Thinking of making the switch...

[Muzfly]

Apologies as am sure this has been probably done to death here before.... Am a Platinum QF FF and am very happy with the QF product but am finding that their long haul international route changes are making it harder and harder to stay loyal. Am seriously considering a jump to the other (dark?) side. Am I dreaming or did I really read somewhere that Virgin will honour one's QF FF Status :?:

 

[TonyHancock]

Apologies as am sure this has been probably done to death here before.... Am a Platinum QF FF and am very happy with the QF product but am finding that their long haul international route changes are making it harder and harder to stay loyal. Am seriously considering a jump to the other (dark?) side. Am I dreaming or did I really read somewhere that Virgin will honour one's QF FF Status :?:

I think they do on a case by case basis. I would offer a word of caution though. If you plan to do a bit of international travel the switch to Virgin's partners can be a less than satisfying experience. The ad hoc arrangements have left me never quite sure of the benefits I expect to receive. I am not unhappy with my EY experiences but do find it all a little confusing.

 

[lovestotravel]

I do recommend moving some flights to Virgin, it's always good to keep your foot in both camps for any possible future "enhancements"

I don't want to sound like a broken record but the future for QF is very very grim! Domestic will be okay for a little longer, but international is pretty much gone, if you want to fly QF metal.

I haven't heard of any recent status matches happening, I think they are trying to stay away from that a bit more now

 

[bullerdude]

I actually asked about this recently on behalf of my father who has been a Qantas Platinum for 12+ years and the answer was something along the lines of "I don't know anything about that sir, sorry but I cannot assist you with the matter".

I think Virgin could really benefit if they had a official case-by-case status match policy for Gold/Plat level flyers, as it would encourage more people to consider the switch.

Consider this, my father has at least another 10-15 domestic trips this year and he has considered giving virgin a try, but as he has no status there is not much incentive to do so as he would get no priority service or lounge access etc. However, if he was given even a Gold status match membership then he would happily consider booking those flights on Virgin. Thus, if they had a case-by-case policy, it could be along the lines of well if you prove that you are a Qantas Gold/Plat and you agree to book your next 10 flight on Virgin then we will give you a conditional status matched membership - i.e. expires after 3 months if he doesn't make the booking on virgin as agreed.

So for the time being, my father will remain in Qantas as that is were he receives benefits which ultimately make his flying more enjoyable. If you do manage to find a way to get a status match though, please let me know as my Father is still interested to fly with Virgin domestically.

 

[smit0847]

I actually asked about this recently on behalf of my father who has been a Qantas Platinum for 12+ years and the answer was something along the lines of "I don't know anything about that sir, sorry but I cannot assist you with the matter".

I think Virgin could really benefit if they had a official case-by-case status match policy for Gold/Plat level flyers, as it would encourage more people to consider the switch.

Consider this, my father has at least another 10-15 domestic trips this year and he has considered giving virgin a try, but as he has no status there is not much incentive to do so as he would get no priority service or lounge access etc. However, if he was given even a Gold status match membership then he would happily consider booking those flights on Virgin. Thus, if they had a case-by-case policy, it could be along the lines of well if you prove that you are a Qantas Gold/Plat and you agree to book your next 10 flight on Virgin then we will give you a conditional status matched membership - i.e. expires after 3 months if he doesn't make the booking on virgin as agreed.

So for the time being, my father will remain in Qantas as that is were he receives benefits which ultimately make his flying more enjoyable. If you do manage to find a way to get a status match though, please let me know as my Father is still interested to fly with Virgin domestically.

why didn't he do the official status match last year?

 

[Mogul]

I would think if you booked some flights with them, that may change your answer.

 

[bullerdude]

I think he was overseas and probably too busy as well to think about it... sometimes it only after something finishes that you realize you want it

 

[pat25d]

Here's a thought... try booking Virgin, then if he likes it he could book some more. Then after enough bookings he might get Silver/Gold/Platinum.

 

[burmans]

I haven't heard of any recent status matches happening, I think they are trying to stay away from that a bit more now

Probably because they no longer see the need to entice people across, they are switching of their own free will!

 

[bullerdude]

Yes, there is of course that possibility. Although, as he is Qantas Plat, there is hardly any incentive - especially with all the flight prices are so similar and thus you don't actually save anything by Flying VA.

 

[airbridge]

I think status matching is a slap in the face of your loyal customers. If an airline wants to entice people it should do so by offering a better product. Status matched members use up benefits that loyal customers miss out because they are in some cases limited (special seats etc).

