Should I jump ship to Qantas?

[Spacetravel]

Hi AFF,

I usually spend my days in the VA section as I have flown exclusively with VA my entire life (couple times Ansett as a kid).

Currently VA platinum leisure flyer. With recent VA "enhancements" and just sick and tired of lack of network/ poor recognition when flying with partner airlines I've been looking for greener pastures.

I've been tossing around in my head for a few months if I should make the switch or not. Considering doing a status challenge to Platinum and test the waters.

I've done the on paper comparison and it will cost me more to maintain status with Qantas, Qantas points also are harder to obtain and require more points to use. Also most likely after the year of platinum i'll drop to gold where I'll stay unless something changes.

The main reason I want to change is I feel is you get what you pay for especially lately, VA cheaper = less of a network and inconstant experience. QF more expensive "premium" = things are better, tier benefits are more consistent etc.

Basically I am asking, what is life like as a QF platinum/ gold is the grass greener on the other side? Or would I be better off holding on to my VA platinum.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Hi AFF,

I usually spend my days in the VA section as I have flown exclusively with VA my entire life (couple times Ansett as a kid).

Currently VA platinum leisure flyer. With recent VA "enhancements" and just sick and tired of lack of network/ poor recognition when flying with partner airlines I've been looking for greener pastures.

I've been tossing around in my head for a few months if I should make the switch or not. Considering doing a status challenge to Platinum and test the waters.

I've done the on paper comparison and it will cost me more to maintain status with Qantas, Qantas points also are harder to obtain and require more points to use. Also most likely after the year of platinum i'll drop to gold where I'll stay unless something changes.

The main reason I want to change is I feel is you get what you pay for especially lately, VA cheaper = less of a network and inconstant experience. QF more expensive "premium" = things are better, tier benefits are more consistent etc.

Basically I am asking, what is life like as a QF platinum/ gold is the grass greener on the other side? Or would I be better off holding on to my VA platinum.

A few notes:

1\ Unless you fly on dirt cheap economy domestic fares, the "enhancements" last year will only POSITIVELY affect you.
2\ News flash: Poor recognition happens on every airline, in every alliance. Some airlines are just better at maintaining a standard.
3\ VA Plat is equivalent to QF Gold (in terms of 'status earning power' per segment). In this sense, it will be harder and more expensive to obtain QF Platinum than VA Platinum as you have pointed out.
4\ The grass is only greener if you travel internationally where Oneworld has hubs, otherwise, you'll feel even less valued as a QF Gold on domestic flights because half the plane has status higher than you on every flight.

Air travel sucks, especially on narrow body aircraft. Changing airlines won't improve this!

PS: Scroll to the bottom of this page: https://www.traveldatadaily.com/velocity-frequent-flyer-program-updates/
There is a link to a calculator which shows you Velocity versus Qantas status earning in a visual and easy to understand manner so you can accurately compare the two programs.

 

[mviy]

We have a thread here where P1 (Platinum One) QFF recount stories of inconsistent service and they fly at least three times the amount required to retain WP on QF.

If you have many years of work travel ahead e.g. about 24 just scraping into SG level or 12 scraping into WP then LTG (Lifetime Gold) on QF may be achievable. This is one of the attractions of flying QF as VA doesn't offer Lifetime Status. If work flights can pay for a high portion of your cost to get lifetime QANTAS Club lounge access and international Business lounge access when flying on the OneWorld network that's fantastic. It does require a lot of flying so may not be achievable.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I would agree with much of what trippin says.
Much harder to maintain Platinum on QF and Plat on VA would still be better than Gold on QF.
However, my experience as a Plat on both VA and QF is that QF is much, much better at looking after their elite tiers. Given that much of my travel is international the benefits of OW are superior to that offered by VA and their complicated partner arrangements which seem to change Lounge access arrangements on a weekly basis.

 

[JohnK]

The grass can sometimes be greener on the other side.

VA has some quite good cheap last minute airfares.

