What do you want/expect on board?

[serfty]

... When I first joined QFF in the early 90s I used to get upgrade vouchers - does anyone remember these?

Absolutely!

You could purchase with QFF points at varying rates depending on distance zones and also special certs were awarded when achieving OB, OS and OG.* These special certificates were valid for any one-way journey within domestic Australia.

When the (now defunct) UC's were introduced, exiting certificates were converted to UC's. The special certificates were converted for 2 UC's, onew like MEL/SYD-CBR distance were converted to 1 UC.

There was an issue where some realised the could buy these short distance ones for 7500 QFF points and spent up; so Qantas limited this to 4 certificates.

Also, they could be used to upgrade from any revenue class. UC could as well until May 2005.

*See here: Abbreviations and Explanations

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I wouldn't mind Plats being given upgrade vouchers - AA give their exec plats 8 per year I think?

Very good point. But l somehow can't see QF following AA's lead. If there was something more substantial from gaining QF WP, l would probably aim for it (or at least QF SG). F Lounge access and double points on QF/AA/BA, a corp QC membership sits fine with me.

 

[anat0l]

Very good point. But l somehow can't see QF following AA's lead. If there was something more substantial from gaining QF WP, l would probably aim for it (or at least QF SG). F Lounge access and double points on QF/AA/BA, a corp QC membership sits fine with me.

I have to admit getting better treatment as a QF WP than when I was a NB or even PS (or even SG), but there's not much in WP otherwise if you're hard to love :mrgreen:

 

[QF WP]

Yes, AA provide 8 system-wide eVIP upgrades per year to Executive Platinum members. These are good for a one-way trip of up to 3 flight segments and can be confirmed at the time of request of there is available upgrade inventory, and that means A class for upgrades into first class and C class for upgrades into Business Class.

Qantas provides a Loyalty Bonus of 5000 points for every 450 Status Credits earned. So this effectively provides a Platinum status member the QF FF points required for 3 upgrades from full economy to business class on flights up to 600 miles.

Hmm, which one seems more generous?

Of course, don't forget the additional ones for those members that achieve Lifetime Gold or Platinum. There can be some members that never get any eVIP's until they achieve Lifetime (looking firmly at myself, as I'll be an example).

Who's more generous to FF's - AA :!:
Which company is actually making profits: QF :shock:

One can consider what is the cost of AA providing a seat in a higher class of travel for the number of available sectors (differentials in cost for food, seating, FA's, etc) versus the intangible benefit of goodwill generated for future booking (fare basis, class of travel, etc).

 

[draper]

Cathay have got the back of the plane sorted out with their seats that do not reline into the face / space of the passenger behind. This is my personal bug bear and no doubt a problem you are faced with on a daily basis as passengers down the back cause confrontation as they fight for every available inch of room. Imagine if you could talk to your management at QA and get this style of seating down the back. No more acting as referee on reclining seat hogs, no more "please ensure your seat is upright" during meal/ beverage service.
You wanted feedback: get Management to get rid of the reclining seats "Down the Back".

 

[notzac]

The big big problem with these "non-reclining" seats is they're generally considered pretty awful for tall people. As a tall person who can't afford to fly Y+ or better all that often, I'd much rather sit in the sort of seats QF have!

 

[draper]

Thanyou for the information: As a short person I was'nt aware that the fixed Cathay seats were a problem for tall people. As a Family (short) we throughly enjoy the fixed seat arrangement as our personal little alcove of privacy "down the back" with a power point available on every seat is never invaded by a reclining seat which makes long haul flights enjoyable for us. Cabin Staff in my humble opinion are probably better served with the fixed seat arrangments as they are not "working around" reclined seating and the restricted access reclined seats present when trying to pass anything across a few rows of seating, or passengers trying to get out from inboard seating to the aisle. This year I was an unhappy passenger in Y on a Mel to LAX service with a reclined seat in my face for 15 hours. Compared with a recent Cathay flight I was a v happy passenger in Y for a 9 hour flight with fixed seating and no intrusions into "my space".

 

[medhead]

The big big problem with these "non-reclining" seats is they're generally considered pretty awful for tall people. As a tall person who can't afford to fly Y+ or better all that often, I'd much rather sit in the sort of seats QF have!

How tall is tall?
I'm only 6' and I find the seats just fine - as long as the A-hole* in front doesn't recline. I'm not uncomfortable until that seat is reclined in my face and then I need to recline. That then becomes a self fulfilling proposition of people the length of the aircraft reclining. IMO there is little need to recline, or at most a quarter of the currently available recline angle. My wife is just about as tall as me and she agrees with this opinion.

* they are A-holes because they usually fully recline and then sit forward/up to eat or see the IFE or read. Basically only reclining because they can, when their actions say they really want the seat upright.

 

[11sjw]

What's with all this don't recline BS? I'm 6'2" and recline as often as I can. I move upright during meal times as it's the only time I care if the person in front is reclined as it makes getting the utensil to the mouth a little awkward. Outside of that I figure the seats were designed to do it so if you want to then enjoy. Stop your whining people and deal with it.

