Is Platinum the Holy Grail?

[JohnK]

Interesting point. Anyone know what percentage of QFFers are SG, what percentage PS, and so on.

We have discussed this a number of times on AFF and I am certain QFF published some figures recently. When there were around 6,000,000 million QFF members around 50,000 were Platinum.

Assuming there are now 8,000,000+ QFF members and I had to guess I would have to say

Platinum <1%
Gold <10%
Silver <25%
Bronze >65%

Must do some research and see if I can come up with some accurate numbers.

There are two statistics - the proportion of QFF members that are platinum - that is bound to be <1%.

Then there is proportion of people on a given flight that are platinum - that is likely to be a much higher number, simply because platinums are more likely to fly more often.

Yes agree with you on that point. The check-in person has done a count for me sometimes oops and there has been at least 20 Platinums or Chairmans Lounge on a Friday evening BNE-SYD flight.

And then there are times when I was the only Gold (no one higher and not many Silver) on a SYD-HBA flight. And I have been the lone Platinum on many flights to/from SE Asia from BNE and PER.

OMG......

I have been a member of this site for years. I can not believe JohnK still has stuff to learn!

I am hubmled. I know very little compared to some of the gurus on AFF.

 

[parksie]

Thanks.

Would be good feedback.

 

[NM]

I expect Qantas Frequent Flyer program attempts to maintain a fairly constant proportion of members in each status rung. So with the recent boost to the overall numbers of FF members resulting from the move of credit cards to direct sweep points and Everyday Rewards, I am not surprised to see reports of special promotions targeting certain members with enticements to move up a status level (see http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ram/double-status-credits-are-back-22668.html).

Whether the target is 1%, 2% or 5% I have no idea. But I would suggest the AFF membership is much more skewed towards a higher proportion of Platinum and Gold members than the general Qantas FF membership community.

Then there are those AFF members who choose not to pursue the Qantas Platinum grail, but attain equivalent status in other programs (Velocity, AAdvantage, KrisFlyer, Diamond Club, Mileage Plus, Miles & More etc)

 

[burrco]

Well I've been a WP for a long time now (coming up to eight days) and my life is yet to change.

Maybe the key to eternal happiness will be contained in the membership kit when it arrives?

 

[Grooba]

Well I've been a WP for a long time now (coming up to eight days) and my life is yet to change.

Maybe the key to eternal happiness will be contained in the membership kit when it arrives?

Negative, it's just a different coloured card.

 

[HardieBoys]

My experience has been that QFF Platinum is great when flying QF, had lots of op-upgrades, better seats, extra baggage allocation, and great for accessing lounges abroad. I've had a couple of op-upgrades from J to F on CX and BA, but also scored a lot of pretty coughpy seats on BA, Iberia and certainly on AA. On balance, I can't say that it's conferred an advantage for oneworld carriers' seat allocations. Always been able to check-in using F desks when flying oneworld carriers, which is also a plus.

My gut feeling is that the extra attention that QF pays to Platinum status holders compared to Gold is higher than the difference between Gold and Silver. My partner was Platinum for a few years and noticed the difference (both going up, and later, going down) in status. But we're only a sample group of n = 2, I guess.

 

[JohnK]

Negative, it's just a different coloured card.

Yes but think about all those times you are in trouble and you take that different coloured card out of your wallet and wave it around mumbling "Do you know who I am?"

 

[HardieBoys]

It's not even a platinum-coloured card, but rather, graphite.






QFF Graphite, Velocity Red

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

My experience has been that QFF Platinum is great when flying QF, had lots of op-upgrades, better seats, extra baggage allocation, and great for accessing lounges abroad. I've had a couple of op-upgrades from J to F on CX and BA, but also scored a lot of pretty coughpy seats on BA, Iberia and certainly on AA. On balance, I can't say that it's conferred an advantage for oneworld carriers' seat allocations. Always been able to check-in using F desks when flying oneworld carriers, which is also a plus.

My gut feeling is that the extra attention that QF pays to Platinum status holders compared to Gold is higher than the difference between Gold and Silver. My partner was Platinum for a few years and noticed the difference (both going up, and later, going down) in status. But we're only a sample group of n = 2, I guess.

I'm both WP and LTG, wife is Partner Gold. Benefits, I do primarily international travel (6-8 trips per year), so do access all the F lounges, even when flying economy. Use the Flagship lounges of AA (free food, booze) in Chicago, LA and New York. Have received alot of op-ups in last few years (Thanks QF), enjoy the first class check-in (hate crowds) and enjoy the privacy of the lounges. Dont really care where I sit on the plane, as long as it lands safely after take-off.

I do the y-upps on AA, doing one next wk, Houston to LAX, via Dallas in "P" class, thats 120 SC's (guessing) for $400.

Used the baggage allowances last wk at LAX while wife was traveling home to Oz and I was moving on to Montreal, she took home 120kgs, no excess.

When my business ends and I am no longer WP, I won't care, I'll be LTG and traveling for leisure, now that is my ultimate goal!

 

[HardieBoys]

I'd prefer Lifetime Graphite, but have settled for Lifetime Gold. It's kind of weird there are only two lifetime tiers.

 

[notzac]

I don't think WP is all it's made up to be - though I appreciate that QF is paying attention to how Platinums get to be where they are, so I'm definitely quite low down in the scheme of things.

