Just short of Gold again!

[Warks]

I recently received the note where QFF have spotted that I might not make enough SCs to retain Gold this year. You might recall I had the same thing last year (and a few years before that). Last year I think I finished less than 100 SCs short but promised to do lots of flying in the next year so they kindly renewed it. Well I've changed jobs and my flying went down for a while and is now recovering. However my reassessment date is the end of this month (Oct) and the best I can see is ending up 80 SCs short. That may be enough for them as I will write the pleading letter again and if they don't look too far back they might give it to me again.
My company will probably give me QC membership anyway - is there any difference between the two? Priority etc. Can't imagine it.

 

[NM]

My company will probably give me QC membership anyway - is there any difference between the two? Priority etc. Can't imagine it.

There are a few differences between Silver Qantas Club membership and Gold FF status:

• Qantas Club members get access to QF, BA, AA and US lounges when flying with that airline on the same day. QF Gold FF members, as OneWorld Sapphire status holders, get access to any OneWorld lounge Business Class when flying with any OneWorld airline on the same day.
• Priority for waitlisted upgrades etc is lower for Qantas Club Silver than it is for FF Gold.
• Qantas Club Silver members get 25% bonus points (status bonus) per mile flow, while FF Gold members get 50% bonus points.

Unless you are willing to undertake a Status Run for the extra SCs, your future status is at the whim of someone at Qantas.

 

[cpl]

Unless you are willing to undertake a Status Run for the extra SCs, your future status is at the whim of someone at Qantas.

Perfect situation for having a look at the updated status chaser 8)

 

[infoworks]

I doubt they will be so kind twice, but good luck.

 

[JohnK]

I recently received the note where QFF have spotted that I might not make enough SCs to retain Gold this year. You might recall I had the same thing last year (and a few years before that). Last year I think I finished less than 100 SCs short but promised to do lots of flying in the next year so they kindly renewed it. Well I've changed jobs and my flying went down for a while and is now recovering. However my reassessment date is the end of this month (Oct) and the best I can see is ending up 80 SCs short. That may be enough for them as I will write the pleading letter again and if they don't look too far back they might give it to me again.
My company will probably give me QC membership anyway - is there any difference between the two? Priority etc. Can't imagine it.

There are many options but the best option to you is to undertake a status run. In Qld there a lot of specials happening from 17/12/05-31/01/06 but your best bet would be a business class status run which would be the best value right now.

I think you live in Sydney and if you go SYD-CBR-SYD before end of october in business class this will cost you $556 dollars for the exact amount of 80 SC's at $6.95/SC. Pretty goood value and ensures you maintain gold.

 

[serfty]

I agree with JohnK, that's the easiest way.

The $556 is return for D class discounted business fares which are now available on less popular flights.

$277 to CBR & $279 back to SYD (Normal J class costs $754 return). 40 SC each way!

This is less than what it would much would it cost join QP from scratch.

 

[NM]

Hmm, is it worth spending $556 to retain Gold status? Probably depends on the cost of buying a Qantas Club membership and then the value you apply the difference in benefits noted above. For some people it will be a bargain, for others it will not be justified.

 

[QF WP]

Comping is a scientific art practised in QFF, usually by divining bones...

My first year of Plat was exceptional (and one I never want to do again, apart from the F RTW nested in there) - it was 2,365 SC's; mostly discount Y. The next year, I had made it to 1,000 when they comped me again 2 months early. I actually made it on my anniversary date to exactly 1,200.

The next year, I was similarly comped at 895 points a couple of months early and made it to 1,100. That 100 short didn't seem to matter.

By looking at the figures, they were comping me at the point where my average was over the 1,200 mark (plus with the changes to the QFF program at that point trying to suck in and keep as many Plats as possible to continue the profitable revenue stream).

I'm not sure they are as concerned about comping Golds, but they are certainly more concerned about keeping you Warks, than keeping Silvers or Bronze (again, it would go to the profitability model). Generally, where you can prove (by bookings in the system or correspondence by you) of your intended travel patterns, then they'll consider it.

Bookings in the system are more powerful a tool than correspondence.

Hmmm, I know other Plats who have been comped for a lot less.

 

[NM]

By looking at the figures, they were comping me at the point where my average was over the 1,200 mark ...

Hmm, if that's the case my Platinum status is locked in for the next 2 years even if I don't earn any more SCs 8) . 3700 SCs just reset back to zero this week :cry: . Its amazing what 2 DONE4s, a DONE3 and a DCIR22 do for the SC count :!: .

Previous year was 1220 earned for the year. But the year before that I was comped early whilst being significantly short of the mark. I have never received the letter/email about justifying my future travel.

Though it is interesting that even after my SCs were reset to zero at the beginning of October, my status shows Platinum through 2006, but the "additional status credits required" field is showing 2100 to reach Partner Gold status. So I wonder if my 3700 SCs last year, being more than 1200 over last year's Partner Gold level, means they have already planned for me to be Platinum again next year .

 

[JohnK]

Hmm, is it worth spending $556 to retain Gold status? Probably depends on the cost of buying a Qantas Club membership and then the value you apply the difference in benefits noted above. For some people it will be a bargain, for others it will not be justified.

Not an easy one to answer. It depends on the individual circumstances.

To join QC first time would require a joining fee + first year's membership. I think all up ~$630 but that also depends on specials or corporate rates from some companies. Last September I received an offer from Qantas for QC membership waiving joing fee and just costing the first year's membership of ~$250.

