That's it! Yes, I think it's finally happened. I think I am going to break up with Qantas. It's not because I don't love my airline, I do... I just feel like I am of no real value to them anymore (and I might be moving as a sign of protest towards AJ and the current QF management - IMHO They don't have faith in their airline, people or their customers, and it makes me sad in a strange twisted way). Maybe I'm asking for too much from them... :-/ Anywho!
Fellow Business travelers and Aero-sexuals!! Help me justify my breakup with my almost 100 year old friend.
I am currently a Silver QF club member, and I never seem to be able to hit more then about 400 status credit's a year. While I do fly a little with VA too, I only cruise the skies with them about 10 times a year. (Only Short domestic trips).
I am considering switching everything over to EY. I burn my miles for short domestic trips with in Australia and for upgrades, and really... status is more important to me then the miles. I am confident of hitting Silver by May with EY if I change over, but I will be gunning for Gold (Gold might be achievable if I get a promotion soon).
With EY Silver, it also looks like I will get lounge access when traveling in Y on their metal. A majority of my flights are within Australia, to Singapore and Europe so EY seems like the right fit. If I was to switch over, I will also purchase VA lounge membership for the short haulers.
Am I doing the right thing? Am I missing anything that is blatantly obvious? Or am I suffering from a case of "the grass is greener"?... Of course any feedback is always appreciated and respected.
If you get 400 SCs a year on QF, then also consider switching to Virgin, since 400 SCs is all you need to maintain VA Gold. (You'll need 500 in the first year to earn it.)
That'll give you lounge access when flying SQ and EY as well.
Im currently sitting in the VA lounge in Melbourne and still think I prefer QF... but it comes down to personal opinion, some people prefer Virgin and others QF. Virgin burnt me with some poor service years ago and I just can't get over it (i'm sure there are people that will say that QF has burnt them with poor service too).
What I am confused about is why the sudden desire to 'break up' with Qantas? The stuff you mentioned isn't new and has a few more years to run before things settle down. I question some things AJ has done (which I don't agree with) but I note some things he has done (which aren't easy or pleasant things to do) that needed doing.
matt, are you breaking up with Qantas Frequent Flyer (QFF) or breaking up with Qantas? i.e. Will you still fly Qantas or have you chosen to avoid them completely?
It would appear that you have lost confidence in QFF as opposed to losing confidence in the airline itself. Would that be correct?
I was in your shoes a couple of years ago. There are solutions out there...
To be honest, maybe I was being a little passionate when writing this. I have been a QFFF member since I was 11 and I have been a passionate supporter of QF ever since.
I think for me, it's the simple fact that Qantas has lost it's fighting spirit. The staff are a little less confident in their jobs, there is nothing positive coming from QFHQ that warrents confidence in the brand, The A330 upgrades are needed now and the list goes on. There is also a huge gap in service levels provided by QF's A380 crew, vrs the 747 and A330 teams (The oldies are the best in the sky!). All this coincides with the fact that my QFclub renewal and status reset happens in April - New Years new possibilities right? :D
I have also flown EY recently in business class and the experience was amazing, and after checking out the EYFF program, It kinda opened my eyes.
And the "no real value" to them was in regards to fare-rules. I finished up in Sydney a few hours early, and at the airport asked to get on an earlier flight back to Brissy... The QF-lady said "Not on that fare" and told me to check in at the Kiosk.
I know, she was just following the rules, but it would just be nice to have a slightly different response. But alas, ended up having a few more beers and an extra helping of Neil's Comfort food-goodness. Could have been worse mate.
mattt, it seems you travel domestic a fair bit. While the lure of the EY programme might be appealing you are pretty much stuck with a foreign carrier's programme, which has set up a hodge podge alliance of convenience with other airlines. Will this arrangement truly fit your current needs?
I've felt this way for quite a while. Didn't renew Qantas Club after 30 years of continuous membership. I've got 500k accumulated points that I'll spend if I can. Reasons? 1. Alan Joyce and his LCC attitude to what was a world class product. 2. Very little int. P class left. 3. Int. J class good on some aircraft, woeful on others and no way of being sure in advance of flight what you'll get. 4. High prices for poor product. 5. Others do it better. I do most int. with EK, but I'm betting CZ will become the new EK. 6. Alan Joyce and his death wish for QF - what does he care on his salary and bonuses that get paid if he stuffs it up or not?
It's good to see I am not the only one feeling this way... I agree with all your points.
Regarding CZ, I'm sure they are better now then when I flew with them 2 years ago. Their service levels need to be nicely alligned by the time this agreement goes live or else people will just get cranky.
Given the talk of a partial sale of the QFF Program I've just burned 840k points for travel next Xmas. Not sure if I'll chase the points quite as hard as I have in the last few years. It's peculiar as I know my status is going to drop and all of a sudden I feel as though I've lifted my head and realised, after a BFOD policy saw me fly Virgin, that 1. They aren't too bad and 2. I can get by without lounge access (though easier when I bill the boss for a coffee and some food!). We shall see what the next couple of years bring.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
I'm breaking up with Qantas!
mattt
mattt
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 May 2011
Total posts 31
That's it! Yes, I think it's finally happened. I think I am going to break up with Qantas. It's not because I don't love my airline, I do... I just feel like I am of no real value to them anymore (and I might be moving as a sign of protest towards AJ and the current QF management - IMHO They don't have faith in their airline, people or their customers, and it makes me sad in a strange twisted way). Maybe I'm asking for too much from them... :-/ Anywho!
Fellow Business travelers and Aero-sexuals!! Help me justify my breakup with my almost 100 year old friend.
