Rewarding Long Term Frequent Flyer Loyalty

[RichardMEL]

I guess the issue is, that if you have done it on the bosses dime, you could easily question whether you have demonstrated loyalty at all - especially if you had no choice in the carrier. For example, I achieved Lifetime Status on the back of a corporate contract - that doesn't really make my loyal.

luckily QF don't care* who pays for it as long as they get the revenue!

(* noting with the various rules about govt Business and the awarding of points/SC vary, as do things like P1 gifts for those on government work).

and as a self funded QF flyer of over 25 years with > 29k SC's there have been reasons to do that.. Just as there have been reasons to pay for and fly the likes of SQ( I have been fortunate to, a number of times), MH, TG, NZ and so on. Being self funded does give one 100% choice, and does allow one to pursue one's goals(in this sense I do mean things like long term FF goals like LTG with a few carriers/alliances and so on). While I have little incentive to continue to fly QF much more once I make1200SC a year for WP I have found myself hitting P1 the past few years thanks to DSC and the like mostly due to things like schedule, and the status handcuff of things like OWE benefits and that, honestly, QF do look after me pretty well as a P1 and generally get me where I want to be on time.. with an "OK" product. If I could afford SQ Suites(via cashola or points) and they flew to the places I want sure I'd mch rather be there, but for me QF still provides a fair service and since I usually grab sale fare I don't feel the full sting of some of the ridiculous full fares they want to charge. I also set my expectations fairly low.

 

[woodborer]

I know it has been discussed before I just don't get the loyalty, emotional and self funded thing.

Interesting think the emotional handcuffs. Rather than go looking for a better deal, they want Qantas to give them more.

 

[RichardMEL]

I know it has been discussed before I just don't get the loyalty, emotional and self funded thing.

Not entirely sure what you mean. I suppose one thing is that there are many reasons people will stay "loyal" or at least continue to stay with a particular brand.. in this case QFF... the emotional part could be anything from "We've ALWAYS flown QF" to "I suppose Australian" to "I don't trust airline X" or whatever. Other reasons could be, like you, in terms of making the program work for them - and for each person that could mean different things. BAEC works for you because of your travel patterns and ability to use all those GGL benefits (which are very nice, even with BA's mediocre product in J and F).. all that is next to useless if someone mostly flies AU-North America. Maybe AA may work better, or even QF to say upgrade on the long haul sectors. Some may even be lazy and "I am used to QF I can't be bothered going elsewhere"

any number of reasons.

My own personal strategy is a mix of benefit to me (still) with QFF, and I also go Star Alliance for product and to attain LTG over there(soon!) and thus have options on both networks that will give me *something* plus there is also a smal factor for me that is experience related, which means the odd flights in SQ F or TG F.

Every person's situation is unique and have different priorities and goals (as you noted) definitely no "one size fits all" in this world. Me.. I like options and not just being only in the one game. I suspect many others are similar. Just like with hotels.. for those that use the chains, I am sure the "love" is spread through various programs too for various reasons.

 

[TonyHancock]

Not entirely sure what you mean.

Coming at it from another angle I don't see the same level of loyalty and emotional attachment when it comes to credit cards or even hotel chains. Air travel definitely stimulates an emotional reaction in many - just look at the thread about the crumbs in the QF SYD J Lounge.

My own personal strategy is a mix of benefit to me (still) with QFF, and I also go Star Alliance for product and to attain LTG over there(soon!) and thus have options on both networks that will give me *something* plus there is also a smal factor for me that is experience related, which means the odd flights in SQ F or TG F.

I see that as a strategy not dissimilar from my own - maximising the benefits. I don't see that as loyalty - it is business.

Every person's situation is unique and have different priorities and goals (as you noted) definitely no "one size fits all" in this world. Me.. I like options and not just being only in the one game. I suspect many others are similar. Just like with hotels.. for those that use the chains, I am sure the "love" is spread through various programs too for various reasons.

Agreed and as for hotels I'm absolutely spreading the "love" It is all about maximising the benefits.

 

[JohnK]

A few suggestions on what would make me feel that my loyalty is rewarded.

Bring back anytime lounge access. No, seriously.

Differentiate between earned flying points and other points and provide a discount on award tickets if using points earned from flying.

Give access to award tickets to status members before general release for everyone. Perhaps 350 days for Platinum members, 340 days for Gold members, 330 days for Silver and other Overworld elites and 300 days for non status members.

 

[jaseb]

Give access to award tickets to status members before general release for everyone. Perhaps 350 days for Platinum members, 340 days for Gold members, 330 days for Silver and other Overworld elites and 300 days for non status members.

Doesn't this already happen (to some extent, anyway)?

 

[serfty]

Give access to award tickets to status members before general release for everyone. Perhaps 350 days for Platinum members, 340 days for Gold members, 330 days for Silver and other Overworld elites and 300 days for non status members.

