Article: What I Value Most About Qantas Platinum Status

[Marko]

In this article, I've outlined the things I most value about Qantas Platinum status:

The 5 Things I Value Most About Qantas Platinum Status

Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold membership includes great perks like airport lounge access, but Qantas Platinum status packs even more of a punch.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Do you agree? Over to you, AFF…

Do you see the value in Qantas Platinum status and if so, which are your most prized benefits?

If you don’t think Platinum status is worth earning 1,400 status credits in a year – or 1,200 to maintain – why not?

The first class lounge post lockdowns is a shadow of its former self. I am surprised and disappointed the quality and range of food and wines has been scaled back. Of course this has been done across the board, in all Qantas lounges and on all the flights I have taken. The first class lounge may seem special, but only if you have not experienced what it was before.

 

[Seat0B]

EDIT: Another version, maybe better rtw-site

Thanks so much @RooFlyer - this tool is most helpful! Maybe I will get some 2023 travel plans after all!

 

[clifford]

The first class lounge post lockdowns is a shadow of its former self. I am surprised and disappointed the quality and range of food and wines has been scaled back. Of course this has been done across the board, in all Qantas lounges and on all the flights I have taken. The first class lounge may seem special, but only if you have not experienced what it was before.

Certainly the stinginess with champagne, amongst other things, is very noticeable.

These days I sometimes go to the J lounge after a meal in the F lounge, just to have a couple more glasses of fizz (Aussie of course), and avoid the sour faces of some of the newer F lounge serving staff.

Makes the BA LHR T5 lounge look better than it actually is, which is quite hard to do.

 

[justinbrett]

Certainly the stinginess with champagne, amongst other things, is very noticeable.

These days I sometimes go to the J lounge after a meal in the F lounge, just to have a couple more glasses of fizz (Aussie of course), and avoid the sour faces of some of the newer F lounge serving staff.

Makes the BA LHR T5 lounge look better than it actually is, which is quite hard to do.

Flounge has been back to serving real champagne for some time now - the Australian sparkling dark hours where really just when they let the riff raff in (SGs). coughtails, specifically Espresso Martinis, not so much.

BA LHR T5 WP lounge can barely compete with the QF J Lounge, let alone the Flounge. Truly terrible.

 

[clifford]

BA LHR T5 WP lounge can barely compete with the QF J Lounge, let alone the Flounge. Truly terrible.

We'll have to agree to differ then.

 

[justinbrett]

We'll have to agree to differ then.

I took a British friend there in Septemeber on a ex-UK Oktoberfest trip to Munich, made a big deal of flying BA so we could go to the T5 WP lounge.

I was so embarrassed. We couldn't even get seats and there was only a single hot food option. I would have taken the pre-covid BA J lounge any day over that. I returned a few weeks later when I left the UK and it was the same, so it wasn't a fluke.

I'm sure the Concorde Room is a lot nicer.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Flounge has been back to serving real champagne for some time now - the Australian sparkling dark hours where really just when they let the riff raff in (SGs). coughtails, specifically Espresso Martinis, not so much.

BA LHR T5 WP lounge can barely compete with the QF J Lounge, let alone the Flounge. Truly terrible.

I don’t think it’s that bad really at T5.
They do have proper Champagne and their food is much better than the QF J lounge IMHO.

I enjoy sitting on the terrace. The main lounge can get a bit busy and hot.
I’d rather be on the terrace along the way of course but don’t get the chance very often.
I do agree that neither of these lounges (BA Galleries F or CCR) is as good as SYD Flounge.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I took a British friend there in Septemeber on a ex-UK Oktoberfest trip to Munich, made a big deal of flying BA so we could go to the T5 WP lounge.

I was so embarrassed. We couldn't even get seats and there was only a single hot food option. I would have taken the pre-covid BA J lounge any day over that. I returned a few weeks later when I left the UK and it was the same, so it wasn't a fluke.

I'm sure the Concorde Room is a lot nicer.

The full buffet has returned to T5 along with the short cook to order menu online.

There are at least 3-4 hot options on the buffet at lunch and dinner.
It’s far more substantial than any QF self serve lounge.

 

[Port Power]

Certainly the stinginess with champagne, amongst other things, is very noticeable.

These days I sometimes go to the J lounge after a meal in the F lounge, just to have a couple more glasses of fizz (Aussie of course), and avoid the sour faces of some of the newer F lounge serving staff.

