Is Qantas Platinum Status too easy to earn?

[medhead]

As I read it, the idea under discussion about altering QF policy in regard to WP status achievement goals and delivered benefits.

This is a discussion of one person's idea, that does not enjoy much support. The other thread you mention was a demand to qantas to actually provide a published benefit that was supported by many, many (but not all) people.

 

[opusman]

The underlying assumptions in this thread are that the number of platinums has been increasing over time, and that the benefits for those platinums have been curtailed as a direct result of the increasing numbers.

I haven't seen either of those assumptions backed up with actual evidence!

 

[amaroo]

I don't see this thread as a campaign to alter policy. It is a discussion of an idea.

Its a bit like saying to the bank..........I would like to pay more interest on my loan because I've got more money than most of your customers.

Silly, silly idea.

Posted from a pretty empty SYD Flounge.

 

[beardoc]

The underlying assumptions in this thread are that the number of platinums has been increasing over time, and that the benefits for those platinums have been curtailed as a direct result of the increasing numbers.

I haven't seen either of those assumptions backed up with actual evidence!

Bingo.

The assumption is that QF have a set budget for benefits, and that if there are more people using them, the benefits must dry up. But it doesn't work that way - rewarding other people that fly and make QANTAS profitable means that I'll be able to continue my benefits for a long time to come.

I know there's a lot of fear that QANTAS are winding back benefits and that it's been a loss for everyone. Being able to waitlist for upgrades is one. The domestic business lounges are another. Island dining. Coffee all day in the Business Lounges. All of these things are improvements.

I'm not of the camp that the sky is falling and that we need to consider making platinum harder to attain in order to make the benefits get better. Benefits change - for me the benefits have overall gotten better over time, and that makes me want to fly QF more often. As for more and more platinums being around - I welcome this, because it means that more and more people are flying with oneworld (and QANTAS) and that means they have the money to provide me with those benefits. And for someone that loves aviation in any aircraft (I've been flying in helicopters and Learjets/Beechcraft jets as often as I've been flying commercial in the last 12 months), those benefits are really quite awesome.

I say this honestly - I've flown in private jets from the executive terminals out of Brisbane and Sydney, and still I prefer to fly QF to that. The extra benefits, even if I share them with others (especially the lounges), are still fantastic.

I want more people to be Platinum, because then they discover how amazing flying with QF can be!

 

[JohnK]

The simple question for the thread IMHO is - IF the qualification was increased, thereby making WP a little more exclusive - would it prevent further dilution of benefits?

That is a very good way of putting it.

I know most do not agree with my idea but I also do not like to sit back and wait for the next benefit to be diluted.

And I should not be afraid to discuss it either because some people think it is a silly silly idea. Just as well we do not all agree on everything as discussion on this website would then be extremely boring....

 

[trippin_the_rift]

once you realise that FF is really a marketing program and not a loyalty program you'll realise none of this matters

If it works for QFF, then everything is fine!

 

[Jobu]

I think you'll find that QFF have already done this. They called it P1 so as not to disenfranchise a big part of their remaining customer base.

 

[ermen]

Re: [Repudiated by QF] QF removing Any Seat Awards (ASA) from 08 April

I really don't get this. It's like those people who choose to fly F or J when work is paying, but are adamant they would never pay for more than Y when they're paying for it themselves. I don't expect my employer to treat me better - or worse - than the way I treat myself.

Difference is that a lot of times you need to go to work right away from an overnight flight. Once, I was booked on J on an overnight flight which was subsequently changed to Y to cut costs. No problem - I made them book me on a day flights as there's no way you are expecting me to work straight after an overnight Y.

I have a personal policy of trying to fly J on overnight flights even on my personal time - but if I'm stuck flying overnight Y for leisure, the recovery time is usually much more accomodating (I can go to the hotel to take a nap first before lunch).

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Wonder what would ever happen if the business class lockers were full but there was space in economy. Could a business class passenger use those?

Might not be allowed back and have to ferret out a seat up back with the peons ??

 

[JohnK]

Wonder what would ever happen if the business class lockers were full but there was space in economy. Could a business class passenger use those?

No, strictly for economy passengers use only.

 

[geordieladinoz]

SWMBO is about to make Platinum on our QF460 MEL - SYD. This is her 2nd time after dropping to Gold after pulling out of the FIFO rat race to Port Hedland and Karratha.

This time it has been 90% self funded after a J trip to Europe, our recent JASA to Perth, Y to ORD and lots of Y trips between SYD and ADL. We are by no means as frequent as others but have fully deserved the Platinum status (note the WE - ). I am hanging on her coat tails until I make Platinum for the 1st time courtesy of a split Y/Y+ trip to Europe soon.

If you ask me, it is hard work!!

 

[Ansett]

Sorry not had time to respond to the thread been too busy flying to improve status. Oh wait I made Plat in under 6 weeks this year and now working towards P+ and P1. If people are not happy then move on to a diffferent programme.

Most of my flying is self funded and I truely value the perks of Platinum even if it is an enhanced Gold these days. Surely if you want more perks you should be heading to Plat 1 and lobbying for more benifits such as ATA to be a part of that.

ALL my flights have been on QF metal no Double Status Credits and no using cheap SC runs in the US.

If everyone is looking to get platinum by using cheap SC runs in the US then how can you be showing loyality to the airline that you expect to provide all of these benifits, and more when they havent gained financially from the Status Runs undertaken in ASIA or USA?

 

[Stoopidsteve]

A quick count of those who have responded on the DSC offer thread to current offer, 11 are really happy and will plan more flights because they got the offer, and 4 don't "need" it and won't change flying patterns. For QF that's a hit rate of close to 75% people taking flights they wouldn't have taken without the offer. We all recognise that AFFers are a very unusual sample of customers (in so many ways !!!), but I wonder what the hit rate is for QF in those receiving the offer increasing their flying? (and am sure we'll never find out).

So the incremental cost to QF is people attaining status by flying more frequently and attaining and using all the benefits that status accrues. More flyers = more revenue = more people attaining status = more money to service that status level. And what % of "general public" increase their flying to attain WP? Seems like a marketing no-brainer to me. Does it make it "too easy" to attain higher level? From QFF perspective, the additional revenue must be offset by the increased tangible costs (more staff required for WP and WP1 line? more bubbles in FLounge?) and intangible costs (potential to p**s off extant WPs and P1s).

Status is a marketing tool to sell more flights and attempt to golden handcuff customers.

 

[cove]

It is easier to sell to existing customers.

 

[lovestotravel]

A quick count of those who have responded on the DSC offer thread to current offer, 11 are really happy and will plan more flights because they got the offer, and 4 don't "need" it and won't change flying patterns. For QF that's a hit rate of close to 75% people taking flights they wouldn't have taken without the offer. We all recognise that AFFers are a very unusual sample of customers (in so many ways !!!), but I wonder what the hit rate is for QF in those receiving the offer increasing their flying? (and am sure we'll never find out).

Well considering that QF continue to offer double SC's to customers I would say that the offer is working for them and they see the additional benefit of having more higher status passengers.

Again for me, the platinum benefits of QF far outweigh the platinum benefits of VA.

Is QF platinum too easy to earn ? Nope not at all

 

[Deleted member]

Problem is. They sometimes come when I don't need them.