Your QFF Program (Actual) Enhancements Wishlist

[medhead]

If the upgrade came from the classic award inventory (very few upgrades do) then they are available instantly - in effect - you just book them as an award in the first place. You'd have to either drop all of the upgrades that occur using non award inventory (most of them) or have two upgrade paths - from award with immediate notification and upgrade based on capacity at boarding without advanced notification.

I'm suggesting implementing the upgrade process that is used for domestic, which does have 2 upgrade paths - immediate confirmed upgrade if U fare bucket (classic awards) are available; and waitlist upgrades. International just has the waitlist upgrade option. In theory there is no reason the same couldn't be done for international flights. I say in theory because I haven't checked the pricing of classic vs upgrade cost. However, an upgradable international economy fare costs more than the cheapest fare.

 

[harvyk]

If upgrades were conformable at time of booking then every proficient booker (ie Personal Assistants of execs etc) would try this before paying for a full fair premium cabin. <snip>

This notion that if upgrades where confirmable at the time of booking then every person worth their salt would do that rather than book into premium cabins has a pretty big flaw in it. The cheapest upgrade I can think of is 5000 points from Full Y to J on a short sector like SYD-MEL. Do that each way then that becomes 10,000 points, for the cheapest upgrade possible. Full Y is hardly a cheap option (with J often being only a little bit more), plus 10,000 points rarely grows on trees. That involves at least 4 SYD-MEL returns (assuming WP with MPG), or some decent spend on credit cards (eg $5,000 spend using a points earning card on a points earning purchase, ignoring bonus points earns).

This means that unless the person has an excellent way of earning more points than they could ever use, they will be forced to purchase J without points for most of their trips.
Of course the other side of the argument is that by doing a lottery is that it means the higher status paxs get first bid at seats regardless of how late their bookings are and as many actual paid J seats that the airline can possible sell get sold. Not everyone gets the luxury of booking many months out.

 

[Lucky_man]

This notion that if upgrades where confirmable at the time of booking then every person worth their salt would do that rather than book into premium cabins has a pretty big flaw in it. The cheapest upgrade I can think of is 5000 points from Full Y to J on a short sector like SYD-MEL. Do that each way then that becomes 10,000 points, for the cheapest upgrade possible. Full Y is hardly a cheap option (with J often being only a little bit more), plus 10,000 points rarely grows on trees. That involves at least 4 SYD-MEL returns (assuming WP with MPG), or some decent spend on credit cards (eg $5,000 spend using a points earning card on a points earning purchase, ignoring bonus points earns).

In the Domestic example 10000 to 15000 points + regular $250 ticket is about $400. Business class domestic seats are seldom less than $750. For the person who would be booking into paid J - the points are likely to be easy enough to come buy. Internationally 48000 pints for an upgrade is $480 which is a small part of a fair. Generally you can buy points for about 1c each through credit card purchases. I agree govt and bigger companies may just book paid J anyway.

But having seen the post about confirming the international upgrade on the spot when applying for it if Award inventory is available seems a reasonable improvement - though I think then there would be a flood of complaints about how seldom it happens!

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I for one would not be happy about the instant upgrade idea, say goodbye to the preferential upgrade hierarchy for those of us who are still (for now) loyal to QF by earning WP or above. Giving NB instant upgrades means less upgrades for status pax.

 

[harvyk]

In the Domestic example 10000 to 15000 points + regular $250 ticket is about $400. Business class domestic seats are seldom less than $750. For the person who would be booking into paid J - the points are likely to be easy enough to come buy. Internationally 48000 pints for an upgrade is $480 which is a small part of a fair. Generally you can buy points for about 1c each through credit card purchases. I agree govt and bigger companies may just book paid J anyway.

But having seen the post about confirming the international upgrade on the spot when applying for it if Award inventory is available seems a reasonable improvement - though I think then there would be a flood of complaints about how seldom it happens!

1c each through credit card purchases? Even on the best choice of flights at discount Y rates and fares I haven't seen for a while, the best I can get is 8c a point... I thought most credit cards where based on 1 point per $1, which under certain conditions could be pushed to say 2 or 3 points per $1, plus if you purchase the right things (eg at wollies with everyday rewards or at a QF resturant) you'd also get points for the purchase itself outside of the card. That said even at absolute best rate earn I can think of it still comes in at 16c a point via purchases...

