Finally crossed over 1400 status credits to earn Qantas Platinum - Questions...

kangarooflyer88

Established Member
Joined
May 29, 2021
Posts
4,211
Qantas
Platinum
Virgin
Silver
Oneworld
Emerald
SkyTeam
Elite Plus
Star Alliance
Gold
Well, I finally crossed over 1400 status credits to earn Qantas World Platinum status:
IMG_0455.PNG

However, I do have a couple of questions now which I haven't found a definitive answer to elsewhere:
  • Although my Qantas status has moved from Gold to Platinum, when I check-in for flights operated by partners (i.e. AA) it still lists me as OneWorld Sapphire. Is this normal? Granted, I am travelling US domestic and to my knowledge there are no differences between Sapphire and Emerald.
  • On Friday I'll be flying back to SYD out of LAX flying QF operated, AA marketed flight. I'm guessing I can avail myself of the F check-in and lounge? Is there something else I should look out for?
  • Will Qantas send me a physical kit in the mail upon earning Platinum? The congratulatory email from QF indicates that I will but we all know that things have changed due to COVID that it's unclear whether that is actually true. Also what comes in the Platinum kit? Is it just a physical card and a Q-Tag which I am told only works on QF domestic flights?
  • Anything else I should be aware of?
-RooFlyer88
 
Congratulations

Although my Qantas status has moved from Gold to Platinum, when I check-in for flights operated by partners (i.e. AA) it still lists me as OneWorld Sapphire. Is this normal? Granted, I am travelling US domestic and to my knowledge there are no differences between Sapphire and Emerald.

May take a while to propagate through the Qantas system. Have your digital WP card at the ready.

Will Qantas send me a physical kit in the mail upon earning Platinum?

I got sent a physical card, but I think there are reports of others who haven’t been. It will probably take a month or so to arrive if it is being sent.
 
Well, I finally crossed over 1400 status credits to earn Qantas World Platinum status:
View attachment 351235

However, I do have a couple of questions now which I haven't found a definitive answer to elsewhere:
  • Although my Qantas status has moved from Gold to Platinum, when I check-in for flights operated by partners (i.e. AA) it still lists me as OneWorld Sapphire. Is this normal? Granted, I am travelling US domestic and to my knowledge there are no differences between Sapphire and Emerald.
  • On Friday I'll be flying back to SYD out of LAX flying QF operated, AA marketed flight. I'm guessing I can avail myself of the F check-in and lounge? Is there something else I should look out for?
  • Will Qantas send me a physical kit in the mail upon earning Platinum? The congratulatory email from QF indicates that I will but we all know that things have changed due to COVID that it's unclear whether that is actually true. Also what comes in the Platinum kit? Is it just a physical card and a Q-Tag which I am told only works on QF domestic flights?
  • Anything else I should be aware of?
-RooFlyer88
My kit never arrived earlier this year, I had to request the tag and a replacement card.
 
Well, I finally crossed over 1400 status credits to earn Qantas World Platinum status:
The W in WP does not stand for World

However, I do have a couple of questions now which I haven't found a definitive answer to elsewhere:
  • Although my Qantas status has moved from Gold to Platinum, when I check-in for flights operated by partners (i.e. AA) it still lists me as OneWorld Sapphire. Is this normal? Granted, I am travelling US domestic and to my knowledge there are no differences between Sapphire and Emerald.
No not normal. You might need to remove and re-add your QFF to the AA booking. Alternatively at the airport show your Platinum card (virtual is fine) and ask check in agent to ensure correct status is on your boarding pass.

I booked AA flights whilst I was Gold and then flew once Platinum and my status was shown correctly as OWE.

BTW there are differences at some US airports for example if flying domestic first out of JFK and OWE you get access to the Soho lounge which is superior to the Greenwich lounge.

  • On Friday I'll be flying back to SYD out of LAX flying QF operated, AA marketed flight. I'm guessing I can avail myself of the F check-in and lounge? Is there something else I should look out for?
Yes, LAX first lounge not as nice as SYD F (i.e. no spa treatments); but still the best place there to dine and chilax ahead of flights.

If you want a shower you need to book a time slot with one of the attendants.

  • Will Qantas send me a physical kit in the mail upon earning Platinum? The congratulatory email from QF indicates that I will but we all know that things have changed due to COVID that it's unclear whether that is actually true. Also what comes in the Platinum kit? Is it just a physical card and a Q-Tag which I am told only works on QF domestic flights?
They should, mine arrived within a month. Qtag only works on domestic (if you trust it), but no advantage over the silver and gold ones you would already have. Printed bag tags with Priority seem to come out faster than Qtags of a higher status.
 
Last edited:
Congratulations
Welcome to the club!
Why thank you. Starting this year with only 1000 status credits I honestly didn’t think I would make it but fortunately had some last minute work trips booked that put me over the edge.
May take a while to propagate through the Qantas system. Have your digital WP card at the ready.
Will do. I take it if I show the Platinum digital card the agent could update the BP to say Emerald?

