Confusion about Status Renewal

[Platinum A332]

Hi,

In the past year, 600 status credits were obtained, and I also achieved 4 QF flights. The Gold membership in the previous year was obtained on a Partner Gold membership. However this year (logging in today), I logged in to see I have been downgraded to "Qantas Club Silver". At the start of my renewal year (1 June), I called as I did not receive a new card (and still have not to this date!). I asked what the issue was, and there was no isuse, as Gold has been renewed as 600 SCs have been obtained.

Has there been a change in Qantas policy? Kind of annoyed about this. And won't be directing any business to QF in the future as a result of this incompetence. No wonder the airline is losing money left right and centre.

Hello VA!

#rantover.

 

[medhead]

I'm not sure what the problem is. Website says your silver, call center says your gold? Surely the call center is correct?

Also have you factored in that your year changes to align with your partner when you get partner gold? Does that change things?


Sent from the Throne

 

[TheInsider]

No wonder the airline is losing money left right and centre.

WTF?

You were downgraded because you needed 700 status credits to qualify for Gold, 600 SC is only for people who got SG by flying, not by having Partner Gold.

20.3.4 In respect of any
Complimentary Gold Membership offered under clause 20.3.2:
(a) each Member
may have only one nominated family member or friend per Membership Year.
Retention of Complimentary Gold Membership in subsequent Membership Years will
require the Platinum Member to accrue 2,400 Status Credits and select the
Complimentary Gold Membership option under clause 20.3.2 in each subsequent
Membership Year. The Complimentary Gold Membership Year will be aligned with
that of the primary Platinum Member;

(b) if the family member or friend is not nominated
for Complimentary Gold Membership (or the Platinum Member does not qualify for
the benefit under clause 20.3.2) in the subsequent Membership Year, then the
Complimentary Gold Member will be subject to normal Gold Status level qualifying
criteria; and

 

[Platinum A332]

This year gold was obtained outright (sorry if I did not make this clear!). Renewal dates are the same (Platinum card was sent weeks ago - elected for the 50000 points bonus instead) - to be honest, I am annoyed by it as it almost feels I am begging for a Gold card, something that should be sent in time with no error as I have obtained the SCs. I know this is only borderline....but surely this does not factor in?

I mean I understand the 700 SCs point with regards to attaining Gold - but whenever I logged in, it said 600SCs to retain Gold. When I rang up the call center to confirm, they also said 600SCs. Hence my confusion.

 

[TheInsider]

I mean I understand the 700 SCs point with regards to attaining Gold - but whenever I logged in, it said 600SCs to retain Gold. When I rang up the call center to confirm, they also said 600SCs. Hence my confusion.

Partner Gold doesn't have the same qualifactions as a normal Gold.
If you didn't travel at all while you had gold, you would drop to Bronze. You are now Silver beause you qualified for Silver status in your own right. Having 600SC whilst being on PG, this will not make you SG for the next period as you haven't qualified for it in your own right.

 

[medhead]

Well colour me confused. The quoted T&C says the normal qualifying criteria will apply. Those criteria are 700 to attain and 600 to retain. It does not say qualifying criterion. Now the person is given complimentary gold status as in they are a gold member already. If one is already gold then surely the game is to retain and the retain criterion of the qualifying criteria seems most applicable.

This is backed up by the website advice - 600 to retain.

Sent from the Throne

 

[TheInsider]

This is backed up by the website advice - 600 to retain.

I think the key word may be "qualifying criteria will apply"... I don't know officially, this is just how i read it. Especially since i thought PG's do get soft landings, with QF club membership for 3 months.

 

[medhead]

I think the key word may be "qualifying criteria will apply"... I don't know officially, this is just how i read it. Especially since i thought PG's do get soft landings, with QF club membership for 3 months.

I think the thing is the "criteria" is a plural word. So more than one criterion. So I do think it is safe to assume that means only the 700 qualifying requirement. The criteria are both the attain and retain requirements so either would be applicable according to the T&C. (in saying that I'm not ruling out someone making a mistake in drafting the T&C)

On the soft landing, I'm not sure. I would have expected that most partner golds don't get the 4~ and hence don't get a soft landing. But that is just my assumption and is probably wrong.


Sent from the Throne

 

[TheInsider]

This gets more and more confusing. I'm reading the same thing over and over and it's all just words with no meaning now

Happy to be proved wrong though from my way of reading it!

 

[medhead]

If only this was [a large unnamed country to the north] we could take some lawyers out and shoot them.

 

[Platinum A332]

If only this was [a large unnamed country to the north] we could take some lawyers out and shoot them.

You mean Papua New Guinea right? (sarcasm...)

Seriously though, now I am confused too! From my perspective though;
- Got a Gold card awarded to me
- I "retained" this Gold Card by earning 600 SCs
- My frequent flyer statements always said that I retained 600SCs, and have 800SCs to Platinum (which makes sense).
- Qantas call centre (on asking about the card delay) said that yes, 600SCs means retention of the Gold card.

To me, it seems Qantas indicated one thing, but did something else. Thanks for your thoughts/opinions/back and forward debate though

 

[wingspan]

At the start of my renewal year (1 June), I called as I did not receive a new card (and still have not to this date!). I asked what the issue was, and there was no isuse, as Gold has been renewed as 600 SCs have been obtained.

I'm not sure I follow - So your Gold status has been renewed?

 

[TheInsider]

I'm not sure I follow - So your Gold status has been renewed?

It hadn't, he has now dropped to Silver with QF club membership. He thought he would stay SG due to getting the 'retain' 600SC, but this is based on an original Partner Gold status, not actual flying status (if it actually makes any difference!).

 

[Platinum A332]

Just an update. Contacted the FF and QC service centre this morning. Outcome of the call was that it definitely looks like you retained Gold BUT nothing could be done immediately, and the case will be sent via the Senior CSM. The girl on the phone though was apologetic, and said it is most likely the Gold will be reinstated in the next day or two.

Will let you all know how this goes - and hopefully the 600 vs. 700 PG debate will be solved once and for all!