Qantas Platinum One experiences?

[Must...Fly!]

This comes up every now and then for BKK.

Qantas Clarifies Express Card Policy for Platinum Flyers

Qantas has clarified its policy on issuing express path cards to Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Jack_OC]

Hi all,

a few days ago I dropped from P1 to vanilla platinum. Was hard to swallow, but I retain my reasons....

But as a data point, or opinion, I just flew 5 segments domestic with my new lowly status - and guess what? I did not notice a difference.

On 3 out of those 5 flights I was given the "Welcome back" greeting by observant staff as I entered the planes. I was travelling business so there were no subtle offerings of tiny extras. I know that staff and experiences can be greatly skewed by individual flight segments, but the overall experience reinforced what I already knew - P1 is only valuable when things go wrong.

Anyone who actively pursues P1 is crazy - it is, IMHO, a great service to those who have to travel heaps. But something to be fought for, yearned for, aspired to? Absolutely no way.

A few months ago I went the other way for the first time - i.e. Platinum to P1. The only differences I've noticed between the two status levels are:
(a) being allowed to take an earlier domestic flight on a couple of occasions when booked on a cheapo Red E-Deal fare;
(b) once getting upgraded from Y to J flying MEL-ADL (I'm just guessing that was because I was P1, but I have also received occasional random upgrades in the past, including one when I was Gold);
(c) availability of row 4 in domestic Y prior to T-80;
(d) a bottle of champers at xmas (that was very much appreciated, I have to say).

I have requested release of award flights several times without success (weirdly, I had a much better success rate doing this while Platinum). I have not had any subtle extras or recognition on board. I've been in the QF F lounges in SYD, MEL and LAX and not received any special treatment there either. I have only been invited to one "event" - it was an invitation to the cinema, which I couldn't accept even if I had wanted to, as it coincided with a QF flight from MEL-SIN that I had been booked on since months previously.

The only time things have gone significantly wrong for me since I've been P1 has been in the US when flying AA - I have definitely seen the value of status in those situations, but AFAIK it makes no difference to AA whether I'm P1 or Platinum, as both are simply OWE in their eyes.

This isn't a complaint - I'm just agreeing that anyone chasing P1 status is crazy. As it happens, I didn't go out of my way to get to P1 - I took advantage of DSCs early last year to ensure I retained Platinum, and then ended up doing about 3 times more work travel with QF than I had ever done previously, so I totalled over 4,000 SCs for the year. So far, I haven't seen anything that would motivate me to try to retain or regain P1. I guess the best thing about it is that I don't have to worry about retaining Platinum for next year (assuming the soft landing stays in place).

 

[RichardMEL]

Jack, you usually know when you get a "P1 comp upgrade" when the BP has a little "Enjoy your flight"from the P1 SST msg on it (but not always). It usually also happens around 24h out. others could just be op ups at the last minute for one reason or another, and in those cases P1 definitely helps but I reckon those op ups are pretty rare on domestic.

 

[Jack_OC]

Jack, you usually know when you get a "P1 comp upgrade" when the BP has a little "Enjoy your flight"from the P1 SST msg on it (but not always). It usually also happens around 24h out. others could just be op ups at the last minute for one reason or another, and in those cases P1 definitely helps but I reckon those op ups are pretty rare on domestic.

Ok thanks. It did happen about 24 h out - I noticed when I went to check in on my phone, so I guess it was a P1 comp upgrade. I only use mobile BPs these days where possible, and I don't know if messages like that appear on mobile bps, but if it did, I didn't notice!

 

[defurax]

Ok thanks. It did happen about 24 h out - I noticed when I went to check in on my phone, so I guess it was a P1 comp upgrade. I only use mobile BPs these days where possible, and I don't know if messages like that appear on mobile bps, but if it did, I didn't notice!

