Qantas extends priority boarding to SG frequent flyers

[Jaryd]

On the whole 'platinum is the same as gold' argument, I've taken my first flight today as WP (only made WP two days ago), and the difference on board was huge. Firstly, row 4 avail from booking, personal welcome twice (at gate and on aircraft) addressing by name on board in all instances, personal goodbye. Plus business lounge access.

The difference may be narrowing but based on this experience it's still much better!

Anyway... No bashing pls. My thoughts only.

 

[medhead]

On the whole 'platinum is the same as gold' argument, I've taken my first flight today as WP (only made WP two days ago), and the difference on board was huge. Firstly, row 4 avail from booking, personal welcome twice (at gate and on aircraft) addressing by name on board in all instances, personal goodbye. Plus business lounge access.

The difference may be narrowing but based on this experience it's still much better!

Anyway... No bashing pls. My thoughts only.

You're lucky. The only personal welcome I've had was from one CSM who has been on even second flight I've take with Qantas for 2 months. And another CSM who had actually noted my preference to be called by my first name, and had a reaction to meeting me on boarding. i.e. " Welcome Mr XYZ." The other FA at the door turns around and they both say my first name in my general direction. That was a few weeks ago. Had that CSM and FA again last week and they used my first name on boarding. When serving me later on the flight, there was a Mr xyz as an after thought. So you're lucky.

Otherwise, with crew I don't know. There is just Mr XYZ that everyone else gets. Consistently inconsistent.

You must have booked within 80 hours of your flight. row 4 is never available at booking outside 80 hours from the flight.

 

[DC3]

Not bashing. I hope that this continues for you.

 

[medhead]

Not bashing. I hope that this continues for you.

I also hope it continues.

 

[AusTraveller]

Firstly, row 4 avail from booking,

Which routes do you fly? I am also a WP but can only see row 6 until T-80. Have they mistaken you for a WP1 or am I missing something here? Genuine question. Really curious.....

 

[Steady]

I've taken my first flight today as WP (only made WP two days ago),
QUOTE]

The "AFF Verified Airline Status" isn't keeping up - still showing you as QFF Gold

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Ive been addressed by name more often than not in my seat by crew on domestic lately (as WP). And a special visit from CSM with personal greeting and apology for delay on my last delayed bne-mel (due to storms)

 

[JohnK]

There are still lots more benefits for achieving WP. Just a few off the top of my head:
- J-lounge
- F-lounge
- More points
- Reward seat release
- Better seat selection
- Upgrade priority

I think this is one of the very rare scenarios lately where Qantas has done a good job of matching the benefit with the status level.

Very marginal difference in benefits between Gold and Platinum. There should be more.

A silver gets 50% status bonus? Why? A 25% bonus for Silver and 50% bonus for Gold was a better reflection of the difference is status.

 

[opusman]

A 25% bonus for Silver and 50% bonus for Gold was a better reflection of the difference is status.

I think the message from QF there is that there is basically no difference in status.

When is Red Roo going to chime in to reassure us all that WPs are so highly valued? Their silence speaks volumes in this case.

 

[jackthomas]

As a double platinum, I also find the VA priority boarding to be excellent.

I wish to ask if you experience any sort of on board recognition of being gold.

I would say the most recognition of being gold is the 'welcome back Mr ....' as opposed to the regular boarding welcome.
I also find to often be referred to by my last name during meal services in Y.

However there is certainly no extra recognition over other PAX apart from my name often being used.
Maybe I'm missing out on something?

 

[medhead]

I would say the most recognition of being gold is the 'welcome back Mr ....' as opposed to the regular boarding welcome.
I also find to often be referred to by my last name during meal services in Y.

However there is certainly no extra recognition over other PAX apart from my name often being used.
Maybe I'm missing out on something?

Same as my experience. So all good. I was checking with you if I'm missing out

 

[MH_fan]

Maybe now we'll have SGs complaining that PSs are sneaking into the PB lane...

 

[boomy]

Maybe now we'll have SGs complaining that PSs are sneaking into the PB lane...

Why discriminate against PSs, just because they fly less? That's not fair, they should get PB too!

 

[BAM1748]

I just stepped of a flight to Sydney that had Gold shown as priority.

I was thinking about this during the flight and have a theory. It's not about increasing anything for Gold.

With the increased difficulty in reaching Plat I wonder if this is a no cost way to help placate the upcoming hoards to didn't make it and will drop to Gold.

As I said just a theory, if we see other things that add value but cost the airline nothing then maybe I'm right.


Matt

 

[medhead]

Why discriminate against PSs, just because they fly less? That's not fair, they should get PB too!

Yep. Just levelling the field between silver and gold. Only fair, it takes 25 flights a year on red-e-deals to make silver, that's a lot of flying. I'm sure walking down the premium boarding lane makes it just that little bit better.

 

[DC3]

Maybe there should be 3 separate boarding lanes instead of 2 :

Lane 1: CL/WP1/WP
Lane 2: SG
Lane 3: All others


Edit: GOLD and SILVER could always share Lane 2

 

[RichardMEL]

Has anyone ever seen an agent (well FA really) rebuke someone for being in the "wrong" line? I mean a PS in the priority line? Never in my experience. Does it really matter so much for domestic flights? Half the time they are a general cattle call, and if there's only 1 FA at a gate reader (it's happened) then the bottleneck is there anyway, but I've always been let in when I walk through the priority queue.

It feels like a dilution because yes, having that as a OWE/Plat or J benefit means half the plane sometimes might be gold on a golden triangle route (inc CBR) but really... I usually board as early as I can only because I usually sit in a window in J and want to get my stuff in an overhead ASAP, but other than that it's not a big deal. I find most J pax wind up being in the lounge or a bit later boarding (perhaps upg at the gate etc).

 

[Pleb Status]

Get AA to take over the process. They are the only ones who can do PB well. QF should not board anyone from the general queue until the PB line has been serviced in strict CL, P1, WP and SG order.

 

[Jaryd]

Which routes do you fly? I am also a WP but can only see row 6 until T-80. Have they mistaken you for a WP1 or am I missing something here? Genuine question. Really curious.....

This was DRW-SYD-MEL. Full Flex ticket - not sure if that makes a difference... But return flight was booked on Tuesday for travel Thursday - so that would make sense. In the past I've had almost zero access to row 4.

You know you've started to fly a lot when a CSM compliments that you have actually shaved!

 

[Jaryd]

I've taken my first flight today as WP (only made WP two days ago),
QUOTE]

The "AFF Verified Airline Status" isn't keeping up - still showing you as QFF Gold

Maybe it takes a few days to reflect?