Retaining Platinum Status - what is the quickest/ cheapest way?

[anat0l]

Lack of competition - as serfty states - is the main reason I'm going for WP. Travel for work is almost always on QF unless the destination isn't serviced by them.

In saying that as a first year WP, I have little complaints about how I've been treated. Qantas Premium desk have been excellent, especially in helping locate flight options e.g. for award flights.

A lot of people have been WP for a while and many are hating it. I think there is a factor affecting such a judgement relating to the declining level of service within QF. Agreed that QF is not the best airline out there by any measure, but it's certainly not in the middle-pack or in the worst basket.

All of the above, of course, varies from member to member.

Unwritten benefits are just that - unwritten. Whether they happen or not is a different thing, but they should be celebrated when they happen rather than expected, which just breeds the wrong culture. SQ PPS is a classic example of how the wrong attitude can be bred. Most people complaining about the lack of consistency and application of the unwritten benefits and deference to WPs pin this also to QF not looking after its premium flyers properly.


Let's be really honest: how many airlines have FFP members who are really satisfied with how their airline treats them, especially those at the highest commonly-attainable elite level (i.e. don't include exclusive tiers e.g. QF CL, BAEC Premier)? I can really only think of Emirates as being one candidate.

 

[dajop]

Ok, this is kind of off topic, but l just did a quick search on other member Oneworld Airlines and had a look at what they give their top tier members...and l was astonished at how QF, well, u get bugger all really compared to...

QF used to get upgrade credits, it was replaced by 5,000 pts per 450 status credits... to use how you wish. Probably on the light side, compared to upgrade credits though.

 

[serfty]

When UC were introduced (2001?) it was one for every 250 SC's. This was changed to 1 per 450 SC's about 2 years later.

Also, they could be employed on most revenue fares including flight in deep discount classes (O, N, Q).

Finally they could be confirmed upon request for both domestic and international flights.

Back then international flights were the same as domestic in the use of upgrades (via points or certificates). I could do a search for flights with Business award seats around the time and place I wished to travel. Once identified, I could book that red e-deal on that flight and upgrade immediately after ticketing - no waitlist.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

People are happiest when they are working towards a goal and not when they reach the goal - despite popular belief.

So once you obtain the highest possible status, you've got nothing to work towards and get bored quickly. Then you start thinking about how it can be improved.....that's when complaints come in.

Funny, how you don't hear QF Gold/Silver members coughing about lack of recognition..

Simple solution for QF... create a new tier and add new benefits (taking them away will only piss people off, so adding new things is important for this to work).

 

[QF WP]

People are happiest when they are working towards a goal and not when they reach the goal - despite popular belief.

Sometimes members here (in particular) haven't even reached their previous goals before they are shown a better way (AA) and off they go with a brand new goal.

So once you obtain the highest possible status, you've got nothing to work towards and get bored quickly. Then you start thinking about how it can be improved.....that's when complaints come in.

Indeed, that's the huge benefit I see in AA's ongoing membership tiers (MM's) which is separate to the annual tier status. something QF should have copied long long ago.

 

[Dave Noble]

People are happiest when they are working towards a goal and not when they reach the goal - despite popular belief.

Actually I am quite happy that I have reached the limit to what the QF scheme offers

I don't have complaints about receiving benefits since I have never failed to get the benefits to which I am entitled and do not have any expectation of anything else

The one annoying thing I did find is that on reaching lifetime status, QF does not do anything much ; just a single A4 letter confirming it rather than actually sending a fulfilment pack

Dave

 

[Dave Noble]

Indeed, that's the huge benefit I see in AA's ongoing membership tiers (MM's) which is separate to the annual tier status. something QF should have copied long long ago.

That is an arguable point really. Some would say that tying lifetime status to amount of flying undertaken is better than tying it to having spent a lot on credit cards

Some people do not do huge amounts of travel but have transferred extremely large numbers of credit card points across to AA and now enjoy Lifetime Platinum status

Dave

 

[doobs]

Dave,

Can you elaborate on the transferring of points to AA and obtaining lifetime Plat membership? I also see AA have two tiers of Plat membership.

Thanks, Doobs

 

[OneworldNSW]

BINGO


I agree with you Fishhead.

l've only got QP and am Silver and happy as Larry. I think that Qantas does NOT look after their Platinums very well, but that's just my opinion. Why would l spend money on an airline that doesn't look after their Platinums, let alone anyone else down the food chain??? If work pays, fine, but l'm not really into doing MR's here in Oz. Just not worth it.