I'm happy with Qantas Platinum but service is not always consistent. And just because someone gets treated in a specific way doesn't mean the same will happen to everyone.

The sweet spot for me is QF Platinum and VA Gold. This way I'm able to choose cheaper airfares where necessary.

 

[GDSman]

Lots of good points. LTG is important to me as I can be flexible about my choices now knowing I won't go down in status...but always have that lounge access if I want it. I fly a lot of VA domestic and find them generally good but the moment it's international I'm typically over to QF. So for me the choice would depend on dom v int, frequency and also how well your most frequently flown routes are serviced...living in HBA that can be a deciding factor.

 

[NZflygirl]

Hi AFF,

I usually spend my days in the VA section as I have flown exclusively with VA my entire life (couple times Ansett as a kid).

Currently VA platinum leisure flyer. With recent VA "enhancements" and just sick and tired of lack of network/ poor recognition when flying with partner airlines I've been looking for greener pastures.

I've been tossing around in my head for a few months if I should make the switch or not. Considering doing a status challenge to Platinum and test the waters.

I've done the on paper comparison and it will cost me more to maintain status with Qantas, Qantas points also are harder to obtain and require more points to use. Also most likely after the year of platinum i'll drop to gold where I'll stay unless something changes.

The main reason I want to change is I feel is you get what you pay for especially lately, VA cheaper = less of a network and inconstant experience. QF more expensive "premium" = things are better, tier benefits are more consistent etc.

Basically I am asking, what is life like as a QF platinum/ gold is the grass greener on the other side? Or would I be better off holding on to my VA platinum.

If you want to spend the $$ then totally your choice. I do think that for this yr and last yr's DSC you can certainly earn platinum or gold for decent coin but that would involve a decent amount of planning rather than booking QF at a leisurely pace in keeping with general travel patterns - unless you just buy those vouchers it seems then use it for confirmed travel later. I don't know how many VA platinums were given QF platinum vs gold challenges. The challenges as far as I know are something offered. Not something you get to choose or ask for a platinum challenge. No harm in asking though.

Quite often flights I've booked are similarly priced on QF and VA so I'm not sure about the 'you get what you pay for' thing.
- network wise yeah VA are a pain in the backside. If your travel patterns are stable eg fixed work visits you learn what you can and can't do but adding in leisure it just depends on where you go and then figuring out what's allowed. It really shouldn't be that way.
- In terms of HVC special "hi mr/miss/mrs etc HVC" uh.... QF and VA seem comparable. I fly QF a bit more and I think I receive more "hi's" but I think it's just due to numbers.
- VA only has an app for apple, although my android QF app generally tells me I have zero trips and am Bronze.
- I buy VA's cheap cheap fares so the sc thing stinks a bit but overall doesn't affect me much but something to take into consideration if this is mainly what you buy.
- on board - I prefer VA's ATR's over QF's 400's and VA's Embraers over QFs B717 although it's sort of close, 737 are pretty comparable and of late I'm thinking I prefer VA's row 3 vs QF row 4. A330's I think they're a fairly comparable ride. A330 J I'm happy with both - they're pretty cool BUT with VA I'd be way more worried about subs for a 737. If I was going to use those platinum upgrades at all it would be for an A330 but I just don't think the risk is worth it for getting a sub! TT I guess seems a possibly safer bet but it's still a short hop! With VA taking away another A330 for HKG or 2 I'm starting to doubt even flying the NZ/VA combo AKL-MEL-PER. Such a come down on the 737 (mind you that's for both QF and VA).
- I don't have any international experience to really share but looking at you tube pics I'd go VA's 777 J to LAX over QF's current offerings. I don't have an opinion on PE.
- Food wise I generally prefer QF domestic (as that's generally where I fly these 2 carriers). I don't care if it's served in a box - but I've had some surprisingly tasty options which may even beat out some of their lounge offerings!

I have to admit I've had WAY more cough experiences with VA than QF which is why it ranks way below IMO. It used to be 50-50 chance of all processes going smoothly and it has gone up to maybe 60% ok and 40% something going wrong but that's damn high IMO and comparison to other carriers.

