Chasing Status: What's your motivation?

[calgarychris]

Hi,

I'm relatively new (here and to points collecting) so please excuse the stupid question. I've been reading this thread for a bit now and I'm clearly missing something really important. I guess the crux of my question is - why are folks spending potentially thousands of dollars to get (or maintain) status? Are the advantages that significant? I've read and re-read the Qantas website and yes, you do get lounge access which is nice, but after that, what is the incentive? To get on the plane earlier? The extra bag? Or is it when you go to collect the reward flights, there are more available and you get priority? I'm seriously not having a go - there's a lot of you doing these status runs, so clearly it's just me but I'm just at a loss as to what the benefit really is, beyond lounge access...

Sorry to ask what in your minds will be such a silly question, but once I understand, I'm sure I'll be fully onboard...

Thanks

 

[Pushka]

Re: Best QF Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

If you travel for work a lot then LTG is the cake, and WP is the icing.

 

[straitman]

Re: Best QF Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Hi,

I'm relatively new (here and to points collecting) so please excuse the stupid question. I've been reading this thread for a bit now and I'm clearly missing something really important. I guess the crux of my question is - why are folks spending potentially thousands of dollars to get (or maintain) status? Are the advantages that significant? I've read and re-read the Qantas website and yes, you do get lounge access which is nice, but after that, what is the incentive? To get on the plane earlier? The extra bag? Or is it when you go to collect the reward flights, there are more available and you get priority? I'm seriously not having a go - there's a lot of you doing these status runs, so clearly it's just me but I'm just at a loss as to what the benefit really is, beyond lounge access...

Sorry to ask what in your minds will be such a silly question, but once I understand, I'm sure I'll be fully onboard...

Thanks

Hi calgarychris,

Not actually a silly question(s) at all.

I guess we all have different trigger points with it but one of mine is the ability to avoid the large checkin queues at the airports.
An example:
In Dec 2014 we (4A & 2C) were in Santiago and checking in for a LAN flight to La Paz Bolivia and then onto Santa Cruz Bolivia. It was domestic checkin as the first leg was to somewhere in Chile (forgotten sorry) and the airport was the biggest zoo I have ever seen. Our daughter was the only Spanish speaker in the group and so she asked if they had any priority lines or priority checkin. (Two of us were QF WPs). It was like the Sea of Galilee opening up and then closing behind us. We were ushered right to the front of the line and were checked in immediately. There was nothing after that in the way of lounges but it didn't matter as we saved well over an hour in my estimation. That type of thing, when it works is priceless IMHO.

 

[Pushka]

Re: Best QF Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

A similar Galilee experience happened with us in Venice. You couldnt even get into the terminal. Headed for the mob assembling at Emirates - everyone was lined up just to check in - saw the Premium counter and walked right through. Then to the general Immigration queue - even worse but again a priority pass. Saved 90 minutes I'd say.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Re: Best QF Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

For me, status isn't that important when everything is going right, but it's one of the best thing to have when things go wrong (and that the status is recognised). e.g. You're on the 2nd last flight out for the day, it just went tech and cancelled, and the only other flight left for the day has only 10 unsold seats left. Guess who are getting those seats?

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Best QF Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Definitely not a stupid question.

I travel a fair bit, but maybe not enough to hit WP. So a SR for me gets me over the line.

For me status helps when things go wrong. And the lounge access is nice too!

And it all goes towards LTG for when I am no longer working or flying that much :shock:

 

[Doctore1003]

I travel for leisure and normally qualify for silver each year, but this year I'm doing a status run to NZ (cost around $1400) to achieve gold. While I'll enjoy all the benefits this brings, to be honest the main driver is emotional. I LOVE flying and I want that little shiny gold card and I want to feel just a tiny bit 'elite'. There, I said it!!

 

[Quickstatus]

Hi,

I'm relatively new (here and to points collecting) so please excuse the stupid question. I've been reading this thread for a bit now and I'm clearly missing something really important. I guess the crux of my question is - why are folks spending potentially thousands of dollars to get (or maintain) status? Are the advantages that significant? I've read and re-read the Qantas website and yes, you do get lounge access which is nice, but after that, what is the incentive? To get on the plane earlier? The extra bag? Or is it when you go to collect the reward flights, there are more available and you get priority? I'm seriously not having a go - there's a lot of you doing these status runs, so clearly it's just me but I'm just at a loss as to what the benefit really is, beyond lounge access...

Sorry to ask what in your minds will be such a silly question, but once I understand, I'm sure I'll be fully onboard...

Thanks

For me platinum provides business class/first class lounge access, reward seats on request, front of cabin seating, extra luggage, being towards the front of the queue when something goes wrong and minimal waiting on 131313. Anything else is not important to me.
Some people chase status by adding status runs, other luckier ones have status come to them incidentally due to their amount of flying.

I understand fully that I am a guttersnipe compared with P1 and CLPO passengers

Is it worth chasing status - No. you become a hamster running on a wheel.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Great question.

Andy said it well:

For me, status isn't that important when everything is going right, but it's one of the best thing to have when things go wrong (and that the status is recognised). e.g. You're on the 2nd last flight out for the day, it just went tech and cancelled, and the only other flight left for the day has only 10 unsold seats left. Guess who are getting those seats?

