How is the Qantas frequent flyer program like an angry Russian Model?

[Timsboot]

After ten years I have lost platinum status with Qantas. I fell about 8% short of the status credit target so find myself in the unexpected position of carrying a gold rather than platinum frequent flyer card on my many travels. Time away from the black card has allowed me to reflect on what I am missing and the value of platinum membership. I have decided that losing platinum status is like breaking up with a gorgeous but temperamental eastern European super model. They looked beautiful, your friends were impressed and the promise for excitement was high. But in reality you were treated really badly, the private times never matched the public promise and all that sticks in your mind long after the relationship is over is how often you fought over the stupid things they did but refused to apologize for.

So farewell Qantas Platinum/Ivanka. In my dark moments I miss you and wish I was still part of in crowd that gravitated around you. But without you my life has less missed expectations and fights on the side of the curb....my friends say I am better off. What do you think?

 

[TonyHancock]

An interesting analogy. I'm grappling with the concept of maybe just being SG. Would I really miss the perks of WP? At the moment I'm leaning towards trying to keep WP status.

I think I'd miss the better seating options, F lounge access, F check in, double points, priority immigration/customs cards, and better opportunities of points upgrades on international flights.

When these are "enhanced" it will be time to say goodbye to the Russian model.

(By the way your experience with your Russian model is different to mine!! )

[As I read posts on the site it is very clear to me that WP benefits operate at two levels - international where the aren't too shabby and domestic where there really is little difference between SG and WP.]

 

[JohnK]

Interesting analogy.

One thing I do know is that having Platinum status has helped me tremendously commuting SYD-BNE (almost) weekly the past 3 years. I have needed the luggage allowance and the fact that QF flies 767's on this route is also a big plus. And I do not underestiate how important it is to be able to select pre-allocate bulkhead seats for no additional cost.

Just the thought of having to spend ~1 hour in 9C or 10D totally surrounded by inexperienced flyers is enough to trigger anxiety.

When it comes to international travel Platinum status has helped secure better pre-allocated seats (exit rows until recently and bulkheads) and most likely been a factor in some of the op-ps that I have received.

QF as an airline is OK but what I have noticed in the last few years is the service has dropped and the attitude of some flight attendants is very poor. This does not happen very often, or is not noticeable, on SQ, TG or CX. I don't want the image imprinted in my mind of QF flight attendants talking down to me when I have gone to the galley md-flight asking for a drink. It is as if I spoiled their leisure time.

In my opinion flight attendants are paid to work and are there to assist not just in times of emergency but to also help out with food and beverages. I know for certain that they are not there to socialise at the expense of service. Still surprised that SQ flight attendants walk up and down the aisle 2-3 times during the night with water service on recent SIN-BNE flight.

Anyway after the current booked flights QF will lose my international business so I can try out some *Alliance carriers.

 

[TonyHancock]

I don't want the image imprinted in my mind of QF flight attendants talking down to me when I have gone to the galley md-flight asking for a drink. It is as if I spoiled their leisure time.

Yes that is a delight! I may be old fashioned but what happened to the days when FA's used to do a few trips up and down the plane to see if PAX needed a refill? Now it is like asking for the earth when you want a second drink on a long haul flight.

Certainly an instance of the other side of that Russian model. :-|

 

[ReLoad]

I share the OP's analogy

My WP status is a different woman; A former East german steroi_ abusing weight lifter who spends more time shaving in the morning than applying lipstick.

However she is ruthlessly efficient, and when something goes wrong, she has her "people" sort things out, and it always ensures that I am there where I need to be on time, and when things go wrong it is NEVER a problem

Sure she is as ugly as a hatful of spanked baboons, she is appallingly revolting to look at, has the bedside manner straight from the STASI customer service manual. But I know I can rely on her.

My question is, when I drop down to SG, am I going to continue to recieve all the Politburo benefits? will I be just as looked after when things go pear shaped?

 

[SamR]

I like this analogy too.

As a lowly PS, it's like being Naomi Campbell's assistant.

You get to hang out with the glamorous people, albeit on the fringes. And you try to play nice and do the right thing by her, but every so often she'll throw a mobile phone at your head, just to make sure you know your place.