Lifetime Gold or not ?

[mrsterryn]

So I am a bit over 2/3's of the way to lifetime Gold. Looking at doing some Kiwi status runs to bump up the Status credits
However .....do people think life time Gold is a good idea ?
I am sometimes in economy . The husband does usually travel business but is he doing best fare in business for now .
I probable have ten more years max of travelling in non health agreement countries.
Are people still trying to achieve LTG ?
Main areas I travel to
UK
France
Germany
USA LAX mainly sometimes Hawaii

 

[Aeolus]

LTG - just from time saving perspective, I’m always thankful that I’ll never have to join the normal queue to clear security. I swear the lines are shockingly bad and getting worse by the day, especially for morning flights.

 

[mrsterryn]

LTG - just from time saving perspective, I’m always thankful that I’ll never have to go join the normal queue to clear security. I swear the lines are shockingly bad and getting worse by the day, especially for morning flights.

I am platinum at the moment and the trip to USA in July I had to join the regular queue here in Sydney.

 

[Daver6]

If you're asking about doing status runs to get closer to LTG gold, it doesn't sound like it would be worth it to me.

I'd just put that money towards J fares instead for intended travel.

 

[RichardMEL]

I would say LTG is a worthy goal. If you're around 9k SC's (give or take) with 10 years of travel making either Gold or Plat that means you'd most likely make the remaining 4-5k SC's in around half-3/4 that time. Remember DSC and things like that help to this total.

It is very useful to have indeed as a fall back for the years post for sure.

the one thing you did not note is hubby's move to LT status? if he's flying (paid) J fares - even if it's BFOD some of that will likely still be being with OW or QF and he may reach the status faster, which - assuming you do leisue travel together - can also have an impact (or you may be closer, and get there and take him in ).

I would say perhaps not chase it per se, but keep it in the back of the mind to look to book QF/OW where possible with that as a background goal.

(noting of course that QF could change the goalposts or your position vis-a-vis travel may also change but these are things you can't forsee).

 

[mrsterryn]

A bit over 9000 at the moment. Husband is about 1000 behind. At the moment we aren't travelling together. The ruler of our world aka a 13 year 7 kilo special needs Maltese does get distressed nowadays when we leave him for a few weeks even with his regular boarding (a specialist hospital). Husband also goes to Denmark in September which I prefer to stay at home when he is on that trip.
In the year of 2020 I had two kiwi double status trips booked to maintain my Platinum. It just reminded me of that with the infamous travel credits listed on the app

 

[Sprucegoose]

If you're asking about doing status runs to get closer to LTG gold, it doesn't sound like it would be worth it to me.

I'd just put that money towards J fares instead for intended travel.

The position you pose is challenging ---- does status trump the cabin?

 

[RichardMEL]

A bit over 9000 at the moment. Husband is about 1000 behind. At the moment we aren't travelling together. The ruler of our world aka a 13 year 7 kilo special needs Maltese does get distressed nowadays when we leave him for a few weeks even with his regular boarding (a specialist hospital). Husband also goes to Denmark in September which I prefer to stay at home when he is on that trip.
In the year of 2020 I had two kiwi double status trips booked to maintain my Platinum. It just reminded me of that with the infamous travel credits listed on the app

OK I understand...

so seems that for now you're looking at your own needs (so to speak!) in terms of travel and the like (obviously things may change down the track). I would still say not to chase the status. If you're doing runs and things to maintain plat status then you get the benefits anyway (and the SC add up).. or if you are redeeming in J then same (I know you do some Y trips but current status should help with that). so probably not worth chasing it with the goal of LTG imo. focus on your life and near, medium term goals I reckon. the LTG will either take care of itself during other travels, or you may end up in a position where you won't really need it (or rather, make much use of it if travel becomes more limited down the track).

so sure, around 5k SC to go. So 4ish years of WP requal or 8ish of Gold. So again, you'll probably make it jut doing what you're doing now.

Of course things like budgets and future income, expenses etc and planned/desired trips all factor into these things and these are only cost/benefit analysises you can do for yourself.

 

[RichardMEL]

The position you pose is challenging ---- does status trump the cabin?

In general no. And certainly not when it comes to Gold.

Platinum is a slightly different deal (due to F lounge/dom J lounge access, increased bags etc) but essentially if one is flying in J that trumps status. F definitely. From that point of view the notion to save points/bucks for premium cabin fares makes sense.

LTG to me is more a "rest of one's life" type thing that is more about future leisure travels, or when things wind down a bit (the "R" word for most), or for when situations change where current levels of paid travel and status can't be made. That way LTG becomes a very nice crutch to have such that if one ends up say doing just a few trips a year dom and maybe an international, then the status becomes worth it imo.

Of course everyone's situation is different so this is not going to be a situation or meaningful one for some.

 

[Daver6]

The position you pose is challenging ---- does status trump the cabin?

I think so. Thinking about QF flights, J pax get the same or better treatment the SG pax.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I achieved LTG on my last flight before the Pandemic shut everything down - so can't speak much for the added benefits it offers. BUT I wouldn't have chased it per se, that is, spent any more just to get LTG.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I think so. Thinking about QF flights, J pax get the same or better treatment the SG pax.

That is an interesting point you have made.

On VA the other night, and stuck BNE, I advised the pecking order for alternative flights (as a WP) was Beyond/J/Platinum, whereas I would believe QF would approach this as CL/P1/J/SG.

In the case of dealing with SG, I would agree QF would place J above SG.

Happy to be guided by the wisdom of the forum ......(of course).

 

[AIRwin]

I would believe QF would approach this as CL/P1/J/SG

Not even WP?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Not even WP?

Yes, well edited Mr AIRwin

"I would believe QF would approach this as CL/P1/J/WP/SG"

 

[serfty]

I am platinum at the moment and the trip to USA in July I had to join the regular queue here in Sydney.

Why? I have been SG or better (or their 90's equivalents) since 1995 and have never had to join an airline 'regular queue' when flying QF/oneworld.

 

[serfty]

essentially if one is flying in J that trumps status

Sure ... on a macro view. But there are subtleties which may or may not occur (more recently it has been more often).

For example, on Tuesday, flying U from Oz to LAX, the business class meal orders were taken by status.

 

[Daver6]

Why? I have been SG or better (or their 90's equivalents) since 1995 and have never had to join an airline 'regular queue' when flying QF/oneworld.

I suspect this is in reference to SYD international departures security screening where there are currently no benefits for status pax in Y.

 

[serfty]

I suspect this is in reference to SYD international departures security screening where there are currently no benefits for status pax in Y.

That's an airport issue - express path still shows on my app. BPs in economy international.

 

[Daver6]

That's an airport issue - express path still shows on my app. BPs in economy international.

It's an airline issue. The airlines don't want to pay for it, hence it doesn't exist.

 

[sqrt()]

It's an airline issue. The airlines don't want to pay for it, hence it doesn't exist.

Yes it's funny. In the US, for AA/AS pax, even OW Rubys get into the premium security line (though still not as good as PreCheck) in airports big enough to have it. Back in Oz, I wasn't sure even Sapphires got premium security (at airports which offer it). I think the OW rules are only Emeralds get premium security.