Unless of course I've missed something...

 

[harvyk]

I for one would not be happy about the instant upgrade idea, say goodbye to the preferential upgrade hierarchy for those of us who are still (for now) loyal to QF by earning WP or above. Giving NB instant upgrades means less upgrades for status pax.

How do you feel about an NB (or even non FFer) laying down the cold hard cash and purchasing a Y+ / J or even F seat ahead of you?

 

[medhead]

I think the domestic comparison is confusing the issue since confirmed upgrades are already available on domestic flights. The cheap upgrade is also not just from Y but BHKLMV fares as well.

If we stick to that route, MEL-SYD (random date 21 May) we get the following comparison. All of these options provide confirmed J at the time of booking.

Class	Cost	Classic J comparison (saving points)	Full J comparison (Saving $$$)
Super Saver	$325+5000	$289 for 11000 points	$374 for 5000 points
Flexi	$559+5000	$523 for 11000 points	$140 for 5000 points
Red-e-deal	$145+10000	$109 for 6000 points	$554 for 10000 points
Classic Award	$36+16000		$663 for 16000 points
Full J	$699

 

[Lucky_man]

1c each through credit card purchases? Even on the best choice of flights at discount Y rates and fares I haven't seen for a while, the best I can get is 8c a point... I thought most credit cards where based on 1 point per $1, which under certain conditions could be pushed to say 2 or 3 points per $1, plus if you purchase the right things (eg at wollies with everyday rewards or at a QF resturant) you'd also get points for the purchase itself outside of the card. That said even at absolute best rate earn I can think of it still comes in at 16c a point via purchases...

Unless of course I've missed something...

If I use a credit card and that incurs a premium then the premium can be as low at 1c per point. So I spend $1000, get 1500 points and pay 1014.70 including 1.47% card premium. So I paid $14.70 for 1500 points and $1000 for what ever I bought.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

How do you feel about an NB (or even non FFer) laying down the cold hard cash and purchasing a Y+ / J or even F seat ahead of you?

There is no "ahead of me". What you refer to is a purchase transaction in no way related to a loyalty programme. What do I care? Plus if they bought enough Y+/J/F they'd be WP so your point would be moot.

 

[JohnK]

I am not sure why Qantas does not have more tag flights to kill 2 birds with one stone so to speak.

Sorry John, I pay for the PEY seats... Without them I will fly someone else's red eye if I have the choice. Especially since PER-SIN (which was short enough to endure/accept plain Y) is gone.

I take your point but are there enough people out there paying for premium economy?

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Here's an idea: allow people to buy QF code shares separately without needing to be on a through ticket, and open up significant code shares throughout Europe & US with BA, CX, AA, AY, AB, etc etc. (I.e. The OW partners they appear to loathe).

If competitively priced, I'll book all my travel at Qantas.com. I'll even make it 'my first destination' (vomit).

Considering they're moving to be a virtual airline/travel agent for EK and not actually flying anywhere useful, seems a logical next step for the QF spin team. They can then market how they have 'vastly expanded their international route network' or some similar untruth.

 

[Sumnerned]

Here's an idea: allow people to buy QF code shares separately without needing to be on a through ticket, and open up significant code shares throughout Europe & US with BA, CX, AA, AY, AB, etc etc. (I.e. The OW partners they appear to loathe).

If competitively priced, I'll book all my travel at Qantas.com. I'll even make it 'my first destination' (vomit).

Considering they're moving to be a virtual airline/travel agent for EK and not actually flying anywhere useful, seems a logical next step for the QF spin team. They can then market how they have 'vastly expanded their international route network' or some similar untruth.

This seems a sensible idea, though I did not 'like' it due to the aspersions. I raised similar suggestions on another thread. In particular has anyone ever seen an explanation as to why codeshare, at least involving QF, seems less used on OW than other alliances.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

This seems a sensible idea, though I did not 'like' it due to the aspersions. I raised similar suggestions on another thread. In particular has anyone ever seen an explanation as to why codeshare, at least involving QF, seems less used on OW than other alliances.

It's a little hard not to be jaded after the latest round of 'simpler and fairer' enhancements which effectively penalise people for remaining loyal to OW.

QF have had a falling out with many OW partners, probably because many do far better at competing on the same routes, and have geographic advantage.

 

[katiebell]

...

• The option to select J Meals on transcons J flights. Seemed a bit underwhelmed by the Main Plate options on Tuesday night.
• Suitable catering options for those not wanting "Cafe Breakfast" - this seems to be on the cards
• ...

.

Lots of the J meals on QFi are the same as the F meals: I recently pre-selected my J meals then got a points upgrade to F. I was very surprised to see the same food and was not impressed. If I am paying for F (either cash or points) then I would expect better food. I agree that the 'plates' and cafe breakfast are not a good way to feed premium pax

 

[katiebell]

1 reinstate all the degradations to WP (WP has been targetted much more than SG & PS for 'enhancements' which is a strange approach to the more loyal customers) & the SC needed for 'extra benefits' has been raised so many WP are the most penalised pax with all the 'enhancements'
2 LTP or at least LT access to Flounge/dom business lounge: if I fall below WP (which is likely with the degradation of OW SC) there is no incentive to fly QF/OW and credit FF points to QF. Much better to jump ship to *A and get status there (if not another OW programme with access in Aus). NB: message to Lesley & colleagues at FF programme: take my LTG away and I'll blacklist QF as an airline I am prepared to fly with (& I choose and pay for all my flights)
3 a simpler, fairer earning table, not the new, complex unintelligible system. Earning the same SC & points per distance flown on any OW airline would be the simplest, fairest way of earning SC & points. This is particularly important as QFi is now a virtual airline and some routes (e.g. via DXB and code share on EK) are not an option for some and the timing of some flights is not an option (& there are suitable options on other OW airlines e.g. flying to/from HKG in daylight rather than ON).
4 stop DSC: whilst I like earning DSC it is not fair and not simple. It rewards those who are lucky enough to be able to book a flight in the window where these flights are offered.
5 any time lounge access for WP: it is good business intell to know when & where the most loyal pax fly when they are not flying OW (e.g a good way to find out which routes QF should be flying)
6 a complementary upgrade each year for WP
7 a chance to not accept a points upgrade if the seats available are not good (I would rather fly J than F if the only seats are in the middle row or 5A)
8 being able to purchase a set number of lounge acces vouchers per year with points at a good rate (not everyone is able to travel with family so sending vouchers every year will be wasted on many but a cheap purchase, with max number per access and year would be fair)

 

[Sumnerned]

8 being able to purchase a set number of lounge acces vouchers per year with points at a good rate (not everyone is able to travel with family so sending vouchers every year will be wasted on many but a cheap purchase, with max number per access and year would be fair)

An excellent idea. Our family are often travelling to the same destination, LHR this month, but on different dates due to differing commitments. The younger, lower status non-QP members cannot get access to any lounges unless they are travelling with us, a bit of a shame. Of course access to partner lounges would not be provided by this.

 

[coolumbla]

2) Link with a hotel programme like VA/Hilton


What he said!!!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Lots of the J meals on QFi are the same as the F meals: I recently pre-selected my J meals then got a points upgrade to F. I was very surprised to see the same food and was not impressed. If I am paying for F (either cash or points) then I would expect better food. I agree that the 'plates' and cafe breakfast are not a good way to feed premium pax

Which flight/route was this?
IME there is usually quite a difference between F and J meals and the wine list is in a different league.

Did they serve you the J meals that you had pre-ordered despite travelling in F?

 

[katiebell]

Which flight/route was this?
IME there is usually quite a difference between F and J meals and the wine list is in a different league.

Did they serve you the J meals that you had pre-ordered despite travelling in F?

QF 1,2,9,10.
I got the meals on the F menu which were different to the meals in J on that sector but I had seen many of the F meals in J on other sectors an had actually eaten them before. Yes, there were more course in F and different wines but many of the dishes (or should that be plates) are on both menus.

 

[katiebell]

point 9 for my wish list;

being able to find and book classic award long haul flights in premium cabins: most of hte flights that I find when looking for J or F redemptions are J dom and Y int. IMHO this is not a J or F flight: that only occurs when the longer sectors are in J or F. A 1 or 2 hr Jdom is a waste of points and a con on the pary of QF to bring this up in a search for J to a long haul destination