- Chasing points etc with VA is a friggin headache and I hate it. It's the one time I go - "oh I should have kept that receipt". I now keep all boarding passes until posted - friggin annoying. I've had my partner's BA flight not post to QF but that's it with QF - literally everything else has posted including dinner bookings whereas VA has gone AWOL at times!! I really hate keeping track - I want seamless in terms of experience.

QF plat gets you the dom J and int F lounges - whether it's worth it depends on how often you're going to use them. Maybe some priority phone time but seriously if I'm calling an airline it's during my down time and on speaker phone so I can continue on with something else - I never expect either to be quick although QF may be a bit quicker. My general take on onboard service and lounges is that - a restaurant is generally better so take what you can get and eat well either prior to departure or after landing. Dom lounges I rank QF above VA.

I can't really speak for redemptions as I'm pretty one eyed with VA going to SQ KF accounts only. QF I've upgraded x2 ever domestically transcon. I'd like to use them for international upgrade travel but I'm not sure what the likelihood of those coming through are even if I maximize by travelling mid week off peak! Taxes I read are disastrous so I'm left going - what's the point??? (Ok I still aim to accrue in hope of some good use - maybe those RTW tickets - I probably need to get to an AFF party so someone can bat me in the right direction).

At the end of the day I still need to fly someone and what matters to me most is a good website and airport experience with a good contact centre. QF comes out on top for me.

Um - have you ever thought of buying QF club via the AFF discount? And maybe you can maintain VA Gold with family pooling or soft landing with remaining funds going to paying for QF? That way you can fly best fare and not be concerned about checking in and lounge experience??? etc. Take a yr to assess (via QC or challenge).

I really don't think I recommend sticking with one airline for loyalty unless you've tried all there is to fly and are happy with services and have a preference for the overall experience with one airline. Just my 2 cents.

 

[RichardMEL]

I'd not heard that QF offered a PLAT challenge. The "200 SC's" Gold challenge is known about.....

Everyone's objectives and values will be different so really it's going to be pretty hard for anyon else to figure out what is going to be best. in my view anyway.

 

[NZflygirl]

I'd not heard that QF offered a PLAT challenge. The "200 SC's" Gold challenge is known about.....

Everyone's objectives and values will be different so really it's going to be pretty hard for anyon else to figure out what is going to be best. in my view anyway.

They do but as far as I know it's totally up to them what they offer gold vs plat. But no harm in asking - gotta push the boundaries

 

[Luke B]

They do but as far as I know it's totally up to them what they offer gold vs plat. But no harm in asking - gotta push the boundaries

I queried that a couple days ago and was told they don't do platinum challenges anymore, however I did get the 200sc challenge for Gold which will see me attain it in April.

 

[NZflygirl]

I queried that a couple days ago and was told they don't do platinum challenges anymore, however I did get the 200sc challenge for Gold which will see me attain it in April.

My suspicions are your activity statement may help them decide in whether to offer you a gold or platinum challenge. I do not think VA plat = QF plat. I asked for gold and received platinum. My experience may be out of date. My request was from NZ.

VA plat is a lot easier to hit than QF regardless of family pooling or solo flying. However the benefits (for me), I don't rank much.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Lots of plusses with QF. But aslo plusses with VA.
Major point in my case, with QF on top is the QF SC earn on whY fare, the QF SC earn is still 10. With VA, the cheaper fares got down to a VA SC earn of only 5! So its harder to get status with VA, even if the FB tie in gives 120 VA SC a year, thats only half the need for PS. If you always fly flexJ, then VA is the one to go for, but if you fly Y, then QF is the one to go for.
With the tie in with VA and (A)NZ, a lot of flights TT get a 320, with no J class, where as with QF, they still do have a J class.
With VA, if you own your own place, and have electricity with AGL, you get bonus FB points, that can be transferred to VA as VFF points. There is also the bonus with Energy Australia and VFF to consider, that will give you more VFF points, that can reduce fares. Don't think that QF have any energy liaisons nowadays.
Its easier to earn VFF points with FB, than with QF and WWR, with FB, you get a bonus 1000/1500 points that can be transferredd VFF. With WWR and QF, its a slow long hard road to earn WWR to transfer to QFF.
With VFF, you can transfer points from VFF points to SQ and SQ points to VFF points.
Unless you can get a status match with QF, I think its best to stick to VA/VFF, otherwise you have to start with QF from the bottom up. A long hard road in this case.
As for me, I have one paw in VA/VFF and another paw in QF.

