Qantas Platinum One experiences?

[JW]

Consistently inconsistent.. I've never been met on arrival in LAX, but been paged over the intercom to see Qantas staff at the door just before getting off and given an express pass. Had Juan escort from LAX FLounge to the gate and down a busy aerobridge past other pax to my seat. Most awkward thing ever. Never again..

And, randomly, met on arrival by a QF host at DFW following a flight from DCA for escort to the AA Flagship lounge last year. I declined but obviously we just ended up taking the same route via airtrains anyway.. Nice guy in the end, only a few months into the job. First and only time I've had a host at DFW in 20+ times to/from/thru DFW in the last few years.

Nothing in SIN at this end. Not even acknowledged (works fine for moi).. the odd note but thats it. Suspect a lot plying this route and qf consistently inconsistent as usual ?

 

[Fergo747]

I've been invited (plus guest) to the welcome home of the Australian Paralympic team on September 11 in Hangar 96. Unfortunately clashes with work events (7.30am - 10.30am) so cannot attend but the gesture is nice.

Now, how do I get an invite to the Bledisloe....

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Great crew on my golden triangle this evening

Was more international where they went seat by seat from P1 down to P to confirm meal selection then cart for the rest of the J cabin. Not going thirsty this evening either.

Has this thread moved from being pinned on the QF thread?

 

[Ansett]

Sensational service and recognition on my latest trip to Auckland and Back. CSM greeting on the flight to Auckland, couldn't do enough for me, friendly crew always with a smile and a desire to please. Upon arrival was met by a Host and escorted through the customs and baggage area. I was the highest Tier Passenger on the Plane. The return flight was Via Sydney on QF4, waiting at the gate I was asked for my boarding pass and along with 2 others, 1 CL and the other P1 we were boarded ahead of anyone else and settled into our seats by the first host. Crew just couldn't do enough excellent service and a really happy and pleasant environment. From Sydney to Melbourne on 737 CSM Greeted me and shook my hand and thanked for flying so much with QF, he made sure I had my Preferred meal and drink and at the end of the flight a complimentary bottle of wine to take home. I should add this was all in J, has to be one of the best trips I have had on QF for a long time. Absolutely brilliant

 

[9171]

Hi there, long time lurker. But I still read with interest the experiences of Plat 1. As I sort of miss it Being the creme de la creme was good, mostly. But as time goes on, more years since that outstanding status have passed. I now find myself rating trips almost the same, even though I have lost any status. It sort of hits me now how false the great feelings were. Doing my most usual now, a simple BNE to SYD run, it becomes so stark how unimportant the bleeding edge of status is. These days noone says hello to me, as a status thing. But the staff do react so positively to me being a nice pax. I think they are better now with no status of mine than them doing the "thing" to abide by company policy and "greet" a P1.

 

[DejaBrew]

Welcome aboard AFF @9171

 

[RichardMEL]

Hi there, long time lurker. But I still read with interest the experiences of Plat 1. As I sort of miss it Being the creme de la creme was good, mostly. But as time goes on, more years since that outstanding status have passed. I now find myself rating trips almost the same, even though I have lost any status. It sort of hits me now how false the great feelings were. Doing my most usual now, a simple BNE to SYD run, it becomes so stark how unimportant the bleeding edge of status is. These days noone says hello to me, as a status thing. But the staff do react so positively to me being a nice pax. I think they are better now with no status of mine than them doing the "thing" to abide by company policy and "greet" a P1.

OK yes

Often status isn't terribly important when things are fine on tgese types of flights. Sure.

And if one has no need of extra bags, ir lounge access (or is flying in paid/reward J) then sure. No real difference.

I've written many times before here tgat I could care less about a "special" greeting. Some seem obsessed with this and have a "need" for this "recognution." I don't quite get it, but each to their own I guess.

The real thing with status is that it counts when things go pear shaped. Fortunately this is not often, but when it happens, that can make a huge difference.