If QF did that it would be more like 353 CL/P1, 339 WP, 325 SG ....

 

[JohnK]

Doesn't this already happen (to some extent, anyway)?

Not really. Credit card churners with zero status have the same access to awards as anyone with status.

If QF did that it would be more like 353 CL/P1, 339 WP, 325 SG ....

That's fine. And no status further down somewhere.

 

[mannej]

Not really. Credit card churners with zero status have the same access to awards as anyone with status.

Are you sure that is the case JohnK? I could have sworn there is an article on here suggesting NB and PS members don’t get access to premium awards until around 297 days prior to departure.

 

[oz_mark]

Coming at it from another angle I don't see the same level of loyalty and emotional attachment when it comes to credit cards or even hotel chains.

Oh I don't know. I thought you had an irrational and inSpired sense of loyalty to IHG

I certainly don't get the whole Hilton thing - why do people keep subjecting themselves to Hilton Sydney for example!

 

[oz_mark]

Lifetime Platinum would be nice but I know it won't happen as there's quite a cost involved as you mention. If Qantas did introduce Lifetime Platinum I would think it would be a stretch target, something along the lines of 56,000 SCs. Perhaps more. But that's just my opinion.

I'm only just closing in on LTG. Getting to LTS was basically company funded - getting from LTS to LTG has largely been self funded.

Having said that, I am more value based in my decisions rather than being staunchly 'loyal'. Loyal to my wallet maybe

 

[TonyHancock]

Oh I don't know. I thought you had an irrational and inSpired sense of loyalty to IHG

I certainly don't get the whole Hilton thing - why do people keep subjecting themselves to Hilton Sydney for example!

The IHG thing was an irrational fear of two former employees having higher status than me.I just could not bare the thought of them being upgraded and not me. I sought out counselling but it didn't work.

I like the Hilton on property benefits, particularly in Asia, but really do not like the Hilton in Sydney - shoe box rooms and I have never had a decent upgrade.

 

[Matt_01]

Completely off topic, these are the threads that keep me amused when I am away from home and stuck in some hotel and wanting down time. The usual FF suspects chime in and after reading postings from the likes of @juddles, @RichardMEL, @JohnK, @serfty etc. and others both here and at AusBT and FT opinions will always be divided.

Then throw in the “self-funded” stuff, which is a whole other topic. I don’t quite get this and maybe @TonyHancock didn’t as he created one of his quizzes on this very subject.

In my opinion loyalty in airlines, hotels or anything else is geared to benefit the supplier not the consumer.

 

[Pushka]

Not really. Credit card churners with zero status have the same access to awards as anyone with status.


That's fine. And no status further down somewhere.

Not on Qantas. The high status passengers get early dibs.

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges

 

[serfty]

In my opinion loyalty in airlines, hotels or anything else is geared to benefit the supplier not the consumer.

I fully agree ... I use the more useful fringes of loyalty programs for my own benefit. If I can't perceive any I can use in a particular program then my participation in that program is minimal.

 

[opusman]

It's a common misconception that the loyalty program is there to reward your loyalty to the company. It's actually there to ensure your loyalty.

 

[Matt_01]

Not on Qantas. The high status passengers get early dibs.

Not sure if that is 100% correct. Yes high status QFF gets better access to QF flights or can request them. When it comes to OW awards these open up to any OW FF regardless of status. This was one of the reasons that so many here whinged when CX adjusted their rules last year.

lots of people with membership of a OW carrier use many different search engines or their accounts to find flights that are not listed on QF. I for one have OW FF accounts with QF, CX, AA, JL, BA and QR. I also have a few with *A carriers to make best use of those points and redemptions.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Hvr]

Having said that, I am more value based in my decisions rather than being staunchly 'loyal'.

And this is how it should be. People are asking for airlines to give more loyalty to them than they give them.

If the relationship is cooling then either side can decide if it is worth reviving or to let it die. Any life time benefits can be accessed as required but expecting special treatment is like going back to a former spouse after a long absence and asking for something because you used to be close.

 

[Pushka]

Not sure if that is 100% correct. Yes hight status QFF get better access to QF flights or can request them. When it comes to OW awards these open up to any OW FF regardless of status. This was one of the reasons that so many here whinged when CX adjusted their rules last year.

lots of people with membership of a OW carrier use many different search engines or their accounts to find flights that are not listed on QF. I for one have OW FF accounts with QF, CX, AA, JL, BA and QR. I also have a few with *A carriers to make best use of those points and redemptions.

Just my thoughts.

It is according to the screenshot I just posted at least for Qantas.

 

[oz_mark]

Then throw in the “self-funded” stuff, which is a whole other topic. I don’t quite get this and maybe @TonyHancock didn’t as he created one of his quizzes on this very subject.

I guess someone getting lifetime status through their own choice is more 'loyal' than someone that has got there on the back of working for company having a contract with Qantas.