Things I value -

• J/F lounge access (most especially FLounges at MEL, SYD and LHR)
• A chance at getting better seats
• F check-in (though I've actually only ever used it at outstations and with AA/BA)
• The QF premium desk

I'm yet to get any magical greetings, special treatment or upgrades (and I should stress that I know they're not documented features of WP, nor do I feel entitled to any of those things).

WP has it's good points, but consider it in perspective

CL: Choice Liquor (Chairmans) (acronym for this still)

All levels in the QFF (Qantas Frequent Flyer) program, but with slang names.

MUAHAHAHHAAHAHA love it

Without checking this I estimate perhaps 20 regular posters or more are WP.

Really? I thought it was a higher number than that..

More recently, the following have also proven to be a wealth of knowledge.

I'm honoured! (..and perhaps slightly amazed that someone finds my posting random dribble of value )

 

[serfty]

...
I'm honoured! (..and perhaps slightly amazed that someone finds my posting random dribble of value )

Ah yes, but what you post is Quality dribble (and not so random)!

No conjecture from you; if it's real then you post it.

 

[bossreggie]

Ah yes, but what you post is Quality dribble (and not so random)!

No conjecture from you; if it's real then you post it.

mmmm

Take away the "dribble" AND I'm thinking all true. Pretty much like you serfty.... QUALITY!!

 

[wandering_fred]

As usual - actually since I've only been in Oz for 18 years so my perspective is still upside down - I will offer a different perspective. :shock::mrgreen:

And some questions.

Platinum in which program?:idea: Well that question is actually answered when you consider the question - What is the goal of your card with special coloring? Awards - Fancy lounges - additional help when schedules are in disarray? And do you fly normally in J or rather in longhaul Y cabins?

In my case (AA) there is a very big gap in Platinum (OW Sapphire) and ExecPLT (OW Emerald) benefits. And the access to the VIPs are worth some additional efforts when not too expensive. :mrgreen: The FF admins have been kind the last couple of years. My bottom line is that I will happily trade the lack of lounge access in the USA for the VIPS any day.

But I will agree that the life-time benefits should be the goal. Pity I didn't know that way back when. If I had, I wouldn't be 27% of QF lifetime Silver and 69% of AA lifetime Gold.

YMMV - Just remember to keep asking questions. But I wander again.

Fred

 

[Alanslegal]

I'm both WP and LTG, wife is Partner Gold. Benefits, I do primarily international travel (6-8 trips per year), so do access all the F lounges, even when flying economy. Use the Flagship lounges of AA (free food, booze) in Chicago, LA and New York. Have received alot of op-ups in last few years (Thanks QF), enjoy the first class check-in (hate crowds) and enjoy the privacy of the lounges. Dont really care where I sit on the plane, as long as it lands safely after take-off.

(though I'm not a WP or having LT*anything*) I was thinking exactly the same thing. I could see accessing the top lounges worldwide when travelling Y as a big bonus.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Hi,

I am wondering if Platinum with Qantas is the holy grail that everyone really aspires to?

I hope so.

Well I've been a WP for a long time now (coming up to eight days) and my life is yet to change.

Congratulations on reaching platinum.

OMG......

I have been a member of this site for years. I can not believe JohnK still has stuff to learn!

I'm TOTALLY nowhere compared to his knowledge!!

So..... From the time I joined..... I have always been in awe of the following members.

JohnK
Serfty
Lindsay Wilson
Simongr
NM aka Nelly Mobbs

More recently, the following have also proven to be a wealth of knowledge.

munitalP
notzac
anat01

Good list there.

 

[munitalP]

Re: Is Platinum the Holy Grail?

Like the Black Knight after loosing a leg - "'tis but a flesh wound..." and the same fighting spirit applies to WP's who look like falling off the perch... there's not too many of us who wouldn't "find" that extra sales trip, or that conference in outer Mongolia we "had" to attend just to get the extra 200SC's needed to keep WP status.

Before I get flamed - I'm talking about work earned status, not private funded.

As a previous poster has mentioned, the partner gold is good, I feel that the partner gold gift is good, my wife enjoys the nicer treatment from QF when she travels, Gold Elite used to have a similar offer...

There are a lot of small things that we take for granted that when you are not a WP I would miss...

• 
  Fast answering call centre
  Personal greetings - the welcome backs when boarding etc
  Being greeted when sitting in Y on INT flights by the CSM or the other (I cant remember the title)
  The J blankets, pillows, headsets and sometimes amenity kits when travelling in Y if you ask for them
  Lounges and OWE lounge access
  Priority check in using F or J (I especially like the SIN check in)
  Seat selection
  Express cards
  Forcing a Y seat on a full flight
  Sitting in the F Lounge with a bunch of friends drinking Verve and all sharing a similar intrest and all flying the good ship JQ32 to an AFF meet

There are more little things that I am sure I would notice if they disappeared...

Mr!

 

[burrco]

Congratulations on reaching platinum.

Thanks, although I don't know if reaching a marketing term is one of my greatest life acheivements - who am I kidding, of course it is! I do a lot of flights in the US, so didn't "earn" it in the sense of those putting in the hard miles on the mel-syd/bne run each week.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

The level above WP would be the Holy Grail, CL, or LTP (Life Time Platinum), which is almost a "urban myth", lol.

 

[JetLagged]

Platinum status is good when flying QF internationally and GREAT when flying other OW airlines such as CX.

Winfred, would you mind expanding that thought - hopefully has relevance to my own flight plans this year. Many thanks.