That aside, I think it's actually great that the inflight experience doesn't show a marked difference due to status. Some will point to things like meal choice priority, or offering J drinks in Y (inconsistently) as differentiators with status, or the vaunted "shadow" or rare comp upgrades. Regardless of these intangible and cariable benefits, I personaly think that in cabin service and attitudes shoukd be the same regardless of status. That's the Aystralian egalitarian way, but also the way I'd want it on any airline. I might have the white card, and fly in J or F, but that doesn't make me a "better" person than anyone else and while many little benefits extended(sometimes!) are appreciated, I don't expect anything above the advertised product, nor do I want to be fawned upon due to my revenue spend.

As always, my 38 cents worth of ramble

 

[Ade]

My outstanding TA organises my F Host though, so I know that 99% of the time they'll be at the door.

Wow. That is great. Wish I had a TA like that. I'm not a P1 yet and mostly fly commercial Y or reward J. So no F host for me anytime soon.

Also, I'm assuming (safely, I hope) that you fly F/J most of the time, so the TA is able to organise the F host?

 

[Frustratedflyer62]

A question from perhaps the naive? What is a T/A? Perhaps a Travel Agent and if so, how does a Travel Agent have the ability to organize status privileges? Im very curious as I fly all International in J and not once has anyone assisted me on or off an aircraft let alone through D/F, baggage and other barriers.... I have an upcoming Joberg flight on the A380 in J so would appreciate some insight??

 

[sudoer]

Perhaps a Travel Agent and if so, how does a Travel Agent have the ability to organize status privileges?

Yes it's a travel agent, and presumably they have contacts within Qantas to request the First host.

Im very curious as I fly all International in J and not once has anyone assisted me on or off an aircraft let alone through D/F, baggage and other barriers.... I have an upcoming Joberg flight on the A380 in J so would appreciate some insight??

What status are you? I'm not sure they have First hosts at JNB considering it's a relatively new route for the F cabin.

 

[9171]

Yes it's a travel agent, and presumably they have contacts within Qantas to request the First host.



What status are you? I'm not sure they have First hosts at JNB considering it's a relatively new route for the F cabin.

I have travelled a bit. For decades. Never knew that some TA's have "contacts". Have experienced "First hosts" with other airlines, never with Qantas. Am unsure what claim is being made here. That a TA can get Qantas staff to pander to a specific traveller? That is amazing.

 

[madrooster]

Never knew that some TA's have "contacts".

That a TA can get Qantas staff to pander to a specific traveller? That is amazing.

Never underestimate what kind of stunts a good travel agent can pull...

Wow. That is great. Wish I had a TA like that. I'm not a P1 yet and mostly fly commercial Y or reward J. So no F host for me anytime soon.

Also, I'm assuming (safely, I hope) that you fly F/J most of the time, so the TA is able to organise the F host?

F hosts are for P1/CL/CLP1/VIPs irrespective of cabin flown in and are only available in certain key ports eg. SYD/LAX/SIN/AKL/LHR. Platinums generally don't get F host service.

 

[jamesatfish]

F hosts are for P1/CL/CLP1/VIPs irrespective of cabin flown in and are only available in certain key ports eg. SYD/LAX/SIN/AKL/LHR. Platinums generally don't get F host service.

The term "VIP Host" would be far more accurate given their remit.

Flying QF F doesn't get you "F Host" service - at least I've never encountered it in my dozens of F flights as either WP or LTG.

 

[Frustratedflyer62]

Well alrightly then. So a return flight to Syd ex Joberg in J as a P1 should get some attention?
That would be nice however Im not optimistic
I have been on this route 3 times this year all in J and not once into Syd has anyone offered to do anything. Will be interesting for SIN flight ex Bris next month returning to Syd as to whether this gets the red carpet.
Im still perplexed as to T/A's involvement.... surely not.

