About to reach Gold Status, but....

[Raiderette]

My credits expire on 31 July 08, I only have 25 more to obtain but wont be flying again until August. It will be a CBR-MEL return trip not booked yet (and fully flexible) and definitely wont be able to fly between now and next week. Should I call Qantas to ask for my date to be extended? I will be doing a few more trips (mainly CBR-SYD and CBR-MEL) in September also. I have flown a helluva lot this year with Qantas and the majority were all fully flexible flights, so I was upgraded to Silver Status. What do you think my chances are? Any advice?

Cheers

 

[Flashback]

My credits expire on 31 July 08, I only have 25 more to obtain but wont be flying again until August. It will be a CBR-MEL return trip not booked yet (and fully flexible) and definitely wont be able to fly between now and next week. Should I call Qantas to ask for my date to be extended? I will be doing a few more trips (mainly CBR-SYD and CBR-MEL) in September also. I have flown a helluva lot this year with Qantas and the majority were all fully flexible flights, so I was upgraded to Silver Status. What do you think my chances are? Any advice?

Cheers

Welcome to AFF Raiderette.

It sounds like you are currently Silver, and thus about to reach gold? If so, your chances are very low. They won't extend the date.

If however you were gold, and it was for renewal; a please explain is normally requested upon which you can show future planned travel and you may get comped; but definitely not if you haven't already attained the level.

 

[NM]

Qantas rarely (if ever) bump anyone up to the next level of FF status if they have not reached the published target in the membership year. However, Qantas does seem to take a more lenient view when to comes to renewing your current status level if you have not quite met the criteria.

If you really want to make the next level, then you should look for a way to obtain the required status credits before the membership year finishes.

 

[MelUser]

I think you need a weekend in Adelaide - 15 SCs each way, 30 in total for the cheapest QF ticket you can find. Remember you then get free lounge access for 12 months.

 

[JohnK]

It does not hurt to try asking for an extension but more than likely it will be refused. I have never heard of anyone successfully getting their QFF membership date changed, except for those getting partner gold.

If Gold is so important why not do a CBR-SYD-MEL-CBR in discount economy before July 31 and earn 30 SCs.

 

[Flashback]

It does not hurt to try asking for an extension but more than likely it will be refused. I have never heard of anyone successfully getting their QFF membership date changed, except for those getting partner gold.

If Gold is so important why not do a CBR-SYD-MEL-CBR in discount economy before July 31 and earn 30 SCs.

When I first reached Silver, I actually fell short by 10 SCs. 2 days after my anniversary, I asked the question as I did 20 SCs and was given Silver.

However, I can't see them being as lenient on this with Gold, as Gold includes lounge access whereas Silver doesn't really provide much at all

So I agree, if it's that important - do the flights.

 

[JohnK]

When I first reached Silver, I actually fell short by 10 SCs. 2 days after my anniversary, I asked the question as I did 20 SCs and was given Silver.

Interesting. I stand corrected. I did not think that QF comped status, albeit Silver in this case, if you were not already on that status level.

However, I can't see them being as lenient on this with Gold, as Gold includes lounge access whereas Silver doesn't really provide much at all

Has anyone been comped Gold or Platinum falling short of the required number of SCs and was not already on that status level?

 

[Shano]

A colleague fell 5 SC short of achieving SG a few years back, ending his membership year at 695 SC.

He had a flight scheduled for the next day (1st day of the new membership year) that earned 15 SC, but was still not comped SG status by QF.

The assignment that he was on meant that he could not bring his flight forward.

He also did not ring QF to plead his case. If he did, perhaps the outcome may have been different?

 

[Flashback]

A colleague fell 5 SC short of achieving SG a few years back, ending his membership year at 695 SC.

He had a flight scheduled for the next day (1st day of the new membership year) that earned 15 SC, but was still not comped SG status by QF.

The assignment that he was on meant that he could not bring his flight forward.

He also did not ring QF to plead his case. If he did, perhaps the outcome may have been different?

It is possible. As they say, if you don't ask... you don't get...

 

[JohnK]

It is possible. As they say, if you don't ask... you don't get...

Is it? You got comped Silver a few days after the end of your membership year. Do you feel they would have been as lenient with Gold or Platinum status? The requirements are getting tighter all the time and there have been many stories of people losing status only a few SCs short or not making the required number of Qantas segments.

 

[oz_mark]

He also did not ring QF to plead his case. If he did, perhaps the outcome may have been different?

Perhaps if it was a single day after the requirements were required by, they _may_ have given him gold. There is perhaps a difference between someone falling a few short, but not flying for a while after their anniversary and someone that was a few short, but do the requisite flying a day or two after anniversary.

 

[Flashback]

Is it? You got comped Silver a few days after the end of your membership year. Do you feel they would have been as lenient with Gold or Platinum status? The requirements are getting tighter all the time and there have been many stories of people losing status only a few SCs short or not making the required number of Qantas segments.

Yes, it is possible. If you don't ask the question, though; then it's not. The worst that can happen is they say no.

If you read up earlier in the thread, I said it would be very unlikely as the benefits for Silver don't really cost whereas Gold does, however there is a small possibility. If you don't ask the question, you'll never receive the answer.

 

[serfty]

... and if the answer is NO then it's too late. :-|

Raiderette, if you want SG, then it's best to find some spare time in the next 8 days and fly those 25 SC's.

What's it worth to you?

What's QP membership worth? to you? to Qantas?

 

[Batesy]

A few years back before we started doing lots of regular travel Mrs Batesy fell 20SC's short of being elevated from bronze to silver. I rang QF and discussed it with them (I was only silver then myself) Mrs Batesy had some travel coming in the next month and they said no worries and moved her to Silver after her anniversary date.

We are both Plats now, however I would think that QF would not be as accommodating if you were looking to be elevated to Gold or Plat. No harm in asking but I would say that your chances are low.

 

[Timtammi]

Earlier this year my status credits were about to expire, I was then a silver and only 15 short of attaining gold. I did a MEL-SYD-MEL run to get my status credits a day short of them expiring.

Was it worth it? Definitely! I now have my QP comped (paid membership on hold), can access lounges on any OW flights and have had 3 Y-J upgrade requests granted since I went Gold. Prior to that all my upgrade requests had failed.

I didnt need to go to Sydney and yes it cost me a few hundred dollars (plus the money I spent shopping there ). Would I do it again? Absolutely!

Have a weekend away, or if you cant, fly straight there and back, if you travel fairly regularly the xtra benefits of Gold are definitely worth it!

Cheers

 

[Saab34]

Yeah good advice, or go and do a daytrip to a city you have never visited before, as in CBR or mabye some place north. (Not related) But I grab some cheap flights to OOL in summer, on first flight out and back on last flight, go to Pacific Fair to Shop, Harbour town and then pop to the beach in the arvo

 

[JohnK]

... and if the answer is NO then it's too late. :-|

Exactly. If you are expecting QF to be lenient and comp you status when falling short then you also need to be prepared for the NO answer.

If it is imprtant enough then you do the necessary flights to qualify as I did coming back from Ozfest IV in Melbourne last year about 4 days from the end of the membership year and finishing exactly on 1400 SCs.