Did I hitch myself to the wrong star (QF)?

[nn31]

I used to work for Qantas, and fell in love with them, then sharply out of love with them. The drop in love was not because of conditions, or wages, but because of fellow staff. In an incident that I (a lowly FF consultant) had to fend off a national incident and threats of legal action from a very notable Barrister ALONE ( as every other department seemed uninterested in their jobs, or in providing service), I saw the true innards of the airline and decided to leave.

Earlier this year I was stranded because of the Chilean ash cloud and after days of ill-action from other airlines, was greatly impressed by that of the flying kangaroo. They had won me back (something which I thought impossible).

I attached myself to QF and OW and altered my finances to maximise on their loyalty program, while steering all my travel to fall on OW wings.

Was it all a waste of time? Was the turnaround a mirage of an airline opening its eyes?

I am left thinking that it indeed was a waste of time and that I should cut my losses and present myself to Virgin Australia and the SA team. I am by no means a high roller like many of you on this forum, but I am a voice, a customer, and a percentage of the thousands who never thought it this easy to lose so much faith in a national icon so easily.

Alarmist? Possibly.
Confused? Definitely.

What do you guys think? Is it worth staying with QFFF? A hard year’s work building up points to treat myself at the end of my study will be squandered on random flights to use them up, but at least some security (as much as possible in the airline industry) could be awarded... It is also worth noting that had DJ been aligned with SA 2 years ago, I probably would have taken that path to begin with.

 

[Fantic125]

Really, you're the only one who can answer whether it's worth continuing with QF.

It depends on whether your flights are mainly local or international, how much value you place on reliability (although QF have taken a hit in that department lately) and what importance you place on earing FF points and/or status.

I tend to spread myself around a bit flying different carriers with either OW or *A, but most of my travel is also business-related and cheapest fare often dictates who I'll fly with. Last year I flew with 16 different carriers, this year it's only been 10 carriers and to be honest, from the 170 odd flights I've done in the past two years none of the carriers have been outstandingly good or exceedingly bad.

YMMV!

 

[Mal]

One thing I've learnt here is that the most savvy passengers are bot locked to one carrier, and in many cases are not locked to one loyalty scheme.

Some earn Amex points then push them to certain carriers for j rewards. Yet their spend and status us with Qantas.

Others choose mid tier ff status with several airlines.

Only you will know what is best for you.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[nn31]

Thats a good point - i also have DJ and EK membership and have used them in conjunctions quite effectively when they were aligned.

I was never sure about the Amex Rewards - i guess mainly due to my laziness in exploring it properly. maybe i should change that! hehe

 

[Sprucegoose]

I used to work for Qantas, and fell in love with them, then sharply out of love with them. The drop in love was not because of conditions, or wages, but because of fellow staff. In an incident that I (a lowly FF consultant) had to fend off a national incident and

threats of legal action from a very notable Barrister ALONE

( as every other department seemed uninterested in their jobs, or in providing service), I saw the true innards of the airline and decided to leave.

Earlier this year I was stranded because of the Chilean ash cloud and after days of ill-action from other airlines, was greatly impressed by that of the flying kangaroo. They had won me back (something which I thought impossible).

I attached myself to QF and OW and altered my finances to maximise on their loyalty program, while steering all my travel to fall on OW wings.

Was it all a waste of time? Was the turnaround a mirage of an airline opening its eyes?

I am left thinking that it indeed was a waste of time and that I should cut my losses and present myself to Virgin Australia and the SA team. I am by no means a high roller like many of you on this forum, but I am a voice, a customer, and a percentage of the thousands who never thought it this easy to lose so much faith in a national icon so easily.

Alarmist? Possibly.
Confused? Definitely.

What do you guys think?

Is it worth staying with QFFF?

A hard year’s work building up points to treat myself at the end of my study will be squandered on random flights to use them up, but at least some security (as much as possible in the airline industry) could be awarded... It is also worth noting that had DJ been aligned with SA 2 years ago, I probably would have taken that path to begin with.

look I went through all this hoo haa with Ansett, lost a squillion points, heaps of pride and started back at the bottom......now very comfortable again.

Qantas wont be allowed to collapse. If we can support Kodak, GMH, FORD and numerous other bleeding heart business, then we can support QANTAS that is essential to business, sport, exports, tourism and the standards of lifestyle we all expect.

This event was extraordinary. I saw a cancer surgeon last night stuck in Perth, due to operate in BNE today! People that had arrived at airports with a few bucks in their pockets, and nowhere to go.

Next time it will be very political and it will ensure genuine debate around how we resolve our industrial disputes in this country. It will be up there with our border protection as a political hot issue.


As for the DYKWIA Barrister, let him have it. There will be a lot more scruitiny and eyes on him that there ever will on us. I agree, if you cant stand up for your workforce who were only doing there jobs, you don't need these people as customers.

A woman who once wildly proclaimed to Cabin staff about how she knew the chairman of QANTAS, not the current one, was treated to the reply, from the chairman, and to all staff, that the 'chairman has no friends'. Priceless

 

[pauly7]

I think as others have said it's good to have a bit of balance.

I have QFF as number one then Amex MR as number two - which I can use on a range of airlines.

I regard to QFF, the business is sound, they need to sort QFi but the rest is kicking major goals, especially in relation to other airlines including their comp locally.

I would be more worried for the people hitching themselves to VA primarily - now there is a scary P&L... But as VA do with eveything they put a pretty girl infront of it and no one bar the serious financial people notice!