Introducing Platinum One

[TimB]

Details of the new Platinum One status level are now up at Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum One Benefits

 

[MrJetset]

Re: Platinum One announced

Details of the new Platinum One status level are now up at Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum One Benefits

Great for those who reach it, however this benefit irks me:

It's nice to be able to share your benefits. As a Platinum One member, when you use your points to upgrade an eligible family member, they'll enjoy the same high priority as you, even when you're not travelling.

I see this benefit meaning that NBs will now receive upgrades prior to WPs who will never make P1. GRRRR.

 

[Danger]

Re: Platinum One announced

Thoroughly underwhelmed.

 

[ozmille]

Re: Platinum One announced

Great for those who reach it, however this benefit irks me:

It's nice to be able to share your benefits. As a Platinum One member, when you use your points to upgrade an eligible family member, they'll enjoy the same high priority as you, even when you're not travelling.

I see this benefit meaning that NBs will now receive upgrades prior to WPs who will never make P1. GRRRR.

This is not cool :!: it is almost impossible to get an international upgrade as it is at the moment and now this

:evil::evil::evil:

 

[Red Roo]

Introducing Platinum One and the new upgrades experience

Today we announced further details of Platinum One as well as a change the Flight Upgrade Awards.

PLATINUM ONE

Platinum One will deliver an exceptional range of services to members who earn 3,600 Status credits or more in one membership year, with a minimum of 2,700 on Qantas marketed flights (where status credits would normally be earned).

We'll be launching Platinum One on 7 November 2011. If you qualify to be part of it, we'll be contacting you very soon. Inaugural members will qualify based on flight activity throughout the year prior to 1 November 2011. Subsequent to 1 November 2011, Platinum One membership will be assessed based on flight activity during your membership year.

Benefits include:

A dedicated contact number to link members to the Platinum One Special Service Team, who will monitor, support and enhance your travel experience every step of the way,


A new class of benefits

• Platinum One, with its outstanding range of benefits, is the result of feedback from many of our Platinum members. The exceptional service is led by the Platinum One Special Service Team.
• Assistance with access to additional Qantas Classic Awards and Flight Upgrade Awards, where available, on Qantas operated flights with a QF flight number on your ticket,
• Where possible, confirmation of successful upgrade requests as early as seven days prior to departure (for Qantas operated services with a QF flight number on your ticket),
• Complimentary membership of epiQure by Qantas Frequent Flyer, the recently launched food and wine club,
• Personalised gifts and experiences, from a ticket to a Qantas sponsored event to an experience inside a Qantas flight simulator and more.

THE NEW UPGRADES EXPERIENCE

From December 2011, when you have registered for a Flight Upgrade Award, we'll notify you with an SMS when your Flight Upgrade Award is confirmed so you can maximise the time to prepare for your upgraded Qantas journey.

On international services, we're also making the following changes from December 2011:

• The ability to register for a Flight Upgrade Award at any time from booking up until 24 hours before your scheduled departure,
• Where possible, Platinum members will receive successful Flight Upgrade Award confirmation from up to 48 hours prior to their departure time and Gold, Silver and Bronze from up to 24 hours prior to departure
• Whilst you may get a Flight Upgrade Award earlier than today as mentioned above, we will also be processing Flight Upgrade Awards closer to the time of departure. This means there will be fewer empty seats in First, Business and Premium Economy on many occasions. For example, if a customer changes their plans on the day of departure and decides not to travel, we will be able to upgrade another customer into their seat. (empty seats on aircraft has been raised by all of you on AFF on many occasions.......)

And on domestic flights, from early 2012:

• We'll be introducing a domestic registration process for Flight Upgrade Awards on Qantas operated flights (with a QF flight number on your ticket), where your Flight Upgrade Award request can not immediately be confirmed. Confirmation of a successful domestic Flight Upgrade Award from the point of booking, as well as the ability to request 'on departure' Flight Upgrade Awards will remain available.

Platinum One and change to Flight Upgrade Awards have been based on your feedback and I look forward to answering any questions about the changes.

Cheers,
Red Roo

 

[awilcockson]

New card looks a lot like the old card (except for the red "Platinum One" text).

Not that I'd complain if Qantas wanted to give me one

 

[QFMEL]

Re: Platinum One announced

QF can't be faulted on their commitment to never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

Shades of their RedQ strategy announcement here- charting a course for mediocrity as their immediate competitors improve their (in this case, loyalty) offerings.

What a let down.

 

[melbourne rebel]

....and this little note on the bottom of todays email should keep us all on edge for a short while longer:

"We are also developing a number of other benefits just for Platinum members with further details to be announced shortly."

