Where are all the new ideas DJ?????

[Deleted member 29185]

Seems to have gone quiet a bit of late, but apart from the really truly wonderful and exciting confused news of more ATRs to keep us enthralled, the cascade of real advances (dare I say enhancements), seems to have wained a little.

I've not yet forgotten the avalanche of 2011, so don't panic JB, but I thought rather than let you DJ type guys (gals.......perchilds) think of all the lucrative offers for us, I'd come up with a least a few of my own.

So here are mine..........

We all loved the status matches (QF to DJ, DJ to HH, DJ to Europcar, Europcar to A/Club etc, etc) and so now, how about some reciprocal bene's? We know it'd be pretty hard to get the Irish leprechaun to reciprocate with QF status (but we know you'd be happy for that ), but what about your other partners? I'll requal without doubt for HH Diamond and little doubt with Europcar Elite...........so how about elevating my lowly gold FF status to Plat?.......lets' be fair, HH diamond costs me far more than a well planned DJ plat would but combined with DJ Gold and perhaps Europcar Elite, really means my travel budget far exceeds some of your BIS plats, but it's just expended between you and your partners. The partners have shown graciousness in their matching of DJ status......so how about some reciprocal graciousness? Even leave it a year or two to prevent the gold-diggers from jumping from one high status to another, but a recognition of your combined loyal subjects would be almost debatably winnable and keep the red/orange dog from the door (that was my mixed metaphor of black dog and red hoard....read red/orange roo)!

 

[VOZZY]

223 views and no replies......This is just a sympathy post,we cant have you sitting here in the dark alone.

 

[777]

I actually think a lot of what is going on at the moment is bedding down the changes: New IT systems, bringing the back end up to speed with the changes, improving consistency, adding / tweaking the lounge network to cope with current demand. 90% of the negative comments around here recently has been around these issues and in most of those cases there has been an announced plan to do something. I think a bedding down stage for now is probably a good thing.

 

[PDog]

223 views and no replies......This is just a sympathy post,we cant have you sitting here in the dark alone.

Funny- & guilty as charged!
I admit, I didn't reply because I couldn't decide how to nicely say that kind of grates on me: comping devalues the loyalty reward, and the expectation of free stuff bugs me...
I'd rather they spent $$ on their website, product etc.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Funny- & guilty as charged!
I admit, I didn't reply because I couldn't decide how to nicely say that kind of grates on me: comping devalues the loyalty reward, and the expectation of free stuff bugs me...
I'd rather they spent $$ on their website, product etc.

So can I assume you don't have/use any FF status benefits or accept any points or upgrades or try to maximise your SC earn whilst minimising your point burn, because that "free stuff" would grate on you? If so, may I suggest you've come to the wrong forum.

It has been widely suggested that the DJ QF status comp was very successful for them so the "free stuff" as you say is paid for by their new loyal flyers......it isn't exactly "free stuff" at all.

What I was suggesting, was to view loyalty in totality amongst the travel partners. DJ already does this with their airline travel partners, so why not other travel partners like the hire car and accommodation chains? After all, Hertz, Europcar, Hilton and PC have already done it for Velocity, so why not in reverse? It's not exactly a new idea, just an expansion of an old, tried and true idea that does work (I believe QF go to great pains to claim a sizable profit is made from their FFer scheme).

What if I were to suggest DJ should remove the SC earn with their international partner carriers, just because I don't fly international often? Isn't that the same as you suggest? Because you see a loyalty incentive with a travel partner as "grating" on your self-imposed level of righteousness and dignity. As it stands right now, it's possible for DJ to have Plats that never actually fly on DJ metal! More of that horrid grating material? Maybe if DJ actually did this, they may earn more money to pay for those website upgrades you so eagerly await!

 

[PDog]

Whoa, Not at all & each to their own
Two things... I said 'kind of' grates which you dropped when quoting me. It 's minor, there's bigger fish to fry!
And I think there's a difference between earning & comping status, that's all

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Two things... I said 'kind of' grates which you dropped when quoting me.

My appologies!

And I think there's a difference between earning & comping status, that's all

Yes, I agree. I'm talking 100% about earning status. Not just be given it! All I'm saying is earning status within the travel partnership......just like what happens already with the biggies like OW/*A etc and DJs more minor partnership mix. The only difference I'm suggesting, is for it to be possible also with ground based partners as well! They do it already with points earning, why not SCs? It could be the next major drawcard for DJs push to win over QFFers (whilst retaining their own loyal flyers rather then annoying them like the SM did)).

