How much better is Qantas Platinum than Gold?

[coolumbla]

got my replacemnt plat card today

3 days from request to arrival
It seems now im PG that teh phone service has improved
Mrs c gold card is expedited and on its way by courier(which im paying for!)

I might fly some other airlines next year and still keep my plat status!

I think its worth keeping for those "little" things

 

[JohnK]

Mrsdrron got her platinum card today and was not impressed by it-more a dark dirty brown were her words.Much prefers the look of the gold card or her AA plat card.

Typical woman. If it does not look good it cannot be important.

got my replacemnt plat card today

3 days from request to arrival

Somehow I still have the Platinum card that expires May 09. I keep forgetting to ask for another one.

I might fly some other airlines next year and still keep my plat status!

I think its worth keeping for those "little" things

I am definitely flying other airlines next year and lounge access would be very nice if it is only going to cost ~AUD2000 to maintain QF Platinum status.

 

[meloz]

I am definitely flying other airlines next year and lounge access would be very nice if it is only going to cost ~AUD2000 to maintain QF Platinum status.

The ability to access lounges when flying "kick a tin along airways" is definately pleasant, but seriously, how many of these flights would it take you to justify spending an additional $2,000 in a year just for the sake of status and lounge access?

Meloz

 

[NM]

The ability to access lounges when flying "kick a tin along airways" is definately pleasant, but seriously, how many of these flights would it take you to justify spending an additional $2,000 in a year just for the sake of status and lounge access?

Meloz

I certainly have better things to spend $2000 on than gaining lounge access . But each to their own.

 

[serfty]

The ability to access lounges when flying "kick a tin along airways" is definately pleasant, but seriously, how many of these flights would it take you to justify spending an additional $2,000 in a year just for the sake of status and lounge access?

Meloz

I certainly have better things to spend $2000 on than gaining lounge access . But each to their own.

Perhaps it best to review this thread rather than concentrate on one perk. There's a lot more to WP over SG than simple "anytime lounge" access.

Of course, ANY such status is worthless unless one is flying.

 

[NM]

I am definitely flying other airlines next year and lounge access would be very nice if it is only going to cost ~AUD2000 to maintain QF Platinum status.

Perhaps it best to review this thread rather than concentrate on one perk. There's a lot more to WP over SG than simple "anytime lounge" access.

Of course, ANY such status is worthless unless one is flying.

Indeed there are more benefits other than lounge access. But the discussion of spending $2000 seemed specific to lounge access when flying non-OneWorld airlines.

Even with all the benefits of Qantas Platinum Status (over Gold Status), I would not consider spending anywhere near $2000 to maintain it. In fact, if I doubt I would consider spending more than $200. But that is me and I understand others place a different value on these things, which is perfectly ok.

 

[Dave Noble]

Even with all the benefits of Qantas Platinum Status (over Gold Status), I would not consider spending anywhere near $2000 to maintain it. In fact, if I doubt I would consider spending more than $200. But that is me and I understand others place a different value on these things, which is perfectly ok.

I would be about with you on that; $200 may be worth paying for the extra benefits but beyond that would seem cuckoo to me. The jump from silver to gold is worth a bit due to the lounge access but the additional benefits of platinum over gold are fairly small imo

$2000 I could put to far far better use

Dave

 

[drron]

Well my job this weekend is cleaning out our storage cupboard.Came across the nice leather travel wallet that came with the Life Membership kit of Golden Wings-sigh.

 

[ejb]

Well my job this weekend is cleaning out our storage cupboard.Came across the nice leather travel wallet that came with the Life Membership kit of Golden Wings-sigh.

Methinks drron needs to clean more often.

ejb

 

[jamesatfish]

Even with all the benefits of Qantas Platinum Status (over Gold Status), I would not consider spending anywhere near $2000 to maintain it. In fact, if I doubt I would consider spending more than $200. But that is me and I understand others place a different value on these things, which is perfectly ok.

Being WP allows me to book short-notice (less than 1 month pre-flight) RTW F tickets where there were no award flights otherwise available. Basically that means that my wife can join me on 2-3 week business trips, in the same cabin, for about $700 worth of taxes versus a $14,000 AONE4 ticket. That benefit for me is obviously worth well in excess of $2,000.

As you say - each person sees the benefits differently.