 

[MarcB]

Re: Platinum One announced

I'd have to say that I'm not seeing the step to Platinum One as anything I'd strive to achieve. The benefits are nice, but with qualification at 3 times the standard WP quota, it just doesn't seem like there is that much additional benefit. I do see a risk that longer-term, the benefits of standard WP might be eroded to give more value to WP1.

The announced changes to upgrades are welcome but I would have thought extending upgrade request availability to all booking classes on international services for WP and WP1 would have been a better/more valuable move - and one more likely to entice me to choose QF over VA on long-haul.

 

[serfty]

3600 may be three times the 1200 WP requal level, but the 2700 on Squiggle flights is the real killer in regard to cash outlay.

In reality there's little new - Über status WP's already had many of the bennies, it's just been formalised.

 

[Red Roo]

Re: Platinum One announced

This is not cool :!: it is almost impossible to get an international upgrade as it is at the moment and now this

:evil::evil::evil:

Hi Ozmille,

We have also made improvements to Flight Upgrade Awards which will have positive impact on International upgrades as well.

Cheers,
Red Roo

 

[drewbles]

Re: Platinum One announced

I'd have to say that I'm not seeing the step to Platinum One as anything I'd strive to achieve. The benefits are nice, but with qualification at 3 times the standard WP quota, it just doesn't seem like there is that much additional benefit. I do see a risk that longer-term, the benefits of standard WP might be eroded to give more value to WP1.

The announced changes to upgrades are welcome but I would have thought extending upgrade request availability to all booking classes on international services for WP and WP1 would have been a better/more valuable move - and one more likely to entice me to choose QF over VA on long-haul.

The gist I got from the QFF CEO lunch was that P1 is aimed squarely at those who simply spend far too many hours flying, especially on QF flights. It's not designed for something to be 'aimed' for, simply a 'we'll look after you *because* you fly that much'. It's designed to make those truly excessively frequent flyers lives easier, not encouraging people to reach 'loftier heights'.

 

[nonpop]

Re: Introducing Platinum One and the new upgrades experience

Was sitting in the Flounge at LAX the other day.

Got to chatting to those around me re the upcoming WP1.

The general consensus was ... “who cares” and many a laugh was had at the prospect of erosion of benefits to lift the benefits of WP1.

What was interesting was that every one of the WP's had taken the DJ status match and now were actively starting the process of booking DJ for new future bookings (not many had actually flown as yet).

Overall the mood was not positive. When I expressed my positive nature to the general way I'm treated as WP, again everyone had a good laugh and noted that if you think you are treated well now, then to maintain the same standard I'll need to become WP1. This I hope not.

But with the general routes appear to be diminished and handed over to J* (in whatever form), then is being a WP all that attractive. Time will tell.

Lastly, QF team … please remove the J* option where I have to spend more to get SCs in the ‘business’ cabin. My company booking engine we have to use does not allow it. As such, I now no longer book J* and have switched to other airlines.

Interesting times.

 

[kpc]

Re: Platinum One announced

Great for those who reach it, however this benefit irks me:

It's nice to be able to share your benefits. As a Platinum One member, when you use your points to upgrade an eligible family member, they'll enjoy the same high priority as you, even when you're not travelling.

I see this benefit meaning that NBs will now receive upgrades prior to WPs who will never make P1. GRRRR.

I agree with you. If travelling with a P1 member, they should get the same priority; otherwise, the priority should be based on their FF status. I see this as another slow erosion of standard WP benefits....

[h=3]Say goodbye to Award Assistance Fees when booking flights[/h]Qantas Frequent Flyers can avoid most fees when booking an Award Flight online. Platinum members also have the option of booking Award Flights through the dedicated Platinum priority telephone service - you'll find the number on the back of your card. We're now waiving any Flight Award Assistance Fees~ which would normally apply when booking Award Flights over the phone for Platinum One members, so you won't need to pay the usual fee.

It would have been nice if this was extended to standard WP members, but alas it is not to be...:shock::evil:

 

[samh004]

Re: Platinum One announced

Thoroughly underwhelmed.

QF can't be faulted on their commitment to never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

Shades of their RedQ strategy announcement here- charting a course for mediocrity as their immediate competitors improve their (in this case, loyalty) offerings.

What a let down.

Agreed.

The gist I got from the QFF CEO lunch was that P1 is aimed squarely at those who simply spend far too many hours flying, especially on QF flights. It's not designed for something to be 'aimed' for, simply a 'we'll look after you *because* you fly that much'. It's designed to make those truly excessively frequent flyers lives easier, not encouraging people to reach 'loftier heights'.

