Life Time Gold - The [Realistic] Holy Grail

[Kefci2000]

I haven't been able to do more than 1200 since simpler and fairer

I think I was 14 sectors, and maxed out on my USA "F" flights, and simply couldn't find time for the extra Europe flights I would normally do.

As it was a work trip, South America is out of the question, however I have done Capetown before and I think that is when I got over the 1200

 

[JohnK]

Congratulations kermatu. Nice feeling to have Lifetime Gold to fall back on when travel slows down.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks all for the congrats. And yeah I know LTP won't happen - or if it does it would be with some major revamp of CL/P1 (a good thing in my view) and have very steep requirements I'd unlikely meet.

Having just dropped back to WP I received my new WP membership card today. Will I get another one with LTG or is that not actually marked on FF cards?

 

[JohnM]

Thanks all for the congrats. And yeah I know LTP won't happen - or if it does it would be with some major revamp of CL/P1 (a good thing in my view) and have very steep requirements I'd unlikely meet.

Having just dropped back to WP I received my new WP membership card today. Will I get another one with LTG or is that not actually marked on FF cards?

Not marked. All you'll get is the form letter. Life Gold means nothing more to the QF system than SG, when all is said and done.

 

[kermatu]

Not marked. All you'll get is the form letter. Life Gold means nothing more to the QF system than SG, when all is said and done.

Should have realised that from your earlier post - thanks. The fancy letter and phone call on attaining P1 kind of irrelevant so no point making a fuss about LTG I guess.

 

[JohnM]

Should have realised that from your earlier post - thanks. The fancy letter and phone call on attaining P1 kind of irrelevant so no point making a fuss about LTG I guess.

I'm LTG 2.5x over and dropping down to SG is certainly nothing I really want to do - LTG is just good insurance for when (horror) the day comes that WP is out of reach.

 

[Cessna 180]

I'm LTG 2.5x over and dropping down to SG is certainly nothing I really want to do - LTG is just good insurance for when (horror) the day comes that WP is out of reach.

Holy Mackerel John! 2.5 times? That is some serious flying!

I am starting to hope I start spending more time at home before I even get to life gold.

 

[serfty]

I passed 30K over a year ago ... without any incentives it's requal WP then spread the love.

 

[amaroo]

I reckon they should create LTP based purely on QF flights/metal. That should create a sufficient enough barrier to keep the numbers low.

 

[Kangol]

I passed 30K over a year ago ... without any incentives it's requal WP then spread the love.

With the AA devaluation, are you finding it difficult to justify shifting the earn to obtain more AA RDM?
Some AA redemptions have gone up substantially, where the risk of booking an AAward a few weeks after QFF have access to them, along with the inability to request (as WP can) might just seem like you may lose out in some circumstances.

eg. Prices in F:
Oz-USA: 72.5 -> 110k
Oz-Europe: 80 -> 115k
Oz-Middle East: 60 -> 100k

Up to a 66% increase for some awards is making me think twice. However, EY A380 Apartments would be an exception.

But to get to Europe on combining two EY awards is now 162.5k! Previously was 100k.
Comparing that with the old OW Oz-EU is now more than double (80k).

Unless you are using it to gain status on another airline (some issues with that, depending on what you use it for), or even LT OWE on BA..

 

[serfty]

With the AA devaluation, are you finding it difficult to justify shifting the earn to obtain more AA RDM?...

No, I've been dealing with Airpoints and now Velocity J=F since last decade - so just a slight adjustment.

Most of my longhaul travels are to the USA, so in that respect no real effect.

For the last two years (since the inception of P1 and Simpler and Fairer) oneworld earn I have been getting over WP requal has gone to AAdvantage. I recently booked an 80K award in U from the USA - +++ was $48.

 

[coyote25]

Okay I just hit the 13,000 SC mark so I'm now officially onto the last thousand countdown, 4 years ago I thought I'd never even get this close.

Joined Jan 2003 so I has taken 13 years 10 months to get here. There is a chance I might make it in 12 months. QF don't you dare change the rules!!!

Not bad when all SC earns have been Y domestic, usually MEL-SYD or MEL-BNE. I'd say about 40% discount Y and 60% flexible Y earn. God knows how many flights that is!

Probably picked up approximately 300-360 additional SCs under bonus offers (50% bonus and once an award flight earns SC offer, my only international earning flight).

I've been SG most of that time, I think I was a WP for four years (last one comped). Two years ago I dropped back to silver and work paid QC that almost expired

I should just hit 1,400 before requalification in January so back at WP which means I can use the Dom business lounges which started as I lost WP.

All going well I'll be WP when I get LTG and the underwhelming letter I've heard so much about .

Still to have LTG locked in probably before I'm 43 means lounge access for my overseas trips in Y on oneworld. So much more travelling ahead to take advantage of LTG.

I wonder what I should do once LTG?

Btw thanks to this forum for helping me maximise earns and use the benefits of SG & WP. Only 1,000 to g

 

[coyote25]

I think if QANTAS axed LTS/LTG with no warning they would have a lot of angry customers. For some of us achieving Lifetime status can take decades of flying and requires planning over a long period of time. If QANTAS took lifetime status away as a goal there'd be less reasons to be loyal to flying QANTAS.

I know they can announce program changes with I think 6 months notice but LTS/LTG I feel needs I lot longer notification, maybe even a cut off date if a member after this date, or if not LT by thus date (in 5 years minimum).

Imagine missing by 100 or so SCs!!

 

[Deleted member]

I maintain that WP is reward for current flying. LTG us reward for past flying.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

265 to go...

 

[kermatu]

Not marked. All you'll get is the form letter. Life Gold means nothing more to the QF system than SG, when all is said and done.

Spot on. Got the letter a few weeks ago but only just opened it. Now wishing I had just thrown it in the bin - zero personalisation, signed off by "The QFF Team". What a way to acknowledge someone who has contributed serious dollars to your company.

Lifetime gold is a good benefit, don't get me wrong. But how hard would it be to add a few paras to make the achievement feel special and acknowledge the circumstances of the individual? (eg, "over 20 years as a loyal member" or "flying in our premium cabins and being a valued P1".)

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Spot on. Got the letter a few weeks ago but only just opened it. Now wishing I had just thrown it in the bin - zero personalisation, signed off by "The QFF Team". What a way to acknowledge someone who has contributed serious dollars to your company.

Lifetime gold is a good benefit, don't get me wrong. But how hard would it be to add a few paras to make the achievement feel special and acknowledge the circumstances of the individual? (eg, "over 20 years as a loyal member" or "flying in our premium cabins and being a valued P1".)

100% agree.
I wonder how many folks hold onto their LTG letter, as it does represent a significant 'up in the air' milestone which 99% won't ever achieve.

One airline I've worked with and has lifetime levels is turning this milestone into a new revenue stream for the airline.
You will be able to order (once you hit lifetime) a framed chart with a map of the world and all the routes drawn on when you've flown.

I suggested this to Qantas years ago and was laughed at.

 

[Abdul_A350]

Here is the map of how second-youngest daughter received LTS:

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Here is the map of how second-youngest daughter received LTS:

That will be $250 thanks!

 

[Awesom Andy]

Here is the map of how second-youngest daughter received LTS:

If I had to go through that to get my LTS, I would've jumped off the plane mid-flight without a parachute long before reaching the required status credits. :shock: