Lifetime Gold or not ?

[RichardMEL]

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.

I've not flown QF int J for... a long time.. but is this common? I've seen it RARELY (and I mean like 1/100 flights) done (at least obviously) on domestic J, but can't really comment on QF int J so yeah if status dictates meal order priority in a large cabin then you're right in that respect.

 

[RichardMEL]

I have a LTG friend who is now semi-retired and travels less so can see it for what it is (i.e he has no status apart from the LTG).

He claims that while it’s ‘fine’ there are subtle reductions e.g. seat choices more limited than normal Gold, less helpful when it comes to flight bookings etc

I'd wonder where the evidence for this anecdotal statement might be?

(I have nothing to disprove the suggestion mind you, but it seems a bit odd.. I suppose if PCV comes into it someone who earned gold currently, or renewed vs a LTG with little or no spend probably has a higher value to QF but.... Gold while good overall has more limited choices than the higher status levels as is).

At the very least havng the status in such a situation is definitely better than having zero, specially if flying in Y or Y+ which might be more expected for most when retired (but of course not everyone )

 

[RichardMEL]

Flew out of BNE on SQ last week. I made a huge effort to get away from the new detectors.

Totally OT but I have to ask.... "new detectors" and why?

 

[SYD]

Totally OT but I have to ask.... "new detectors" and why?

AFF’r detectors?

 

[serfty]

I've seen it RARELY (and I mean like 1/100 flights) done

I agree, it has been rare in the three decades of experience I have flying QF. but it has happened in at least three of the five widebody international business flights I have taken this year.

Only pre-order I have done is BTC on SQ

In the few years leading up to COVID, Qantas had pre-ordering available for medium to long haul international flights for Business, Premium Economy and Economy, but not in First.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I agree, it has been rare in the three decades of experience I have flying QF. but it has happened in at least three of the five widebody international business flights I have taken this year.

In the few years leading up to COVID, Qantas had pre-ordering available for medium to long haul intenrational flights (even economy).

Well, I am floored......I can't recall that Serfty and I have taken the odd QF flight. I must have been focused on the bar cart?

 

[serfty]

Well, I am floored......I can't recall that Serfty and I have taken the odd QF flight. I must have been focused on the bar cart?

Maybe you were travelling in First (I have edited my post).

 

[New to this]

I'd wonder where the evidence for this anecdotal statement might be?

(I have nothing to disprove the suggestion mind you, but it seems a bit odd.. I suppose if PCV comes into it someone who earned gold currently, or renewed vs a LTG with little or no spend probably has a higher value to QF but.... Gold while good overall has more limited choices than the higher status levels as is).

At the very least havng the status in such a situation is definitely better than having zero, specially if flying in Y or Y+ which might be more expected for most when retired (but of course not everyone )

I don’t have any evidence and I suspect that neither does he.

It was presented merely as an anecdotal claim to contribute to the thread topic.
And I agree, some status is better than none.

 

[SYD]

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[JohnK]

Totally OT but I have to ask.... "new detectors" and why?

Stand in queue and wait 5-10 minutes for the people in front. Belongings are already out of sight.

Then when it's your turn, hands up, face away from your belongings, wait for them to interpret non existent hotspots, go back, hands up, face away from your belongings again.

Is there any guarantee your belongings will be in tact when you're finished? Anyone can walk away with your wallet, phone, tablet etc without issue. I had to shout at them to keep an eye out on my belongings.

I don't need this stress when I'm travelling.

 

[liamg]

If you are in your 20s and think you will do a lot of travel why not join BA. They have an LTG much more valuable than QF LTG as it is OWE.

My fear with this is that for whatever reason BA drops out of oneworld, or changes the rules, or QF drops out of oneworld and then I’d be stuck with lifetime status on an airline half a world away.

At least with Qantas LTG, as long as the airline doesn’t go out of business entirely, I’m more or less protected. They may leave oneworld but there would have to be an alternative for local consumers.

Not saying it’s likely, just a possibility.

 

[SYD]

My fear with this is that for whatever reason BA drops out of oneworld, or changes the rules, or QF drops out of oneworld and then I’d be stuck with lifetime status on an airline half a world away.

At least with Qantas LTG, as long as the airline doesn’t go out of business entirely, I’m more or less protected. They may leave oneworld but there would have to be an alternative for local consumers.

Not saying it’s likely, just a possibility.

LT status is always race between ours and the airlines - which ever ends first! But I agree, having the local option makes sense for your examples.

Personally, I can’t see BA nor QF (founding members) leaving OW anytime soon.

 

[http_x92]

Ahh starting to get it, the method of getting LTG with Qantas first then credit to BA afterwards to chase BA Gold, which is OW Emerald. Then I presume there is a smart way to use your LTG status for lounge access and then change it to BA just before boarding your flight.