That’s all well and good, but the biggest complaints are that they aren’t delivering something to those frequent flyers who do strive for Platinum year in year out.

I would never be there, but the lack of updates to Platinum, or incentives to go beyond are starting to take a toll.

 

[anat0l]

Great for those who reach it, however this benefit irks me:

It's nice to be able to share your benefits. As a Platinum One member, when you use your points to upgrade an eligible family member, they'll enjoy the same high priority as you, even when you're not travelling.

I see this benefit meaning that NBs will now receive upgrades prior to WPs who will never make P1. GRRRR.

This is not cool :!: it is almost impossible to get an international upgrade as it is at the moment and now this

:evil::evil::evil:

You're assuming that there's enough WP1s out there to make this a real issue. But I suppose you're arguing on principle / definition than practicality, i.e. if even one single NB gets the upgrade you wanted, that's a complete failure.

On the other hand, if I were flying (and spending) that much to get WP1, I'd be glad to have a benefit like that for my family members. Note that it is only family members - unlike some other FFPs where you can sponsor anyone for an upgrade where you are not flying, you can't do that here. Unless there are a few WP1s out there considering illegitimate first cousins or half-relations...

I'd have to say that I'm not seeing the step to Platinum One as anything I'd strive to achieve. The benefits are nice, but with qualification at 3 times the standard WP quota, it just doesn't seem like there is that much additional benefit. I do see a risk that longer-term, the benefits of standard WP might be eroded to give more value to WP1.

The announced changes to upgrades are welcome but I would have thought extending upgrade request availability to all booking classes on international services for WP and WP1 would have been a better/more valuable move - and one more likely to entice me to choose QF over VA on long-haul.

3600 may be three times the 1200 WP requal level, but the 2700 on Squiggle flights is the real killer in regard to cash outlay.

In reality there's little new - Über status WP's already had many of the bennies, it's just been formalised.

At least formalising it sets it into the system now. For us on AFF it's not a big deal because "we knew it", but for other people they wanted an assurance that, "yes, you will be taken care of".

As mentioned, this is not necessarily one of those levels you strive to achieve. It's just that if you fly that much anyway, you deserve some extra benefits. If you really do want to strive for it, well, all the more power to you. Kind of a ditto thing with the 2400 SC level.

I'd see more that the inherent value in WP1 is the experience more than what is being explained "on paper". I can't see myself being a WP1 any time soon at all, but I'd like to see the experience of a WP1 - is the WP1 team really dependable and will help them through thick and thin. WPs do get that kind of assistance per se, so that is why I am most interested to see how the WP1 experience is different to WP, especially since WP1s have definitely stamped their business as significantly QF oriented, unlike some WPs, especially on this forum

I'd like to see how the upgrade confirmation window which is supposed to be favourable for WP and WP1 will work out. I know it is only a potential window (i.e. it's still possible to be caught in upgrade limbo at 48 hours out, but then again it may be possible that 48 hours out your upgrade will be confirmed).

 

[dfcatch]

I'm going to be a little more positive than most.

I actually think the WP1 end announcement is pretty good.

It's not something to aim for (you're not going to do JASA's / YUPPS to get there), but as Drewbles says - if you're flying that much - you should get a little VIP.

I do however share KPC's concerns - namely that I don't want my WP benefits eroded.

eg.

- I'm not so enthusiastic on WP1 "eligible family members" trumpeting a WP for upgrades when the WP1 is not flying. Website explicitly states that WP family members' priority is based on the family member - not the WP. (Although some anecdotal evidence says in practice, we're getting the same benefit).

I mean:

1/ Primary family member will already have "Partner Gold" from the 2400 SC deal.
2/ A WP1 will have a gazillion points, so can simply use "Preferential Award Availability" to "buy" the family member a premium seat.


- Premium seating options

If WP1's are being given access to CL reserved seating (Row 4 on a 737), then fine. But I don't want reduced options as a WP to accommodate this.


- Award assistance fees

Fees have absolutely skyrocketed in recent times (no doubt due to the "point-flation" from all the frequent spenders).
I would like to see some relief for Platinums.



And whilst I will give QF the benefit of the doubt when it comes to other "Platinum Improvements"..............(well, I'll judge them when I see them).

 

[rockyroad]

WP1s also get free exit row seats on international QF metal flights:
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum One Benefits

 

[kpc]

Wait til JohnK sees this!!

WP1s also get free exit row seats on international QF metal flights:
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Platinum One Benefits

 

[Undercover Brother]

Fail.

If I/my company spent enough to make WP1, I hope hope that the published benefits would be much greater.
Or at least if that much $ was being spent with QF, the unpublished benefits I should already be seeing would far outweight what was in this announcement.