Retaining Platinum

[Prof Henry]

Good points, thanks.
The international flight plans were all business; the domestic all econ.

The Sth American trip was of course mainly on OW-partner LAN. I had thought that the fact that I was QF-ticketed at least on all the international legs might help: my naivety is showing!

The trips to SNG & BKK were certainly on QF metal.

Having followed this thread, I think the better course of action might have been to pass on my travel plans by phone or by letter (electronic or not) since the web-based form seems best suited to travellers who have a relatively small number of regular flights (ie 8 SYD-LAX Business) rather than a larger number of one-offs.

thanks anyway

 

[dripool]

Hi,
I'm sitting short of the 220 SC requalifying for gold on Sept 30. I have a total of 185 in travel booked before then, but still am going to be a bit short. (30 Points)

Frustratingly, I have at least 100+ sc that ended up being not credited as tickets ended up being reticketed as AA flights...(still on QF planes) during the qualifying year.

I fly my wife, and two children 3 times per year Toronto-Brisbane (economy), and I fly 4 or 5 times same route. Think I spent $35k on Qantas in last 12 months, on various family, employees, clients, etc.

I've called the service centre, and asked if there is any latitude, and the (un)helpful agent explained that Qantas used to do this, but have stopped. There is nothing she can do for me. Not even worth my time to send correspondence.

Any suggestions? - It is important to me to retain gold so that I can continue to use points for the upgrades on international flights. Silver is pointless to me, and will make me look at other airlines in/out of Australia.

Thanks.

 

[NM]

Any suggestions?

Next time be sure to use the AA flight number and take the AA Platinum Challenge and enjoy the benefits of OneWorld Sapphire with 100% bonus miles and a more generous award redemption rate with no fuel fines on the award flights.

 

[v8Statesman]

Frustratingly, I have at least 100+ sc that ended up being not credited as tickets ended up being reticketed as AA flights...(still on QF planes) during the qualifying year.

AA flights Numbers qualify for QFF SC. Put in a missing points request ASAP.

 

[NM]

AA flights Numbers qualify for QFF SC. Put in a missing points request ASAP.

So long as its an eligible booking class, so for economy that means BHKYGLMNSV.

 

[dripool]

It was a booking class issue. All I know/remember was that originally it was booked, then the travel agent reissued the ticket for some reason (trying to be helpful) and when I tried to get points for the flight - they wouldn't let me - this was a dead horse when I tried to get tem before.

Really the question is - do they show/give latitidue on gold renewals? (as opposed to plat renewals.)

Thanks

 

[moa999]

Depending on where you are in Oz a quick little weekend return to get the requisite credits.
On an incremental cost basis, probably cheaper than QC membership

 

[moa999]

Really the question is - do they show/give latitidue on gold renewals? (as opposed to plat renewals.)

The answer is Yes they used too, now the success ratio appears lower

 

[serfty]

dripool, How much is SG worth to you? What's the cost of annual QP membership?

Depending on your routing for those 185 SC, you may be able to get those extra 30 SC's relatively cheaply.

One Idea is if you have a segment between MEL&SYD, MEL&CBR, SYD&CBR or SYD&BNE booked in a discount WHY class you may be able to re-book it into discount Business Class (D) for those additional 30 SC's.

e.g. A red e-deal booked MEL-SYD for $127 may be able to be re-booked into Business class on the same flight at an additional cost of $374.50 ($453-$127+$38.50) and will earn 40 SC's rather than 10.

Another is a simple "Mileage Run" in D (e.g. SYD-CBR costs $305 and earns 40 SC's).

 

[simongr]

Well I got the email today - exactly one month from the anniversary date.

Now - at this point do I try and bit a little unethical? There is the offer to show my planned activity for Oct 07 thru Sep 08. I have a heap of flights booked between Oct 07 and Sep 08 including a bunch in October. I also have some flights in late Sep.

In theory I could tell them my plans, they could comp my status and then I could think about not crediting my flights to QF...

EDIT

The email wording is pretty clear that this is a one time deal as well:

A once-only exception
Although we may be able to make an exception this time, we won't be able to extend this courtesy in the future. To maintain the exclusivity of Gold membership, we do require that you earn the required number of Status credits and Eligible Flight Segments in your next membership year.

In all likelihood I am going to get SG in 2007 but this will make requalifying easier

I should know my future career direction in october so then I can work out whether to try for EXP and WP

 

[oz_mark]

Well I got the email today - exactly one month from the anniversary date.

Hmm, 2 months from my anniversary but no emails I am in no mans land, not likely to make it to 1200SC's within two months. Think its time to get used to my new card being more golden in colour.

 

[Dave Noble]

Now - at this point do I try and bit a little unethical? There is the offer to show my planned activity for Oct 07 thru Sep 08. I have a heap of flights booked between Oct 07 and Sep 08 including a bunch in October. I also have some flights in late Sep.

In theory I could tell them my plans, they could comp my status and then I could think about not crediting my flights to QF...

I just wouldn't worry about it; just get EXP and be happy. Your upgrade requests only tend to be J-F which is less hard to get than Y-J so u have a reasonable chance even without status plus even if they dont come through you still have a skybed. Is it really worth the loss in value of FF miles just to give a small improvement in number of successful upgrade requests.

Dave

 

[simongr]

Umm - my experience shows that the email was sent exactly one month out - perhaps you will get it at the end of September. I felt a little like you until the email came through this morning.

 

[dripool]

Interestingly enough, I too just received the email requesting future plans, 1 month to the day of expiry as well, on retaining gold.

 

[jskogsta]

Interestingly enough, I too just received the email requesting future plans, 1 month to the day of expiry as well, on retaining gold.

Yey; I got the email too.. though only 210 SC's to go, and have a return WEL-SYD-SIN-LHR-OSL to go tomorrow. Should get me close.. but not over the line ..

Quite happy if it goes through; use it frequently to take showers at Changi.. and the First lounge in Sydney is awsome.

/Jorgen

 

[fmckenzie]

It may be a dumb question, but as someone who is going to be gold rather than platinum from tomorrow , can you still use the new and very nice Sydney international lounge with gold?

 

[moa999]

It may be a dumb question, but as someone who is going to be gold rather than platinum from tomorrow , can you still use the new and very nice Sydney international lounge with gold?

Sorry, you will have to be using the slightly older Business lounge which is just down the coridoor, turn left at the top of the escalators instead of going straight (the only time on Qantas when turning left is not so good)

 

[Flashback]

Touché! *clap*

 

[oz_mark]

Umm - my experience shows that the email was sent exactly one month out - perhaps you will get it at the end of September. I felt a little like you until the email came through this morning.

Hmm, I read it as two months out. Must be the stress and long work hours related to an upcoming system go-live!

 

[rhjames]

It may be a dumb question, but as someone who is going to be gold rather than platinum from tomorrow , can you still use the new and very nice Sydney international lounge with gold?

As AUBS replied - no. However, your question made me wonder why I still feel guilty using the new first class lounge. I have a problem with the millions spent on the thing. Still, after many years of Pt, I'll probably drop to gold next year, so I needn't feel guilty any more. Does anyone else share my feelings about the lounge?