Yes, the message shows on mobile BP, but in 4 point font!
"ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT FROM THE PLATINUM ONE TEAM"

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

From the OW website. Suitably vague so airlines can do whatever they want I guess
View attachment 203875

@Mrmaxwell was talking about BKK immigration, not security. There is no OW benefit for immigration priority although it exists at some airports depending on airline flown.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Jack, you usually know when you get a "P1 comp upgrade" when the BP has a little "Enjoy your flight"from the P1 SST msg on it (but not always). It usually also happens around 24h out. others could just be op ups at the last minute for one reason or another, and in those cases P1 definitely helps but I reckon those op ups are pretty rare on domestic.

I've finally received a 2nd P1 upgrade after many QF flights over the past few years. Both had a message that enabled me to identify it as a P1-up. The first (which was my first flight after qualifying P1) I learnt of at check-in. The second was only at the gate. I had applied for a points upgrade and had been fuming it hadn't cleared despite what appeared to be plenty of available seats in the upgrade cabin and also oversold in the lower cabins. The happy beep and BP swap brightened my mood, especially as it was for SYD-LHR J to F. If I hadn't gotten the message on the BP I would have assumed it was a vanilla op-up rather than being intervention by the SST.

 

[juddles]

........

The only time things have gone significantly wrong for me since I've been P1 has been in the US when flying AA - I have definitely seen the value of status in those situations, but AFAIK it makes no difference to AA whether I'm P1 or Platinum, as both are simply OWE in their eyes.
......

I agree that P1 is just OWE to all other One World airlines. The same happens if you are Latam's Black Signature and flying on Qantas, etc, (or Lifemiles Diamond, and travelling on any Star Alliance airline) - I think no airline can see (or care) for the uber-elite programs. But when I have been flying a non-Qantas airline on a Qantas ticket, I would call the SST direct and they would fix things very quickly from their end.

 

[dkr]

I think no airline can see (or care) for the uber-elite programs.

Have never seen it happen in OW, but have a personal data point for "uber-elite" Star recognition across carriers..

A couple of years ago both myself (SQ PPS) and my wife (no status) were both upgraded from PE to J on Lufthansa trans-atlantic flights both ways (FRA-JFK and EWR-FRA). The LH boarding passes both had "SQ *Gold - QPPS" printed on them. These were full flights at peak xmas holiday time. SQ PPS was definitely recognised by LH above and beyond regular *Gold.

 

[TonyHancock]

I agree that P1 is just OWE to all other One World airlines. The same happens if you are Latam's Black Signature and flying on Qantas, etc, (or Lifemiles Diamond, and travelling on any Star Alliance airline) - I think no airline can see (or care) for the uber-elite programs. But when I have been flying a non-Qantas airline on a Qantas ticket, I would call the SST direct and they would fix things very quickly from their end.

AA is known to offer Concierge Key style treatment to BA GGL's. It is not consistent though.

 

[juddles]

Have never seen it happen in OW, but have a personal data point for "uber-elite" Star recognition across carriers..

A couple of years ago both myself (SQ PPS) and my wife (no status) were both upgraded from PE to J on Lufthansa trans-atlantic flights both ways (FRA-JFK and EWR-FRA). The LH boarding passes both had "SQ *Gold - QPPS" printed on them. These were full flights at peak xmas holiday time. SQ PPS was definitely recognised by LH above and beyond regular *Gold.

dkr, that was a great outcome. But it does not convince me that uber-elites are recognized. But maybe they are in that specific circumstance. My experience is that such levels are not recognized, but OWE / Star Alliance Gold are given far more preferential treatment by some airlines than others...

Edit: perhaps the problem is country-based - here in Australia there are an extraordinary number of Platinums - both in QF and VA, Goes with the territory- we are a huge (geographic) place with a surplus of FIFO etc flyers. I think that is not the norm for many other places. My opinion is that the quirks of status - member levels, etc are quite unique in Aussie. And thus their integration with more standard worldly programs is a bit hit and miss

 

[hoopla]

AA is known to offer Concierge Key style treatment to BA GGL's. It is not consistent though.

Has anyone ever had anything similar happen as a P1?

About a year ago, I was flying SFO-PHL on AA as part of a QF-issued DONE4. At the check-in counter, the agent told me I shouldn’t have waited in the priority lane, that i should have used the special lane for Concierge Key. I asked why and she seemed convinced that my PNR was marked as Concierge Key (and she appeared to know what she was doing).

And then on-board, the flight attendant made a point of addressing me by name, which almost never happens on AA.

But that seems to have been a one-off. Nothing else to suggest it in the dozens of other AA flights I’ve taken as a P1.

 

[Kangol]

Has anyone ever had anything similar happen as a P1?

About a year ago, I was flying SFO-PHL on AA as part of a QF-issued DONE4. At the check-in counter, the agent told me I shouldn’t have waited in the priority lane, that i should have used the special lane for Concierge Key. I asked why and she seemed convinced that my PNR was marked as Concierge Key (and she appeared to know what she was doing).

And then on-board, the flight attendant made a point of addressing me by name, which almost never happens on AA.

But that seems to have been a one-off. Nothing else to suggest it in the dozens of other AA flights I’ve taken as a P1.

Only had a handful of AA flights as P1 and plenty as WP and pretty much every time they address me by name.
Not had the CK "recognition" though.

 

[Jack_OC]

Only had a handful of AA flights as P1 and plenty as WP and pretty much every time they address me by name.
Not had the CK "recognition" though.

I don't recall ever being addressed by name by AA, even as P1, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention. They seem to ask OWEs for meal choices before the mere mortals, but again I've seen no difference on that between Platinum & P1. No CK recognition here either. Having said that, I've never tried to board as a CK, and I would imagine that 99% of the time if you choose to board later than permitted, nobody is going to say anything.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

This comes up every now and then for BKK.

Qantas Clarifies Express Card Policy for Platinum Flyers

Qantas has clarified its policy on issuing express path cards to Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I would assume so as BKK seems to get worse for me every time with regards to immigration processing time. The sheer volume of PAX at certain peak times along with the seemingly snail pace at which each customer is processed does not make a good experience. This must correlate with the large number of people I see running through BKK airside trying to make their flight.

 

[Happy Trails]

I've mentioned this before, but one time on EK I was greeted as a "chairman's member"
(No double entendres please)

 

[Jack_OC]

I would assume so as BKK seems to get worse for me every time with regards to immigration processing time. The sheer volume of PAX at certain peak times along with the seemingly snail pace at which each customer is processed does not make a good experience. This must correlate with the large number of people I see running through BKK airside trying to make their flight.

If you travel to BKK regularly on business, have you considered getting an APEC card? I have no experience of BKK, but Thailand is a participating country, and the APEC card certainly makes a huge difference in other participating countries where immigration is slow.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

If you travel to BKK regularly on business, have you considered getting an APEC card?

I keep putting this off...applying tonight!

No more longing stares at the empty Diplomat / Crew / APEC queues!

 

[Matt_01]

Has anyone ever had anything similar happen as a P1?

About a year ago, I was flying SFO-PHL on AA as part of a QF-issued DONE4. At the check-in counter, the agent told me I shouldn’t have waited in the priority lane, that i should have used the special lane for Concierge Key. I asked why and she seemed convinced that my PNR was marked as Concierge Key (and she appeared to know what she was doing).

And then on-board, the flight attendant made a point of addressing me by name, which almost never happens on AA.

But that seems to have been a one-off. Nothing else to suggest it in the dozens of other AA flights I’ve taken as a P1.

I have never received any additional recognition on AA that I can recall. I do remember at BOS a couple of years back that the lounge staff were more than happy to let my +1 and daughter in (+1 has the WP card) but they were not sure what to make of the white card.

 

[mrsterryn]

Here you go @Skiski
I do have the temerity to lurk on this thread whilst I pine for P1 lol
Someone here maybe to offer an idea