 

[ejb]

Being WP allows me to book short-notice (less than 1 month pre-flight) RTW F tickets where there were no award flights otherwise available. Basically that means that my wife can join me on 2-3 week business trips, in the same cabin, for about $700 worth of taxes versus a $14,000 AONE4 ticket. That benefit for me is obviously worth well in excess of $2,000.

As you say - each person sees the benefits differently.

I also value WP highly as it allows me to get FF flights within a week domestically on the flights I want.

ejb

 

[straitman]

Interesting to look at the responses here. Those who say it is not worth the extra $$$$ are those who have lounge access as a result of previous flying and those who think the extra $$$$ are worth it are those who, for want of a better term are chasing that access.

I understand where you are all coming from, though I'm not sure some of those posting do :!:

The furtherest I have ever chased status is by altering previous plans and changing travel dates or routings to get the extra benefits.

 

[serfty]

... Those who say it is not worth the extra $$$$ are those who have lounge access as a result of previous flying and those who think the extra $$$$ are worth it are those who, for want of a better term are chasing that access. ...

That may be the case in general, but I have LTG - so already have that ongoing access.

I have deemed that with my travel patterns, 2100 SC's for PG gets me the best benefit, so that's my current annual target.

Beyond that, I am pursuing *G (via AirNZ).

 

[JohnK]

The ability to access lounges when flying "kick a tin along airways" is definately pleasant, but seriously, how many of these flights would it take you to justify spending an additional $2,000 in a year just for the sake of status and lounge access?

Spending ~$2000 to attain Platinum status is but a drop in the ocean and certainly comes in handy when I travel to SE Asia 3-4 times a year plus countless el-cheapo domestic flights that end up gettng me nowhere in the grand scheme of things.

 

[serfty]

Indeed there are more benefits other than lounge access. But the discussion of spending $2000 seemed specific to lounge access when flying non-OneWorld airlines. ...

I guess said discussion in relation to $2000 expenditure is OT.

The the OP is SG and asked if was worth attaining another 30 SC's for WP.

The general consensus to that appears to be YES.

 

[meloz]

Well I'm plat and pay for my own airfares. Thank you for providing the number of lounge visits. The bottom line is way outside what I would pay for a few lounge visits. Have you considered using 3rd party lounges? It would make more economical sense.

Meloz

 

[Grooba]

The the OP is SG and asked if was worth attaining another 30 SC's for WP.

The general consensus to that appears to be YES.

100% correct.

Anyone that was 30SC off WP and didn't invest the measly few $$ it would cost for 30SC is crazy.

 

[oz_mark]

Certainly if I was 30SC short, I'd probably seriously think about it. Actually, I have seriously thought about it before (but got a comp instead, which may have been a waste of a comp but what the heck)

 

[NM]

Being WP allows me to book short-notice (less than 1 month pre-flight) RTW F tickets where there were no award flights otherwise available. Basically that means that my wife can join me on 2-3 week business trips, in the same cabin, for about $700 worth of taxes versus a $14,000 AONE4 ticket. That benefit for me is obviously worth well in excess of $2,000.

As you say - each person sees the benefits differently.

You note that the benefit is "worth well in excess of $2,000" to you. But I ask the question - would you spend $2000 of your own money to retain Platinum status for the benefits? Or as was noted in previous posts, for the benefit of obtaining Qantas Club lounge access when flying non-OneWorld airlines?

 

[JohnK]

Well I'm plat and pay for my own airfares. Thank you for providing the number of lounge visits. The bottom line is way outside what I would pay for a few lounge visits. Have you considered using 3rd party lounges? It would make more economical sense.

It is not an easy question to answer.

As well as the flights to SE Asia each year at the moment I am commuting SYD-BNE >36 weeks/year. I would more than likely make Gold status but I enjoy the benefits that come with Platinum status especially being able to sit in the first row of economy more often than not. Platinum status also gives me the option to travel DJ more often domestically and also use up Amex MR points for travel to SE Asia.

Some people may consider ~AUD2000 over the top to gain status but I feel it is justified and I think I am the only person I need to convince. I do not go out spending money on designer clothes, I feel comfortable staying in cheap hotel rooms and I try to save money on airfares where possible by booking early or when they are on special. And I have treated myself to 3 status runs next month which should end up being fun if everything goes according to plan....