 

[Timba-Jet]

How tall is tall?
I'm only 6' and I find the seats just fine - as long as the A-hole* in front doesn't recline. I'm not uncomfortable until that seat is reclined in my face and then I need to recline. That then becomes a self fulfilling proposition of people the length of the aircraft reclining. IMO there is little need to recline, or at most a quarter of the currently available recline angle. My wife is just about as tall as me and she agrees with this opinion.

* they are A-holes because they usually fully recline and then sit forward/up to eat or see the IFE or read. Basically only reclining because they can, when their actions say they really want the seat upright.

Agree totally, on a SYD-LAX flight lasy year the guy in front of me sitting in an exit row had the seat in full recline for the entire flight. He was not sleeping but either reading or chatting to his girlfriend, and kept leaning back with heavy thuds back into the chair everytime he shifted in his seat.

Personally, the limited recline in Y does very littled for my comfort,so i choose to ruin the flight for the person behing me for thr 1% extra comfort i get.

 

[straitman]

What's with all this don't recline BS? I'm 6'2" and recline as often as I can. I move upright during meal times as it's the only time I care if the person in front is reclined as it makes getting the utensil to the mouth a little awkward. Outside of that I figure the seats were designed to do it so if you want to then enjoy. Stop your whining people and deal with it.

Let us not start the recline or not recline debate again. Unless of course JohnK wants to go there :!:

 

[straitman]

What's with all this don't recline BS? I'm 6'2" and recline as often as I can. I move upright during meal times as it's the only time I care if the person in front is reclined as it makes getting the utensil to the mouth a little awkward. Outside of that I figure the seats were designed to do it so if you want to then enjoy. Stop your whining people and deal with it.

Let us not start the recline or not recline debate again. Unless of course JohnK wants to go there :!:

 

[medhead]

What's with all this don't recline BS? I'm 6'2" and recline as often as I can. I move upright during meal times as it's the only time I care if the person in front is reclined as it makes getting the utensil to the mouth a little awkward. Outside of that I figure the seats were designed to do it so if you want to then enjoy. Stop your whining people and deal with it.

I didn't say don't recline. I asked how tall you have to be in order to feel the need to always recline. That is the point, I'm tall - my knees touch the seat in front and all that but i am never so uncomfortable that I feel the need to recline. Except as I noted when the person in front reclines - usually to then not lay back in the seat.

So at 6'2" does it really improve your comfort that much that you must recline? (and hence make me uncomfortable). I can't imagine that I would need to recline with an extra 2 inches. I'll wear my pumps next time to test this theory.

Plus people don't notice when I put my hand up and stop them from reclining the full extent. If someone was really uincomfortable I would expect that they would notice if they didn't get the full recline as they would still be uncomfortable.

 

[BlueAU]

Plus people don't notice when I put my hand up and stop them from reclining the full extent. If someone was really uincomfortable I would expect that they would notice if they didn't get the full recline as they would still be uncomfortable.

That gives me an idea!! :!: Thanks Will try it next time someone reclines as soon as seat belt light goes off hehehe

 

[NYCguy]

If someone was really uncomfortable I would expect that they would notice if they didn't get the full recline as they would still be uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable in economy? Surely not!?

 

[medhead]

Uncomfortable in economy? Surely not!?

Well, I'm not comfortable, but then I'm also usually not uncomfortable (unless the dreaded happens....)

 

[ozimax]

Just joining this long thread.

What do travellers expect? Easy

A good attitude. The customer pays your wages, not the shareholders or Mr Joyce.

I flew several Swissair long haul (cattle class) sectors last year. The planes were hopeless, the tucker almost non existent, the seats granite like, the entertainment system was poor, the foot space would not have accommodated a bilby The airline was (and still may be) in bad financial shape.

However, the FAs were tremendous, and couldn't do enough to make things as pleasant as possible. They had a friendly service attitude, and nothing seemed too much of a problem, at least in the public view.

I tip my hat to them.

 

[lili2]

welcome to you
what i have noticed is a bit surprising.. usually only fly qantas in Y Domestically and Internationally, but lately ahve flown J. I have not found any improvement much in service..admitally been on full flights , but lots of the "i am very busy i'll see what i can do later" type attitude even in j. acting if i am being a trouble asking for stuff... do admit food much better though. Also for the first time (never before when travelling in Y) chipped by huffy male f attndt for having 2 handbags and carry on case on Domestic flight in J. Said to me " you are luckey to get away wuth it this time, maybe next time not so lucky!" even though i was sitting in J with lots space under my seat and middle "emply seat" as well as locker space above. It was also the way he said it to me, in a very self important way.
One big qn re Upgrades. Is it true that you Flight As do not have any power to upgrade people when actually on plane? one hears otherwise.. Also friend of mine was upgraded at Qantas Club lounge after asking for it even when flying Internationally (QF info says this is only possible domestically?). Not only was she upgraded but so was her partner and 2 kids and they did not ahve enought QFf ppoints between them to pay for them. AND they were on a cheap UN Upgradable fare! How could this happen? (I do believe my friend was not lying). Have you ever heard of pax being upgraded on non upgradable Sale fares? If so is it only for Chairman and Platinums?
thanks so much for answering my qns. i appreciate you being on this site
lili