Qantas Platinum - downgrading 1 tier each year if status not reached?

[cardiology]

Dear All,

I attain Platinum this year and will anticipate that I would only barely meet silver this year. Is it still true that I will be downgraded to Gold (1 tier at a time) next year?

For the 4 minimum eligible flights per year to maintain silver, does each domestic flight counts as 1 eligible flight? e.g. If I fly SYD-MEL return for 2 times, I would have met the requirement?

Many thanks.

 

[jetpack]

You will be downgraded to Gold and there is no need to meet the 4 minimum eligible flight requirement.

 

[serfty]

You will be downgraded to Gold and there is no need to meet the 4 minimum eligible flight requirement.

+1

This is what is called "a Soft Landing".

 

[cardiology]

Great thanks.

 

[mviy]

It would be good if you could do at least one international trip whilst you have Platinum status (if you have no international trips planned you could go on a quick holiday to NZ or Indonesia) to experience the FLounge in MEL or SYD at least once. Seeing you're not expecting to retain WP you could try to do this on points.

If you earn Platinum this membership year you'll keep it till the end of the following membership year.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

You may possibly receive an offer from Qantas to use points to retain Platinum.

Qantas now lets you retain Gold, Platinum status with points - Australian Business Traveller

 

[cardiology]

It would be good if you could do at least one international trip whilst you have Platinum status (if you have no international trips planned you could go on a quick holiday to NZ or Indonesia) to experience the FLounge in MEL or SYD at least once. Seeing you're not expecting to retain WP you could try to do this on points.

If you earn Platinum this membership year you'll keep it till the end of the following membership year.

Thanks for the tip. I did went to the First Lounge in Sydney Int'l, but I think the variety of food in the lounge is less compared to the Business Int'l lounge.

 

[cardiology]

I chat with the Qantas agent online but he said I need to fly 4 eligible flights in order to maintain the status?? I plan to fly on return from SYD to TAS once this year, all the rest of the flights are with non-QF airlines.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I was under the impression the soft landing only applies if you meet the four flights criteria in the preceding year.

For example:
Yr1 you qualify for WP and have made the required 4 flights, you will be WP for remainder of Yr1 and all of Yr2

But in Yr2 if you do not do the miniumm 4 flights then Yr3 will not be a soft landing, you will drop to the default bronze. However if you do the minimum 4 flights but not enough SC's for even Silver, then you'll be soft landed to gold in Yr3.

 

[SeatBackForward]

And also the soft landing is an unpublished benefit I believe. There is nothing that strictly defines this and QF may at their own discretion bump anyone down to any level of you do not meet their criteria.

 

[jetpack]

Wiki - Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options

Can also confirm from personal experience having soft landed from Gold to Silver last year having only flown on 2 SC earning flights.

 

[cardiology]

Thanks, I will make sure I will fly the 4 eligible flights this year then.

 

[sjk]

I was under the impression the soft landing only applies if you meet the four flights criteria in the preceding year.

I have never heard of that being the case in reality.

 

[serfty]

I was under the impression the soft landing only applies if you meet the four flights criteria in the preceding year.
...

SWMBO went from Earned SG to PS, comped PS (old 3yr rule) and Bronze over 4 years without earning a single ~.

 

[juddles]

At least you made the dizzy heights of WP! Congrats and enjoy it!

And IMHO, forget the deals they offer with points to maintain status - not worth it. But each to their own.

I too prefer the business lounge, but that is a self-pour, personal problem.....

 

[SeatBackForward]

Thanks, I will make sure I will fly the 4 eligible flights this year then.

The feedback appears to be that you don't need to do such.

 

[SeatBackForward]

SWMBO went from Earned SG to PS, comped PS (old 3yr rule) and Bronze over 4 years without earning a single ~.

Is the 3yr average rule still a thing?

 

[serfty]

Is the 3yr average rule still a thing?

I doubt it ... this was four years ago and we were surprised at the comp. On reflection over the prior three years she had earned 4 times the SC's for PS.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I doubt it ... this was four years ago and we were surprised at the comp. On reflection over the prior three years she had earned 4 times the SC's for PS.

That's the thing about unpublished benefits, they giveth, they taketh and we just have to be thankful if it ever worked in our favour.

I've never been comped WP despite twice having the three year average that should've "qualified".

 

[juddles]

Forget "status". Forget "comping". What do you get? I often fly J long haul on a route that is offered with another company and QF. Zero difference in experience on board, over many. many flights. The onboard staff appear unaware of any difference. So why bother?

Edit: I travel as a P1 super-elite - and it is no different onboard. I get teh same treatment when I fly on another airline's status. Or no status in J.