Technology enables; creativity wins. We’ve chanted variations of that mantra over the years, and were pleased to see it echoing back in the form of some interesting news about new tech Australian airline Qantas will be piloting. Beginning the week of 7/26, reports The Australian, Qantas will issue smart cards to selected members of its Frequent Flyer program. The cards would allow fast check-in for those who hadn’t checked in previously online or by mobile phone. And coming soon, reports The Australian:
Passengers will eventually be able to combine the smart card, which can also be used as a boarding pass, with RFID bag tags to check their bags at an automated bag drop in seconds. The tag will be distributed free to chairman’s lounge members, platinum, gold and silver level frequent flyers and is expected to be launched when the new system is unveiled in Sydney at the end of November. The airline hopes that about 600,000 upper-tier frequent flyers will no longer need a paper bag tag on the Qantas network by the end of 2011.
Speed in check-in, enhanced bag-tracking capabilities (including lost-bag location), and overall special treatment and recognition for best customers? What’s not to like? Creativity is winning, and technology is enabling.