F lounge is one of the best WP perks.
There was definitely no “stinginess” when I was in the Melbourne F lounge this week or last month. Good French Champagne was offered and top ups also offered. “The Drives” in the J lounge can in no way be compared! Crosier sparkling rosé in Perth’s J lounge is a different matter! (Not stocked in MEL )

edit: Sorry, didn’t realise you were referring to LHR)

 

[justinbrett]

The full buffet has returned to T5 along with the short cook to order menu online.

There are at least 3-4 hot options on the buffet at lunch and dinner.
It’s far more substantial than any QF self serve lounge.

I can only speak of my own experience, it wasn't good at all in September. Certainly way down the list in comparison to the QF Flounge or AA Flagship lounge. TBF it might have been a toss up with the QF J lounge, it's been a few years since I've had to slum it in there. Ability to get a seat in the QF J lounge would definitely be a pro in comparison with the BA WP lounge.

F lounge is one of the best WP perks.
There was definitely no “stinginess” when I was in the Melbourne F lounge this week or last month. Good French Champagne was offered and top ups also offered. “The Drives” in the J lounge can in no way be compared! Crosier sparkling rosé in Perth’s J lounge is a different matter! (Not stocked in MEL )

edit: Sorry, didn’t realise you were referring to LHR)

Completely agree.

My only complaint is their apparent objection to coughtails off-list (which is only a post-covid thing), but definitely have not had a problem getting a drink in any of the Flounges (SYD, MEL, LAX or SIN, all of which I visited last year)

 

[clifford]

I was referring above to the SYD F lounge, haven't been to the MEL one for a while. Perhaps my less than satisfactory experience was down to the particular member of staff who was supposed to be looking after me. I'll be back in there in a week's time so it'll be interesting to see how it goes.

IMHO, where the BA LHR T5 F lounge scores over the QF SYD F lounge is the self pour alcohol, french champagne in particular, and the decent buffet items available throughout the day. No fuss, no sour faces, happy pax. I'll be there again in a couple of weeks time, so will report back on my latest experiences.

 

[justinbrett]

I was referring above to the SYD F lounge, haven't been to the MEL one for a while. Perhaps my less than satisfactory experience was down to the particular member of staff who was supposed to be looking after me. I'll be back in there in a week's time so it'll be interesting to see how it goes.

IMHO, where the BA LHR T5 F lounge scores over the QF SYD F lounge is the self pour alcohol, french champagne in particular, and the decent buffet items available throughout the day. No fuss, no sour faces, happy pax. I'll be there again in a couple of weeks time, so will report back on my latest experiences.

If you're implying that QF Flounge doesn't have French champagne that's blatantly not true.

Personal preference I guess if you'd prefer to be served drinks or self pour, though I agree it wouldn't hurt if QF set up a self service bar. That said, I've never had to wait for drinks, if I didn't get served in a timely manner I just walk to the bar.

Definitely disagree on the food, QF Flounge beats the pants off BA. Again, if you prefer a buffet to table service, I guess that's personal preference. I'd prefer CTO and served to me.

 

[clifford]

If you're implying that QF Flounge doesn't have French champagne that's blatantly not true.

Personal preference I guess if you'd prefer to be served drinks or self pour, though I agree it wouldn't hurt if QF set up a self service bar. That said, I've never had to wait for drinks, if I didn't get served in a timely manner I just walk to the bar.

Definitely disagree on the food, QF Flounge beats the pants off BA. Again, if you prefer a buffet to table service, I guess that's personal preference. I'd prefer CTO and served to me.

I don't think I was implying that the QF F lounge didn't serve French champagne. Just that in my case they dished it out quite sparingly, perhaps to help build up Qantas' profit. What I did say is that after that I went to the QPub and poured myself the odd glass of Aussie fizz. Better than nothing.

I prefer self-serve food/drinks, others prefer to be waited on. That I understand (my wife is in the prefer to be waited on group).

 

[Beano]

I have to agree that the staff at the SYD F lounge are below par. They are different every time I go there (at the same time on each visit), which is once a month since May 2021. Items such as "Martell" and "Glenmorangie" are beyond them. I have to write the names down on a piece of paper. I don't really like champagne.

That said, IMHO the food is back to pre-covid days though the "specials" are not there.

I'm going to MEL F lounge in April so will be able to compare. Was in there in 2019 and not impressed. Much like AKL F lounge though with better views.

Back on track, I value the F check-in but not using F check-in at Sydney anymore as checking in on-line. (no check-in luggage).

 

[Port Power]

I have to agree that the staff at the SYD F lounge are below par. They are different every time I go there (at the same time on each visit), which is once a month since May 2021. Items such as "Martell" and "Glenmorangie" are beyond them. I have to write the names down on a piece of paper. I don't really like champagne.

That said, IMHO the food is back to pre-covid days though the "specials" are not there.

I'm going to MEL F lounge in April so will be able to compare. Was in there in 2019 and not impressed. Much like AKL F lounge though with better views.

Back on track, I value the F check-in but not using F check-in at Sydney anymore as checking in on-line. (no check-in luggage).

F lounge in AKL? Was there one in the past?

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

Most of these have been said but in somewhat of a personal order below...
Lugage allowance - As someone mentioned flying Y to go skiing and snowboarding would be very overpriced with Qantas' standard baggage allowances so the extra certainly helps. Even more so with other OW carriers where the emerald benefit can be up to 96kgs!
F lounges - Obviously being Sydney based helps this more than anything but I'm sure those to the South also agree that our F lounges are so beyond the J lounges. Singapore F was also fantastic, JAL First class lounges are again leagues ahead of Sakura lounges which can be absolute zoos and very excited to see the CX lounges this year
Dom J Lounges - Sydney falls down here but Mel/Bris/Per J lounges far better, quieter and more comfortable than their club counterparts
First Check In - Have never had to queue at Sydney, which is handy when lugging snowboard/skis around as dragging it through a line isn't particularly fun. When flying JAL though the service is unbelievable. Never a line, dedicated premium check in rooms with dedicated security attached at the larger domestic airports and the agents are all incredibly polite and professional.

 

[Beano]

F lounge in AKL? Was there one in the past?

There is an AFF article and thread all about it.


Article: Qantas Auckland Lounge Upgrade: The End of an Era

 

[Beano]

Most of these have been said but in somewhat of a personal order below...
Lugage allowance - As someone mentioned flying Y to go skiing and snowboarding would be very overpriced with Qantas' standard baggage allowances so the extra certainly helps. Even more so with other OW carriers where the emerald benefit can be up to 96kgs!
F lounges - Obviously being Sydney based helps this more than anything but I'm sure those to the South also agree that our F lounges are so beyond the J lounges. Singapore F was also fantastic, JAL First class lounges are again leagues ahead of Sakura lounges which can be absolute zoos and very excited to see the CX lounges this year
Dom J Lounges - Sydney falls down here but Mel/Bris/Per J lounges far better, quieter and more comfortable than their club counterparts
First Check In - Have never had to queue at Sydney, which is handy when lugging snowboard/skis around as dragging it through a line isn't particularly fun. When flying JAL though the service is unbelievable. Never a line, dedicated premium check in rooms with dedicated security attached at the larger domestic airports and the agents are all incredibly polite and professional.

BNE J can get extremely busy. Always plenty of room in BNE QP.

 

[justinbrett]

I have to agree that the staff at the SYD F lounge are below par. They are different every time I go there (at the same time on each visit), which is once a month since May 2021. Items such as "Martell" and "Glenmorangie" are beyond them. I have to write the names down on a piece of paper. I don't really like champagne.

That said, IMHO the food is back to pre-covid days though the "specials" are not there.

I'm going to MEL F lounge in April so will be able to compare. Was in there in 2019 and not impressed. Much like AKL F lounge though with better views.

Back on track, I value the F check-in but not using F check-in at Sydney anymore as checking in on-line. (no check-in luggage).

You weren't in the MEL F Flounge if you think it compares in any way to the AKL "F" lounge.

MEL Flounge is just a mini version of the SYD lounge. I prefer the SYD lounge but there's nothing I can list about the MEL lounge that's worse than SYD, it's just a compact version (but still plenty of seats).

AKL is a closet, had no CTO options, limited showers that seemed to always be broken. For Trans Tasman it was OK but using it connecting to SCL you realise how poor AKL's lounge was.

 

[Port Power]

There is an AFF article and thread all about it.


Article: Qantas Auckland Lounge Upgrade: The End of an Era

AKL is a nice enough lounge, although still small. View of a roof. It is not well serviced, though. Milk had run out in the coffee machine and pax have to knock on the kitchen door to find a lounge attendant, or go out and speak to the desk crew. They had completely run out of breakfast tea! But….there is ice cream!