I've felt the sting of the QFF Loyalty Middle Finger

[Ansett]

Thought QFF Loyalty would have twisted the rules here for a loyal customer that has had status consistently over a decade and who has just purchased some premium fares.

If some one with this history and spend cant do anything what hope is there for the rest of us

 

[Kangol]

No problems says I - I need to fly again in October. I'll book travel for myself and my business partner - $26,000 worth of First flights to Asia and the USA.

Booking F on BA to SIN or (seasonal) JL to NRT may not look good in the eyes of QF

 

[Kangol]

It's mainly for LAX - I transit through there fairly often on domestic AA flights.

If on inbound long haul F, yes you get access to the T4 F/L, which is both a dom and int lounge:
Lounge access - oneworld
Read the COS part.

 

[jamesatfish]

Booking F on BA to SIN or (seasonal) JL to NRT may not look good in the eyes of QF

Probably not, but assumably QF11/12 to LAX and QF61/62 to NRT are more their liking, even if the latter is only in J.

Not my fault they dropped First from QF127 to HKG so I can't book that anymore.

 

[jamesatfish]

If on inbound long haul F, yes you get access to the T4 F/L, which is both a dom and int lounge:
Lounge access - oneworld
Read the COS part.

Inbound yes, but internal flights (eg SFO-LAX-AUS) are where the magic shiny card is needed.

 

[JohnK]

Not sure I understand what the problem is. Haven't the clearly stated rules been correctly applied?

The problem is the all the silly gimmicks in place to offer status to those who have spent and are spending a lot less to maintain Platinum.

Also the letter GPH posts up thread is totally wrong. PlatinumStatus Accelerator? 400 SCs and Platinum status is all yours. What the....

 

[jamesatfish]

I'm still a bit confused. If you buy domestic F, doesn't that get you into the flagship lounges?

Not with AA. Domestic F doesn't include lounge access - in the US that only comes with status.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not with AA. Domestic F doesn't include lounge access - in the US that only comes with status.

With the exception of First and business classes on 3-cabin JFK-LAX/SFO flights and LAX-MIA - they also get lounge access.

If QF really wanted to reward long-term loyalty they'd have introduced a lifetime platinum. SQ did for PPS. BA has. But QF has chosen not to. That shows their level of commitment straight off - so not surprising you get a rejection when asking for an extension.

However - I'm not sure of the major advantage of platinum for the trip to the USA. The difference between AAdmirals Clubs and Flagship lounges aren't that major for a one off.

 

[Austman]

Not with AA. Domestic F doesn't include lounge access - in the US that only comes with status.

Yes - I now realise that and deleted my post. But not quick enough!

You need a 5 hour or more international connecting flight or be travelling:

New York (JFK) - Los Angeles (LAX)
New York (JFK) - San Francisco (SFO)
Los Angeles (LAX) - Miami (MIA)

 

[serfty]

Not with AA. Domestic F doesn't include lounge access - in the US that only comes with status.

How close are you to LTG?

 

[jamesatfish]

How close are you to LTG?

Reached it years ago.

So yes, I can still get Admirals Club access if needed.

Thanks for reminding me how 'first world problem' I'm being.

 

[Austman]

How close are you to LTG?

OP is already according to post #1? LTG = OW Sapphire = AA lounge access (except for flagship)?

 

[Kangol]

Inbound yes, but internal flights (eg SFO-LAX-AUS) are where the magic shiny card is needed.

Whoops, overlooked the solely domestic part.
A double whammy is if you are in Y and have your QF WP (OWE) number in, the system sometimes sees you as an AA EXP and you can be eligible for a complimentary domestic upgrade. Don't know what it's like now with the increased numbers of US airways elites becoming EXP.

 

[knasty]

It does seem trivial but yes, I do like to partly justify my business expenses in these cases by the personal benefits I can get out the other side.

Good question re AA points - maybe time to credit to AA instead?

I would. I did...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

There are AA Flagship lounges at LAX, ORD, JFK and LHR. There used to be one at DFW. There are rumors of adding new ones at DFW and MIA.

Don't forget the Amex Centurion Lounges in LAS, DFW, MIA, LGA & SFO (& SEA this year) which you can use with Amex Plat Charge, Reserve or Edge cards.

Amex Centurion Lounges: Locations, Access, and Amenities

It does seem trivial but yes, I do like to partly justify my business expenses in these cases by the personal benefits I can get out the other side.

Good question re AA points - maybe time to credit to AA instead?

A few people here on AFF reach QF LTG then take the opportunity to jump ship to BA (who have lifetime Platinum) or AA who have attractive points levels & low taxes for award flights. Trippin_the_rift would be the best person to ask in that regard.

 

[jamesatfish]

Thanks to all for your replies!

After chilling for a few hours I do realise that my post is a candidate to appear in the next AFF newsletter as "Self-entitled member really puts the W in WP".

In reality Qantas' decision here doesn't have too much real world bearing. I won't lose any lounge access privileges except for the AA Flagship Lounge when I transit LAX on domestic flights, being in the F cabin for AA Domestic still gives priority boarding and I travel with carry-on so there's no luggage allowance issue as a result of the drop to OW Sapphire.

By the same token, that's what annoys me the most. Aside from the risk that I cancel my booked flights after extending my WP membership Qantas has pretty much nothing to gain from rejecting my request. It's going to cost them the same in glasses of Veuve at the F Lounge regardless of whether I'm WP or SG at the time.

By rejecting my extension request all they've done is make me feel worthless - all these years and lots of money spent and they don't feel there's any need to reward that loyalty in kind, even in such a trivial way.

I just sit here thinking of one particular client of mine who spent 6 figures with me each year for several years, but hasn't given me much work recently. If he walks in the door tomorrow, booked in some more work and then asks me for a favour, do I tell him to get stuffed until the end of the year when the bills are paid and he's a 6 figure customer again?

A few people here on AFF reach QF LTG then take the opportunity to jump ship to BA (who have lifetime Platinum) or AA who have attractive points levels & low taxes for award flights. Trippin_the_rift would be the best person to ask in that regard.

Thanks - I'll send him a PM shortly and have a chat.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks to all for your replies!

After chilling for a few hours I do realise that my post is a candidate to appear in the next AFF newsletter as "Self-entitled member really puts the W in WP".
<snip>.

Chill some more. There's plenty of competition for that

 

[drron]

You are entitled to feel the way you do.Loyalty should be a 2 way street.
Another example of just how silly QFF can be.AA is my primary program.I am LTP there,plus life QP.2 years ago I got to PS with QFF due to those JASAs.Absolutely no intention of continuing any crediting to QF except for any domestic flight that wont earn on QF.Had ~ 100 SCs at the end of my last anniversary date.So I am comped PS.

 

[amaroo]

Look on the bright side - you'll get a new card with LIFETIME etched on it ... even better when the lifetime is only for 3 months :mrgreen:

 

[banger2]

The OP's issue seems simple here. A very loyal customer has been treated to the rules and only the rules.

A great customer experience could have been created by a CSR who recognised the value of a loyal customer, and tried a bit harder than no....but appears to have been an opportunity lost.

No company creates a great customer experience, it is the people on the frontline who can understand the meaning of providing a great experience both within the rules and helping to flex those same rules with some discretion.

I work in a customer service roll of sorts, and if I provided this type of service I fully expect I would have earned the customers business this time. But the next time, I would have lost it (more to the point I would not have had a chance at it)....exactly what is happening here.....the OP is now shopping around for someone else to appreciate his custom.