Life Time Gold - The [Realistic] Holy Grail

[donovan301]

Yep signed up a few months ago to Flybuys no email about VA Explore Gold yet but here's hoping ðŸ

Received my Explorer on day of this post, just noticed accidentally when a VA sale email advert had a gold banner...
Checked my account and sure as **** it showed Gold Explorer status with revised SC status (current quarter balance of 15SC towards 80SC for year long Gold+the current 3 months).

Was 3 days before I get a welcome email ,"your new Card etc kit is coming" from VA in regards to Fybuys participation.

...pretty sure I signed up to flybuys the day I saw the Promotion on OZBargain website.

So, be patient, maybe you're just further down the list?

On a side note I recently saw a CreditCard offer (I forget which) that came with automatic Gold Explorer....the lounge might get a little busier ????

 

[defurax]

Checking this thread, I was reminded of a recent conversation with a (non-AFF) friend, who had reached LTG but has not been travelling on QF of late - mainly because he bought himself a small plane.

He told me that, just before leaving Oz on a current international trip, he was in a panic and had to book some QF flights to meet the "four eligible segments" criterion for retaining his status. I suggested that was not required, with Lifetime status but he insisted that it was, according to the website.

Looking at the wording of the note on coyote25's post #820 above, I see what may have led to his interpretation.
Will have a further search for a definitive statement to pass on to him, but at the moment, am posting while travelling (of course).

I'd say the website is pretty clear: "Earn enough Status Credits and Silver or Gold membership will be yours for life, regardless of how often you then fly#"
#:Status Credits earned every membership year contribute to Lifetime Status. As soon as the required number of Status Credits has been earned, Silver or Gold recognition is awarded for life. The program Awards, Rewards and Benefits may change from time to time. (https://www.qantas.com/fflyer/dyn/flying/status-credits)

 

[pagingjoan]

I'd say the website is pretty clear: "Earn enough Status Credits and Silver or Gold membership will be yours for life, regardless of how often you then fly#"
#:Status Credits earned every membership year contribute to Lifetime Status. As soon as the required number of Status Credits has been earned, Silver or Gold recognition is awarded for life. The program Awards, Rewards and Benefits may change from time to time. (https://www.qantas.com/fflyer/dyn/flying/status-credits)

Yes, I agree. And the provision you have highlighted is what I quoted to my friend at the time.
But, having now seen the wording on his own account, mirroring that shown on the post above from coyote25, I can see why he could have interpreted it as he did.
In context, it is ambiguous, at best. I think it is quite likely that my friend is not the only QF LTG who has been misled by that note on their account.

 

[coyote25]

Yes, I agree. And the provision you have highlighted is what I quoted to my friend at the time.
But, having now seen the wording on his own account, mirroring that shown on the post above from coyote25, I can see why he could have interpreted it as he did.
In context, it is ambiguous, at best. I think it is quite likely that my friend is not the only QF LTG who has been misled by that note on their account.

I know friends who are LTG but not currently based in AUS so they don't and can't meet the four segment annual requirement and have kept LTG level.

You could think the worst of QF and think they like the confusion and want people to fly QF instead of flying partners and accessing lounges on the QF dine.

 

[coyote25]

I can't recall for sure, but you might need to have FBs linked with a VA account? Doesn't necessarily mean you need to do anything between the two if they're linked (I get SCs for the odd Coles shop, and that's it), it might just help with them honing in on those to make offers to. Fingers crossed for you!

Linked but no explorer offer so far.

 

[pagingjoan]

I know friends who are LTG but not currently based in AUS so they don't and can't meet the four segment annual requirement and have kept LTG level.

You could think the worst of QF and think they like the confusion and want people to fly QF instead of flying partners and accessing lounges on the QF dine.

One could think that!

 

[coyote25]

The LTG letter, after all these years.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Off-topic but that reminded me to finally look up the meaning of mail barcodes (and whether they should be concealed like on a boarding pass).

Not that interesting - Australia Post Barcoding fact sheet.

 

[coyote25]

Off-topic but that reminded me to finally look up the meaning of mail barcodes (and whether they should be concealed like on a boarding pass).

Not that interesting - Australia Post Barcoding fact sheet.

Well I someone can read the barcode from that image I guess they will figure out my address and say hi . Maybe a prize for figuring it out - LOL

 

[Strategic Aviation]

They could come round to congratulate you in person

 

[coyote25]

They could come round to congratulate you in person

While since QF won't someone else might as well say congrats in person - LOL

 

[patrickk]

34! Wow! That's doing extremely well. I would guess that very few would reach that at such a young age.

...and here is poor old me with a FF number around 250000 and after 25 years and very close to retirement, which is what I thought it was for, will get it at the end of next year, well into my 60s. But then again that much flying can be exhausting even if mainly in business.

 

[mviy]

I think if I get to LTG it may not be till I'm in my 60s either.

I may have WP at the moment but that's not sustainable long term.

 

[patrickk]

If the planets align I will get platinum this year and next but after that little chance

 

[Deleted member]

I think if I get to LTG it may not be till I'm in my 60s either.

I may have WP at the moment but that's not sustainable long term.

I'm looking at maybe in my 70's. lol

 

[Deleted member]

...and here is poor old me with a FF number around 250000 and after 25 years and very close to retirement, which is what I thought it was for, will get it at the end of next year, well into my 60s. But then again that much flying can be exhausting even if mainly in business.

Watch the specials, the double SC's promotions, and maybe a status run or two, and "Robert's your fathers brother".

 

[patrickk]

Watch the specials, the double SC's promotions, and maybe a status run or two, and "Robert's your fathers brother".

Indeed am having multiple calls to the call centre to get this year's double status credited (which they clearly hate doing manually) for that very reason.

 

[bigjobs]

I'm looking at maybe in my 70's. lol

mid 40's (45yo) here and LTG. Have been LTG for probably 5-6 years already. I was when I went to NYC in 2011 for my 40th, so 5 years at least.

I am not proud of that ...

 

[Horatio]

Hi all

It's a long time between posts for me. But I have been doing a bit of flying in that time, and recently reached Lifetime Gold status. I'm just short of 15 years as a QFF member, so averaged about 900 SCs per year. My records aren't complete by any means, but I reckon it's about 70% personal travel, 25% paid for by employers, and 5% self-funded while running a small business.

I agree with other comments I've read that it's an underwhelming kind of experience, nothing but an unsigned form letter. Even more so when it came at nearly the same time as the removal of free exit row access on many domestic flights, which is a real disappointment. But it's also nice to know that I can keep the Gold status forever, even if I decide (or am forced) to do much less flying with Qantas.

Horatio

 

[Goodonya]

Well just finished a nice light lunch of pumpkin soup followed by braised duck and a nice red at the SYD QF FL and about to board QF73 for SFO on my way to PDX. When I land in SFO I'll have amassed enough SC for LTG. It's been a long time, around 15 years to achieve (I am not as much of a FF as some on this site). Like many others I was an Ansett LT Golden Wing member in a past life. I was stuck in the US during 9/11 having flown out of NY on the 10th and by the time I got back to Oz Ansett was no more. I joined QFF a year or two later. I guess in time I will also receive the underwhelming congratulatory letter from QFF that others have received. Ho hum. I guess I'll be looking more closely now to BFOD. :shock: