Qantas order of precedence

[reflector]

Ok so something I've been wondering for a while, and after much lurking, i'm still no wiser:
The order in which qantas "ranks" it's frequent flyers. Up the top end it's fairly straightforward

Chairmans lounge
Platinum
Gold

But what comes next?
Does it look like this?

Qantas Club Silver
Qantas Club Bronze
Silver
Bronze


or like this?

Qantas Club Silver
Silver
Qantas Club Bronze
Bronze

or something else entirely?

 

[Febs]

Is there even such a thing as "QC Silver" and "QC Bronze"?

My understanding is:
- Someone with no FF status and QC membership is a "QC Bronze"
- A Bronze QFFer with QC membership is also "QC Bronze"
- A Silver QFFer with QC membership is "QC Silver"

I've even seen my Platinum membership referred to as "QC Platinum"...but obviously that just means "QFF Platinum".

I don't think you can actually purchase different "Bronze" and "Silver" QC memberships...?

 

[Mal]

I'm not sure you will get a correct answer - just speculation based on various experiences.

I believe WP + Partner Gold ranks higher than WP alone.

Your total SC's earnt in the year, could also rank you higher than someone else who earnt less SC's in the year.

I believe QP Life was ranked equal or higher to Silver, but that QP wasn't ranked as highly.

Note that seating allocations for example domestically assign seats based on a number of factors including the type of ticket you hold, your FF status and other "tie breaking" criteria.

 

[oz_mark]

Your total SC's earnt in the year, could also rank you higher than someone else who earnt less SC's in the year.

Not sure on this, given that there are people basically on twelve different years!

 

[medhead]

Is there even such a thing as "QC Silver" and "QC Bronze"?

My understanding is:
- Someone with no FF status and QC membership is a "QC Bronze"
- A Bronze QFFer with QC membership is also "QC Bronze"
- A Silver QFFer with QC membership is "QC Silver"

I've even seen my Platinum membership referred to as "QC Platinum"...but obviously that just means "QFF Platinum".

I don't think you can actually purchase different "Bronze" and "Silver" QC memberships...?

I think it means that you can purchase QC membership and you attain Silver status.

- Someone with no FF status and QC membership is a "QC Bronze"

This doesn't exist since you get free QFF membership when buying Qc membership. So all paid QC members are also QFF members.

QC Bronze and QC Silver are to indicate a difference, from plan Silver and Bronze. Obviously, the QC is redundant for a SG and WP, but SG and WP are still QC members nevertheless. I assume it's listed to assist the door b*tch at the lounge.

As for whether paid QC NB and PS are ranked higher than NB and PS respsectively. I think it is mixed. Some things say yes - as a QC NB I've been getting great seats lately. But then other things say no - upgrade lottery has all NB and PS equal. I don't think there is an answer

 

[Mal]

Not sure on this, given that there are people basically on twelve different years!

... or Lifetime SC earning, your earning last year etc. It's still possible.

BTW - People can join the Qantas Club and opt out of Frequent Flyer membership. I doubt it happens often, but it could.

 

[openseat]

Purely anecdotal experience here....

I have discovered that when I travel under my QFF number as QP Life, i.e. E, N and now Q tickets, I nearly always have access to the emergency exit rows. Admittedly I'm not on the MEL-CBR/SYD-BNE routes when this happens, but usually MEL-ADL and principally middle of the day type flights - so probably very little status competition.
This access is never available traveling as AA Plat.

 

[MrHyde]

I definately think SCs earnt in the year is a factor when getting seats (say Row 4). When I had over 1200 points on Gold, I was regularly allocated Row 4 without even asking. As soon as I reached 1400 and became Platinum, my anniversary date came up and I went back to zero. Since then, all my seat allocations are now Row 15 and below. I call up to request Row 4 as soon as I book and keep getting told that it is already allocated.

My sample size is about 10 flights when I got Row 4 before hitting Platinum and about 6 flights after hitting Platinum. I am still booking flights about 2 weeks before date as before. It just seems to much of a coincidence.

As for awards, I thought the order was Chairmans Lounge, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Qantas Club members, Bronze, non-members.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I definately think SCs earnt in the year is a factor when getting seats (say Row 4). When I had over 1200 points on Gold, I was regularly allocated Row 4 without even asking. As soon as I reached 1400 and became Platinum, my anniversary date came up and I went back to zero. Since then, all my seat allocations are now Row 15 and below. I call up to request Row 4 as soon as I book and keep getting told that it is already allocated.

My sample size is about 10 flights when I got Row 4 before hitting Platinum and about 6 flights after hitting Platinum. I am still booking flights about 2 weeks before date as before. It just seems to much of a coincidence.

I don't believe you can pre-allocate seats on domestic flights (or are you talking about international flights?)

For domestic flights, it doesn't matter when you book - seats are allocated about 24 hours before the flight.

QANTAS have also implemented a new system for seating allocations - status affects where you sit, as does the fare paid (from anecdotal evidence here).

 

[moa999]

I definately think SCs earnt in the year is a factor when getting seats (say Row 4). When I had over 1200 points on Gold, I was regularly allocated Row 4 without even asking. As soon as I reached 1400 and became Platinum, my anniversary date came up and I went back to zero. Since then, all my seat allocations are now Row 15 and below. I call up to request Row 4 as soon as I book and keep getting told that it is already allocated.

Assume MrHyde has to be referring to Domestic - ie 737s and Row 4.
I have to disagree however, as presently on 2200 SCs in 7mths this year (DONE4 plus a lot of dom full y and a few SYD-PER J), having been comped on 120 SCs last year, and have not got better than a Row 7 window on preallocation on recent flights.

