The true value of status - why NOT to spend to seek status...

[MEL_Traveller]

Is discretionary spending in the thousands of dollars worth it for status? Probably not. Basic status is useful for guaranteed business class check-in and some preferential (or free) seat allocation. For international travel, priority pass can do the rest for $29 a pop (or at worst, $59 for US domestic lounges if no PP).

This doesn't work for Aussie domestic, but not sure it's essential given you can arrive fairly close to flight departure. In any event silver + paid lounge (QF club for example) may be cheaper than $$$ just to get gold.

 

[serfty]

I think many here missed the point of the thread and started arguing about the benefits of status from their point of view as frequent flyers.

I didn't miss the point.

If you are not flying enough to gain status all by itself, I doubt you will be doing enough lounge time to make $1000 status runs worthwhile...

It is not just the "lounge time" - I have referred to other benefits of status, excluding lounge access specifically. For many those additional benefits combined with lounge time can make the $1000 worthwhile to them.

As posted I'm gunna fly anyway; but since I fly so much, there are no "$1000 status runs" in my future. There may be additional $$$ in the odd fare cost here and there for extra segments, indirect flying and the like
but that would be less than that $1000 and for what additional I do spend, for me it is worth it.

 

[Basalt]

I'll bite...

My partner and I typically make it to midway between PS and SG every year through regular flying. I chuck in a little status run every year to bring just me to SG. This gets us domestic lounge access as we fly together, fly red-e deals and are, umm, lets say solid imbibers. The food and especially alcohol we consume would be double to triple an annual QP membership. We're also in a position to collect 1M ++ points a year and ideally redeem our family of 4. Trying to redeem 4 pax in the pointy end without at least SG is pretty damn hard (let alone with it). This alone has been worth a status run to maintain SG a huge no-brainer....
However, have contemplated a status run to WP last few years and in this case agree with the OP, I just haven't been able to justify the expense vs the gain, yet. We're happy with international OWE business lounge bubbles and food, so don't need flounge access there. For us the only tangible benefit for WP status would be another rung up the upgrade lottery ladder, though starting to rethink QF metal flying internationally, so then maybe not....

 

[boomy]

I didn't miss the point.

It is not just the "lounge time" - I have referred to other benefits of status, excluding lounge access specifically. For many those additional benefits combined with lounge time can make the $1000 worthwhile to them.

As posted I'm gunna fly anyway; but since I fly so much, there are no "$1000 status runs" in my future. There may be additional $$$ in the odd fare cost here and there for extra segments, indirect flying and the like
but that would be less than that $1000 and for what additional I do spend, for me it is worth it.

For those who fly a lot, like yourself, the benefits easily worth over $1000 but I think the OP’s post was about spending thousands on status without flying enough to maximise the value.

 

[boomy]

Is discretionary spending in the thousands of dollars worth it for status? Probably not. Basic status is useful for guaranteed business class check-in and some preferential (or free) seat allocation. For international travel, priority pass can do the rest for $29 a pop (or at worst, $59 for US domestic lounges if no PP).

This doesn't work for Aussie domestic, but not sure it's essential given you can arrive fairly close to flight departure. In any event silver + paid lounge (QF club for example) may be cheaper than $$$ just to get gold.

PriorityPass works great for Aussie domestic. Since I got PP the time I spend in QF J lounges reduced significantly. Instead of eating sloppy lounge food, I use the $36 allowance in one of the airport restaurants to have a proper meal.

 

[Pushka]

For those who fly a lot, like yourself, the benefits easily worth over $1000 but I think the OP’s post was about spending thousands on status without flying enough to maximise the value.

What does maximise mean though? If you do a ‘dream trip’ once a year and not very regular afterwards, surely for some that’s enough justification. And if something goes to pot on that dream trip, like it did with us in May on Qatar, then being high status on Q certainly got us through this messy bit.

 

[boomy]

What does maximise mean though? If you do a ‘dream trip’ once a year and not very regular afterwards, surely for some that’s enough justification. And if something goes to pot on that dream trip, like it did with us in May on Qatar, then being high status on Q certainly got us through this messy bit.

Don’t know what happened on that Qatar trip but I hope all ended well.

If you do one dream trip a year then better invest the status money to fly first class. I can assure you F pax with no status ate treated better than P1s. It’s not a hollow statement, I’m saying that from experience.

 

[Pushka]

Don’t know what happened on that Qatar trip but I hope all ended well.

If you do one dream trip a year then better invest the status money to fly first class. I can assure you F pax with no status ate treated better than P1s. It’s not a hollow statement, I’m saying that from experience.

Flight on Qatar was cancelled in Adelaide around 11.00 at night while waiting to board.

Understand re flying F but I can’t justify the eye watering $$$. Could leave MrP back home though.....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

PriorityPass works great for Aussie domestic. Since I got PP the time I spend in QF J lounges reduced significantly. Instead of eating sloppy lounge food, I use the $36 allowance in one of the airport restaurants to have a proper meal.

Good to know!

 

[boomy]

Understand re flying F but I can’t justify the eye watering $$$. Could leave MrP back home though.....

Paying for F is expensive but if you buy miles on sale it will be much cheaper and you can take MrP

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Understand re flying F but I can’t justify the eye watering $$$. Could leave MrP back home though.....

And that's where mileage programs come in. AUD4000 (all in) for a return to Europe from Australia first class on star alliance is the going rate through Lifemiles. Most obvious there is TG, but connections can include LH, OZ and NH F as well.

 

[sudoer]

PriorityPass works great for Aussie domestic. Since I got PP the time I spend in QF J lounges reduced significantly.

Which airports do you visit? There are no Priority Pass options in the same terminal as QF domestic departures in MEL, CBR, PER, DRW, or CNS, and the ADL option is laughable (REX lounge)

SYD-BNE is the only popular domestic route I can see which is reasonably well serviced for QF flyers.

 

[boomy]

And that's where mileage programs come in. AUD4000 (all in) for a return to Europe from Australia first class on star alliance is the going rate through Lifemiles. Most obvious there is TG, but connections can include LH, OZ and NH F as well.

Quitting the QF addiction opens a whole new world of possibilities and the grass IS greener on the other side!

 

[boomy]

Which airports do you visit? There are no Priority Pass options in the same terminal as QF domestic departures in MEL, CBR, PER, DRW, or CNS, and the ADL option is laughable (REX lounge)

SYD-BNE is the only popular domestic route I can see which is reasonably well serviced for QF flyers.

My current home port is BNE where I fly from on weekly basis and use PP very often. SYD also has few options and MEL should get one soon in Dom (only Int ATM).
Not sure about the rest but at the rate PP is expanding in Australia I wouldn’t be surprised if more outlets will join the party.

 

[sudoer]

My current home port is BNE where I fly from on weekly basis and use PP very often. SYD also has few options and MEL should get one soon in Dom (only Int ATM).

SYD does have two options in the QF terminal but I've never had a chance to try them, as I'm usually on the 6:00, 6:15 or 6:30am departures before they open.

Not sure about the rest but at the rate PP is expanding in Australia I wouldn’t be surprised if more outlets will join the party.

I agree it has grown quickly in Australia over the past 12 months, but it's still a long way off competing with QC membership for Qantas flyers. I get the feeling PP aren't really trying to compete with QC yet as restaurants being added to the program are predominately in VA/JQ terminals.

 

[Pushka]

And that's where mileage programs come in. AUD4000 (all in) for a return to Europe from Australia first class on star alliance is the going rate through Lifemiles. Most obvious there is TG, but connections can include LH, OZ and NH F as well.

Yeah. That’s one area I need to learn about. We need a Lifemiles primer.

 

[boomy]

I agree it has grown quickly in Australia over the past 12 months, but it's still a long way off competing with QC membership for Qantas flyers. I get the feeling PP aren't really trying to compete with QC yet as restaurants being added to the program are predominately in VA/JQ terminals.

PP not competing directly with QC although once MEL joins, the Golden Triangle is covered and that’s most of the business travelers which are PP’s main target.

 

[boomy]

Yeah. That’s one area I need to learn about. We need a Lifemiles primer.

Some excellent LM forums here on AFF with heaps of info on the best routes and how to book.
The Q&A LM forum is the address for seeking guidance.

 

[drron]

Yeah. That’s one area I need to learn about. We need a Lifemiles primer.

I'll give you a private tutorial at the end of October.

 

[Pushka]

I'll give you a private tutorial at the end of October.

Double like right there!

Some excellent LM forums here on AFF with heaps of info on the best routes and how to book.
The Q&A LM forum is the address for seeking guidance.

I realise I don’t foray into many of the sub forums here. As of Sept 1 I am theoretically retired but renovating a house. Shall try to foray more and learn more.