munitalP - what the heck were you smoking when you made that post? Either you were seriously high, or the fumes from the 5th alarm bushfire you were deliberately starting were already affecting your hippocampus
Let's look at this on raw cost of the QP membership, which is 805 inc. GST for the first year including the joining fee (from memory approx AUD200).
This amount is obviously less for those who are members of a corporate or association program, Government employees, and other groups with arrangements for a reduced rate - but for the purpose of this argument let's just assume the public price.
On your suggestion, the ~600/yr they spend would only get them access to the actual club.
It should be noted that none of the items you've stated in the original post are afforded to someone on account of QP membership.
Looking at what you propose and depending on their QFF membership level, they would lose the following:
QPNB
- Priority checkin (Domestic going at completion of NGCI anyway, international remains)
- ODU
- Priority reservations and wait-listing
- Priority baggage & increased allowances
QPPS
- ODU
- What they would lost as a QPNB, they would pick up again by virtue of current PS benefits, including Domestic Priority check-in
Now, without the actual numbers of QP members across the different QFF tiers, it's hard to make a solid financial argument on the points raised.
I would however based on my understanding of talking to other paid members put forward the following counterpoints to your proposal:
Current benefit offering costs nothing
The benefits you'd suggest withdrawing already cost the airline two fifths of nothing, and are provided within the existing technological/systems/process framework.
If they can do it, and get more revenue through lounge memberships and increased line revenue - why not provide these benefits as a small and cheap enticement to part with hard currency.
Reduced liabilities on balance sheet
The ability to redeem QFF points as ODU's in the QP also helps the airline, as it reduces their liabilities by allowing more rapid redemption of points balances.
Assists in creating brand preference, and revenue positive outcomes
I would however hazard a guess that while those who are QPNB don't fly as much as they might want, their QP membership keeps them loyal to QF and away from other carriers as much as possible.
Opportunities to increase revenue
The ability of QP members to access ODUs allows the airline to provide a better service experience, paid for out of the points value redeemed for these upgrades, in seats that weren't occupied anyway.
By allowing the ODU's this can potentially show off the higher service class experience, giving customers greater information and enticement to consider paid tickets in a higher cabin class - and of course more mainline revenue if the flyer isn't already committing all their current travel to QF.
Subsidises lounge operations
Let's be honest, paid QP members subsidise the lounge for SG, WP and other high tier FFP members in the Oneworld alliance.
By offering paid memberships, and providing low/no-cost benefits for parting with your hard earned dollars, QF can guarantee a steady revenue stream which keeps paying passengers happy - and provides the upper tiers a lounge space too.
In short, you must have been smoking something serious to even suggest this. It goes against all foreseeable logic, common sense, possibly financial sense, and the general community view around these parts anyway.
Take two tablets, and call us back in the morning
