5 status credits short for platinum renewal... any chance of Qantas 'gifting' those?

[Pixiechick]

Know it's been discussed, but often more SC shy of renewal. I will be 5 SC short of retaining Platinum (membership year ends in a month), and really don't want to take a flight just to keep status. I have 2 paid QF flights already for next status year (Y to NZ, J to JFK), and they can see my history.

Anybody had success calling and asking for a review/challenge/gift of as little as 5SC?

 

[offshore171]

Almost certainly. I have been gifted when 150 short.

 

[oz_mark]

Not sure about gifting of actual SCs, but they may do an extension if you call.

 

[Pixiechick]

Not sure about gifting of actual SCs, but they may do an extension if you call.

Sadly, my current next booked trip is in December, so a bit long for an extension. That doesn't mean I won't be travelling before then (as I likely will), but just no plans yet. Fingers crossed for a nice Hobart agent feeling generous!

 

[Louis lane]

I tried last year for platinum plus I only tried one agent and was sadly declined. I was 80 sc short. Good luck. In hindsight. I should have called ten different agents.

 

[serfty]

My philosophy has always been to not allow such to be decided as what at best might be described as a good will gesture approved on the whim of some backroom entity.

5 status credits to guarantee lounge access for a further 24 months?

I'd be booking the cheapest fare, maybe oneway on points, however appropriate. You have a week before usable 21 day advance fares become extinct.

@Pixiechick , what is your main home airport; many here can advise on options.

 

[SYD]

Do you already have Green Tier (for 50 SCs)?

That can be done in about 48hrs (no flying). But you might want to think about booking a short haul flight with carbon offset to get 1 of the 5 leaves (the actual flight can be months away).

 

[exceladdict]

Email immediately and ask, now, not later.
That way you can act if needed. And as @SYD said get green tier ready for if it doesn't work out.

Almost certainly. I have been gifted when 150 short.

When? Before they started offering point based renewals?

 

[Pixiechick]

Do you already have Green Tier (for 50 SCs)?

That can be done in about 48hrs (no flying). But you might want to think about booking a short haul flight with carbon offset to get 1 of the 5 leaves (the actual flight can be months away).

Already done Green Tier, so that's all sorted.

Do you already have Green Tier (for 50 SCs)?

That can be done in about 48hrs (no flying). But you might want to think about booking a short haul flight with carbon offset to get 1 of the 5 leaves (the actual flight can be months away).

 

[serfty]

Non exhaustive cheaper fare examples for Sat 24th August:

SYD/OOL $119
MEL/LST $135
BNE/NTL $149
ADL/MEL $179
CBR/MEL $190

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

To the OP, if QF gifts those who fall short, what compensation do you think should be offered to those who have gone out of their way to ensure they have accumulated the 1200 SC to requalify in accordance with the published terms of the program?

 

[Flamegli]

I was lucky enough to be granted platinum when I was short 45 SC after being gold for several years. I was told at the time that it was a one-off offer and wouldn’t be offered to me again in the future. I also had about four flights booked for the 6 weeks after my membership year ended, so I’m not sure if this was also a factor.

It doesn’t seem to be a guaranteed offer as I work with others who have received a similar offer in the past and others who have been denied.

 

[muppet]

To the OP, if QF gifts those who fall short, what compensation do you think should be offered to those who have gone out of their way to ensure they have accumulated the 1200 SC to requalify in accordance with the published terms of the program?

What is there to compensate?

Someone gets a gift therefore others who didn’t have experienced loss?

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

What is there to compensate?

Someone gets a gift therefore others who didn’t have experienced loss?

The program rules are the program rules, you need 1,200 SC to requalify for Platinum. If Qantas grants a renewal to someone ending their membership year at 1,195, shouldn't they grant that to everyone who ends on 1,195? And if they do that, shouldn't they amend the program rules to state that 1,195 are required to requalify? And then those ending on 1,190 start asking for the gift?

 

[KathN]

There should be a discretion to grant a waiver of SC where there are special circs on a case by case basis. My experience today is that I’m short of 15SC with 6 days to go to retain Gold.

A month ago, I had 4 flights with Qatar and only got points and SC for 2 flights. Turns out 2 (DOH to BCN and to KUL) were booked in a non-earning category (Q) so I got 0 SC. (Pretty devastated, I did a multi city booking and I had no idea).

The QF FF staff dealing with my “missing points/credits” inquiry suggested to call back a week prior to review to ask for goodwill consideration which they granted today! So Gold for another year.
Note I have 3 QF flights ex MEL booked in Oct, Nov and January 2025 so that might have helped.

 

[docjames]

My philosophy has always been to not allow such to be decided as what at best might be described as a good will gesture approved on the whim of some backroom entity.

5 status credits to guarantee lounge access for a further 24 months?

I'd be booking the cheapest fare, maybe oneway on points, however appropriate. You have a week before usable 21 day advance fares become extinct.

@Pixiechick , what is your main home airport; many here can advise on options.

100% this.

 

[DejaBrew]

Agree with @serfty - I’d be booking a cheap fare. I’d rather stomach the cost of a random flight to earn the missing SC vs running the gauntlet with QF that they’ll maybe grant an exemption, and that for the sake of 5 measly SC, that might be my one and only good will gesture from the airline for status retention.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Agree with @serfty - I’d be booking a cheap fare. I’d rather stomach the cost of a random flight to earn the missing SC vs running the gauntlet with QF that they’ll maybe grant an exemption, and that for the sake of 5 measly SC, that might be my one and only good will gesture from the airline for status retention.

As the OP’s status was due for renewal at the end of last month, this advice may be useful for others.

Hopefully @Pixiechick updates us on the outcome from their experience.

 

[DejaBrew]

As the OP’s status was due for renewal at the end of last month

Oops! Missed that bit

 

[DC3]

Paging PixieC to the white courtesy phone.