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

[boomy]

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.

AFF used to be all about sharing new ways to fly better for less but sadly these days it’s full of white noise and one must dig in the sub forums to get some useful info.

 

[jimbooooooo]

great question. I often read threads about status runs with a sense of bewilderment - if your close to WP or P1, surely the last thing you want is more flying!!!

Have never chased status - have made P1 2 out 5 years and WP the rest of the time - and now on VA as well. Alot of my travel in is in J, so domestically i dont get a huge value add anyway.

The ONLY time it effects my choice is longhaul - being able to take the family to the First lounge in SYdney and DUabi (especially the time we had a 7 hour connection!!) is great - but i wouldnt chase it!

 

[RichardMEL]

A few pages back several posters mentioned "shadows" as a perk.

I want to remind all that the idea of a "shadow"(ie: an empty seat next to a passenger of status, usually in Y, provided as part of that status) has *never* been a published benefit of Platinum, or P1 status (let alone certain posters who somehow believe it's a Gold perk). Does it happen? Yes, it does. Should it be expected as a status related perk? Not in my book.

my 2 cents.

 

[mviy]

If there are not enough passengers to fill the plane then QF is likely to prioritise leaving spare seats in the middle seat near the front of the economy cabin (but maybe not in the very front row) if a high status passenger is sitting in that row. Whilst it can't be relied on it is nice when it does happen and I have seen it happen a lot of the time when I've been flying, but YMMV.

As I like to sit in row 4 where possible I don't have a spare seat next to me nearly as often as I otherwise might.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Very true, if you travel frequently. But for those paying many dollars just to attain status to get a shower for one or two flights a year???

All these "one or two" things you are highlighting are starting to add up now

 

[Pushka]

If there are not enough passengers to fill the plane then QF is likely to prioritise leaving spare seats in the middle seat near the front of the economy cabin (but maybe not in the very front row) if a high status passenger is sitting in that row. Whilst it can't be relied on it is nice when it does happen and I have seen it happen a lot of the time when I've been flying, but YMMV.

As I like to sit in row 4 where possible I don't have a spare seat next to me nearly as often as I otherwise might.

Your last line is of interest. And I agree. I posted similarly in a FB page and it was suggested that Row 4 rarely had the full Row.

It’s funny. I select window in about Row 7-8 and hope that middle seat sticks. Usually in the aisle is a businessman. I often wonder if he assumes it’s his status that gives the free seat and sometimes the way they take it over I’m sure that’s what they think. I usually don’t do anything with that seat but obviously enjoy the armrest but if aisle starts to plonk all his stuff there I make sure to do something similar. And yes, all an unpublished benefit but something I really like.

 

[boomy]

P1s can request to block the middle seat by calling SST. I never took advantage of that perk myself but know others who do it on regular basis. Since I fly often from same airports staff at lounge will proactively offer to put soft block on the middle seat and usually it sticks.

 

[JohnK]

If there are not enough passengers to fill the plane then QF is likely to prioritise leaving spare seats in the middle seat near the front of the economy cabin (but maybe not in the very front row) if a high status passenger is sitting in that row. Whilst it can't be relied on it is nice when it does happen and I have seen it happen a lot of the time when I've been flying, but YMMV.

I stopped chasing row 4 earlier this year. My experience is more shadows row 6 back and the number of times I have a shadow and row 4 does not is very noticeable.

Also I find that check-in/lounge offers to block seat more often when I am further back.

 

[Pushka]

I stopped chasing row 4 earlier this year. My experience is more shadows row 6 back and the number of times I have a shadow and row 4 does not is very noticeable.

Also I find that check-in/lounge offers to block seat more often when I am further back.

Geez you do my head in sometimes JohnK. . I’ve been saying this is the best approach for flying in yonks and you consistently ‘argued’ that Row 4 is the go.

