Life beyond LTG: Would you stick with Qantas if...

[chonetsao.co.uk]

I am keeping thinking of life beyond Qantas Lifetime Gold since I am very close to achieve it now. My understanding is that most of LTGs with Qantas start to seek excitements outside the marriage with Qantas once they attains status quo.

So what Qantas could offer to make you stick with Qantas after LTG?

1>, Lifetime Platinum at 20,000 Qantas code only SC or similar?

2>, A reduced Platinum requalification?
e.g. 800SC per membership year across oneworld alliance or 600SC Qantas code only.

3>, Other tangible benefits?
e.g. every 400SC to get a First class lounge invitation? or guaranteed first class counter check-in within Qantas network?

Please join the discussion and I bet many different opinions exist.

 

[samh004]

I see Lifetime criteria moving to QF-code only at some point anyway, as that makes sense (loyalty to them), but if such a level were to exist, I'd imagine it to be at 28,000 as Platinum is double Gold in terms of qualification criteria.

I plan to continue flying Qantas when I get to LTG, barring some major changes to their business.

 

[Simo]

Old topic but I will strive to LTG.

 

[GDV 747-24/7]

I wonder whether the introduction of P1 has changed other members' strategy. Prior to P1, I had considered switching to crediting points to AA once I'd hit LTG (as AA EXP is equivalent to QF WP) but now I'm sticking with crediting flights to QFF in order to retain P1 each year.

 

[jamesatfish]

I reached LTG last year, and made the decision to maintain my WP status each year on the basis that it's far easier to redeem points for classic award flights as a WP than as SG.

If that changes I'll have to reconsider whether I stick with QF / oneworld as other than points redemption there's not much difference between WP and SG for my travel habits - I tend to use the Qantas Club as much as the Business Lounge as my daughter is starting to travel more and the QC is where all the kid's toys are (not to mention the view of the runways at the CBR QC is much better than the view of the multi-story carpark in the J lounge), and F lounge access internationally comes with the seat.

The introduction of P1 didn't change my decision - I ended up about 200SCs short of P1 last year and decided against a status run to make up the difference - there just wasn't enough value there to justify it for me. Perhaps I'm ignorant of how good things are in the P1 world but I've never had a problem with the quality of service given by QF as a regular WP member so couldn't see how P1 would improve things.

Lifetime Platinum would certainly keep me flying QF for the immediate future just to reach that goal, but that wouldn't work out for QF in the long run as once attained there'd be no reason to book paid (SC earning) flights rather than classic award flights.

 

[Mal]

I'll reach LTG in the near future. Whether I keep Plat or not depends on a few things. In particular, if you are in the UK - Qantas doesn't care about WP. Local credit cards will only push towards BA or AA etc etc. May end up moving to BA or AA. Both have their benefits and disadvantages.

 

[JohnK]

Not that far away from Lifetime Gold now. It would be nice to have some of the additional benefits mentioned in the OP but I do not see that happening in a hurry.

I do not do enough travel to earn status in another alliance so best to stick to Oneworld.

I am hoping to cash in on my 7 Oneworld awards and internationally Oneworld Emerald may be treated better than Oneworld Sapphire.

And domestically I feel that Platinum still has some benefits and the grass on the other side is not that green.

 

[Red Roo]

I plan to continue flying Qantas when I get to LTG, barring some major changes to their business.

And we look forward to continuing our positive relationship with you.

 

[shearsense]

Already moved to BA upon gaining LTG for exactly that - the amount of time spent in Europe and the loss of a few QF codeshares on BA metal

 

[AirKat]

I will stay. QF look after me and I like to think of loyalty as a two way exchange. I know some on this site will think that sounds naive.

 

[Pleb Status]

A 'discount' to earn/retain WP once you exceed 28000 LTSC would be nice. Say 900 SC earn/800 SC retain (700 earn/600 retain would be even better).

Capping the loyalty bonus at four per year makes exceeding 2400 SC a complete waste of time as a LTG as you get absolutely nothing past that point.

 

[ajw373]

I will stay. QF look after me and I like to think of loyalty as a two way exchange. I know some on this site will think that sounds naive.

