Lifetime Qantas Club Membership

[DTM1]

And what are the plans for life after LTG?

I am 500 SCs away from LTG, and will pick that up by the end of Feb/early March.

After that, am not sure whether to switch points to AA or not. Priority each year will be maintaining WP. After that, snot sure whether I will try and go for partner gold any more.

What do others think ?

 

[serfty]

See my post #12 of this thread back in October.

It's been about 10 weeks since I made that level; I have decided (this year) to go for PG again and once achieved put as many flights as possible to AA.

 

[benhadi]

Playing devil's advocate here

But Qantas has in recent months introduced Business Lounges. And QC is not allowed in them. One could suspect that it's the beginning of an attempt to squeeze QC members of their benefits, what more if they eventually close down all the QC around the country and turn them into Business lounges?

They can't take away LT QC, but can they change entry conditions? THey could (theoretically) in future limit access by QC holders to limited QC around australia, and even take out that benefit for international business lounges. SO instead of taking it away from us, make it redundant.

The mitigating factor would be that Qantas actually makes more from those paying yearly fees than those having lifetime status. But one would imagine if the LT members outnumber the annual paying ones, this would be the economically "smart" thing for them to do?

 

[NYCguy]

... One would imagine if the LT members outnumber the annual paying ones, this would be the economically "smart" thing for them to do?

I imagine that there are quite a few passengers who might only fly a few times a year, but still join the QP. I doubt their numbers will ever be outstripped by those who do the hard-yards (albeit in F or J) and obtain LTG.

 

[medhead]

I assume Benhadi is talking about paid LT QC members not LTG.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I would think that Qantas will probably slowly strip the benefits of regular Paid Qantas Club membership and Qantas Club Life Membership.

Get rid of the under used lounges; example; places like Cairns Int(gone); or even maybe Darwin.

Don't allow use of the BA Terraces or AA Admirals Club Lounges by Qantas Club membership.

I don't think I have got through my $3,800 membership fees but I am sure I have probably drunk and eaten through the first $1,000.

 

[MelUser]

and don't forget - Qantas told Air Pacific to stop accepting Q Club members travelling in Economy into Air Pacific lounges.

 

[medhead]

I've strongly expressed views about a similar topic here before, but please don't bias my comments now on my other views.

Its not clear to me that qnatas would want to strip out the paid QC members. Simply because these people can't use the facilities that much. I think that the paid members represent a bit of a cash cow. They pay because they don't fly enough to get lounge access by status. The strain on QC resources must be low per person, but they keep paying up cash every year.

Getting rid of Cairns Int lounge is going to have minimal impact because the paid members will probably only ever have 1 or 2 opportuniies to use that lounge anyway.

It seems to me that they would be better off squeezing the status benefits, within the requirements of the one world alliance, to the point were it costs less to operate the lounge but you don't risk lossing the fliying business. e.g. is a silver going to switch to virgin if they don't get 2 lounge invites?

Anyway just my thoughts, and it's all pure speculation. Please note I'm not saying anything about who does or does not deserve to be stripped out of the lounge.

and don't forget - Qantas told Air Pacific to stop accepting Q Club members travelling in Economy into Air Pacific lounges.

This should impact on both Statused and paid QC members. Status gets a free membership of the QC. Technically all QC members should be equal.

 

[wandering_fred]

Any thoughts on what is happening with the cheapish corporate QC memberships?

Fred

 

[straitman]

Any thoughts on what is happening with the cheapish corporate QC memberships?

Fred

I've heard nothing and it is still available through my company.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Any thoughts on what is happening with the cheapish corporate QC memberships?

Can also get here of AFF: Save $200 of Qantas Club Membership Fee (or save $70 for annual renewal)

 

[wandering_fred]

Can also get here of AFF: Save $200 of Qantas Club Membership Fee (or save $70 for annual renewal)

Ignoring the issue that the link requires AFF gold membership, the question I really wanted considered is related to the overpopulation of the standard QCs as a result of most large corporations having deals which provide very cheap subscription prices. And is the creation of the Biz+ clubs a meager attempt by QF to acknowledge that the Biz and first class passengers (and to a lesser extent the true frequent flyers) should have their flying "status" treated in a more proper manner. Even if the new clubs aren't all that different than the QCs.

Fred

 

[medhead]

the question I really wanted considered is related to the overpopulation of the standard QCs as a result of most large corporations having deals which provide very cheap subscription prices. And is the creation of the Biz+ clubs a meager attempt by QF to acknowledge that the Biz and first class passengers (and to a lesser extent the true frequent flyers) should have their flying "status" treated in a more proper manner. Even if the new clubs aren't all that different than the QCs.

Fred

that is a very interesting question. Maybe the answer is yes. But I'm not sure about the basis for raising the question. What is a more proper manner for treating status? I guess the underlying reasoning for needing more proper treatment is supposed value of the true FF. But this presumes that the paid corporate schemes don't have value. I don't think that's valid. My contention is that qantas likes the paid schemes because they have to do very little work to get the money.

QF are selling 2 (or 3) products (inter alia), flights, FFP and lounge access. Some people who fly and buy into the FFP a lot get free access to the lounge. To me priority upgrade rights are much more important than lounge access. Isn't in flight special treatment more valid and proper for the true FF.

Some people buy lounge access and get free access to the FFP. They still have to buy flights. Some corporate schemes get a discount on the lounge access on the assumption that lots of their people will buy flights.

edit: but then again it's hard to PO the people buying most of the flights.

 

[$CJ]

Any thoughts on what is happening with the cheapish corporate QC memberships?

The rate I use has increased fairly rapidly over a few years from $105/yr to $245/yr.

I can't complain at that price but I would prefer if I could put paid membership on hold in the periods I have AA Plat.

Also my bag tags are both destroyed (by conveyers while flying Qantas of course) but no-one wants to replace them ... the call centre passed me off to the club and then vice versa ... and then I'm told to chill out - you'll get new ones on renewal - WRONG!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I'm a SFSC, but just short of reaching GOLD, so l decided to buy QP membership through work's corporate scheme. Very happy with the pricing for me to be honest. After doing a long haul from PER - SIN - LHR - BUD, having a shower and a cold beer before my next leg is worth it.

I paid $500 for 2 year Qantas club membership through my work. And that also included a once off joining fee. Membership has almost expired, so l'l keep in touch and let you know what the new rates are this year for another 2 years.

I am also surprised that Qantas has even cheaper rates than what l paid. I've heard rates of around $120-$150 per year. That's very cheap IMO and l would jump at that if offered.
Still, $250 p/a is alot cheaper than going for GOLD and since l very rarely get a work flight, l'm happy.

 

[Flashback]

The rate I use has increased fairly rapidly over a few years from $105/yr to $245/yr.

I can't complain at that price but I would prefer if I could put paid membership on hold in the periods I have AA Plat.

Also my bag tags are both destroyed (by conveyers while flying Qantas of course) but no-one wants to replace them ... the call centre passed me off to the club and then vice versa ... and then I'm told to chill out - you'll get new ones on renewal - WRONG!

Interesting... I've asked for more by e-mail, and they were sent reasonably promptly. This was about 2 years ago, though.. in fact, it was smack bang on 2 years ago!

I guess times, they are a changing!

 

[beardoc]

What's missing from this discussion is the concept that QP access has benefits for QANTAS beyond just collecting the fees and then paying for the cost of food, drinks, etc. The QANTAS Club has extra benefits for QANTAS, and that's that people that buy QANTAS Club membership (either corporate or personal) are more likely to want to fly QANTAS rather than DJ or TT domestically, because once people have the QANTAS club membership, then there's a desire to want to use it. If you have QP access, then you might even be willing to pay a little more for your flight on QF rather than DJ, because you know that you will get a lounge, free food and drinks, Wi-Fi, etc.

That's why the cheap corporate memberships abound - because if you can offer cheap QP access to employees of businesses, then the employees will do the work of pushing to have their flights on QF rather than DJ because they don't want to sit at a DJ gate, they want to be waiting in a QP.

So QANTAS did get your money on the membership for the QP (lifetime or annual), but now they also benefit from the fact you're much more likely to fly with them every time, so it continues to bring more money into QF with extra passengers, etc.


I know it has an effect on my travel - I travel much less with DJ now that I bought the QP Lifetime membership back in Sept 07.

What's more, by providing better services in the QP the need to provide better services on board (e.g. good lunches, etc.) wanes - as the high value customers will tend to be satisfied in the departure lounge, rather than needing a good meal on board. So you can cut back on onboard services.

I think that the QP is more value to QANTAS than people think - and that's why they won't wind it down completely. Yes, underused lounges might go, but I really doubt that they'll degrade the BNE/SYD/MEL/ADL/PER/CBR lounges. That's where the high value customers are.

 

[tuapekastar]

What's missing from this discussion is the concept that QP access has benefits for QANTAS beyond just collecting the fees and then paying for the cost of food, drinks, etc. The QANTAS Club has extra benefits for QANTAS, and that's that people that buy QANTAS Club membership (either corporate or personal) are more likely to want to fly QANTAS rather than DJ or TT domestically, because once people have the QANTAS club membership, then there's a desire to want to use it. If you have QP access, then you might even be willing to pay a little more for your flight on QF rather than DJ, because you know that you will get a lounge, free food and drinks, Wi-Fi, etc.

I can vouch for that beardoc! A big fare difference may make me consider flying other than QF, but they're my airline of choice, due to QP (lounge, priority checkin, slightly better seating choice), and points/SC's.

Got 'sucked in' originally through a really good corporate scheme (no joining fee, $99 per year, tax deductible) - no longer have access to that scheme but 'sucked in' I remain, and just get a modest discount through the AFF scheme.

 

[drron]

Generally right beardoc but I fall into the group that dont think that way.When i joined up as a Life Member in 1992 I paid about 60% of the new individual one year membership.I qualify for lounge access by virtue of OW status and now the only time I need the QC card is when travelling domestically in the USA.
It no longer influences my choices so I am flying DJ a lot more frequently.I presume it is experience with people such as I that influenced QF in their decision to axe Life Membership.

 

[beardoc]

Generally right beardoc but I fall into the group that dont think that way.When i joined up as a Life Member in 1992 I paid about 60% of the new individual one year membership.I qualify for lounge access by virtue of OW status and now the only time I need the QC card is when travelling domestically in the USA.
It no longer influences my choices so I am flying DJ a lot more frequently.I presume it is experience with people such as I that influenced QF in their decision to axe Life Membership.

Yes, you're right, drron - there's no way that a lounge scheme like the QP is going to make everyone fly only with QANTAS every time - that would be silly. But QP membership does make a QF flight for most people more attractive than a similarly priced DJ fare, or even if the QF fare is a little higher. But it does have an effect of bringing slightly more traffic to QF than otherwise might have happened.

It's the same concept with "bundling" your insurances (home/car/CTP/health) or your telephony services (home/mobile/internet/pay TV) in the one account to get a discount or rewards - it's going to encourage you not to move a one of those services to another company as you will lose some of the benefits on the remaining services - and the company makes a slightly lower margin but a bigger overall profit from you as it has more of your business.

There will always be exceptions, but this is the primary reason for the QP, IMHO.