 

[bsb]

I'm not making a value judgement about either alliance, but an observation that OW has some spectacular Flounges in their network starting with SYD MEL. Fly QR F and the Flounge in DOH is amazing. Just saying...

 

[NZflygirl]

I'm not making a value judgement about either alliance, but an observation that OW has some spectacular Flounges in their network starting with SYD MEL. Fly QR F and the Flounge in DOH is amazing. Just saying...

F lounge DOHA is one of those where someone needs to have paid for F or at least have an award booking in F so not quite a fair comparison. QR is one of those airlines where it matters which cabin you're flying whether F or J to get into the premium lounges. Doesn't matter how you got there.

 

[RichardMEL]

F lounge DOHA is one of those where someone needs to have paid for F or at least have an award booking in F so not quite a fair comparison. QR is one of those airlines where it matters which cabin you're flying whether F or J to get into the premium lounges. Doesn't matter how you got there.

SQ does similar in SIN though with F lounge and TPR vs where *G's go or even F on Alliance carriers (and LH do that too in FRA/MUC)

 

[bsb]

F lounge DOHA is one of those where someone needs to have paid for F or at least have an award booking in F so not quite a fair comparison. QR is one of those airlines where it matters which cabin you're flying whether F or J to get into the premium lounges. Doesn't matter how you got there.

NZflygirl I DID say you need to be flying QR F and yes it is a fair comparison because if the OP is switching alliances, they will have the opportunity to experience this. Please read posts properly and think about what people's intent is before you jump in a add a statement that is boring and ill considered.

 

[serfty]

Of course there's an Flounge at AUH that VA WP have access to.

 

[ajw373]

NZflygirl I DID say you need to be flying QR F and yes it is a fair comparison because if the OP is switching alliances, they will have the opportunity to experience this. Please read posts properly and think about what people's intent is before you jump in a add a statement that is boring and ill considered.

As you said to get access in DOH you need to be flying in F. In which case totally irrelevant to this discussion as OW status isn't coming into play. The customer could be VA platinum for all it matters.

But yes there are some good OneWorld lounges that Emeralds can access.

 

[Spacetravel]

Thanks for all the tips so far, certainly given me a lot to think about and more in site.
Just to clear things up in regards to the recent VA 'enhancements' I haven't been happy about are more to do with the musical lounges and loss of Virgin America, which I use heavily. Along with the shafting of cheap fares which wasn't fun. I used to have the virgin money credit card with 2 for 1 flights. That was the best. All that is gone now.

In regards to the status recognition, I didn't mean when they are nice to you on the flight more just my experience when flying on a virgin partner, when things hit the fan the partner airline doesn't care about you and you are treated like any no status Y PAX. I've been in some pretty poor situations on partner networks and left high and dry a few times when you need help the most.

Basically what I got from this thread so far:

QF Plat > VA Plat > QF Gold is the order in where everything fits, and if unable to maintain QF plat its better to stick with VA plat. I'm still reading and considering options though.

 

[katiebell]

Do bear in mind that whatever the status offerings are today, the airline will degrade them over time. Since attaining WP there have been no increases in the benefits I can access, just a lot of things taken away. Reports of the same things happening in other FF programmes are posted elsewhere on AFF.

I do wonder if QF will stay in OW. If it leaves the alliance then a lot of the int. benefits will go.