What do you really get out of been Platinum? Double points + Jlounge + Flounge when fly int. Ok, you can argue that you can use the Flounge when flying through Dom connection, but how often is that?
There also is no an incentive for QF to upgrade very frequent flyers as often as other airlines because they are too busy looking after the CL's IMO.

At least AA offer SWU (System Wide Upgrades) when reaching their too tier and also "gifts" every million miles as well. Plus, l'm sure that alot of people can also say yes, that CX looks after QF Plats better than Qantas does with upgrades. JohnK can certainly add to this.

I am a OF PL member, and I truly have to agree with OneworldPlus, QF does not give their PL Members a lot of benifits. Some other airlines treat their PL customers much better. I guess QF has the monopoly in OZ, therefore why bother? It used to be better when AN "flow" around OZ.
:mrgreen:

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF OneworldNSW

I am a QF PL member, and I truly have to agree with OneworldPlus, QF does not give their PL Members a lot of benifits. Some other airlines treat their PL customers much better. I guess QF has the monopoly in OZ, therefore why bother? It used to be better when AN "flow" around OZ.
:mrgreen:

You said it - no competition - no additional benefits.

QF used to supply upgrade certs or electronic versions thereof; these all disappeared with the 2005 changes.

Flying in Oz there's little choice.

More than a few people I know of are UA 1K's and regularly travel transpac in first/business with confirmed upgrades. Apparently the UA program is changig and some are up in arms about the loss of some benefits.

 

[JohnK]

I took Mrs Rescue Pilot to Rome,London and HK (Thanks Serfty/Dave et al for the tips for travel - it worked a treat!!) just returning last week. I am Pl (6 years) and LTS and can state that in the two of the three Qantas sectors I had the misfortune of being on the receiving end of the rudest, crankiest oxygen thieves (trading as Qantas staff). The third sector was crewed by London based crew and they were fantastic.

I had 3 QF longhaul sectors recently. The longest sector SYD-LAX was appalling service from QF. I am not going to lay all of the blame on the cabin crew. The second sector LHR-HKG was London based crew and the service was just routine, ordinary. Both of these flights no recognition at all. The third sector was HKG-PER with a fantastic CSM. Was greeted just before the meal service (she let up sleep through take-off) and continually asked if I/we needed anything throughout the flight. Unfortunately this does not happen very often.

I am over the QF International - Cathay for me from now on - three years in a row and they only get worse with service less than adequate

I think you are right although I am going to try out SQ and VS for a while.

Only reason I will try to keep Platinum status with QF is the domestic anytime access. I can't put a dollar figure on it but it comes in very handy commuting SYD-BNE 3-4 times a month.

Am considering the LAN status run - any feedback from the gurus on service and facilities?Can we still use FL in Syd International?

LAN service is OK, nothing special. You can definitely use the First Lounge in SYD....

 

[drron]

Dave,

Can you elaborate on the transferring of points to AA and obtaining lifetime Plat membership? I also see AA have two tiers of Plat membership.

Thanks, Doobs

Lifetime status in Aadvantage is 1 million points = LT gold,2 million points = LT platinum.All points count so I have got AA miles from flying,transfers from my DC(via SPG for extra points),from SPG,Hhonors double dipping,rental cars,Aadvantage dining and Aadvantage shopping when my son lived in the states.
You can also transfer from Amex via SPG to Aadvantage.
For reaching LTG on AA I received an email immediately,then a letter with new card with a 1 million mile logo and 4 system wide upgrades.
However there are some extra benefits that QFF members get that Aadvantage members dont such as luggage tags when mrsdrron got to gold,her complimentary QC membership and when she gets to WP the anytime access to QPs.None of these happen with AA.And WP is easier to get than EXP on AA.

 

[NM]

However there are some extra benefits that QFF members get that Aadvantage members dont such as luggage tags when mrsdrron got to gold,her complimentary QC membership and when she gets to WP the anytime access to QPs.None of these happen with AA.And WP is easier to get than EXP on AA.

Yes, but the burn rate on those Million AA miles is going to fly you a lot further that a similar number of QF FF points, especially for those accustomed to travelling at the pointy end of the aircraft.