Advice switching loyalty from VA to QF

[emef]

I own a business with a total air domestic travel spend of circa $250,000 and an annual international travel of $175,000. I primarily fly QF (WP1) while most employees prefer VA (where I am WP). I'm in a discussion with my National Sales Manager about him switching allegiance from VA where we has WP status to QF where he is nothing. He is concerned at the time it will take to rebuild status and the loss of family pooling of status. He is also concerned that around 50% of his travel would be JQ because his travel is SYD to LST, HBA and other regional. From an overall company perspective I think there would be value in focussing more on one airline - maybe free club access for some and other benefits. I would love to hear what people think about this.

 

[kevrosmith]

Are you making use of both airline's Business programs?

Virgin is Accelerate, where you get an annual rebate on total annual spend: http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/corporate-travel/accelerate/

Qantas has Account Managers: for that spend rate, surely an Account Manager would be interested in talking with you about the needs of your Business.
Self Managed Business Travel | Qantas

 

[emef]

We are connected with Accelerate and Acquire but don't have a Qantas account manager.

 

[clazman]

I would go with what is best for your business, nit what helps the sales managers family

 

[Ausbt]

I would go with what is best for your business, nit what helps the sales managers family

What might be best for business though is keeping the staff happy - and as the OP said most of his staff prefer VA. If the Sales Manager has to cop JQ then possibly a whole bunch of other staff might need to as well, leading to dissatisfaction. I recall when my own firm chose Accelerate (although we still basically are free to choose) our own National Sales Manager was granted the free SG that came as a sign-on bonus, as a sweetener to get him over to VA.

 

[clazman]

What might be best for business though is keeping the staff happy - and as the OP said most of his staff prefer VA. If the Sales Manager has to cop JQ then possibly a whole bunch of other staff might need to as well, leading to dissatisfaction. I recall when my own firm chose Accelerate (although we still basically are free to choose) our own National Sales Manager was granted the free SG that came as a sign-on bonus, as a sweetener to get him over to VA.

Couldn't agree more, finding that happy ground between keeping staff happy and saving coin, someone always gets hurt

 

[SuzieQ68]

Just out of curiosity, given that you are WP1 with QF and WP with VA, wondering why you want to align yourself with just one airline? It appears that you're doing enough flying to 'spread the love' so to speak and give yourself lots of options for FF redemption etc into the future.

I think I'd have to agree with a couple of the comments here. Unless there is a specific or significant benefit to your business in aligning, then happy staff usually equals better productivity and increased loyalty - I'd personally keep the status quo.

 

[emef]

Good question SuzieQ68. I get to WP1 within three months of the start of a new year and QP with VA in the same time. No more airlines here to spread the love with.

I asked the question if there were options for other business wide benefits.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Wow, I'd hate your flying timetable, but would love your FF points

I guess you could call QF and see if they would offer anything specific to your business that would make it worthwhile making the alignment. Given your spend, they may have 'benefits' that aren't advertised. Personally though, I think flying JQ might make your NSM a little unhappy, so going to go back to my earlier post - it's a bit like happy wife, happy life.....happy staff, better productivity.

 

[serfty]

Good question SuzieQ68. I get to WP1 within three months of the start of a new year and QP with VA in the same time. No more airlines here to spread the love with.

I asked the question if there were options for other business wide benefits.

Off topic ... but have you considered crediting your post WP1 QF/*O travel to AAdvantage?

 

[emef]

I have serfty. I'm in the US 4 times a year with each trip usually involving 4 to 6 domestic US sectors but I purchase F of AAdvantage status is not a major issue for me.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Why would you switch the company to QF? Sounds like you are happy with your personal setup and he is too.

The additional remuneration he would require to fly Jetstar would quickly erode any dollar savings the company may make from switching. And if he's any good at his job and you lower the flight experience you risk losing him. People switch jobs when they're not feelings valued or there's nothing to work towards...

+1 for keeping status quo