I am currently a Silver QF club member, and I never seem to be able to hit more then about 400 status credit's a year. While I do fly a little with VA too, I only cruise the skies with them about 10 times a year. (Only Short domestic trips).
I am considering switching everything over to EY. I burn my miles for short domestic trips with in Australia and for upgrades, and really... status is more important to me then the miles. I am confident of hitting Silver by May with EY if I change over, but I will be gunning for Gold (Gold might be achievable if I get a promotion soon).
With EY Silver, it also looks like I will get lounge access when traveling in Y on their metal. A majority of my flights are within Australia, to Singapore and Europe so EY seems like the right fit. If I was to switch over, I will also purchase VA lounge membership for the short haulers.
Am I doing the right thing? Am I missing anything that is blatantly obvious? Or am I suffering from a case of "the grass is greener"?... Of course any feedback is always appreciated and respected.
Thanks :)
Hugo
Hugo
Member since 12 Jun 2013
Total posts 216
If you get 400 SCs a year on QF, then also consider switching to Virgin, since 400 SCs is all you need to maintain VA Gold. (You'll need 500 in the first year to earn it.)
That'll give you lounge access when flying SQ and EY as well.
johnaboxall
johnaboxall
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Aug 2011
Total posts 384
And don't forget family pooling. And get a Velocity Platinum Amex - 3 points/dollar for VA-ticketed spend.
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 772
Im currently sitting in the VA lounge in Melbourne and still think I prefer QF... but it comes down to personal opinion, some people prefer Virgin and others QF. Virgin burnt me with some poor service years ago and I just can't get over it (i'm sure there are people that will say that QF has burnt them with poor service too).
What I am confused about is why the sudden desire to 'break up' with Qantas? The stuff you mentioned isn't new and has a few more years to run before things settle down. I question some things AJ has done (which I don't agree with) but I note some things he has done (which aren't easy or pleasant things to do) that needed doing.
charlieg
charlieg
QantasFF Platinum
Member since 16 Feb 2012
Total posts 133
Mattt, Could you possibly explain your reasoning behind your statement:
'I just feel like I am of no real value to them anymore'
It might help others to be able to better answer your question / give justifications.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
matt, are you breaking up with Qantas Frequent Flyer (QFF) or breaking up with Qantas? i.e. Will you still fly Qantas or have you chosen to avoid them completely?
It would appear that you have lost confidence in QFF as opposed to losing confidence in the airline itself. Would that be correct?
I was in your shoes a couple of years ago. There are solutions out there...
mattt
mattt
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 May 2011
Total posts 31
Hey Charlieg and Babushka!
To be honest, maybe I was being a little passionate when writing this. I have been a QFFF member since I was 11 and I have been a passionate supporter of QF ever since.
I think for me, it's the simple fact that Qantas has lost it's fighting spirit. The staff are a little less confident in their jobs, there is nothing positive coming from QFHQ that warrents confidence in the brand, The A330 upgrades are needed now and the list goes on. There is also a huge gap in service levels provided by QF's A380 crew, vrs the 747 and A330 teams (The oldies are the best in the sky!). All this coincides with the fact that my QFclub renewal and status reset happens in April - New Years new possibilities right? :D
I have also flown EY recently in business class and the experience was amazing, and after checking out the EYFF program, It kinda opened my eyes.
mattt
mattt
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 May 2011
Total posts 31
And the "no real value" to them was in regards to fare-rules. I finished up in Sydney a few hours early, and at the airport asked to get on an earlier flight back to Brissy... The QF-lady said "Not on that fare" and told me to check in at the Kiosk.
I know, she was just following the rules, but it would just be nice to have a slightly different response. But alas, ended up having a few more beers and an extra helping of Neil's Comfort food-goodness. Could have been worse mate.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
mattt, it seems you travel domestic a fair bit. While the lure of the EY programme might be appealing you are pretty much stuck with a foreign carrier's programme, which has set up a hodge podge alliance of convenience with other airlines. Will this arrangement truly fit your current needs?
wilsoni Banned
wilsoni Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Sep 2011
Total posts 302
I've felt this way for quite a while. Didn't renew Qantas Club after 30 years of continuous membership. I've got 500k accumulated points that I'll spend if I can. Reasons? 1. Alan Joyce and his LCC attitude to what was a world class product. 2. Very little int. P class left. 3. Int. J class good on some aircraft, woeful on others and no way of being sure in advance of flight what you'll get. 4. High prices for poor product. 5. Others do it better. I do most int. with EK, but I'm betting CZ will become the new EK. 6. Alan Joyce and his death wish for QF - what does he care on his salary and bonuses that get paid if he stuffs it up or not?
mattt
mattt
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 May 2011
Total posts 31
It's good to see I am not the only one feeling this way... I agree with all your points.
Regarding CZ, I'm sure they are better now then when I flew with them 2 years ago. Their service levels need to be nicely alligned by the time this agreement goes live or else people will just get cranky.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
P.S: mattt, thanks for the post. It's the most exciting one all day!
mattt
mattt
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 May 2011
Total posts 31
Thanks mate.. I am glad you like my first post.
11sjw
11sjw
Member since 11 Mar 2012
Total posts 160
Given the talk of a partial sale of the QFF Program I've just burned 840k points for travel next Xmas. Not sure if I'll chase the points quite as hard as I have in the last few years. It's peculiar as I know my status is going to drop and all of a sudden I feel as though I've lifted my head and realised, after a BFOD policy saw me fly Virgin, that 1. They aren't too bad and 2. I can get by without lounge access (though easier when I bill the boss for a coffee and some food!). We shall see what the next couple of years bring.