3 months into my year with QF I've requalified WP already, and I will easilly hit 3,600+ QF flown status credits this membership year (3,400 last year).
By taking up VA's Platinum offer, I won't reach WP1, but will comfortably maintain Platinum with both airlines.
So my dilemma is do I hold out for WP1 in hope of amazing benefits or takeup the VA status match now?
What are AFF's thoughts?
Why not, I ask you!?
I'm a loyal kind of guy. If I get matched I'll return the love through unwavering dedication.
Indeed!!!
Thing is, I'm married. We have been together for 10 years since the messy divorce from Mrs Ansett. Our 'Golden' anniversary is coming up next year and she's promised a lifetime supply of priority access:idea:
Not totally sure I'm ready to trade in the old girl for a newer younger model just yet. I feel there's a few miles left in her, but she is very very slow in her old age.
Similar scenario for me, but no Mrs Ansett. I have been "married" for 12 years, but it seems she is tiring of me at the moment and has a preference for young gold, rather than older platinum! My "golden" anniversary has been and gone and I wonder if she'll take my lifetime supply of priority access away.
Now I can tell you both I know just what you mean. I divorced my bank a decade or so ago, and put up with a failing one sided relationship for a decade before that. It was just too hard to change, & the bank figured they had done their bit - let me put my name on the Title - and so they could call all the shots from then on, with the expectation of a 25 year relationship! They had me by the balls .., well, I put up with it until I didn't. coughs!
Airlines on the other hand, certainly do participate more along the way than banks.
Had to laugh at the sheer anticipatory note of the lifetime of Priority access! And the other one who is tiring of you & taken the priority access away! Oh dear, can't stop laughing.
The emotions & comparisons are valid though. We tend to be trained to strong loyalty. Not a bad thing.
Back in the early 90's I bought annual membership in both Golden Wings & QP, because it worked well for me with flight times, & destinations. I wasn't married to either, and didn't expect to feel that I was. I don't think they did either. We wern't courting, it was just a good workable, affable courteous relationship. We worked well, had drinks & snacks, both sides did an expected amount of purchasing / supply. AND everyone did their best to do the right thing by it all.
The benefit to me was a huge amount of flexibility for missed flights, baggage, & mixing & matching carriers - a QF ticket could be honoured at AN & vice versa, easy as. As well as lounge access before & after, with a visitor or 2 at departure & arrival airports. Company, champagne & the little meat pies / pasties were my standard arriving home meal. This continued happily for 10 years, & until 10 years ago.
Now I mainly fly QF. They do look after me extremely well. I get more op-ups than anyone I know, & they have really helped when the chips have been really down. They do most of the things they publish, as well as extras, which I can only imagine may form part of what they do for their top tier. However, I don't have a problem with also flying & having status with another airline which will suit some other needs.
I don't think the company sees the relationship as a marriage. Having said that, my preference has been, and may well continue to be to fly QF. I'm not going to kick sand in their face, be inflammatory, or otherwise challenging. But I do have choice and will exercise that choice.
By taking up the DJ WP I get to check out what's over there. For a whole year, and at a comparable level. They have made it clear I don't even have to fly with them to go visit, can do the old fashilned meet'n greet for friends & rellies, plus the hotel / car benefits. Lets me take a bit of time to settle in to the idea & test the waters. How good is that! Maybe QF will set it's posture in the meantime as well.
This will let me tell QF as well as DJ what they are doing right / wrong, and see what works well / best for me moving forward.. Hopefully everyone wins. Why should I feel guilty about this? If I'm happy, I'll rave about both of them! Wouldn't it be great to be able to tell the world that you get really good service whichever premium airline you fly in Australia!?
What I need to keep an eye on is how I spend my $ & earn the points, so that I can make it all work the best. Maybe QF WP & DJ gold in a couple of years? Or other way?
-: So guys, it doesn't need to be that difficult right now, just do the Status Match before it expires. Check it out, see if it feels right for your style of travel. On the noble side of things, you will be helping both sides by being an informed & discerning traveller for them both.
(not game to use any emoticon - have already lost AFF 5 times writing this by using wink, smile, big smile, cool & blush)
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I may live to regret this post ...