 

[Sdtravel]

There have been a lot of enhancements over the years. Loss of free exit rows, points devaluation, removal of benefits ect.
Some of the reasons I go for DSC and status (was previously QP member) are similar to what others have mentioned.
F Lounges are a nice place to relax. The times I have been in SYD I have always been able to get a spa spot. But I plan my visits accordingly and ensure I get there extra early. Shower coming off a long haul or even at the end of a day before a night flight is a benefit.
Benefits with alliance partners is great. Free exit on AA meant I was the only one in all 12 overwing exit seats. Got upgraded on CX to Y+ and recently upgraded to J on QF. But those are few and far between. CX will always greet me and if sitting down the very back endure I get my meal choice.
F & other priority checkin meant in KIX I got no line F checkin rather than the incredibly long priority line since everyone on that route seemed to be PS or above.
Priority boarding and luggage is a benefit when it works. Means always have somewhere to put my bag on a full flight. I can be out of the airport faster. Recently I was plane to footpath in 30 min in syd. Rest of people I was with were still at baggage claim.
Not having to wait hours when calling. Although that shouldn't be something that should be an issue in the first place.
Although part of status is just a bragging point to friends. DYKWIA moments when I get special treatment like pre takeoff drinks and handed express cards.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I'm currently LTS after having been WP and SG a couple of years ago when I did a lot of flying for work. I enjoyed the benefits of status very much but as most of our international flying is in J, we get many of the benefits anyway,

However, when flying on a Oneworld Award, we often add a few paid domestic flights at our destination and I was recently reminded of the benefits of status in Lima. This was the check-in area at 0400

Even as a Oneworld Ruby, +1 & I were able to use the Preferente check-in line where we were the only ones. 5 minutes vs 1 hour +?

I did once use a JASA to reach WP for the first time. This year we're doing a semi-status run to NOU but having a week's holiday over there as well. (Was able to combine a previous DSC offer and a sale fare, so too good an opportunity to miss.) Other than those exceptions, I generally chip away at status rather than spend $$$ chasing it.

I agree with many others that it's nice to have and worth spending a little to get you over the line if close to a desired level; but not worth spending big money, especially when you can use points to travel at the pointy end anyway.

 

[JohnK]

Geez you do my head in sometimes JohnK. . I’ve been saying this is the best approach for flying in yonks and you consistently ‘argued’ that Row 4 is the go.

I have obviously seen the light.

 

[docjames]

Agree chances of spare middle Seat on the 737s is best for WP if seated rows 6-8.

 

[Pushka]

I have obviously seen the light.

Well. I must go buy a lottery ticket!

 

[drron]

When I was PS I could often select an aisle seat in row 8 and occasionally row 7.I nearly always got a Silver shadow.

 

[JohnK]

Well. I must go buy a lottery ticket!

Good luck.

There is one minus when you are in rows 9-10 back and that is it takes longer to get out. I must have beendown in 20 something recently and it feeks like an eternity waiting to get out.

 

[DaveB]

I love to travel though has always been leisure based unless you can call attending the odd local or OS conference business travel.
The closest I came to status was years ago reaching QF Silver on JASA's though my two daughters when living at home reached Gold and Platinum buying tickets on points so the four of us could fly together.
We initially just flew QF/One World and recall scheduling often played havoc with our travel plans spending far more time than necessary in lounges and planes unable to fly direct or with poor connections.
We are now able to cover all alliances spread across multiple airlines which has enabled the family now spread around the globe to cut their travel times enormously. I would question chasing status when it starts to impact on my leisure time.

 

[Pfisher004]

P1s can request to block the middle seat by calling SST. I never took advantage of that perk myself but know others who do it on regular basis. Since I fly often from same airports staff at lounge will proactively offer to put soft block on the middle seat and usually it sticks.

I never knew this was possible and or a benefit of P1. Normally fly international in the highest class but economy domestic and rarely have a seat free next to me in 23/4.

 

[boomy]

I never knew this was possible and or a benefit of P1. Normally fly international in the highest class but economy domestic and rarely have a seat free next to me in 23/4.

Yea same here. No shadow issues flying Int and usually row 4 middle seat stays empty unless cabin is full.

 

[Vic]

recently leveraged qantas status to get business on domestic connections to international flights, where only economy was showing on line. Looking at the cost of paying for the domestic flights that comes out as an extra $2000 value for the points used. Thats about equal to what I've spent on not flying direct this year to maintain status level.
The lounge use value is all profit.