For Warks to maintain gold he would require 80 SC's costing $556 SYD-CBR-SYD. This would be justified as a complimentary QC membership for 1 year is free of charge and if the flying pattern continues next year as well then another 1 year of complimentary QC membership follows. If flying pattern does not continue next year then the situation can be re-assessed.

 

[JohnK]

3700 SCs just reset back to zero this week :cry: .

Can't help but laugh and cry at the same time. :cry: :shock: :?

That is more SC's than my lifetime total and more than most people will ever earn in a lifetime. That is amazing. Well done. 8)

 

[varyingtravel]

I have been platinum QFF for 4 years now. However, in the last 2 years I have not accrued enough SC to retain my platinum status yet Qantas have given it to me. In fact for the year 2005 - 2006, they gave me platinum status about 1 month before my reassessment date.
I think the first year I achieved platinum I had about 1500 SC and the second was about 1900 SC. the last 2 years have been around 900.
I didn't ask Qantas to allow me to remain platinum, they just did it off their own bat.
A friend of mine had a similar experience accept that he was able to retain his Gold status without reaching the minimum SC in the 2004 - 2005 year.. Mostof my SC come from international business class trips to either US, China or UK. And the C certainly rack up very quickly on these flights. This year will be a little different - a lot more domestic economy travel and maybe 1 or 2 international flights. I don't see any way for me to reach the minimum SC for Gold, let alone platinum.
I will be interested to see what Qantas does if I don't achieve the required SC's.. but I'll have to wait until August next year to find out!

 

[oz_mark]

Bookings in the system are more powerful a tool than correspondence.

My experience would suggest that this is the case.

 

[aus_flyer]

Bookings in the system are more powerful a tool than correspondence.

My experience would suggest that this is the case.

Would they have to be paid bookings, or just reserved seats?

For example, you could make a first class RTW booking and not pay for it until 7 days before departure.

 

[straitman]

Bookings in the system are more powerful a tool than correspondence.

My experience would suggest that this is the case.

Would they have to be paid bookings, or just reserved seats?

For example, you could make a first class RTW booking and not pay for it until 7 days before departure.

This is my recent experience with QF on this subject.

My renewal is 30th Nov and this year have only managed 170 SC.

Got the dreaded email the other day that stated

"A preliminary review of your flight activity to date indicates that you may not re-qualify for your Gold membership when we re-assess it in November.

To view a summary of your membership, including your current Status credits balance, visit https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyns/LoginForm

We value your ongoing support for Qantas and we hope that we can extend your Gold membership for another year.

To help us do this, simply supply by return email any relevant information
regarding your travel plans over the next 12 months with Qantas, one world alliance airlines or Air Pacific."

I rang them, discussed my upcoming RTW and now my logon states
"Current Status: Gold
Status reassessment will occur: 30 Nov 2006
Status credits earned from 01 Dec 2004: 170
Additional Status credits required by 30 Nov 2005 to attain Platinum: 1,230"

With half an ounce of luck the trip will get me to Platinum (wow), which has always been unobtainable for me. :shock: :wink: :roll:

Thanks Qantas :!:

 

[oz_mark]

Bookings in the system are more powerful a tool than correspondence.

My experience would suggest that this is the case.

Would they have to be paid bookings, or just reserved seats?

For example, you could make a first class RTW booking and not pay for it until 7 days before departure.

Can't really answer that, as I only ever have actually paid bookings in the system. But I guess you could try the first class RTW - might just depend on whethere they believe it will become a paid booking or not

 

[infoworks]

Booking is one thing, paying for it another. When you pay is VERY dependent on the fare class. I for one would be interested to know if the QF system can track booked and cancelled like it can booked or paid.

 

[Warks]

Well looks like I will finish 105 SCs short. I've just written a pleading letter to QFF citing a change in job and a promise to do lots more next year. Will wait and see. Couldn't afford to do a real SC run. If I'd been shrewder my recent trip to TSV and ROK from SYD would have gained more. Unfortunately my kindly assistant booked a direct flight SYD-TSV which only earned 15 SCs (is that a new amount?) I used to get 40 SCs stopping in BNE.

 

[QF WP]

If I'd been shrewder my recent trip to TSV and ROK from SYD would have gained more. Unfortunately my kindly assistant booked a direct flight SYD-TSV which only earned 15 SCs (is that a new amount?) I used to get 40 SCs stopping in BNE.

That's the new 10 zone SC chart that commenced 25 May 05 - seen here. For you to have received 40 SC's for SYD/BNE/TSV, you must have been travelling on K class or higher. Looks like your TA booked you a red e-deal or super saver SYD/TSV (zone 2 601-1200 miles, discount economy). You'd better tell her that you like flying via BNE...

 

[stuandmel]

Well looks like I will finish 105 SCs short. I've just written a pleading letter to QFF citing a change in job and a promise to do lots more next year. Will wait and see. Couldn't afford to do a real SC run. If I'd been shrewder my recent trip to TSV and ROK from SYD would have gained more. Unfortunately my kindly assistant booked a direct flight SYD-TSV which only earned 15 SCs (is that a new amount?) I used to get 40 SCs stopping in BNE.

I was in the same boat (plane?) for a few years running and never really noticed the difference. If it meant I missed out on one upgrade for the year or had to sit 3 extra rows back..... As long as I had access to the QP and could have a shower on the way to Europe or NY....