Paying for Qantas Club renewal while Gold?

[ChrisFlyer]

Has anyone here paid to renew their Qantas Club membership while they were already Gold - and did it create any havoc with your membership or status?

As a quick bit of background - I was a QC member on a four-year membership, but qualified for Gold about half way through that, so still have about two years of QC paused in the background which will come into play whenever I eventually drop back to Silver.

Currently, the website is allowing me to renew for two years at $660 (which is only $330/year, a very good price) and with 100 status credits on offer too.

Am strongly considering paying for a renewal at that price even though the time period won't begin for at least several years (as it's rare to be that cheap), but would feel more comfortable about it if others had some experiences to share in this regard!

 

[serfty]

To be honest, I'd hang on to the money for now.

I can't see QP price increasing in the next 18 months.

 

[33kft]

Someone might be keen on 100 SCs for $6.60 each in their current year, though

It's an interesting question. I'm not convinced that QF's IT systems are smart enough to make the distinction automatically.

 

[Guvner]

I'm not convinced that QF's IT systems are smart.

Edited for accuracy.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Someone might be keen on 100 SCs for $6.60 each in their current year, though

Indeed – that, and these SCs would count towards lifetime status as well (lifetime isn't excluded in the T&Cs as it is on some other offers), and it's another way to get closer to that goal.

 

[servicerequired]

Ahhh, please correct me if I am wrong - am I missing something ...

Should I be an active Qantas Club member ... and then upgrade to Gold throughout that period ... the balance of Qantas Club membership may be used when (if) I drop back to Silver?

Essentially the Qantas Club member pauses (??).

Can someone please clarify.

 

[Daver6]

Ahhh, please correct me if I am wrong - am I missing something ...

Should I be an active Qantas Club member ... and then upgrade to Gold throughout that period ... the balance of Qantas Club membership may be used when (if) I drop back to Silver?

Essentially the Qantas Club member pauses (??).

Can someone please clarify.

That's correct.

 

[servicerequired]

That's correct.

Thats excellent!

OK - is this an automatic process?

Or is it something that I need to actively request become paused?

 

[Daver6]

Thats excellent!

OK - is this an automatic process?

Or is it something that I need to actively request become paused?

I suspect it's automatic but can't confirm. Both myself and MrsDaver6 have been gold or above for years. Worst case scenario is it will be a phone call if/when we drop back to silver. I don't see it being an issue but YMMV.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Given the sale ends today, I bit the bullet and did the two-year renewal.

Qantas had no problem taking my money (LOL), and the new 'end date' shown for my QC membership on the payment screen reflects the time remaining in my current Gold membership year, plus the remaining time on my previous QC membership that had been paused in the background when qualifying for Gold, plus the two years I've just paid for. If I retain Gold or get a status extension, that'll get pushed back even further, too.

At $330/year, it really doesn't get any cheaper than that, so happy to lock it in while the price is cheap and with extra status credits at a time when I need them (and which count to lifetime status, as I'm also aiming for). Add to that, 5.25 QFF points per $1 on the membership (3/$1 from Qantas Club directly, 2.25/$1 from AMEX Ultimate), and the fact that lounge membership is normally tax deductible for me, which reduces the 'cost' even further.

To the questions above, you don't need to ask for your Qantas Club to be paused when you reach Gold, it happens automatically (as my revised expiry date shows). I recall in the past where I've dropped down from Gold, Qantas Club kicked back in automatically too. Much better than the VA approach of saying 'too bad' if you reach Gold during a period of lounge membership!

 

[Spongbob]

But its value is reduced in the COVID situation, particularly international lounges.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I suspect it's automatic but can't confirm. Both myself and MrsDaver6 have been gold or above for years. Worst case scenario is it will be a phone call if/when we drop back to silver. I don't see it being an issue but YMMV.

It is automatic, and when your gold lapses the QC membership is reinstated. At the end of the balance remaining you get sent an invitation to renew. If you choose not to renew, you get given an additional month or two 'grace period'... presumably in case you change your mind?

 

[ChrisFlyer]

But its value is reduced in the COVID situation, particularly international lounges.

The period I've just paid for covers 2023-2025, so not too worried, but I mainly use the membership on domestic anyway.

For me, I probably value the premium entry in Brisbane as much as the lounge access itself, and rarely rely on it for international access (perhaps the occasional Jetstar Asia visit in Singapore, as otherwise I try to book business on points if departing AU). May be different for others, though.

 

[rekeno]

Hi ChrisFlyer, (are you in anyway connected to SQ? )

I took the bite as well before the deadline, but I didn't receive the status credit or points yet until now, and despite the msg after payment shows the correct expiry date of QC, I cannot find it anywhere if I login to Qantas portal.

How about yours?

Thanks!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Hi ChrisFlyer, (are you in anyway connected to SQ? )

I took the bite as well before the deadline, but I didn't receive the status credit or points yet until now, and despite the msg after payment shows the correct expiry date of QC, I cannot find it anywhere if I login to Qantas portal.

How about yours?

Thanks!

Hi Rekeno,

Only related to SQ by way of having a KrisFlyer membership - I was surprised 'ChrisFlyer' wasn't taken on here, ha!

The T&Cs show that points will be credited 60 days after purchase, and I recall the promo T&Cs saying that status credits would appear 6-8 weeks from purchase (which is roughly along the same timeline).

QC expiry date doesn't appear online when you have a higher tier, but would have appeared on the confirmation screen and again in the email you'd have received following payment (keep it for your records, just in case). I suspect you could also verify your expiry date over the phone if need be, but no point if the date on the confirmation screen/email is correct.

 

[rekeno]

Thanks!

I think the problem is that I didn't receive the confirmation email, despite that I kept the confirmation screen capture, better call them to confirm then. much appreciated!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Hmm, that's odd - I received a confirmation email practically straight away, and then a tax invoice a couple of days later, also by email.

 

[Mrsfefe]

Has anyone received their Status Credits from this promotion? I’m at 8 weeks now, and nothing. Is it time for the chase them up call. ?

 

[ABC]

Has anyone received their Status Credits from this promotion? I’m at 8 weeks now, and nothing. Is it time for the chase them up call. ?

No, I've not received mine either, probably is time to chase them up.

 

[Mrsfefe]

so a phone call later, a disagreement about how many SC had been earned, production of several screen shots to establish the case, and 48 hours, and success! 100 SC credited to lifetime status. Very pleased.