As someone who had just the past week qualified for LTG I don't see myself activly choosing other carriers just to get status with them. To me LTG is a safety net recognition for my past "loyalty" to Qantas and OneWorld and not a goal. Indeed the past 2 years I have dropped from 5 years of earned platinum to comp platinum to safety net gold and now LTG simply because my job had changed. With my flying I cannot see the point of having no status just to build status with another airline when I can just use Qantas and OneWorld (and EK) and get all the gold benifits.

Now maybe this is selfish but do think with LTG that maybe the criteria for platinum should be reduced to 700 earn 600 retain. Same toowith LTS and gold earn.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I imagine QF have stats on those who are LTG and flying has suddenly gone from Plat & above to very low. A number of members on this forum are have moved to AAnother AAirline program.

An easy way to keep these members crediting to to QFF would be to 'start' the SC balance at 700 SC (instead of 0) when LTG if status drops to Gold. This way it's only 700 to platinum each year and that's reason enough to at least push 700sc to QF. Win win.

 

[Kangol]

I will stay. QF look after me and I like to think of loyalty as a two way exchange. I know some on this site will think that sounds naive.

Some would probably put in some puns about it being a "two way exchAAnge" instead, and that you are being nAAive... know what I meAAn?

 

[chonetsao.co.uk]

Looks like many people would like to have such measures in place to stick with Qantas.

I quite like 1>, 600SC on Qantas code flight only, or 2>, 800SC on oneworld with a minimum 250SC on Qantas/Jetstar code

to qualify for platinum as LTG.

I am sure if Qantas want it they can find the balance right.

 

[samh004]

I imagine QF have stats on those who are LTG and flying has suddenly gone from Plat & above to very low. A number of members on this forum are have moved to AAnother AAirline program.

An easy way to keep these members crediting to to QFF would be to 'start' the SC balance at 700 SC (instead of 0) when LTG if status drops to Gold. This way it's only 700 to platinum each year and that's reason enough to at least push 700sc to QF. Win win.

You're just thinking of P1 qualification being easier

 

[Skyring]

I just made LTS, and at my current rate LTG is likely only three years away or so. I got a double-wide passport because I figure the next ten years are going to be my decade for travel, and when I get decrepit enough, travel won't be quite so much fun.

So, about 2016, I'll be looking at the situation. It's not just QF and whatever enhancements they will have made to their FF program by then. Other airlines may have improvements or "enhancements" that make them more or less attractive to me. In particular, I liked the new AA product. They are making an honest effort. BA, not so much.

My default option is to just stick with Qantas, assuming I'm travelling enough for WP or P1. The J and F lounge access is nice - in the case of the Flounges, very nice - but it's the little perks of having quicker telephone responses, better seat choices and so on that make a difference.

I wonder why there isn't a LTP option. At (say) 28 000 SC, that's a LOT of flying, and just how much lifetime would be left to the ordinary mortal upon achieving this status?

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

I've got 20,000+ SC's, been LTG for last 5 years and stick with QF, no need to go to AA, even tho 50% of my international is in USA, book quite a few tickets on aa.com and use all the tricks.

I'm happy, I get good service, for me service is

a) takeoff
b) a few drinks/exit rows on domestic/timings on international
c) landing
d) they look after my family

A, C and D are the most important

Lounge use is down the list, actually domestic exit row rates higher than free booze and food.

 

[vitagen]

I imagine QF have stats on those who are LTG and flying has suddenly gone from Plat & above to very low. A number of members on this forum are have moved to AAnother AAirline program.

An easy way to keep these members crediting to to QFF would be to 'start' the SC balance at 700 SC (instead of 0) when LTG if status drops to Gold. This way it's only 700 to platinum each year and that's reason enough to at least push 700sc to QF. Win win.

I share the same view. The same should be done for LTS moving to SG

 

[trippin_the_rift]

You're just thinking of P1 qualification being easier

Well, if I'm Gold and going for P1 that's still a lot of SC to attain:!:

Double SC is still giving more away for free than this would, and my idea has the added benefit of not alienating some customers like double SC offers do!