The lounges and published perks are great, but on their own can be a bit underwhelming. When it all comes together, though, having SG/WP status makes the travel experience truly effortless. Many people avoid flying because it's a genuine hassle. Lots of waiting and rules, very inflexible and plenty of opportunnities for things to go wrong. Status (when it works, and that's not always) means frequent travel in Y won't make you lose your mind, or at least delay that process , and can even be fun (just ask around here!).

Each to their own, as many choose not to pursue status – either because they earn enough points to just go J and F everywhere or because they'd prefer to fly on the cheapest fares, ignore loyalty and stretch their dollar as far as they can.

 

[RooFlyer]

My travels for work and leisure gets me status on Qantas (oneWorld) and usually Air Canada (Star Alliance) so they are not 'chased' as such and I don't think I'd ever do a 'status run'.

As others have indicated above, status gets you much shorter (or no) queues, lounge access and some other priorities such as getting award seats in Business and First, which are the main attractions for me. When you fly a lot, it becomes less glamorous and anything to make the grind of another flight easier to do is worthwhile.

There is also the DYKWIA angle, but lets not talk about that.

 

[Quickstatus]

There is also the DYKWIA angle, but lets not talk about that.

One time while about to board QF11, annoncement came through that the flight was delayed. Hundreds of passengers sitting on floor etc. A small group just turned around and sauntered back to the F Lounge. Delays? No biggie, just pour me another Pol Roger.

Lots of plat and above passengers "discreetly" flash their Qantas card. Sure it was accidental!

 

[JohnK]

Feeding my addiction and OCD obsession....

 

[juddles]

...... When you fly a lot, it becomes less glamorous and anything to make the grind of another flight easier to do is worthwhile.......

Totally agree with RooFlyer. If you fly once a year, something like priority checkin doesn't really mean much. But when you have done four continents and twice as many countries in a month, you are absolutely buggered, and can barely stand through exhaustion, the LAST thing on earth you want to do is stand in a queue for an hour.

 

[njba]

I like the honesty there! We can rationalise it, or present it as the product of a cost benefit analysis, but we all know there's an element of cool to the whole thing.

And I'm sure that is what Qantas counts on: the intangible value of 'status' will push us to do some odd things.

 

[subichow]

I don't fly for work so 'chasing' status for me was mainly based whatever flights I had planned and how to maximise those flights with programs that had achievable low targets and duration of status. The useful part for me is the extra baggage allowance as my family tend doesn't tend to travel light. Priority check in is nice if there are long queues (obviously), I'm not really into lounges but priority boarding is useful when travelling in economy to ensure my carry on has space in an overhead locker at my seat.

 

[Sdtravel]

As a PS i haven't done any status runs. But i do enjoy the benefits of status even if im only getting a glimpse. Exit row seats on domestic are great. When i call and get through to premium service i feel a little entitled

Reading this thread isn't helping with my attempts to stop thinking about doing a status run to get 310 sc's by the end of March to reach gold.

 

[calgarychris]

Guys,

First off - thanks to the mod who moved my post (sorry I posted it in the wrong spot!)

Really appreciate the answers and honesty. I especially didn't think of the "when things go wrong angle". I'm currently PS until end of May, when my year ticks over (I guess I keep it until next year). I am now flying a bit more with work, but mostly MEL-SYD so I will never get SG but am contemplating a Qantas Club membership for the comfort of those business trips. I unfortunately a trip to Hawaii booked with one half on this side of my anniversary date and the return on the other side

I've always been a "cheapest option" possible kind of traveller, although recently I've dropped Jetstar and Tiger as options - even I have limits. I will continue to read and contemplate I guess.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi,

I'm relatively new (here and to points collecting) so please excuse the stupid question. I've been reading this thread for a bit now and I'm clearly missing something really important. I guess the crux of my question is - why are folks spending potentially thousands of dollars to get (or maintain) status? Are the advantages that significant? I've read and re-read the Qantas website and yes, you do get lounge access which is nice, but after that, what is the incentive? To get on the plane earlier? The extra bag? Or is it when you go to collect the reward flights, there are more available and you get priority? I'm seriously not having a go - there's a lot of you doing these status runs, so clearly it's just me but I'm just at a loss as to what the benefit really is, beyond lounge access...

Sorry to ask what in your minds will be such a silly question, but once I understand, I'm sure I'll be fully onboard...

Thanks

Status is great, but for me, not at 'any cost'.

If it comes via normal flying, or perhaps a small incremental cost, it might be worthwhile.

benefits (as others have said) - priority phone reservations, priority check-in, priority baggage, priority boarding (important because you get to store your hand luggage), and (if gold or above) lounge access. All designed to smooth out the journey and take out the stress. And they actually do that. Plus during delays or cancellations - you get some sort of priority.

But spending thousands of dollars extra? YMMV as to the value you put on it.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

The other thing for me: it's just... fun.

The whole thing is a game; a year-long collection of an intangible 'thing' that gets extinguished after 12-months so you have to start again.

There is no way I would travel as much as I do for leisure (the majority of it) if there weren't any status benefits involved. Partly for the DYKWIA pleasure, partly because I enjoy airports and aeroplanes and partly because the chase of status is a blast.

For me, anyway.

 

[ozjuice]

Basically.....it makes travel more comfortable and a lot more fun!