FF Gold - Worth it?

[greggy]

Hi - I am a current QP member for one more year and I am silver status. I have around 200 status credits to achieve Gold FF by the end of the month. I can probably achieve this through work flights and a return J class any seat award... but is is worth it? I'm travelling to US later in year on a discounted Y seat and to UK in Y and J back to Aus in October. What do you guys think? Go the Gold? or leave it as is? Also if I am short by 20 status credits - what do you think the likelihood will be of Qantas granting me gold anyway? Have been a FF since 2000. Any advice you can give would be most appreciated... I'm in a dilemma!

 

[Moopere]

On granting gold if you are 20SC short, the first thing they will ask you is what immediate term flights you have booked or intend to book. If you have a number coming right up they may do it. I know folks who have been requalified as gold when a few SC's short, not sure if it would be the same going silver to gold though.

As for whether its really worth it at the end of that day ... well, what does gold mean to you? For me, when I get there (not yet!), it will mean free QP membership the extra points earn is nice too I guess, and as you're doing some real miles coming up perhaps there is value in that for you?

Oneworld Sapphire, which QFF Gold is, may be of benefit to you travelling Y overseas depending on which carrier you are travelling with (QF or someone else?)

 

[markis10]

On granting gold if you are 20SC short, the first thing they will ask you is what immediate term flights you have booked or intend to book. If you have a number coming right up they may do it. I know folks who have been requalified as gold when a few SC's short, not sure if it would be the same going silver to gold though.

To the best of my knowledge QF have never granted qualification to a tier with less than the required SCs, they do ask for your travel patterns at times when they are looking at your failure to maintain a status level but even that is inconsistent, I was given a Gold requal with only 120 SCs a few years ago and I heard nothing from Qantas until the new kit arrived.

 

[serfty]

Generally Qantas do not award a new (Higher) status level, even if only a few SC's short.

They will often renew FFers to their existing status even if short on SC's.

You want SG, then do the 200 SC's.

As for the travel required and cost, only you can make the decision if it's worth it.

For me it would be a no-brainer, Sapphire is very useful when travelling AA in the USA and SG on Qantas in general (better seat pre-selection with QF for a start.)

 

[Flying Fox]

As others have said, I've never heard of someone being 'comped' up to the next status level.

In your position, I would get the extra 20SCs and get Gold for the additional benefits of priority lanes & lounge access when doing your o/seas trips. Plus you save 1 year of QP membership fees.

 

[gumpy]

I think Golds worth it. It's a substantial change. You get 50% more points, when things go badly in connections they look after you.

Significantly increases your chances of getting points upgrades, better seat choice and finally lounge access. Gold would be the minimum status level I'd want to maintain if I was going to do one big trip a year. If you travel more than that then it's def worth it.

 

[Voyages]

+1 going for Gold. It's totally worth it.

 

[Archphoto]

To the best of my knowledge QF have never granted qualification to a tier with less than the required SCs, they do ask for your travel patterns at times when they are looking at your failure to maintain a status level but even that is inconsistent, I was given a Gold requal with only 120 SCs a few years ago and I heard nothing from Qantas until the new kit arrived.

Same here - was *extremely* surprised (and absolutely thrilled!) when my Qantas kit arrived this year - Gold granted even though I hadn't managed to get anywhere near the SCs needed.

NGCI tags etc in Gold rather than Silver were a nice way to start 2011 - now I just need to travel on some slightly higher fares here in Asia to build up the SCs for this year.

The ability to access other OW lounges is the main reason I desperately want to keep Gold - nothing worse when I was Silver than flying on another OW airline and *not* having lounge access (Y). :shock:

 

[Blackadder]

IMHO yes, if travelling domestically the access to the Qantas Buisness Lounges is a good escape from the general masses outside.
Likewise if flying internationally a good way to relax before the flight, and in the US the access to AA Admirals Club, while not at the standard of the domestic QANTAS lounges, a good escape from the cattle.
Also the priority boarding esp with AA is a blessing when trying to fight for limited overhead luggage space.

 

[TonyHancock]

If your travel is predominantly domestic SG is pretty close to WP since the latest round of "enhancements".

I'd go for it. Better seat selection, priority check in, free QP membership, priority boarding internationally, better opportunities for upgrades using points etc etc.

 

[kirk7]

+1 for SG (if it is not too $$$)

If you're flying AA, the added benefit is free checked lugguage (you save $50 USD from memory), already mentioned priority access/boarding, and I scored an upgraded on a AA domestic

QP within Australia is very average (free booze)....Admiral club is worst (1 drink free, more you have to pay)

SG is great for international flights on QF and OW

 

[drewbles]

QP within Australia is very average (free booze)....Admiral club is worst (1 drink free, more you have to pay)

SG is great for international flights on QF and OW

You're doing it wrong

Drink "chits" or more accurately called Premium Drink "chits" these days (as basic spirits, wines, beers and soft drinks are now complimentary in Admirals Club), are available on a replenish-on-request basis, ie, go to the AAngels at the front desk, and politely ask for more.

