Using points to retain Platinum ...

[cmon0005]

Well done, cmon005. Can you clarify, were you given 2 offers. One months ago (if so, what were the conditions of that) and one being the 100,000 points to buy status?

keen to know as I'll probably be in a similar situation in 11 months.

I called them probably 3 months out and said due to certain circumstances I probably won't make it to 1200 and whether they could potentially renew me and if so what was the magic 'number' considering for at least 3 years of being WP exceeded the 1200 and in one year got 1600 SC's, I was given a 3 years average SC number and said as long as I could make it to this then I would be retained, I asked the person to note our conversation.

About 5 weeks before my platinum expiry I got a call about a trial where I would be retained for 120k points (that's right 120 not 100) I politely declined.

Come status review time, ie about a month before I was not automatically retained even though I had met the figure I was quoted months earlier.

When I called to enquire about this I was told that I had declined the points option and there is no other option available now. I asked them to investigate and look into the notes of what was offered to me months before. It was confirmed that a note was left and as such they would honour the offer and my WP was reinstated.

 

[Assassin]

I have a dilemma related to this topic. My membership year ends on 30 June. I am currently on 950 SCs and I have a SYD-JNB flight on 24 June in J which will net me 160SC. I can also claim another 50SCs through status bonus, so that would take me to 1160SCs. Last year I had 1270 SCs and the year before over 2000.

What are the chances now of being comped my WP renewal? I could do a status run but to get the last 40 but am running out of time to do so. Also, the cost of this would be far less than 100,000 points, which seems to be the renewal price.

I didn't think I would end up in this position but had to pull out of a work trip to China as I injured my knee and required surgery.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[11sjw]

I have a dilemma related to this topic. My membership year ends on 30 June. I am currently on 950 SCs and I have a SYD-JNB flight on 24 June in J which will net me 160SC. I can also claim another 50SCs through status bonus, so that would take me to 1160SCs. Last year I had 1270 SCs and the year before over 2000.

What are the chances now of being comped my WP renewal? I could do a status run but to get the last 40 but am running out of time to do so. Also, the cost of this would be far less than 100,000 points, which seems to be the renewal price.

I didn't think I would end up in this position but had to pull out of a work trip to China as I injured my knee and required surgery.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Status run for the 40 as it won't cost much. Keep the potential freebie for another time.

 

[mviy]

I agree. I'd do the run. A flex economy return trip to MEL or BNE ought to do it or perhaps a longer return trip somewhere discount economy. Also look into indirect options perhaps. You could consider going away for the weekend somewhere.

 

[nutwood]

I'd try a phone call before the status run. Good customer, physical injury? Depends how you see the future but I would expect them to look after you. If you reckon you're going to need favours in the future, keep it simple and do a status run.

 

[mviy]

Well some AFF members e.g. Pushka(?), I think have had a bad experience trying to get comped despite having to cancel a trip that would've retained/obtained status due to health reasons. I wouldn't risk it when you're this close.

 

[Assassin]

Thanks all. I don't really have the time for a status run, which is why I am asking... I have the return flights from JNB locked in for July (c. 200SC), a work conference in Europe in October and some family travel over Xmas booked during the DSC offer so I suspect will easily make Platinum next year... I might try and call tomorrow and see what they say...

Edit: I can fly SYD-OOL return this Sunday for $498 Flex. That seems to be the cheapest option given time constraints...

 

[serfty]

If you are going to be comped you would know within a week or so.

There are recent reports of QFF offering status buy ups to members who just missed out for significant numbers of points. See post #121.

I have seen suggestions the three year rule might no longer apply.

 

[nutwood]

I'd still suggest a phone call is the cheapest option. Ask the question, plead the case. 1160/1200 when you've had to cancel a trip due to medical reasons?
Mind you, nothing like the alternative approach; an excuse for a trip that you wouldn't have taken otherwise so have some fun.

 

[mviy]

Future travel bookings showing some loyalty certainly can't hurt.

Maybe I'm risk averse but I'd do the return trip to OOL. WP is worth a lot more to me than five hundred bucks.

Flights to airports like OOL and CNS certainly can offer very good value. Personally I prefer to fly to CNS but it is further and more expensive.

 

[cmon0005]

I have seen suggestions the three year rule might no longer apply.

From my experience it's either completely gone or has been severely tightened 'enhanced'. However for 40SC I would hope QFF would just renew without question.
Interested to see how this one goes.

 

[Assassin]

So I called Qantas and the lady I spoke to told me that she "expects that the WP renewal will just go through, but it won't be confirmed until the 3rd or 4th of July"... I asked her what was her basis for saying this and she said "based on the level of flying you have done and that you have maintained platinum for the last 7 years without assistance [which I didn't know]".

I asked her if her expectations were ever wrong and she said, basically no.

I think a status run will kill me, so I am going to run the gauntlet and see what happens....

 

[Danger]

Perhaps the most recent discussion could be moved to this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....program/those-who-have-been-comped-62074.html.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

I was just offered (by phone today) 70SC to retain WP for 120,000 points..
Probably easiest thing to do is take it.. I have plenty of points and not much time...

 

[RichardMEL]

I was just offered (by phone today) 70SC to retain WP for 120,000 points..
Probably easiest thing to do is take it.. I have plenty of points and not much time...

Yikes. Did they call you or did you contact them?

assuming your anniversary date is 30SEP that gives still over a week and 70SC is not that difficult to get. I'd probably try and fly it but I realise the ease of doing the 120k points. Seems like a heck of a big price for only 70SC though.

thanks for the data point!

 

[mviy]

I was just offered (by phone today) 70SC to retain WP for 120,000 points..
Probably easiest thing to do is take it.. I have plenty of points and not much time...

Nice. If I was offered that I would take it. In any case I should retain WP early in my new membership year so I won’t have to think about this for a while.

You can get 120,000 points from a couple of credit card sign up bonuses so you can replace those points easily.

The two cards I’ve got now will give me nearly 200,000 points (when you include the regular spend earn to get the sign up bonus and bonus points for spend on select QANTAS products and services).

Edit: Oh is that 70 SC away from retaining WP? If that’s the case I misread it as you’d only got 70 SC of the 1200 needed normally this year.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Yikes. Did they call you or did you contact them?

assuming your anniversary date is 30SEP that gives still over a week and 70SC is not that difficult to get. I'd probably try and fly it but I realise the ease of doing the 120k points. Seems like a heck of a big price for only 70SC though.

thanks for the data point!

They called me.. and knew exactly my points balance and bookings..
Yes I thought it was excessive also... but I am flying home today and am looking forward to the 5 days without travel..
Time poor, points rich.. think my decision has been made...
Just disappointing after holding WP for about 10 years..

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Edit: Oh is that 70 SC away from retaining WP? If that’s the case I misread it as you’d only got 70 SC of the 1200 needed normally this year.

I'll have 1130 SC at 30 September.. so I am paying 120,000 points for the 70 SC I am missing...

 

[mviy]

What’s your 3 year average like (excluding DSC and loyalty bonuses)? Is that over 1200 SC? If so, perhaps ring them up and see if you can get a comp without needing to part with any points. If they won’t budge then agree to spend the points.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

What’s your 3 year average like (excluding DSC and loyalty bonuses)? Is that over 1200 SC? If so, perhaps ring them up and see if you can get a comp without needing to part with any points. If they won’t budge then agree to spend the points.

Not sure.. but a great tip.. When they ring again I'll ask them about it