Coronavirus is spoiling my platinum status. What are my options?

[Burman]

Hi all

Quick story time then my question.

I've been flying the corporate routes for the last 10 years now. Usually around 40-50 trips a year, 130+ days away per year. All of it economy throughout AU/NZ, Asia and USA. In this time I've had WP for the last 7 years (Gold for 2). I was comped a year when i fell short by a few points maybe 5 years ago, but otherwise I safely retain it. 90% of my flying is OneWorld.

Our company, like many, is restricting travel at the moment in our region and i've missed out on trips to the USA, Japan and New Zealand so far this year and domestic travel is very restricted. I've got maybe 8 trips left until end of April when my status year is done. I'll fall short for sure. Maybe 150-200 s/c.

A status run isn't an option in this timeframe.

I don't want to lose my status. What should I do? Is it worth putting in a humble sob story to Qantas and beg for their love?

Thanks,

 

[RooFlyer]

Give it a burl, but be prepared for disappointment.

 

[goldenhorn]

Hi all

Quick story time then my question.

I've been flying the corporate routes for the last 10 years now. Usually around 40-50 trips a year, 130+ days away per year. All of it economy throughout AU/NZ, Asia and USA. In this time I've had WP for the last 7 years (Gold for 2). I was comped a year when i fell short by a few points maybe 5 years ago, but otherwise I safely retain it. 90% of my flying is OneWorld.

Our company, like many, is restricting travel at the moment in our region and i've missed out on trips to the USA, Japan and New Zealand so far this year and domestic travel is very restricted. I've got maybe 8 trips left until end of April when my status year is done. I'll fall short for sure. Maybe 150-200 s/c.

A status run isn't an option in this timeframe.

I don't want to lose my status. What should I do? Is it worth putting in a humble sob story to Qantas and beg for their love?

Thanks,

I imagine you won't be the only one in this situation. If status is that important to you, is it really not possible to look at your options for a very short status run across a free weekend?

 

[levelnine]

You can call up Qantas, explain your situation and they generally will offer to renew Platinum for 120,000 QFF points.

 

[Tropic]

Always a risk when your status mainly corporate funded. Same impact when your employer or your work role changes. Only options are do status run or fork out the points unfortunately.

 

[Burman]

Hi all. Thanks for the honest (and somewhat expected) feedback.

Looks like it's a chance to explore the Qantas Club for the first time in years. Yay :|

 

[Pushka]

We are in the same boat if Bali becomes a no go next month. We have been booked for months as a genuine holiday and not a status run but the credits are needed to requal in April. At least we can prove we were booked on the flight that would requal us and I'd hope they would allow that to occur.

 

[Fergo747]

Can't hurt to try but I suspect you'll be offered the 'buy' WP status for the 120,000 points that seems to be the going rate. Either that or accept the soft landing to SG.

 

[BCons]

What about making an Intl booking. cancelling it shortly thereafter (no doubt at some small cost) and then claiming force majeur to QF when your April review comes around ?

 

[Burman]

What about making an Intl booking. cancelling it shortly thereafter (no doubt at some small cost) and then claiming force majeur to QF when your April review comes around ?

OOo, now that's an idea..

 

[casanovawa]

Always a risk when your status mainly corporate funded. Same impact when your employer or your work role changes. Only options are do status run or fork out the points unfortunately.

Probably balanced out by all the years of achieving status on the company's dime...

 

[Tropic]

This virus might be costing QFi a bit of revenue but also reducing some liabilities from QFF members failing to requalify due to corporate travel restrictions or unable to travel to/through asian ports at this stage. Downside would be even more crowded QCs... Still opportunities for status earn elsewhere on QF and OW carriers, though this could change if things get worse.

 

[sxc]

What about making an Intl booking. cancelling it shortly thereafter (no doubt at some small cost) and then claiming force majeur to QF when your April review comes around ?

How is this force majeur?

 

[Tropic]

I think they were joking (I hope...)

 

[Tropic]

Better get planning those weekend DSC runs Burman...

 

[Max Samuels]

It depends how much it hits them.... in 2009 during the GFC I went from Mr Busy Business Always So Busy and Important Flying to Many Busy and Important Places.... to zero. Nil. No flights in 10 months. I didn't call Qantas and beg, as quite frankly, I didn't know that one could do that. But they sent me a letter, said they understood times were tough for "many of our My Business people" and extended my status for another year....

Which is quite smart of them really. Because once the world started working again, I was back in the air, busy and important again, and have remained loyal for the 10 years since then. Had they dumped me, however, when I finally had my wings back, who knows? Maybe, without the burden on status to chase, I would have looked at other airlines?

So I imagine it will be the same here. They will have someone analyse the trends and numbers, predict how many members will churn, and if that number is high enough, they will take action.

 

[Burman]

I'm going to leave it until near the end of the status year and see if they proactively comp it, if - well, when they don't I'll reach out and try my luck. I've been trying to stay home more often anyway - so I'm less invested these days.

 

[Tropic]

Impacts of GFC on airlines totally different magnitude and extent to current situation (mainly asian markets) .

IIRC, QF comped lots of company funded status holders during and post GFC to retain/protect corporate travel contracts.

 

[drron]

Hyatt have announced that they are extending the status of members in the Asia Pacific region by 12 months due to the corona virus.
Somehow doubt QF will be so generous.

 

[JB expat]

Please update in April - I will be in similar shoes for the same reason