 

[dfcatch]

Just remember three things when it comes to status matches:

1/ If the matched FF isn't now flying with DJ then they're not taking your seat in the lounge, not competing with you for any seats, and the only cost to DJ was a fancy card.
Any flights that they take to utilize their new status is bonus revenue for DJ.

(and most non-AFFs are not going to take all the seats in the lounge using anytime access).

2/ If the matched flyer IS now flying with DJ then they are providing revenue which pays for lounge, aircraft, website and service improvements.

3/ Putting aside your moral stance against matching - the next 10 Platinums you see may be all earned - and if they take your seat on the plane, in the lounge, or beat you to a reward - then that's the way it goes.

Fact is - most Status Holders you see will be earned. By simple definition - if they are only matched and not legitimately flying then you won't see them too often.

The legitimate gripe you have against status matched FFs is that you had to do the hard yards in the gate lounge before earning your status, and then some freeloading DYKWIA type waltzes in and takes 3C on you without having to put up with the old DJ thong-wearing riff raff.
Legitimate gripe - I get it - I respect it.

But on the facts - on a sheer utility basis - all the objective complaints against matching simply don't stack up.

I think DJ did well, I agree that bedding down is a good strategy for them - and time will be the true and accurate judge as to their strategy.

 

[Major]

Also those status matched who choose not to fly VA will drop off the status radar after 12 months.

Personally I am happy with the bedding down process and the fixing of all the little annoying things.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Also those status matched who choose not to fly VA will drop off the status radar after 12 months.

13 months for silver
25 months for gold; and
37 months for Plats!

(although I do get it, that silver don't get many perks).

 

[PDog]

Ha, there's no moral stance! Like many, I'm curious to see what happens when the SM wash through. Good business acumen- absolutely! Sometimes annoying personally: yes.

Can I add breakfast to the list of little annoying things?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

But on the facts - on a sheer utility basis - all the objective complaints against matching simply don't stack up.

That's most likely very true, but there was evidence of annoyance at the SM shortly after it was announced. That much was clear. Long term DJ flyers were feeling "unloved"........at the time.

What I suggest should not make anyone feel "unloved". All the hard work for DJ has already been done.....talking their partners into SMing DJ status. Now all DJ has to do is SM in return. It could be as easy as saying two matching statuses gain the same status across the partners. ie HH Diamond + Europcar Elite gives DJ Plat. DJ plat + Hertz President Circle gives HH Diamond. If that's not enough, than add a further condition like applicant must hold at least one up from base status of all (ie silver).

Wouldn't that benefit all of us as well as strengthen the travel partnership?

 

[PDog]

That too would make me feel unloved! I think what makes SC is that they are 'hard earned': be it large $$, or lots of trips down the back of the bus!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

That too would make me feel unloved! I think what makes SC is that they are 'hard earned': be it large $$, or lots of trips down the back of the bus!

Who's bus?

DJs? ANZs? Deltas? Singapores? Etihads?

Following your theory, you must feel unloved because of all these other SC earning possibilities that aren't DJ buses.

 

[PDog]

No, I'm happy with a related bus.
Although, aren't there changes coming through soonish that'll put some restrictions around this?

 

[markis10]

I suspect it will be pretty much a case of Status Quo while one side waits for the other to make a move.

 

[Major]

I benefited from the recent double points and SC's promo and whilst not a new idea I am happy for them to repeat it.

 

[eastwest101]

I agree with the other posters that Virgin Australia would be well served by bedding down all the changes and getting the following legacy issues fixed: Fine tune fares/profitability and get more corporate clients; Rollout of J seats and minor catering issues(i.e. breakfast); IT booking and website bugs/issues; Proper in-flight entertainment system; All lounges updated and reasonably consistent............................................................................................................................................................................................ - I think DJ have done a lot of the work to get to where they want to be, and certainly have less distance to travel to get to JB's vision than their competitors whom have really only had one single "win" for the whole year - the industrial dispute that was a pretty phyrric victory in the end....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

No, I'm happy with a related bus.

There you go! We are on the same page after all. I don't mind a related bus either......or a related car or a related hotel bed! After all, they are travel partners seeking loyalty together!

 

[dfcatch]

I think the key point was the feeling of being "loved".

We all like that. QF or DJ.... Across all the AFF threads..... We just want to feel the "love"