"Loyalty"

[juddles]

Hey there all,

am feeling negative and confrontative tonight, and I just read a few posts in a couple of different threads that mentioned "loyalty".

The usual gripe is that "I have been loyal to XYZ airline" but they did not let me pull stunt "ABC"......

My perception of many who shout loyalty (and the inevitable discourse on how the airline ignores that) is that there was no actual loyalty to start with - the pax purchased tickets for price/ employer guidelines/ etc. That is not true "loyalty".

Forgive me for being harsh, but there are some people out there who purchase three discount domestic economy fares and feel they are "loyal" to whatever airline and suddenly think they deserve an upgrade on a round the world ticket from discount economy to business............

aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh!!!!!!

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I'd also throw into the mix QF pax below Platinum who, arrogantly in my opinion, brag about using Qantas Clubs as arrivals lounges. "I just show my Gold card and they wave me through." Probably the same people who complain about the QP being crowded with people less loyal than them.

 

[Pleb Status]

They are also the ones who likely 'earned' their status using DSC promotions etc...

 

[boomy]

Some fail to distinguish between loyalty and frequent flying.

Someone who only flys 2-3 paid long hauls per year, even if they been loyal to the same airline for 20 years, that airline will most likely never reward them for their blind loyalty.

On the other had someone who flys on the same airline 10-15 paid long hauls per year will most likely get rewarded for their frequent flying, even if this number represents only a fraction of their yearly total flying and they are not at all loyal to any airline.

 

[juddles]

I also suspect that the use of the word "loyalty" is incorrect in most of their situations. In my book, "loyalty" is not something you "do" just for the purpose of gaining specific rewards.

 

[Denali]

Facebook is a good read when you really analyse the persons complaint. I checked in late but you blah blah blah is a popular one.

Also love when someone complains that a flight delay means they should get rights to the lounge and complains when they dont. Because only they should get into the lounge and not the other 200 Y pax with them who are also delayed, only they are special, not anyone else.

We're loyal to VA because of the 100% bonus points tier and even then, thats no longer a given these days.

 

[oz_mark]

To me, the term ^loyalty^ is a nice rerm but a misnomer. It is a sructured marketing program, designed to give you the sense of getting value for money. The status level are a tool to.massage egos.

End of the day, people use programs as they offer them some sort of value. Nothing more. Nothing less. And nothing to do with airlines being loyal to you.

 

[Happy Dude]

They are also the ones who likely 'earned' their status using DSC promotions etc...

Or had their employer pay for it.

 

[Happy Dude]

Loyal or otherwise, everyone wants just one thing: preferential treatment.

 

[drron]

Actually I want bang for my buck hence being able to get awards through 4 airlines now and hopefully 5 next year.
Now that is loyalty.........to the best deal at the time.

 

[Gold60]

I would be much more loyal if they gave me slightly more legroom in my Y seats.....

 

[Deleted member]

I have always believed that so called loyalty programs are in fact "Frequency" programs. that said I would like to think that with veery few exceptions, I am in fact QF loyal. unless it isn't practical to fly QF, you will always find me flying Qantas.

 

[whughes3]

I would have thought that the only kind of "loyalty" the airlines really value is that which adds $$$$$ to their bottom line. A person who, say, flies MEL<->LHR in F twice a year is probably a much more apprecaited customer than someone who does 100 MEL-SYD "Red e-deals" a year. In fact I would think that, for the same profit return, the less you fly with them the better from their POV!

 

[Pleb Status]

I would be much more loyal if they gave me slightly more legroom in my Y seats.....

There already is an Australian airline that 'rewards' their WP with free extra legroom seats...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I would have thought that the only kind of "loyalty" the airlines really value is that which adds $$$$$ to their bottom line. A person who, say, flies MEL<->LHR in F twice a year is probably a much more apprecaited customer than someone who does 100 MEL-SYD "Red e-deals" a year. In fact I would think that, for the same profit return, the less you fly with them the better from their POV!

yeah. I was thinking about that. Sure a gold on $110 fares MEL-SYD is gaining status the hard way, but how much profit are they generating for the airline?

But that doesn't seem to be the way QF values it. They allow a gold on $110 fares in to the same lounge as a one-off flyer paying $12000 to fly business class MEL-LAX. I wrote about this in a thread earlier this year but the overwhelming consensus was that business class pax on a $12,000 fare (generating massive profits) should not be afforded any recognition over a gold on $110 fares. So I dunno if it actually holds that a person paying premium business class *is* much more appreciated. Sure doesn't feel that way from QF (although QF is not alone here).

I'd much prefer to see a revenue based system.

 

[andye]

...
I'd much prefer to see a revenue based system.

Pereonally I'd disagree strongly-the arbitrage is a strong part of the appeal of FF programmes to me

And

The domestic QP is not the same as an Int F lounge

 

[Vic]

yeah. I was thinking about that. Sure a gold on $110 fares MEL-SYD is gaining status the hard way, but how much profit are they generating for the airline?

But that doesn't seem to be the way QF values it. They allow a gold on $110 fares in to the same lounge as a one-off flyer paying $12000 to fly business class MEL-LAX. I wrote about this in a thread earlier this year but the overwhelming consensus was that business class pax on a $12,000 fare (generating massive profits) should not be afforded any recognition over a gold on $110 fares. So I dunno if it actually holds that a person paying premium business class *is* much more appreciated. Sure doesn't feel that way from QF (although QF is not alone here).

I'd much prefer to see a revenue based system.

You ask how much profit 100 $110 fares generates but then go on to claim that a single business fare generates more profit. Anything to back up this opinion?

 

[Happy Dude]

I also suspect that the use of the word "loyalty" is incorrect in most of their situations. In my book, "loyalty" is not something you "do" just for the purpose of gaining specific rewards.

Not sure I understand this Juddles. Plenty here do candy runs and focus spending with a particular group with the aim of hitting a status level that comes with specific rewards/benefits. That's loyalty and it entrenches further loyalty because of the rewards.

 

[Gold60]

Aside from the points, the other thing I like about Y on Virgin is their Economy X seats, being a tall person...

There already is an Australian airline that 'rewards' their WP with free extra legroom seats...[/QUOTE

 

[drron]

Not sure I understand this Juddles. Plenty here do candy runs and focus spending with a particular group with the aim of hitting a status level that comes with specific rewards/benefits. That's loyalty and it entrenches further loyalty because of the rewards.

Though it could be called being a points junkie or even just self interest rather than loyalty.