As an aside, the email I received from QF congratulating me on earning Platinum status still showed me as a Gold with just 1,390 status credits earned in the header. So if Qantas’ IT systems can’t keep up I suppose it’s unreasonable for me to expect partners to do the same.
I got sent a physical card, but I think there are reports of others who haven’t been. It will probably take a month or so to arrive if it is being sent.
Rarely have I needed to use it but it can be helpful especially at security lines outside North America (where they don’t have a concept like TSA pre)

The W in WP does not stand for World
Let’s just agree to disagree here! 😂
No not normal. You might need to remove and re-add your QFF to the AA booking. Alternatively at the airport show your Platinum card (virtual is fine) and ask check in agent to ensure correct status is on your boarding pass.
I’m not gonna try messing with the AA website as I did that once and regretted it since it “lost” my FF number and I needed to call AA to get it straightened.
I booked AA flights whilst I was Gold and then flew once Platinum and my status was shown correctly as OWE.
Just to clarify the itinerary was booked as a Gold and the first three flights taken on the itinerary I was Gold. So I’m wondering if the confusion might be caused by that (or the fact that I just turned Platinum) we’ll see on Wednesday when I fly AS: SFO > LAX > PDX > SEA > LAX
BTW there are differences at some US airports for example if flying domestic first out of JFK and OWE you get access to the Soho lounge which is superior to the Greenwich lounge.
The other benefit I suppose is priority boarding. On AA Emeralds get zone 2 boarding whereas Sapphire get Zone 3. Although that doesn’t matter since I board at zone 1 always.
Yes, LAX first lounge not as nice as SYD F (i.e. no spa treatments); but still the best place there to dine and chilax ahead of flights.
Depending on my schedule I may have a full day at LAX and could very well lounge hop between all the lounges.

One other thing I’ll point out and I’m not sure if everyone here is aware of this is that you can access AA lounges on arrival as a OneWorld Sapphire or Platinum member. So far I’ve visited the AA Admirals lounge at PHX and SFO on arrival (I was blown away at the quality of the AA Admirals lounge at SFO, on par with the Flagship lounge I visited at DFW)
If you want a shower you need to book a time slot with one of the attendants.
Is there much of a difference between the showers in the First vs J lounge? I only ask because if the J lounge has more availability I might “settle” for that.

I’m guessing there is a-la carte dining at the LaX Flounge?
They should, mine arrived within a month. Qtag only works on domestic (if you trust it), but not advantage over the silver and gold ones you would already have.
Never received a welcome kit ever from Qantas as I earned my Gold status through a status match and simply requalified since then. I have a Lifetime Bronze one I bought from QF a couple of years ago. No doubt attaching that to my backpack will be the ultimate DYKWIA flex


-RooFlyer88
 
There will be less competition for a shower in the first lounge vs the shared oneworld J lounge. Just book when you arrive, they generally want it to be no later than 1 hour before your departure so ask for your flight number.

Yes it is a la carte dining, but you don't need to sit in dining area they will bring finger food to the lounge chairs too.
 
I may have a full day at LAX and could very well lounge hop between all the lounges.

A comparative report on that would be good.
Is there much of a difference between the showers in the First vs J lounge? I only ask because if the J lounge has more availability I might “settle” for that.

Be aware that the Qantas operated lounges are no tipping zones. There was a bit of a scam going off and on a few years back where people being escorted to their allocated shower would find a US$1 bill there. Attendant would say "oh, sorry" and take it away.

Pax would think that's expected and leave same.

Personally, as a frequent LAX transiter I can't recall ever booking a shower (maybe 5 mins wait after fronting up), but maybe its changed.

This is a place where a physical WP card would be handy, as well as a copy of the entry rules. Plenty of reports here of pax being bounced because dragons on the entry desk didn't know the rules. although I can't recall any recently.
 
Had a friend who had WP status gifted, but her BP still showed Sapphire/Gold have a bit of a question (of course) at LAX F lounge, but apparently showing her digital FF card (you know, the one showing World Platinum) and they were fine with that.

