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

[Mike65]

Fair enough, I am in Melbourne!

In my recent experiences, QF are giving out the Express Cards for MEL arrivals, but they are not being taken. Actually, same applies to Express departure cards. I have a growing collection of both!

 

[gazzab]

I have a collection the Express cards as well!

 

[JessicaTam]

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

Yep and cards handed out on QF82 yesterday morning too.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Can’t speak for SYD but in BNE express path for arrivals doesn’t exist in the evening (I think it closes about lunchtime), but CX still routinely hands out the cards on the evening flight into BNE. This has been the case for several years.

With express path departures, since April the CX flights I’ve taken have the ‘e’ symbol printed on the boarding pass itself. I was told cards are no longer issued. Think QF at least is also doing this. Possibly not the case for all airlines.

Cheers skip

 

[esseeeayeenn]

With express path departures, since April the CX flights I’ve taken have the ‘e’ symbol printed on the boarding pass itself. I was told cards are no longer issued. Think QF at least is also doing this. Possibly not the case for all airlines.

Makes sense.
I transited through LHR in May and as a then SG/OWS booked in Y (upgraded at gate) I wasn't sure if I was entitled to use the priority lane.
Presented my BP to a gentleman at the normal queue and he asked me if I would like to use the priority lane.
In many airports they just stamp "priority" on your BP.

 

[kiwitripper64]

The express cards are of little value in Sydney for immigration if you use the smartgates. But there was a much bigger queue for customs without the express card.
LHR with the new smartgate is just as quick without using express card.

 

[Rangalad]

Can’t speak for SYD but in BNE express path for arrivals doesn’t exist in the evening (I think it closes about lunchtime), but CX still routinely hands out the cards on the evening flight into BNE. This has been the case for several years.

With express path departures, since April the CX flights I’ve taken have the ‘e’ symbol printed on the boarding pass itself. I was told cards are no longer issued. Think QF at least is also doing this. Possibly not the case for all airlines.

Cheers skip

Noticed that too. Now I understand.....

 

[Rangalad]

I have a collection the Express cards as well!

Fed my collection (about 30 odd) to the recycling bin when I moved house. Maybe I have been lucky not needing to use them.

 

[JW]

I've shown my qantas card and managed to go through sometimes. However have been getting them into sydney again. Most recently QF2 from SIN. Frankly the inbound to SYD seems pointless given the gates work well most of the time.

 

[serfty]

Example of an auto "Shadow".

I was in 25D. No shadow had been appearing for 25E until T-80, but afterwards it did.

I did an experiment and moved to 24E and - voila!



Note, this flight is showing Q9 so very lightly loaded.

 

[onemore]

On the subject of Do airlines pay extra attention to us platinum flyers, my experience is that the passengers around me in the main cabin might think that I am an off duty pilot, or something along those lines because of the extras that come my way, on international flights only, on domestic nothing at all.

 

[trooper]

A different airline... Back in my NZ Elite days I was always given Business class headset/Express Pass and asked what "else" I would like when in Y. Those were good days ..lol Finest example was on an absolutely chockers flight LAX-AKL which (news to me) coincided with the end of the NZ school holidays. Had picked exit row aisle, BUT also put in for an upgrade.... Unusually (for the time) the UG did not clear. The onboard "Concierge" (as they called them then) stopped by before boarding had finished...with the headset, asked me if I wanted a drink... and apologised that "we couldn't get you up front this time". He came back several times during the flight....the lady sitting next to me finally asked what was going on! The concierge seems to have noticed..because after takeoff he must have checked what was available..then he brought the nicer headsets back for my 2 "row mates" as well. Turns out there was something like 30 staff/buddy pass travellers who failed to get on the flight. Not an empty seat anywhere... On another Transpac on NZ in J this time I was again asked if there was "anything else" they could do... so I mentioned to the "Concierge" that the one thing missing was pyjamas. (NZ don't have them on any flights AFAIK) A few weeks later a parcel arrived in the mail... a very nice fine wool pullover... light enough to be used as sleepwear... with a very subtle NZ logo on it... I thought that was pretty classy. I wonder if that sort of thing still happens?

 

[Danielb56]

Hi,

Platinum holder here. I've flown in economy several times since getting platinum status. I tend to always pick a seat at the front of the plane, and from my last flight I realised that the plane has always been packed in the back but I've always had an empty seat next to me.

Am I right to assume that front seats don't get opened to bronze/silver seat selection unless the plane reaches a certain threshold of occupancy? Does this mean as a platinum holder I should always pick a front seat, or have I just been lucky in my past 3 flights? On my last flight I saw another platinum flyer sit in the middle of 3 seats and he got served champaigne while in economy right after we boarded!

I also realised I get called by my surname specifically, but I'm wondering if that flight attendant was just being super nice or they are actually aware of how many platinum flyers are in the economy cabin.

Would love to know if there's any hidden tips, tricks or benefits?

Cheers

I think you will find the standard reply is that it des not matter if you are Platinum or Bronze apart from Welcome back is the best you can get from Qantas. There is the advantage of booking up front. I always book up front when in Economy and often would get the best choice of seats and often had an empty seat next to me if the flight was not full. This is great but don't expect much more from Qantas. It was their partners that looked after me better than Qantas...the number of time I got upgraded to Business class on Emirates, Air Lanka, Cathay, or Premium Economy on BA - all without asking - go figure.....never once with Qantas...

 

[serfty]

Back in my NZ Elite days

I remember mine fondly too ... but then Seats2Suite came in as well as limitations on upgrades ... the latter was the end of it for me.

 

[onemore]

Maybe, just maybe, in the current travelling climate with bums on seats numbers down, they might rethink their attitude to the very frequent flyers. As Daniel said above Qantas just doesn’t give out upgrades anymore.

 

[onemore]

Reference my last post.. Sorry people I was having a seniors moment just then, and posted something quite silly.
Of course Qantas does not give a rats about the pax who travel frequently with them.

 

[Hux]

I only a few months back reached Platinum and haven't done a lot of travel but recently did POM-BNE-SYD return. All flights were with the family, we have 3 seats together and the seat across the aisle. I was the single seat all flights and each flight had a spare seat next to me. I also had the CSM approach myself (and other platinums) on each leg and ask how we were going, did we need anything etc. Did allow me to get an extra wine in so it was appreicated!

 

[cqtiger]

Just got off a virgin flight and all the econ x seats were full of platinum passengers incl myself and totally empty business class. At least they took down the rope so we could use the loo

 

[Kefci2000]

The only really nice treatment was coming back from HK in first row of Y
Myself and another WP were told on arrival that they had blocked a row each for us 2 and 4 rows back (4 seats) and we should move there as soon as SB sign was off

 

[onemore]

In the last 4 flights yesterday I was given a shadow on each flight. on the last 5 international flights I was given a shadow on each flight as well, all in economy I might add.
in the next month I have 4 international return flights, so I can see this trend continuing. For the time being,.
What I really want at boarding is for the computer to “Say No” and be told I have been upgraded.
Yes, I do believe in the tooth fairy, and Santa Clause.