Also, a $1-2 tip per drink sees your premium mixed drink "coughtails" turn rather heavy on the alcohol:mixer ratio if that's your kind of thing

This is the biggest benefit of QF-based access to the AC's in the USA; you just need to ask for more when you want them and they're supplied with a smile (I was once handed my, well lets say it was 3rd lot, at LAX T4 AC to be told with a smile and slight laugh "careful Mr drewbles, we don't want to have to roll you on-board!"; it was an 8 hour layover at least that's my story and i'm sticking to it ).

 

[Rebekkap]

To the best of my knowledge QF have never granted qualification to a tier with less than the required SCs, they do ask for your travel patterns at times when they are looking at your failure to maintain a status level but even that is inconsistent, I was given a Gold requal with only 120 SCs a few years ago and I heard nothing from Qantas until the new kit arrived.

QF granted me qualification to a tier with 10 points less than the required SCs.

 

[Rebekkap]

IMHO yes, if travelling domestically the access to the Qantas Buisness Lounges is a good escape from the general masses outside.

You mean access to the Qantas Club? You only get access to Business Lounges domestically if you're platinum, I believe.

 

[samh004]

As if you needed any more encouragement, I’d got for it! For your upcoming flights (QF/BA/AA) you’ll earn another 25% points on top of the 25% you’re earning now as a Silver, you’ll have better seat selection (actual selection on BA), and your QP membership will be out on hold for a year.

 

[Voyages]

Drink "chits" or more accurately called Premium Drink "chits" these days (as basic spirits, wines, beers and soft drinks are now complimentary in Admirals Club), are available on a replenish-on-request basis, ie, go to the AAngels at the front desk, and politely ask for more.

this is absolutely correct. Sometimes I'd just leave them on the table for any interested parties if I didn't manage to use them all.

 

[serfty]

+1 for SG (if it is not too $$$)

If you're flying AA, the added benefit is free checked lugguage (you save $50 USD from memory), already mentioned priority access/boarding, and I scored an upgraded on a AA domestic ...

Actually, Silver (oneworld Ruby) do get free checked luggage on AA domestic flights.

 

[gumpy]

QF granted me qualification to a tier with 10 points less than the required SCs.

My mate got Silver as well when falling 5 sc's short.

I think it's a bit more flexible for silver...

The other year I had a trip coming up were it was going to make me Platinum so I asked if I could be made platinum before the trip. All the flights were in the system and all and they were non-refundable tickets but they didn't budge... I justed wanted to flounge before the trip...

 

[pshepvic]

Hi - I am a current QP member for one more year and I am silver status. I have around 200 status credits to achieve Gold FF by the end of the month. I can probably achieve this through work flights and a return J class any seat award... but is is worth it? I'm travelling to US later in year on a discounted Y seat and to UK in Y and J back to Aus in October. What do you guys think? Go the Gold? or leave it as is? Also if I am short by 20 status credits - what do you think the likelihood will be of Qantas granting me gold anyway? Have been a FF since 2000. Any advice you can give would be most appreciated... I'm in a dilemma!

I would definitely go for it - I was in a similar situation about 6 years ago, and have been SG ever since! (It's similar to the business class syndrome - once you've turned left, you can never turn right again - once you hit gold, you can never go back to silver!)

The trouble now is, I've just hit WP - so I'm going to want to maintain that now, which means doubling my travel spend!

Also remember - they put your QP membership on hold. If you drop back, that will kick in again and you get to use up the remaining membership time. Mine has been on hold for 6 years though - I've still got 1.5 years worth left, and may never use it - I wish they'd just refund me the money!

Generally Qantas do not award a new (Higher) status level, even if only a few SC's short.

They will often renew FFers to their existing status even if short on SC's.

My partner was comped for SG the first time around - he was only 20 SC's off and we'd accidentally booked a flight for the week after the membership year rolled instead of the week before. Called QF when we realised and they said they couldn't do anything in advance, but to call back after we had taken the flight in the new membership year (I guess to make sure it didn't get cancelled). Called back then, and they upgraded him to SG even though he only had hit 680 SC's in the qualifying year.

So it can happen - but I definitely wouldn't rely on it.

 

[samh004]

My mate got Silver as well when falling 5 sc's short.

I think it's a bit more flexible for silver...

The other year I had a trip coming up were it was going to make me Platinum so I asked if I could be made platinum before the trip. All the flights were in the system and all and they were non-refundable tickets but they didn't budge... I justed wanted to flounge before the trip...

Well being a Platinum first would have also given you a 100% points bonus, and a few other goodies, that you weren’t entitled to