 

[abc12345678]

I'm auto allocated 4C or 4D (on 73's) usually on Dom Y fares. I am WP with 900 SC earnt in my 4.5 months so far.

On 76's I get auto allocated 23 more often than not. I've noticed an increased number of op-up's this year also - however my travel has increased 2-3 fold since last year.

Just my thoughts.

 

[MrHyde]

I am talking international SYD - WLG and WLG - MEL every week. Like I said, its only speculation based on my experiences. I was getting pre-allocated row 4 100% of the time when I had high SCs. Now, that I have none, just can't get Row 4 anymore.

 

[abc12345678]

Apologies.

Did a MEL-WLG and WLG-MEL back about a month ago (for the Rugby Sevens) and was allocated 4A there and back.

Hope this helps your sample.

 

[flyer4703]

Htchapmans experience is similar to mine. High status credit earn does seem to have some bearing.
I have also noticed more op-ups both internationally and domestically in the last few months.
I would say I have had more in the last four months than I had in the previous five years. The amount of flying I have done during that time has been quite consistent.

 

[aus_flyer]

And to complicate the matter further, there's the fact that there are rankings within a status, which is never actually made known to a member!

I don't know how they are determined (but I suspect it's based on number of years you've had the status level and/or the number of SC earned in a particular year - such as to separate the 1200 WPs from the 3000 WPs)...

And I don't know what impact it actually has in practice!

 

[serfty]

MrHyde, how far in advance do you book these flights? I travel TT ~ 10 times per year and an am rarely surprised on check-in.

For the last last two years, most of my 737 trans Tasman travel has been either in the front row or an Exit row in Economy. If not it's been an op-up to J.

I book the cheapest fares possible. Before booking, I use ExpertFlyer to ascertain those flights with a preferred front row aisle seat available. This is 4C/D for 73H and 5C/D for 734s.

I then make my booking on these flights and check my pre-allocation after booking. If it is not one of the seats I desired but one is still available I will call and get it preallocated on the spot.

If not available, there is always at least one of 4 aisle exit row seats available, so I call and ask Qantas premium to submit a request to seating for an exit aisle preallocation. This is normally granted within 24 hours. I should note that rarely is this done < 1 month in advance.

 

[straitman]

And to complicate the matter further, there's the fact that there are rankings within a status, which is never actually made known to a member!

I don't know how they are determined (but I suspect it's based on number of years you've had the status level and/or the number of SC earned in a particular year - such as to separate the 1200 WPs from the 3000 WPs)...

And I don't know what impact it actually has in practice!

It was explained to me as 'perceived value to Qantas' :!:

 

[MrHyde]

MrHyde, how far in advance do you book these flights? I travel TT ~ 10 times per year and an am rarely surprised on check-in.

For the last last two years, most of my 737 trans Tasman travel has been either in the front row or an Exit row in Economy. If not it's been an op-up to J.

I book the cheapest fares possible. Before booking, I use ExpertFlyer to ascertain those flights with a preferred front row aisle seat available. This is 4C/D for 73H and 5C/D for 734s.

I then make my booking on these flights and check my pre-allocation after booking. If it is not one of the seats I desired but one is still available I will call and get it preallocated on the spot.

If not available, there is always at least one of 4 aisle exit row seats available, so I call and ask Qantas premium to submit a request to seating for an exit aisle preallocation. This is normally granted within 24 hours. I should note that rarely is this done < 1 month in advance.

I normally book them 1.5-2 weeks ahead. I've never had a problem getting exit row... they are easier to get than Row 4 or 5. I'm not too worried about not getting the front row as I normally check CMT to see how loaded the plane is and if not heavily loaded, an empty middle seat is just as good. The thread is about order of precedence and I perceive SCs earnt in the year is a factor based on my experience with auto allocation of front row.

 

[MelUser]

As I understand QF's order of preference is:

Chairmans Lounge
Plat
Gold
Q Club Silver
Silver
Q Club Bronze
Bronze
Non-members

note: there is some suggestion that Q Club Bronze and Bronze are lumped together. Further there is some suggestion that Q Club Life (not available any more) does get you into silver status although personally I don't think this is correct.

However, Qantas uses Amadeus's Altea software which ranks every passenger based on a value number. This is used for things like processing waitlists/upgrades, answering the phone, seating preferences etc etc. Whilst generally the value number follows the above, different factors can come into play - for example a doctor assisting in a medical emergency on a flight - the pursur/CSM makes a report which is then fed back into the system and will raise that person's value number - how long this lasts for I'm unsure.

 

[serfty]

... The thread is about order of precedence and I perceive SCs earnt in the year is a factor based on my experience with auto allocation of front row.

At the moment, the "Order of Precedence" as discussed in this thread is not relevant to your issue of international as far as seat pre allocation goes; It is relevant to domestic travel only.

For international travel (737's), those coveted Row 4 or 5 seats are available to any QP, PS, SG, WL & CL and their travelling companions who have a booking on the flight.

Booking a flight 10 days beforehand almost guarantees they will be already gone.

Note that I have actually been turfed out of a 73H 4C allocated months before seat due to an ARU* bigwig being given "my" pre-allocated seat. Qantas First Checkin staff in MEL actually contacted me ~5 hours before the flight to advise me of this (with profuse apologies). They organised me an exit aisle seat instead.

*I recognised the guy - a rather large ex Aussie player.