I admit it’s a long way away for me though, just getting started

 

[RichardMEL]

Stand in queue and wait 5-10 minutes for the people in front. Belongings are already out of sight.

Then when it's your turn, hands up, face away from your belongings, wait for them to interpret non existent hotspots, go back, hands up, face away from your belongings again.

Is there any guarantee your belongings will be in tact when you're finished? Anyone can walk away with your wallet, phone, tablet etc without issue. I had to shout at them to keep an eye out on my belongings.

I don't need this stress when I'm travelling.

Fair enough (and thanks for explaining!). I think you're going to be more and more out of luck as the body scanners spread around terminals/airports. Status may/may not help with this.

Definitely there is that concern with any part of travel when one may not be directly visually in touch with their bags (in lounge if one goes to the bar/buffet/bathroom etc (unless one is paranoid enough to take their bag with them wherever they move of course), at security checks or even when sleeping on board if one's bag is in an overhead.

so I get it.


back on topic...


The lifetime status game is both a longer term(for most) risk really. As discussed... the airline changes rules, or goes out of business, or even changes alliances (eg: LATAM) and suddenly the scenario looks different. Remember that time QF was allegedly very close to a major tie-up/merger with SQ (oh just imagine... lol). That would have changed so much. However by the same token there will always be some benefit to such status for the long term flyer... but again not really worth chasing in its own right imo (of course I write this with LTG about 26l SC's in the rear view mirror).

Re status with a foreign airline like BA (or SQ or whoever)... reality is that everyone's mileage will vary imo. For example if I intend to go for LT Silver at BA (equiv of LTG) or even LTG (equivalent of QF Platinum) and GGL.. that's great, but only really makes sense (in my view) if one has a majority of flying focused on and through the UK for obvious reasons... one to qualify for minim flights, spend and all that, but also to actually USE the status perks which are going to be better with the home carrier. I rarely touch the UK (as much as I love it) so probably not for me. However I am near LTG with UA - I spend much more time around/through the USA and that, for me, makes some sense (and also would give me *G - for as long as that's a thing which is definitely a useful benefit). My point being that it all depends on one's situation and medium-longer term outlook of travel, perhaps even work demands, or even changing country of residence. It may not work for everyone so it is going to be a subjective choice depending on all of these kinds of factors imo.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Maybe you were travelling in First (I have edited my post).

@serfty there are times I do drink to remember....

 

[stm1sydney]

Stand in queue and wait 5-10 minutes for the people in front. Belongings are already out of sight.

Then when it's your turn, hands up, face away from your belongings, wait for them to interpret non existent hotspots, go back, hands up, face away from your belongings again.

Is there any guarantee your belongings will be in tact when you're finished? Anyone can walk away with your wallet, phone, tablet etc without issue. I had to shout at them to keep an eye out on my belongings.

I don't need this stress when I'm travelling.

Put your loose belongings (watch, wallet, phone, passport etc) in your case before you get to the security line (except for laptop of course). Have never heard of any belongings going missing if you do that.

 

[stm1sydney]

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If you plan on flying only F/J (on your airlines of choice and depending on what deals are around at the time as per the above) when retired and spending the inheritance, then LTG is pointless and not worth the aggro of decades of flying Qantas. As one gets older, flying whY is a grim prospect, even with some status.

 

[mviy]

Most people as they get older are still going to fly Y short haul. A lot of people who only want to fly J long haul internationally wouldn’t dream of purchasing J for say MEL-HBA, SYD-BNE etc.

 

[mviy]

Re status with a foreign airline like BA (or SQ or whoever)... reality is that everyone's mileage will vary imo. For example if I intend to go for LT Silver at BA (equiv of LTG) or even LTG (equivalent of QF Platinum) and GGL.. that's great, but only really makes sense (in my view) if one has a majority of flying focused on and through the UK for obvious reasons... one to qualify for minim flights, spend and all that, but also to actually USE the status perks which are going to be better with the home carrier. I rarely touch the UK (as much as I love it) so probably not for me.

BA only has LTG (similar to QF LTP) not any lifetime status on the way there in case you fall short.

As LHR is my main international destination, BA is probably worth considering for me if I can reach LTG on QF soon enough.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re status with a foreign airline like BA (or SQ or whoever)... reality is that everyone's mileage will vary imo. For example if I intend to go for LT Silver at BA (equiv of LTG) or even LTG (equivalent of QF Platinum) and GGL.. that's great, but only really makes sense (in my view) if one has a majority of flying focused on and through the UK for obvious reasons... one to qualify for minim flights, spend and all that, but also to actually USE the status perks which are going to be better with the home carrier. I rarely touch the UK (as much as I love it) so probably not for me.

I see a bit of a difference with LT status with foreign carriers such as BA… competition means their fares remain competitive. You get a good value airfare and access to benefits. In Australia the base airfare could be double - just to use the lounge.