 

[RichardMEL]

I honestly don't know what the fuss is about. I can make it to the gate just fine. I don't need an escort. Yes, I know of certain individuals with a great deal of entitlement who make a fuss and demand it - possibly it makes them feel extra important. Well if that is their thing, then good luck to them. I'll quite happily wait my turn. Each to their own I guess.

Yes, having priority access to arrivals processing or security(eg AA Flagship First check in) is very nice and helpful. I do see that appeal of course.

Anyway, the sheer fact that experiences are so inconsistent for many really means there should be zero expectation for such "service" imo.

That way there is no disappointment

 

[Fergo747]

Well alrightly then. So a return flight to Syd ex Joberg in J as a P1 should get some attention?
That would be nice however Im not optimistic
I have been on this route 3 times this year all in J and not once into Syd has anyone offered to do anything. Will be interesting for SIN flight ex Bris next month returning to Syd as to whether this gets the red carpet.
Im still perplexed as to T/A's involvement.... surely not.

Out of curiosity what do you actually want? Is it to feel recognised and important or you actually need assistance (which can be arranged)?

I have never had a need for assistance on return to Sydney as the e-gates are quick and often find myself standing around for a good 10 mins waiting for bags to start coming out - not sure whether you're hoping the host will go and get your bag from the plane or just be there to make small talk whilst you wait.

Often the biggest hold up is customs for which QF can't do anything about - host or not.

 

[Frustratedflyer62]

What do I want??? What does everyone want... consistency in the product would be an excellent start. Perhaps you should surrender your P1 status, have no lounge access, board in group 5 and then ask the question.
No one gave me P1. I earned it. Are we entitled?? Absolutely.
Even you considering that you are in a P1 thread.

 

[RichardMEL]

What do I want??? What does everyone want... consistency in the product would be an excellent start. Perhaps you should surrender your P1 status, have no lounge access, board in group 5 and then ask the question.
No one gave me P1. I earned it. Are we entitled?? Absolutely.
Even you considering that you are in a P1 thread.

Ok Consistency absolutely. It is my mantra on this site as everyone knows.

However, I would make this point regarding host escorts and the like. Nowhere is this a guaranteed or defined status benefit of P1 (pr even QF F class for that matter).

Now, things like lounges, and priority boarding as you mention ARE very clear and defined benefits. If these were denied, then yes, I would be peed off bigly.

However, nowhere does it say host services, escorts, etc are a benefit to be expected. Just like P1 comp upgrades, event invites and those other intangibles.

And this is the problem that the consistent inconsistency(tm) creates - expectation.

And for me, there should be zero expectation of undefined benefits.

I guess YMMV.

 

[Fergo747]

What do I want??? What does everyone want... consistency in the product would be an excellent start. Perhaps you should surrender your P1 status, have no lounge access, board in group 5 and then ask the question.
No one gave me P1. I earned it. Are we entitled?? Absolutely.
Even you considering that you are in a P1 thread.

I'm a little confused by your response here. Yes, consistency isn't a strong suit of QF, however they do consistently deliver the key benefits touted for P1 (access to VIP team, priority boarding, priority seat selection, partner platinum, etc). As RichardMEL states, the majority of the inconsistency for QF comes on the intangible side of things (e.g. why do some get a host, CL invite, comp upgrade or event invite etc. when other P1s don't).

Not sure why you would suggest that I want to surrender my P1 status? I like it for the benefits I get but also am not going to get my knickers in a knot when I don't get the intangibles. Just because I've flown enough to attain P1 and frequent this thread does not mean that I am or feel entitled. It is this feeling of entitlement that often works one up so much on such an inconsequential element of service. I'm a believer in that you pay what you get - pay for J, get J service / benefits like the rest of the J cabin.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

As far as I’m aware it’s only the major ports that get escorts

Tbf LAX escorts are nice as boarding is as much as a zoo as Sydney sometimes