Platinum sitting in economy - Do the airlines pay extra attention to us?

[kiwitripper64]

Transtasman yesterday from AKL. Priority boarding called the completely ignored. I let a young couple with baby into the queue in front of me as Qantas were not looking out for them. Greeted by csm but no offers. And no express entry offered. Some empty seats down the back but not next to me. So overall, business as usual

 

[astrosly]

The only time I have ever been acknowledged as WP by the crew is when I show them the BP on entry. Other than that, I’m a ghost.

This has been my experience the last few years as WP both domestic and internationally.

I'm surprised by some of the offerings experienced by others specifically on international flights as I've not been proferred anything, except one time Santiago to Sydney in PE when I was offered a brewed coffee from J but I thought the FA was sympathetic that my IFE wasn't working the whole flight and not because of my status.

 

[rcn]

Transtasman yesterday from AKL. Priority boarding called the completely ignored. I let a young couple with baby into the queue in front of me as Qantas were not looking out for them. Greeted by csm but no offers. And no express entry offered. Some empty seats down the back but not next to me. So overall, business as usual

I realize nothing much happens on Trans Tasman Y (other than front row + likelihood of blocked middle seat). It is rather similar to domestic Y in terms of the service. Anyway you didnt get an express arrivals as it is no longer a thing in SYD.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Anyway you didnt get an express arrivals as it is no longer a thing in SYD.

What?
Have they phased this out because of the smartgate machines?

 

[rcn]

What?
Have they phased this out because of the smartgate machines?

I believe so. Based on my experience entering SYD earlier this week, the signs are still present just before the passport gates, but when I tried to use a express entry pass from past trips, I was told by a staff member its no longer a thing. Likewise at quarantine, there isnt an express queue.

 

[mrsterryn]

I believe so. Based on my experience entering SYD earlier this week, the signs are still present just before the passport gates, but when I tried to use a express entry pass from past trips, I was told by a staff member its no longer a thing. Likewise at quarantine, there isnt an express queue.

I just was issued an express pass yesterday on QF12
Sheesh edited to the correct flight
I will blame tiredness lol
I was on QF12 and received the pass

 

[gazzab]

I think they are referring to incoming passengers.

 

[AIRwin]

Based on my experience entering SYD earlier this week, the signs are still present just before the passport gates, but when I tried to use a express entry pass from past trips, I was told by a staff member its no longer a thing. Likewise at quarantine, there isnt an express queue.

I'll check it out when I arrive in SYD on 28 December...

 

[mrsterryn]

I think they are referring to incoming passengers.

QF2 is incoming from LHR to Sydney
Except I was on QF12 (husband was on QF2)
I was very tired yesterday lol

 

[gazzab]

Fair enough, I am in Melbourne!

 

[rcn]

I just was issued an express pass yesterday on QF2

Interesting, the last time I receieved an incoming express pass was 6 months ago. Noticeably absent since.

 

[Port Power]

I have definitely noticed the "shadow" seat on my several PER-MEL flights this year in an A330.

During domestic flights, a FA who has a list of names of passengers (obviously WP and G) in her hand comes to my seat and welcomes back. She also says if there is anything she can do for me, just ask. Yeah, sure. Yesterday when I asked for an extra glass of bubbles, I was told I would have to wait until after coffee service. In business when I am served my special diet meal, I am also asked what I would like to drink and that is brought immediately to drink with the meal. Definitely does not happen in Y - never been asked. Maybe next time I will do the asking and see what happens. This is something I think a WP should expect even in domestic Y.

 

[kiwitripper64]

There were still big express signs at customs this week. Not sure if you needed express card to use

 

[ameno]

I have definitely noticed the "shadow" seat on my several PER-MEL flights this year in an A330.

Far more likely to score a shadow on that run as you greedy buggers get all the 330's while us BNE-PER flyers are jammed in to the 737's like sardines!

I fly BNE-PER-BNE weekly and cannot remember the last time I've had the small pleasure of a shadow next to me.

 

[Port Power]

That’s why I use points to fly PE (oops! “Business” class) to BNE. I’m not flying five hours trussed up in a 737 economy seat. It’s hard to find a 330 on that route.

 

[Seat0B]

I'll check it out when I arrive in SYD on 28 December...

I've been through Sydney a few times over the past 12 months and can confirm that there is no express path inwards anymore. It is all smart gates for Australian passport holders and many other nationalities with e-passports too. Same in Melbourne.

Off topic, I know, but when I went through Mel on 30 Nov, most of the smart gate ticket machines near the exit were not in service. This caused a massive line to form, and lots of grumpy travellers. I had followed my own theory which is to get my smart gate card at the first unoccupied smart gate I see and so avoided all of this. People were very cheesed off.

 

[V Singh]

Thought it was a coincidence, but now that you mention it, my recent flights in economy class around South America and North America and back all were up-front and had a vacant seat next to me. These may be unofficial "shadow" benefits of WP

 

[juddles]

Thought it was a coincidence, but now that you mention it, my recent flights in economy class around South America and North America and back all were up-front and had a vacant seat next to me. These may be unofficial "shadow" benefits of WP

I would suspect that rather than shadows it is simply a case of the extra surcharge for the front Y seats that dissuades most from being there. As a One World Emerald you get these preferred seats for free. (with Latam at least)

 

[RichardMEL]

Yeah a few weeks back at SYD I asked about express path(having been given an incoming EP card on QF8) and just pointed to the regular nothing to declare queue.

No biggie.. they were quick.

 

[bjm76]

I have had mixed experiences on QF23/24- have had been offered wine from J, and the big personal greeting from the CSM. Have had to ask for the express path cards and was given reluctantly, and asked for a hot chocolate later into the flight and was told "you should have asked when we had the trolley out".
As always, depends on the crew you get on the flight.