New at Sydney Airport? WeKnow

[mrsterryn]

This is new at sydney airport , has anyone used it elsewhere ?

 

[Quickstatus]

No
I already know so don't need "Weknow"

But Im always skeptical of third parties in what would be a simple transaction - such as hotel bookings, food delivery, car hire, internet. tourist attraction bookings etc.
Rideshare apps are already in the user's language
In the age of AI these services should be phased out as all they do is add costs to the final transaction.

 

[SeatBackForward]

So if Uber is a business that doesn't own any cars, what sort of second derivative business is "Weknow" ?

 

[Quickstatus]

what sort of second derivative business is "Weknow" ?

I suspect just a booking service that probably takes a clip of all transactions. Possibly also to direct customer traffic to certain providers and not others.
Example is the taxi groups GM taxis, 13Cabs and SilverService.
Why would anyone want to book rideshare via a 3rd party app. I wonder if there is a difference in price between a WeKnow app rideshare vs a Uber app.

Ive seen them in LHR as well

Not for me, Id rather use my own brain to sort out transactions as an inbound passenger.

Weknow

 

[elanshin]

No
I already know so don't need "Weknow"

But Im always skeptical of third parties in what would be a simple transaction - such as hotel bookings, food delivery, car hire, internet. tourist attraction bookings etc.
Rideshare apps are already in the user's language
In the age of AI these services should be phased out as all they do is add costs to the final transaction.

You'd be surprised at how many people aren't familiar with digital technology or apps used here.

If these guys provide a legitimate service, probably a good thing they get a cut rather than getting swindled by some tout or rogue taxi driver. They may also offer other harder to get services - like booking minivans and such.

 

[Quickstatus]

You'd be surprised at how many people aren't familiar with digital technology or apps used here.

There would be some but I would suggest that most people have a mobile phone and are quite adept with using its apps etc. Im also not saying their services are not legitimate.
I think the business captures and monetises the "convenience" factor - we see the same with the explosion of online aggregators and food delivery as an example. The people who use these services are not unfamiliar with digital tech but they are happy to insert a third party into the transaction because its convenient.

Additionally, the problem with the idea that it is for people who are not familiar with digital technology, is what happens when they get to their destination? What then. Third parties whatever their usefulness also increases cost, reduces competition (they have preferred providers).

For me they are in some ways not much different to the touts that popup in certain places in the world. The only difference is that they have a proper business model and an airport counter. All I say is to always beware of third parties in any transaction. What are they offering? and what is their clip.

This is also just Sydney Airport monetising a Customer information desk. Sydney Airport would be leasing that space the WeKnow

 

[mrsterryn]

I was actually thinking this could be handy just for ease for those who perhaps haven't dealt with the flight as well as expected. I know Mr Terry has had issues even with a booked car service previously

 

[Quickstatus]

I was actually thinking this could be handy just for ease for those who perhaps haven't dealt with the flight as well as expected

Pssibly but Im not sure that it does.
For example their taxi booking service is just prepay and then go and join a special queue. They call it "premium", but I doubt that the agent will escort a passenger to the queue. Whats the difference between WeKnow queue and a general Taxi queue?. I think its just different signage. The passenger would still have to go find the queue.

 

[mrsterryn]

Pssibly but Im not sure that it does.
For example their taxi booking service is just prepay and then go and join a special queue. They call it "premium", but I doubt that the agent will escort a passenger to the queue. Whats the difference between WeKnow queue and a general Taxi queue?. I think its just different signage. The passenger would still have to go find the queue.

Yes that is what I am curious about, if it is a 'jump the queue " type service

 

[Quickstatus]

f it is a 'jump the queue " type service

Well they do say it is a "priority pickup", so maybe it is. However the passenger would still have to go and find the queue spot.
You mentioned problem with a booked service - do you mean the ones where they are inside the arrivals terminal with your name on a board?

....

Maybe AFF should have a kiosk at these airports or have an AI agent trained with AFF forum knowledge?

 

[SeatBackForward]

The people who use these services are not unfamiliar with digital tech but they are happy to insert a third party into the transaction because its convenient.

Which is all good and well if they are the ones paying for it. But when the merchants start baking the price of this "Convenience" into the base price then we all end up paying more. At least under the current method, it's explicit, but they'll soon enough test how far they can do this.

 

[Quickstatus]

At least under the current method, it's explicit

I am not certain that it is explicit.
For example, booking an Uber rideshare is via a WeKnow app and taxis are prepaid fixed price.
Services like this either take the clip from the provider, or the customer, or both. There is very little transparency about service fees and charges.
WeKnow is a private company so their financial statements ae not visible.

I'm in the "Three is a crowd" camp.

I wonder if they will partner with some airline offering FF points.....but then there will be 4 parties in that simple transaction.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I wonder if they will partner with some airline offering FF points.....but then there will be 4 parties in that simple transaction.

Without a doubt, if their business model is to operate in airports. But I can't imagine it's all that lucrative, what would they offer? Lets say they make even a 5% cut on a fare, assuming a $100 taxi fare, that's $5. are they going to hand out 5points?

The cynic in me sees this as a private ventures push into taking over information desks at airport. Then arriving passengers rather than receiving unbiased advice, will start being pushed into promoted providers. "oh welcome to Sydney, you're definitely going to need a ABC Sim Card, and we're offering a coupon for LMN to get you to your hotel, need a hotel? well we've partnered with the XYZ chain"...

 

[Quickstatus]

The cynic in me sees this as a private ventures push into taking over information desks at airport

Yes, at a minimum it would be that, and allows the Airports to monetise the desk.