Qantas Loyalty; [QP@EK] lounge rules change [after booking] - Tough luck

[Flying mermaid]

Couldn't agree more, have a two year QC membership in anticipation of future o/s travels, so indeed, why not build some good will to go with it, rather than having the feeling of battling to just get what was paid for but being told politely tough luck!

Hopefully Red Roo will sort something out for you!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Agree FM, You would think Qantas would have done a simple sweep of all pax booked through Dubai before the rule change date and advise these pax how the changes may affect them...BUT...Qantas could also say in the interests of fair play, exceptions will be made for this booking only. Please be aware in future. Pax maybe not happy for the future, but at least they are getting what they paid for, and can make a further decision about booking armed with this knowledge.

I would like to see a simple?? table showing the relevant rules about flights, (e.g. QF/EK) as well as other airlines, referencing code share, stopovers, lounge entry, Status Credits, FF Miles, FF Status and of course Qantas Club membership(which these days really is becoming a domestic club)

I recently went though a similar exercise regarding how to book tickets to Paris out of Brisbane though Dubai while retaining status credits, miles, lounge access and if possible a Dubai stopover.(Sadly, this later was not possible) A bit easier? for us as while Qantas Club Members, we are also Gold QANTAS FF and the flights were Business out and First back.

Many years ago I bought life time QC for 2 of the ankle biters and it was incredible then - definitely has become less useful, although can't complain as they have had their money's worth out of it. Gold status definitely what you need now!

 

[por930]

Many years ago I bought life time QC for 2 of the ankle biters and it was incredible then - definitely has become less useful, although can't complain as they have had their money's worth out of it. Gold status definitely what you need now!

I also bought 2 lifetime Qantas Club memberships when Flight Deck was first launched. people thought I was crazy, but one of the best purchases I have ever made. Prior to those days we used to have drinks in the TAA airport managers office.... I have been expecting a "tap" on the shoulder saying thanks mate but we no longer need the Qantas Club..From so and so..Bye....The Frequent Flyer status now in favour due to spend=status, and because credits get zapped every year, little chance to rise in the status ranks unless a corporate warrior.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I also bought 2 lifetime Qantas Club memberships when Flight Deck was first launched. people thought I was crazy, but one of the best purchases I have ever made. Prior to those days we used to have drinks in the TAA airport managers office.... I have been expecting a "tap" on the shoulder saying thanks mate but we no longer need the Qantas Club..From so and so..Bye....The Frequent Flyer status now in favour due to spend=status, and because credits get zapped every year, little chance to rise in the status ranks unless a corporate warrior.

I am an optimist - I think the club has its place and so does paid membership.

 

[katiebell]

Thanks trippin the rift, for your support but, no ,it was not the agents fault, she checked on the qantas website and it clearly showed that access would be provided to the Emirates lounge, her cut and paste of this fact in an email to me, is the evidence i am providing to Red Roo to prove that i did not make payment for the tickets until this was confirmed in writing to me.

Airlines, in my experience, always blame the poor travel agent. When I have meal requests that do not turn up it is always the TA they blame. It got to the point i would take a print out of the TA's booking to prove it was the airline's fault. It is really poor form to blame someone who is not there to defend herself and without any evidence to back the blame

 

[maninblack]

Not sure I understand Qantas' customer handling system......Surely it would be easier and cheaper to organise access to the lounge for the one or two people who contact them saying "I booked prior to the changes" rather than spending staff time fighting them! A quick check would show the booking was made prior to the changes and then just demonstrate and build good will and let them in. It is a problem that has a short life surely! (Well I suppose a year, but how many people are actually going to be in this situation?)

Perhaps there is no provision in their system? In my experience QF do not often back down. Goodwill is no longer a word in their vocabulary. Remember the sudden dumping of chauffeur drive. Thousands of passengers had to rebook airport transfers after this offer was rescinded. I do recall that the guy who runs this airline also just grounded the whole fleet one day in a fit of pique leaving thousands stranded and in turmoil worldwide!

 

[mannej]

I do recall that the guy who runs this airline also just grounded the whole fleet one day in a fit of pique leaving thousands stranded and in turmoil worldwide!

How about the months of delays in the lead up to the grounding?

 

[RooFlyer]

How about the months of delays in the lead up to the grounding?

So tell us, how about it? Was that the MD's, or indeed the airlines doing?

I appreciate they airline was under a 'slow bake' by the unions, but to take it out on thousands of your passengers without notice? How about it?

 

[roomer]

Perhaps there is no provision in their system? In my experience QF do not often back down. Goodwill is no longer a word in their vocabulary.

Nearly did a backwards somersault when I saw the above had a thumbs up from Rooflyer - which I mistook as Red Roo ! That really would have been bad form

Anyway just as an update, had a call from a female Red Roo ( I know the male is called a boomer form that Rolf Harris song - not sure of the female term) who said would be in contact later that arvo or sometime the next day...

 

[mannej]

So tell us, how about it? Was that the MD's, or indeed the airlines doing?

I appreciate they airline was under a 'slow bake' by the unions, but to take it out on thousands of your passengers without notice? How about it?

I am aware that the grounding was drastic, however the lead up action always seems to be missed when this topic comes up.

The end result of the grounding in regards to the delays was?

 

[por930]

Nearly did a backwards somersault when I saw the above had a thumbs up from Rooflyer - which I mistook as Red Roo ! That really would have been bad form

Anyway just as an update, had a call from a female Red Roo ( I know the male is called a boomer form that Rolf Harris song - not sure of the female term) who said would be in contact later that arvo or sometime the next day...

Yes, I often have to read the posts twice as I often confuse Roo flyer with RedRoo and wonder why the change of allegianc.... Hope QF come though for you. Now they are in profit and not so backs to the wall, I think they need to do some fence building with their flyers. When I had recent issues with QF and EK, I carried out my 'discussion' via twitter and face book private messages, and resolved it..more to the point...in writing to show the gate dragons.

BTW, female Roo often called a Jill or flyer with the soft name a doe.

 

[roomer]

Yes, I often have to read the posts twice as I often confuse Roo flyer with RedRoo and wonder why the change of allegianc.... Hope QF come though for you. Now they are in profit and not so backs to the wall, I think they need to do some fence building with their flyers. When I had recent issues with QF and EK, I carried out my 'discussion' via twitter and face book private messages, and resolved it..more to the point...in writing to show the gate dragons.

BTW, female Roo often called a Jill or flyer with the soft name a doe.

Thanks por930, yes I would like to think they would have realised the importance of maintaining good customer relations but am beginning to wonder, as contrary what was advised yesterday, I am still waiting to hear back from them today as they had promised...

 

[por930]

I am still waiting to hear back from them today as they had promised...

LOL, Yes I had to put a reminder on line for QF and they rang early one morning. Seems like the people on the front line so to speak, have to get 'approvals..or otherwise comments" from the faceless people in the back office. I often wish I could speak with these people direct to save the he-said-she-said etc

 

[roomer]

LOL, Yes I had to put a reminder on line for QF Seems like the people on the front line so to speak, have to get 'approvals..or otherwise comments" from the faceless people in the back office. I often wish I could speak with these people direct to save the he-said-she-said etc

Great minds think alike - I just private PM'd a reminder to Red Roo, as the girl whom I spoke with yesterday seemed very genuine in her commitment to get back to me today. It may be a case as you have described...

 

[roomer]

LOL, Yes I had to put a reminder on line for QF Seems like the people on the front line so to speak, have to get 'approvals..or otherwise comments" from the faceless people in the back office. I often wish I could speak with these people direct to save the he-said-she-said etc

Great minds think alike - I just private PM'd a reminder to Red Roo, as the girl whom I spoke with yesterday seemed very genuine in her commitment to get back to me today. It may be a case as you have described...

Just to keep this post alive, I can advise I was contacted on Friday afternoon at 5.30pm and that it was still being considered by management. imagine if we were playing for sheep stations... !

 

[por930]

Just to keep this post alive, I can advise I was contacted on Friday afternoon at 5.30pm that it was still be considered my management. imagine if we were playing for sheep stations... !

I guess to Qantas management, giving you a bit of slack and admitting they were a 'little' harsh is a BIG deal. As you say, it is not a sheep station, but sheer good will, some thing Qantas has not been known for for some time. Maybe, just maybe AJ can do a Tony Abbott, and promise to listen to his customers a bit more.....

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, I often have to read the posts twice as I often confuse Roo flyer with RedRoo and wonder why the change of allegianc.... Hope QF come though for you. Now they are in profit and not so backs to the wall, I think they need to do some fence building with their flyers. When I had recent issues with QF and EK, I carried out my 'discussion' via twitter and face book private messages, and resolved it..more to the point...in writing to show the gate dragons.

BTW, female Roo often called a Jill or flyer with the soft name a doe.

O/T sorry, but yes it has been a reverse ' road to Damascus' . Love the on board staff and experience ( mostly) but utterly loath the marketing spin which unfortunately catches Red Roos in the messaging.

Lots if signs of operational turn around, but still much total BS, such as the recent fuel fines announcement and even the 'lounge behaviour' announcement. When the professionalism in marketing and 'loyalty' matches that employed in flying the birds, they may be damn near unbeatable, even if more expensive.

 

[medhead]

How about the months of delays in the lead up to the grounding?

What delays? I experienced NONE! I get more delays, more regularly now than I experienced then.

I am aware that the grounding was drastic, however the lead up action always seems to be missed when this topic comes up.

The end result of the grounding in regards to the delays was?

More delays now. Plus constant schedule changes. Plus the random disappearance of my key 6am Monday flight from the Qantas schedule altogether. Just drop such an important flight for business travels at a whim. What is that?

 

[mannej]

What delays? I experienced NONE! I get more delays, more regularly now than I experienced then.

A sample size of one is hardly a valid size to suggest that the on-going delays were a myth.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-06/qantas-workers-call-off-strike/3318244

I am sure if you trawl through the threads during the 2011 period, a number of members on here were affected by the delays and a number shifted flights to VA to minimize their exposure to the delays.

More delays now. Plus constant schedule changes. Plus the random disappearance of my key 6am Monday flight from the Qantas schedule altogether. Just drop such an important flight for business travels at a whim. What is that?

Do you have the data to back this up, or are you speculating for the sake of an argument? I am sure the BITRE data would suggest whether or not that is the case.

Schedule changes are a normal part of aviation no matter the airline, but it's not relevant to the issue of the grounding.

 

[maninblack]

How about the months of delays in the lead up to the grounding?

As a customer is it my problem if he cannot get on with his employees? He chose to punish his customers because of his own failings. Customer is number one, so this was a total failure of management.