Whats the point of Platinum?

[bean]

I know this has been touched on before but I'm struggling to see the real benefit of striving for platinum. Besides row 3 (nice but not a huge win) I cant really see the point? Sure you get the 4 upgrades but they are from flexis, so if for example me and the better half were to use them for a upgrade transcon we would be up for around $2k in airfares just so we could have the privilege of using the upgrades.

When you can upgrade for 9,900 points it seems to me that all platinum gives you is a nice grey card and effectively 40,000 points. Or am I missing something? Do platinum's perhaps get gifted random upgrades etc?

 

[madmouse58]

so you have more status match options...

 

[Denali]

Platinum gave us HHonor Diamond (eventually), which has been a nice perk for lounge access and room upgrade.

With the new price structure, I havent found a good deal to buy flexi (or whatever the hell its called these days) and use the upgrades.

 

[ozjuice]

I have to agree that there really isn't much at all worth the extra except maybe the HHonours and the additional points. I'm at the point where i won't requalify due to rewards flights booked next year and will drop to Gold. Any points i do earn this next 12 months will be better going to my wife, maybe she can get Gold, but other than that SC's are useless to me really for atleast 12 months.

 

[ozjuice]

so you have more status match options...

Do you have any good examples of any that work? I tried with Emirates only to be offered one step up from Blue if i had flights booked with them. Not really much use.

 

[madmouse58]

I've seen a few. Currently I've got a corporate one (which I haven't done) with united, where VA Silver/Gold is matched into silver with United, and Platinum is matched into Gold.

 

[Muppet501st]

Don't forget the 3 guests spots into a VA lounge. That's about it.
Hardly worth keeping WP, I was hoping for some extra WP loving with the other recent enhancements

 

[Warks]

Row 3 on the 737...

 

[Marty_]

Row 3 is a big deal for me. Partly because I am 6'8".

IHG plainum is nice. Lots of room upgrades and good treatment @ Intercontinental.

I have also found that I get treated exceptionally well. Status has really helped me out in a few tough situations.

 

[frequentflyer]

Agree with OP - Flexi fares costs 2-3x more than the saver fare, which renders the platinum upgrade benefit useless.

This is further compounded by the fact that Qantas platinum's get access to first class lounges and a wider range of airline partners to redeem from - many of which Virgin and its partners do not operate on.

I would suggest for those dedicated to Virgin to fly enough to get gold and then moving all flights to Qantas.

 

[sausagefingers]

Is row 3 WP only? I fly with my GM and a lot of the time he finds his way into Row3 with me and he is Gold.
I should point out though, I am using one of my 4 upgrades Perth-Melbourne on Thursday morning, in this case the flexi wasn't much more than the cheapest option (getaway sold out on that flight).
We don't really have a BFOTD policy, My employer wants to ensure we all reach Gold as minimum and to ensure we travel as comfortable as possible where cost effective, but I understand many employers are not sure flexible.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

I've wondering right now whether to bother requalifying for platinum or trying to move up elsewhere instead... the only real benefits I find that are of use are:

• Row 3
• EY AUH first lounge
• 3 guests in the lounge
• 14% more points earned from flying than gold

Am I forgetting anything? There's nothing else that you get as a gold that spending some points won't make up for?

 

[24601]

The nice bright reverse-side of the bad tags has to be the clincher. But yeah, it isn't that special really.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I've wondering right now whether to bother requalifying for platinum or trying to move up elsewhere instead... the only real benefits I find that are of use are:

• Row 3
• EY AUH first lounge
• 3 guests in the lounge
• 14% more points earned from flying than gold

Am I forgetting anything? There's nothing else that you get as a gold that spending some points won't make up for?

no, not forgetting anything..

 

[Muppet501st]

no, not forgetting anything..

Star alliance first lounge at TBIT, well only for another few months until the new DL lounge is open
3 checked in baggage allowance.

 

[Boof1]

With the new price structure, I havent found a good deal to buy flexi (or whatever the hell its called these days) and use the upgrades.

I agree Denali, but I can shed some light on this thanks to the portal we use for business bookings. When the fare structure changed from the two types of Y (Saver and Flexi) to the three types (Getaway, Elevate, & Freedom) the fare buckets at the lower end were split between Getaway and Elevate, but the price points at the upper end of Elevate were increased to the lowest of the old Flexi's. It was a price rise by stealth.

On many routes the Flexi price point started at $229 in the old structure, new structure starts at $299. A good deal is Trans Tasman freedom's which platinum upgrades can be used for as sometimes these are not a lot more than getaway.

Cheers,
Boof

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Star alliance first lounge at TBIT, well only for another few months until the new DL lounge is open
3 checked in baggage allowance.

Yes Muppet501st, it was a little tongue in cheek

I almost always travel light so for my use, the 3 bags is not really a big deal and not overly important. A benefit never the less

and I have see a number of comments on AFF from those with access to F lounge TBIT that they in fact prefer the J lounge for varied reasons..

 

[Daver6]

Wasn't something mentioned a few months ago that VA was looking to enhance (in the real sense) WP?

 

[ozjuice]

Wasn't something mentioned a few months ago that VA was looking to enhance (in the real sense) WP?

We Can only hope!

 

[Denali]

.....
and I have see a number of comments on AFF from those with access to F lounge TBIT that they in fact prefer the J lounge for varied reasons..

My thoughts are the problem with the "F" lounge is the low ceilings and sterile decor makes it like a waiting room with food service. Its private but as soon as Ive eaten, Im out in the J lounge as I really like the outside deck.

Im not fighting the lounge guards to get into the F lounge at LAX.