Qantas PJs of course!) I just also wanted to say it was really great to put faces to names/handles!

I hope oped there will be a Melbourne catch up soon.

(there is a Melbourne dinner this weekend...)

 

[pm3207]

Just wanted to add my thanks to Red Roo and the Qantas team for yesterday's lunch. Was great to meet so many AFFers including the Melbourne crew. Look forward to catching up again soon.

Cheers,
pm3207

 

[Happy Trails]

In practical terms was there ever arrivals access? Most airports in Australia separate arrivals and departures and only allow lounge access from departures levels.

I was thinking of SIN in particular, which I was using frequently at the time.

 

[QF WP]

*minimises AFF and opens emails, searches inbox*

*then junk folder* :-|

No, nothing here

Great opportunity amaroo, guess I shouldn't plan to meet you between now and 31 May - you may not be home :mrgreen: