Question about Life Time status with Qantas?

[JohnK]

The previous poster has submitted a clear, logical rationale for why EVERYONE must earn status each year from the SAME base, and neatly covered the difference between obtain and retain!

All start from the same base but some are fast tracked.

Obviously not a level playing field.

Looking at it another way it means nothing to be a Platinum with Lifetime Gold status. You get recognition if you fall off the perch but nothing while you are still on the perch.

 

[Downwind]

All start from the same base but some are fast tracked.

Obviously not a level playing field.

Looking at it another way it means nothing to be a Platinum with Lifetime Gold status. You get recognition if you fall off the perch but nothing while you are still on the perch.

And this is the point ive been trying to make.......

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

And you're ignoring the fact that a LTG member has little to no incentive to bother flying QF or at the very least crediting their 600-1395SC to QF FF as they are effectively useless. It is my suggestion that these SC should be valued and one way of doing that is to reduce the requal levels for LTG holders by 600SC, the value of annual SG.

I am not suggesting that the member be given 600SC, as that would be unfair, but I see no issue with QF saying that WP is SG+800 (which it effectively is) and given a LTG is SG, they should just have to make up the 800SC difference. It appears you do have an issue with this, and thats fine, can we please leave it at that?

The "value" or "incentive" is the SG level benefits for life:
- lounge access
- priority check in
- oneworld sapphire status
etc.

Or go fly the other guys and start from zero if you prefer.

I would hazard to guess that's why most people would still fly QF.

Let's face it, the lifetime levels are designed as a fallback for people who retire after showing years of loyalty to QF. These people are unlikely to earn status of any kind in their own right. Those that do are continuing in the rat race like everyone else, therefore still need to make the required SCs, just as everyone else. I'm not sure why it's hard to understand, but it is the age of entitlement I suppose.

LTG does not equal earned SG. Never has, never will IMO. It is a different status, albeit with the same benefits.

You see no issue, and that's wonderful. QF and a majority of members do take issue with your proposal. Can we just leave it at that? Unlikely I'm sure.

 

[Downwind]

Or go fly the other guys and start from zero if you prefer.

I'm not sure why it's hard to understand, but it is the age of entitlement I suppose.

LTG does not equal earned SG. Never has, never will IMO. It is a different status, albeit with the same benefits.

You see no issue, and that's wonderful. QF and a majority of members do take issue with your proposal. Can we just leave it at that? Unlikely I'm sure.

Why start from zero with the other guys? I cant say I know too much about AA or any OW partner, other than you can still use your QF LT status with them. Little to no revenue would EVER go to QF, but they would receive a nice little bill for all of your lounge visits.

I find your accusations about the age of entitlement offensive. I dont think im entitled to anything more than QF publish and have to accept the program as it is, but im lucky to even get that.

I sort of see your point about LTG not being equal to earned SG, but I also sort of dont. On some level, it is exactly the same as earned SG except that you dont need to earn 600/700Sc every year to get it. but sure, lets agree to disagree.

My suggestion is exactly that... a suggestion. It is not a proposal or a motive or an end game or any other thing that you accused me of in one of your first posts. It is nothing more than looking at a situation from another angle and asking "what if"? Youve decided to make it personal by vilifying me, merely for having an opinion that is different to yours. And you couldnt end your post without having another little stab could you?

At the end of the day, my life doesnt revolve around this forum, airline status and maximising my FF points by using every trick in the book. Im just not that boring. I hope you personally get to take advantage of the extra award availability you referred to in some thread that my FF account deletion will no doubt cause and continue to enjoy your little forum where you get to behave like a petulant 5 year old, because I am done.

<redacted>

 

[JohnK]

My suggestion is exactly that... a suggestion. It is not a proposal or a motive or an end game or any other thing that you accused me of in one of your first posts. It is nothing more than looking at a situation from another angle and asking "what if"? Youve decided to make it personal by vilifying me, merely for having an opinion that is different to yours. And you couldnt end your post without having another little stab could you?

I think your suggestion has some merit.

I am convinced Qantas is not going to make drastic changes but good to discuss different views.

 

[Deleted member]

This all rather pointless.
My position is this.
Currently (at 56years old) I am a QP life member and earning at WP level.
"IF" I were to achieve either LTS or LTG it would be because I do a heck of a lot of travel in Y,J etc or travel in F a lot.
Let's say I do achieve LTG , I would suggest that ( in my case) my frequency of flying ( in my declining years) will be less than now.
Therefore what advantage is LTG to me? Moreover what drain on QF is it for me to be such an infrequent traveller?( and holding LTG)
My Plan is regardless of frequency, I am not going to fly in any seat further back than J .
So is a J Pax getting a benefit as good as or better than a LTG? Lounge access? What about a long Haul in J and chauffeur drive. LTG won't get you that.
If you are doing the miles Life time status is irrelevant IMHO and if not then fly in J / F .
the fact is life time status is more of a recognition thing and has no real intrinsic value (unless if you are a true status junkie) and decide to fly in anything other than Y
So as I said a rather pointless discussion really .
My final point is QF offer a life time status, they don't have to if they don't want to

 

[serfty]

...

Obviously not a level playing field.

...

It does not need to be a level playing field, Qantas are a business and their FF program is just a marketing tool to attract those worth the most to them.

So some may get different benefits to others; it is all about where the airline perceives they can get the most chance of profit from an individual/organisation.

If one feels this is unfair they can always redirect their spending to travel with someone else.

 

[medhead]

And you're ignoring the fact that a LTG member has little to no incentive to bother flying QF or at the very least crediting their 600-1395SC to QF FF as they are effectively useless. It is my suggestion that these SC should be valued and one way of doing that is to reduce the requal levels for LTG holders by 600SC, the value of annual SG.

I'm not ignoring that at all. You never raised it as an issue. Your problem was fairness to the customer. Now you're telling us it is customer incentive under the QFF business plan. I'd also suggest that having gold benefits with one airline is a pretty big incentive against having no benefits with another airline.

I am not suggesting that the member be given 600SC, as that would be unfair, but I see no issue with QF saying that WP is SG+800 (which it effectively is) and given a LTG is SG, they should just have to make up the 800SC difference. It appears you do have an issue with this, and thats fine, can we please leave it at that?

I'm sorry but if reducing the qualification requirement by 600SC isn't a gift than I don't know what is a gift. Consecutive sentences that are an outright contradiction. As you say it is unfair and that's the only issue I have. I'm glad you can admit its unfair.

BTW I'm just stating my opinion. I'm not sure why you can't accept that it is my opinion and have to keep trying to change my opinion.

My suggestion is exactly that... a suggestion. It is not a proposal or a motive or an end game or any other thing that you accused me of in one of your first posts. It is nothing more than looking at a situation from another angle and asking "what if"? Youve decided to make it personal by vilifying me, merely for having an opinion that is different to yours.

Ok so only you're allow to state your opinion and anyone who disagrees has to "leave it at that", to use your words. I'm not going to bother to quote all your various comments about people who have a different opinion from yours. Perhaps if you didn't want to have a discussion you shouldn't have started the thread?

 

[serfty]

...



I'm sorry but if reducing the qualification requirement by 600SC isn't a gift than I don't know what is a gift. Consecutive sentences that are an outright contradiction. As you say it is unfair and that's the issue I have. I'm glad you can admit its unfair.

What's all this about unfairness?

As I recently posted, Qantas are a business out to make a profit for their shareholders.

They use a FF scheme as incentivisation, not as a charity. Use it as you will, or don't.

 

[Downwind]

I think your suggestion has some merit.

I am convinced Qantas is not going to make drastic changes but good to discuss different views.

im equally convinced that no changes will be made that benefit the member. Seemingly intelligent people don't get that the FF program is not about them, or for them, but rather what serfty said and as such, QF's interest is not the members welfare, but rather their own back packet, and boy are they rubbing their hands together with this lot!!

 

[samh004]

I'm not a moderator, so don't take what I'm saying as if I am, and if its out of line please delete/hide, but it seems there's two main opinions on this thread that are very different. We knew they were very different from the start, but neither owner of each opinion is willing to let the other have the last say, and in the process getting so worked up that leaving or getting banned from AFF could be on the cards. I don't know why it has to come to that.

Some members can be hard cases here, don't let them get to you, move on to the next battle, and hopefully in that one you'll be side by side against someone else, and then the next one, and the next one

Don't take things personally, it's all too easy to do that.

 

[medhead]

What's all this about unfairness?

I don't know. That's the OPs standard. I'm just saying its unfair to gift someone 600 SC towards annual qualification automatically, vs everyone attaining the same qualification standard as stand practice. And acknowledging that special one off promos are special cases. The OP mentioned fairness, I'm just running with it.

 

[amaroo]

This all rather pointless.
My position is this.
Currently (at 56years old) I am a QP life member and earning at WP level.
"IF" I were to achieve either LTS or LTG it would be because I do a heck of a lot of travel in Y,J etc or travel in F a lot.
Let's say I do achieve LTG , I would suggest that ( in my case) my frequency of flying ( in my declining years) will be less than now.
Therefore what advantage is LTG to me? Moreover what drain on QF is it for me to be such an infrequent traveller?( and holding LTG)
My Plan is regardless of frequency, I am not going to fly in any seat further back than J .
So is a J Pax getting a benefit as good as or better than a LTG? Lounge access? What about a long Haul in J and chauffeur drive. LTG won't get you that.
If you are doing the miles Life time status is irrelevant IMHO and if not then fly in J / F .
the fact is life time status is more of a recognition thing and has no real intrinsic value (unless if you are a true status junkie) and decide to fly in anything other than Y
So as I said a rather pointless discussion really .
My final point is QF offer a life time status, they don't have to if they don't want to

Interesting view. Haven't read every post so I may be repeating......

My take on LT benefits is that most FF are boarding planes via someone else's money....government or company dime. The few that survive in a role/s that require travel will rack up a significant amount of flights. When retirement, retrenchment, sacking, GFC strike - most FF disappear from the radar.

This is the carrot of LT benefits. The FF who is now limited in travel, probably flying a lower class - gets to enjoy some of the finer things that were once plentiful.

As someone (45 years old) who will achieve LTG this year.....I'm very happy to tuck the free pass in the back of drawer & pull it out whenever it may be required. I plan to live a long time & travel more than I have ever done before.....this will require a large amount of coin. I'm sure most of it will be split between whY and J & bugger or in F......LTG is a wonderful gift & I'll take it with both hands smiling!

 

[JohnK]

It does not need to be a level playing field, Qantas are a business and their FF program is just a marketing tool to attract those worth the most to them.

So some may get different benefits to others; it is all about where the airline perceives they can get the most chance of profit from an individual/organisation.

If one feels this is unfair they can always redirect their spending to travel with someone else.

I understand Qantas is a business.

We have started to see a few threads on AFF where people are asking "Where to after Lifetime Gold?". Credit to another program, another alliance or stay with Qantas.

Well here is a chance for Qantas to be proactive and possible look at some reward for Lifetime Gold other than a safety net. Why? Because it makes sense to try and keep your most loyal frequent flyers instead of trying to entice the person who is only going to fly with you with an incentive such as double SCs and as soon as soon as that dries up goes back to Virgin.

I pay yearly membership at my golf club and as a 10 year member i get a discount. This will i will have bedn a member for 20 years so discount increases a little more. Why? Incentive for people not to stray.

FWIW I think the OP had a goid point but was attacked right from the beginning. I dont understand why. Discussion is good and if you dont like a topic then stay away.

 

[Deleted member]

Interesting view. Haven't read every post so I may be repeating......

My take on LT benefits is that most FF are boarding planes via someone else's money....government or company dime. The few that survive in a role/s that require travel will rack up a significant amount of flights. When retirement, retrenchment, sacking, GFC strike - most FF disappear from the radar.

This is the carrot of LT benefits. The FF who is now limited in travel, probably flying a lower class - gets to enjoy some of the finer things that were once plentiful.

As someone (45 years old) who will achieve LTG this year.....I'm very happy to tuck the free pass in the back of drawer & pull it out whenever it may be required. I plan to live a long time & travel more than I have ever done before.....this will require a large amount of coin. I'm sure most of it will be split between whY and J & bugger or in F......LTG is a wonderful gift & I'll take it with both hands smiling!

I agree with your post. But I am 11 years older, & not even close to LTS at this stage, and as I already have life QP and plan only on flying in J as a min ( I won't fly otherwise) and as a consequence less often ( but maybe for longer trips away) Life time for me is a bit redundant