The Lifetime Platinum List

[Mickeyc747]

9000?!
Do you have a home?

LOL Yes one in MEL and one in OOL

 

[Sprucegoose]

I'm a bit conflicted on Lifetime Platinum. I have already accumulated more than 50,000 Lifetime Status Credits, so with 75,000 required I'm over two-thirds of the way there. Needing only around 25,000 more makes it a very achievable goal over the next four or five years without having to do anything particularly artificial.

What gives me pause is that I only became a serious Qantas flyer after the collapse of Ansett. Before that, much of my international travel was with Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, which, in my view, offered a significantly better experience than Qantas at the time. Looking back, my loyalty to Qantas was driven as much by market circumstances and the strength of the domestic network as by the airline itself.

Today I find myself asking a similar question. Emirates provides a superior international experience in almost every respect: network, connectivity, lounges, onboard product, service and consistency. The one area where Qantas remains exceptionally strong is its Australian domestic network, and that continues to be a major advantage.

The reality is that I only need another 25,000 or so LTSC to reach Lifetime Platinum, which makes walking away now feel a little irrational. But there is also a more personal consideration. None of us knows when our last flight will be. I've reached a stage where I'm increasingly conscious that travel should be enjoyed, not just optimised around a future status goal. Chasing a benefit that I may eventually enjoy for life has value, but so does choosing the airline and travel experience I genuinely prefer today. It seems like most career driven goals you reach there only to be disappointed by 'more of the same'

That's the dilemma. The rational part of me says I'm close enough to Lifetime Platinum that I should probably finish the journey. The traveller in me says life's too short not to fly the airline that provides the best experience while I still have the opportunity to enjoy it.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

I have been both a LTP and P1 since their respective introductions into the QF FF program. Have just over 120,000 LT SC's. At my peak earnings I was around 12,500 SC's a year fuelled by International travel. These days I am hovering around 4,000 SC's a year from domestic travel and a few international trips into Europe and the US. Post COVID the recognition of P1's has reduced sginificantly. The recognition of LTP's has been non-existant since inception. I am not sure how many LTP's exist but I occasionally see the LTP baggage tag made from an ex QF 744 - VH-OJN.

 

[SydneySwan]

The reality is that I only need another 25,000 or so LTSC to reach Lifetime Platinum,

Only ..... that is well north of my current lifetime total. And I expect the vast majority of AFfers.

 

[Seat0B]

I'm a bit conflicted on Lifetime Platinum. I have already accumulated more than 50,000 Lifetime Status Credits, so with 75,000 required I'm over two-thirds of the way there. Needing only around 25,000 more makes it a very achievable goal over the next four or five years without having to do anything particularly artificial.

What gives me pause is that I only became a serious Qantas flyer after the collapse of Ansett. Before that, much of my international travel was with Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, which, in my view, offered a significantly better experience than Qantas at the time. Looking back, my loyalty to Qantas was driven as much by market circumstances and the strength of the domestic network as by the airline itself.

Today I find myself asking a similar question. Emirates provides a superior international experience in almost every respect: network, connectivity, lounges, onboard product, service and consistency. The one area where Qantas remains exceptionally strong is its Australian domestic network, and that continues to be a major advantage.

The reality is that I only need another 25,000 or so LTSC to reach Lifetime Platinum, which makes walking away now feel a little irrational. But there is also a more personal consideration. None of us knows when our last flight will be. I've reached a stage where I'm increasingly conscious that travel should be enjoyed, not just optimised around a future status goal. Chasing a benefit that I may eventually enjoy for life has value, but so does choosing the airline and travel experience I genuinely prefer today. It seems like most career driven goals you reach there only to be disappointed by 'more of the same'

That's the dilemma. The rational part of me says I'm close enough to Lifetime Platinum that I should probably finish the journey. The traveller in me says life's too short not to fly the airline that provides the best experience while I still have the opportunity to enjoy it.

Well said @Sprucegoose

 

[Sprucegoose]

I have been both a LTP and P1 since their respective introductions into the QF FF program. Have just over 120,000 LT SC's. At my peak earnings I was around 12,500 SC's a year fuelled by International travel. These days I am hovering around 4,000 SC's a year from domestic travel and a few international trips into Europe and the US. Post COVID the recognition of P1's has reduced sginificantly. The recognition of LTP's has been non-existant since inception. I am not sure how many LTP's exist but I occasionally see the LTP baggage tag made from an ex QF 744 - VH-OJN.

Thanks Chris. I think you've captured the issue perfectly.

The remaining 25,000 LTSC required for me is certainly achievable, but it represents a significant amount of travel spend and commitment for very little incremental return along the way. That's what I struggle with.

If Qantas were already the clear winner on route, schedule and product, the decision would be easy. However, when there are often better alternatives available internationally, it's difficult to justify directing that much additional spend towards a goal that may be many years away and offers no meaningful benefits until the finish line.

Lifetime Platinum is undoubtedly valuable once achieved, but the journey to get there feels increasingly like an exercise in deferred gratification.