(edit to add this was just a few weeks ago)
 
Last edited:
As SG I can only dream!
Well done @kangarooflyer88 - enjoy
Thanks to AFF @AIRwin et al , my focus is now on SC rather than points I find hard to use for ✈️
Key with airline status is travel enough to make the benefits worthwhile and of course to earn the requisite status credits to attain/retain status. Plenty of opportunities to earn SC including loyalty bonus when you earn 500 SCs flying JQ/QF, Green Tier and the occasional double status credit, or sorry we coughked up promotion


I'm amused the effort was made to photoshop that. well done... I guess :p
It wasn’t too hard and I needed to block out personal info on the card anyway.
A comparative report on that would be good.
There are quite a few lounges at LAX which is one of the reasons why I enjoy flying through LAX. I’m wondering if I could check in with QF at noon? That way I’ll have the better part of a day to explore the lounges.
Be aware that the Qantas operated lounges are no tipping zones. There was a bit of a scam going off and on a few years back where people being escorted to their allocated shower would find a US$1 bill there. Attendant would say "oh, sorry" and take it away.
As a general rule I don’t tip. “Sorry I’m European and we pay our employees a fair wage” is usually enough to get out of that. Also, if I were to see a one dollar bill, that’s going in my wallet 😂
Personally, as a frequent LAX transiter I can't recall ever booking a shower (maybe 5 mins wait after fronting up), but maybe it’s changed.
Good to know. I’ll probably grab a shower just before I board my flight back to SYD.
This is a place where a physical WP card would be handy, as well as a copy of the entry rules. Plenty of reports here of pax being bounced because dragons on the entry desk didn't know the rules. although I can't recall any recently.
A copy of the entry rules is generally a good idea irrespective of the lounge you are visiting. Unlike Star Alliance, it’s my understanding that the digital card will do just nicely at OW lounges
Had a friend who had WP status gifted, but her BP still showed Sapphire/Gold have a bit of a question (of course) at LAX F lounge, but apparently showing her digital FF card (you know, the one showing World Platinum) and they were fine with that.
Good to know.
The first thing that caught my attention. It was nice job. Perhaps KF88's talents would be best used in rebranding services and designing visuals... ;)
I think Qantas needs more than a fresh coat of paint! 😂

-RooFlyer88
 
I’m wondering if I could check in with QF at noon? That way I’ll have the better part of a day to explore the lounges
No because there won't be a QF counter open at noon, the area is used by another airline earlier. Check-in is supposed to open from 2pm.

But last trip in August I had timed everything to land in LAX just before 3pm, but then due to scheduling changes ended up arriving just before 12pm. Qantas didn't open check-in until 3:15pm it was a horrid wait in departures with bags.

Obviously if you are connecting on same ticket you can check bags through but I was on separate ticket. So many weirdos loitering in terminal wanting to chat, few seats thankfully i nabbed one with a view of the check-in counters but at least there was free wifi.

Personally I would not arrive until 3pm, so that you can check straight in (I was lucky to be first to do so, due to status, everyone else waiting was in WhY).

The booking a shower was recommended when I sat down to eat just, told it is just in the evenings because there are 4 QF departures (2 to SYD, plus one to MEL and BNE) and partner airline flights and with lots of passengers wanting to board fresh.

I booked 70mins before departure, as I'd been up since 3:30am east coast time (12am LA time) and helped me feel human again.
 
Last edited:
Well, I finally crossed over 1400 status credits to earn Qantas World Platinum status:
View attachment 351235

However, I do have a couple of questions now which I haven't found a definitive answer to elsewhere:
  • Although my Qantas status has moved from Gold to Platinum, when I check-in for flights operated by partners (i.e. AA) it still lists me as OneWorld Sapphire. Is this normal? Granted, I am travelling US domestic and to my knowledge there are no differences between Sapphire and Emerald.
  • On Friday I'll be flying back to SYD out of LAX flying QF operated, AA marketed flight. I'm guessing I can avail myself of the F check-in and lounge? Is there something else I should look out for?
  • Will Qantas send me a physical kit in the mail upon earning Platinum? The congratulatory email from QF indicates that I will but we all know that things have changed due to COVID that it's unclear whether that is actually true. Also what comes in the Platinum kit? Is it just a physical card and a Q-Tag which I am told only works on QF domestic flights?
  • Anything else I should be aware of?
-RooFlyer88
Green Tier ?
 
Green Tier ?
It's a program QF has where you do a couple of simple activities (i.e. carbon offsetting a flight) and when you qualify for that status you can choose a gift, one of them being 50 bonus status credits to your account. Simple way to earn 50 SCs every year without lifting a finger.

-RooFlyer88
 
do a couple of simple activities (i.e. carbon offsetting a flight)
I think it’s five things isn’t it and most come with an additional cost. There are easier ways to earn 50 SCs, such sitting back and doing nothing other than a little flying while Qantas throws free SCs at you,
 
EXCLUSIVE OFFER - Offer expires: 20 Jan 2025

- Earn up to 200,000 bonus Velocity Points*
- Enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges worldwide
- Earn up to 3 Citi reward Points per dollar uncapped

*Terms And Conditions Apply

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

I think it’s five things isn’t it and most come with an additional cost.
You are correct. But the activities involved don't take too much time or cost much money (especially since we all live in Tasmania).
There are easier ways to earn 50 SCs, such sitting back and doing nothing other than a little flying while Qantas throws free SCs at you,
Possibly. But they appear randomly and may or may not be helpful depending on your circumstance.
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Currently Active Users

Back
Top