I don't know if QF has ever status matched but if they did they would hear from me.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

QF are bit like the elder but stately madam elequently waiting on the chaise lounge for the right client to woo.

VA are like the brazen over made-up tart flaunting it all on the street corner to any takers with a wad of cash in hand.

QF has the finish and experience to retain loyal customers, the tart use to rely on bargain basement prices, but now wants the madams clients..............but it's still wham bam thank you ma'am. No finesse......which will only come with experience. The "bargain basement" clients will move on and the madam will keep her clients. Hope the tart has stamina or she will die a lonely death in the gutter.

 

[pat25d]

QF are bit like the elder but stately madam elequently waiting on the chaise lounge for the right client to woo.

VA are like the brazen over made-up tart flaunting it all on the street corner to any takers with a wad of cash in hand.

QF has the finish and experience to retain loyal customers, the tart use to rely on bargain basement prices, but now wants the madams clients..............but it's still wham bam thank you ma'am. No finesse......which will only come with experience. The "bargain basement" clients will move on and the madam will keep her clients. Hope the tart has stamina or she will die a lonely death in the gutter.

A better analogy might be that Qantas are a fine dining restaurant, and Virgin is a local pub.

Only problem is that all the fine dining restaurants are going bankrupt and local pubs are doing a roaring trade.

 

[sail0r]

I think status matching is a slap in the face of your loyal customers.

Can't say I agree with that.

If an airline wants to entice people it should do so by offering a better product.

Agreed

Status matched members use up benefits that loyal customers miss out because they are in some cases limited (special seats etc).

I don't know if QF has ever status matched but if they did they would hear from me.

I have not been status matched, got there all by my own, that said, I have enquired about getting status matched to NZ due to their flaky benefit reciprocity with Virgin.

I think trying to poach high value customers is a reasonable business strategy. But instead of making it easy for those poached to requal, they should offer the status match to other WP's that haven't been status matched again.

Looks like one point of difference is the Flounge, if you are using airports that have one.

(sorry for butchering your quote above, I couldn't work out how to get multi quote to work)

 

[lovestotravel]

DJ Business class passengers and Platinum really need their own lounge as the standard lounges are far too busy.

The difference for me is the J lounge on QF which is great, more/better food and wine and spirits

While it's great that VA has a VIP lounge for a reported handful of clients, that does nothing to the other customers who fly J or are platinum

 

[dajop]

QF has the finish and experience to retain loyal customers, the tart use to rely on bargain basement prices, but now wants the madams clients..............but it's still wham bam thank you ma'am. No finesse......which will only come with experience. The "bargain basement" clients will move on and the madam will keep her clients. Hope the tart has stamina or she will die a lonely death in the gutter.

The trouble with you analogy is sometimes that the elder, but stately madam, gets a bit picky and decides to back out on the deal and hand her clients over to a not so well made up tart ....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

A better analogy might be that Qantas are a fine dining restaurant, and Virgin is a local pub.

Only problem is that all the fine dining restaurants are going bankrupt and local pubs are doing a roaring trade.

I could say you dine where you want and I'll dine where I want.......but I won't!

I don't know of too many local pubs doing a "roaring trade" when they offer pub food for fine restaurant prices! I agree totally that DJ were the "local pub", but now they're trying to be a fine dining restarant whilst offering "bangers and mash" at premium prices and ignoring their mainstay clientele.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The trouble with you analogy is sometimes that the elder, but stately madam, gets a bit picky and decides to back out on the deal and hand her clients over to a not so well made up tart ....

Of course and the tart happily accepts. The funny part is, it's the madam that's doing the picking and choosing! The tarts still a tart!

 

[lovestotravel]

I don't know of too many local pubs doing a "roaring trade" when they offer pub food for fine restaurant prices! I agree totally that DJ were the "local pub", but now they're trying to be a fine dining restarant whilst offering "bangers and mash" at premium prices and ignoring their mainstay clientele.

Yep Virgin are going to get stuck soon, and I think their 2nd half profit explains this..

They have invested lots of $$ and now charge the same or more than Qantas in many cases...

Seats don't sell so they have sale fares, bonus points offers and other specials to try to fill seats

Overall they charge a high-price but have a mixed level of service

 

[dajop]

The funny part is, it's the madam that's doing the picking and choosing!

Yes but some clients would prefer the tart all the time, to having the madam some times and well I guess being handed off to the junkie desperate for cash ( JQ?) when the Madam doesn't feel like serving the client.

Better stop before the analogy contravenes some rules