Qantas FF changes imminent?

[AJK]

Who said anything about Israeli credit card issuers? Why not just partner with Chase? Amex? BoA? Cap 1?

...and maybe they should focus on airline partnerships, even if they don't want or can't get into an alliance, a la AS?

And even if they didn't do that, all they really need to do to capitalize here is revamp their entire program to make it less complicated, more favorable, and infinitely more engaging: the majority of people interested in LY want to fly -- you guessed it -- LY.  They don't *need* partners to make bank.

[ExGingi]

Who said anything about Israeli credit card issuers? Why not just partner with Chase? Amex? BoA? Cap 1?

...and maybe they should focus on airline partnerships, even if they don't want or can't get into an alliance, a la AS?

And even if they didn't do that, all they really need to do to capitalize here is revamp their entire program to make it less complicated, more favorable, and infinitely more engaging: the majority of people interested in LY want to fly -- you guessed it -- LY.  They don't *need* partners to make bank.

1. LY used to have a US Credit Card years ago.
2. Even if they don't join an alliance, if they would only take a look at QF program and website, and see how one can search for awards and come up with various options and multi-carrier awards, within or without an alliance. Why doesn't LY imitate that for starters? They have quite a few codeshare partners that they might expand into earning/redeeming mileage with.

[ADG]

Just like (from what it seems to me) they don't seem to get it that their biggest asset are their customers.

There is something about the Israeli mentality/pride that seems to lead them to think that customers should be thankful to them for the opportunity to fly under an Israeli flag, with ex-IDF pilots (who Israeli culture saw at the crème de la crème of Israeli society, let alone mankind). And while they might pay lip service and thank people for flying ELAL, from what I've seen it doesn't project in their actions (and definitely not in their crisis management). Just take their arrogant PR stance in conditioning an interview on review and approval prior to publication, and not bothering to even respond to a media outlet that is focused on air-travel with a huge contingency of people that travel regularly to Israel. Now tell me, what do they get?

Now take a step back and try to understand it from their perspective.

I am not saying I get it, but I am seeing pretty clearly a one sided perspective coming from you.

They are a huge entity who has been around for many decades, yes they fall short on some metrics in comparison with their american counterparts, but they part of a different culture and society were things might ad up differently. I would imagine they barely even consider DL,UA their competition as they are just overlapping in north America.  I would also imagine the DD caters to a very small portion of their customer base, globally speaking- a portion they may not be so excited to have, unfortunately.

[Something Fishy]

a portion they may not be so excited to have, unfortunately.

Or, which they might be slightly more excited to have, had they had a solid revenue-generating mileage program.

[AJK]

"they barely even consider DL,UA their competition"

You're kidding, right?  The NA routes are the most profitable in many airlines route networks.  UA/DL are very much their competition -- direct competition.

[davidrotts63]

"they barely even consider DL,UA their competition"

You're kidding, right?  The NA routes are the most profitable in many airlines route networks.  UA/DL are very much their competition -- direct competition.

Not sure what they're thinking, but they cut Israeli TA commissions...

[ExGingi]

Not sure what they're thinking, but they cut Israeli TA commissions...

Second to their flying customers, TAs are their greatest asset, steering lots of business in their direction, and serving as an outsourced Customer Service and PR operation.

[chff]

Second to their flying customers, TAs are their greatest asset, steering lots of business in their direction, and serving as an outsourced Customer Service and PR operation.

Same with every airline who plays love/hate with agents, not only Elal

[ExGingi]

Same with every airline who plays love/hate with agents, not only Elal

But are other airlines as heavily dependent on TAs for Customer Service and PR, as ELAL seems to be?

[chff]

But are other airlines as heavily dependent on TAs for Customer Service and PR, as ELAL seems to be?

Pretty much IME

[ExGingi]

Pretty much IME

Indeed? Think about PR crisis management, would you think other airlines counted on TAs as much as ELAL (think about their disputes with the pilot union, Shabbos flights, etc).

[chff]

Indeed? Think about PR crisis management, would you think other airlines counted on TAs as much as ELAL (think about their disputes with the pilot union, Shabbos flights, etc).

LH a few years ago had about 15 strikes during one year, during irrops it's basically the Travel agents who can assist their cleints vs waiting for an airline agent or even an OTA who will just bounce you like a ball back to the airline. The thanks LH gave to the agents? An entire new price sheet of stupid debit memos

[mrprez27]

What does that nonsense even mean?

And regarding there being 50 or 100 airlines "just like LY" who also don't have engaging (and extremely profitable) FF programs, I'd note:

1) none are likely as technologically advanced as Israel;
2) none are likely run by (one wouldtl think) profit-motivated, intelligent, successful jew-folk

Etc

Israel exports tech - they rarely use it lol!

[yelped]

LH a few years ago had about 15 strikes during one year, during irrops it's basically the Travel agents who can assist their cleints vs waiting for an airline agent or even an OTA who will just bounce you like a ball back to the airline. The thanks LH gave to the agents? An entire new price sheet of stupid debit memos

That sounds just about right for the LH group.

[ExGingi]

Israel exports tech - they rarely use it lol!

Except for the IDF and other security operations.

[mrprez27]

Except for the IDF and other security operations.

true!

[davidrotts63]

Saver is still around, really weird

[mmgfarb]

Saver is still around, really weird

Wow, such saver.

[davidrotts63]

Wow, such saver.

If you search by Classic Rewards there is normal Saver.

[yandmk]

If DL/AA/UA's FF programs are so profitable, why do they feel the need to devalue their programs twice annually?
(Maybe QF's program is so profitable because it's very lucrative and attractive. Like managing to get a few thousand redemptions with LY just since the partnership.)