Achieving Platinum One

[avlawyer82]

Hi all

I had a question about achieving QANTAS platinum one. As we all know, 2,700 status credits need to be earned on QANTAS marketed flights. However, does anyone know how easy it is (or even possible) to select/search for QANTAS marketed flights on European short-haul business class in either British Airways, Iberia or Finnair? I have some flights to do internally between the UK and Europe and want to maximise those flights to go towards my QANTAS marketed flights to try and reach P1, however the only options on the website for BA, Iberia or Finnair only have their own respective flight numbers without any QANTAS flight number option.

I know that booking on Emirates or QF I can get the respective marketed flights to the Middle East and Australia - but I wanted to know if anyone had experience in using other OneWorld carriers for European short-haul? MIght it be an option to look at getting a travel agent to source these to obtain the necessary QF flight number on the ticket? Any recommendations on that front as well?

Many thanks

 

[Kerrodt]

As a start, you won’t find QF flight numbers on the BA, Iberia or Finnair et al websites. You need to look on the QF website for QF flight numbers, which will be a codeshare with one of these airlines or another OneWorld carrier. If the website doesn’t show availabilit, ask a travel agent to look.

Don't Expect a huge supply of options and don’t expect competitive pricing.

 

[jpp42]

Typically for flights like this you can only access the QF codeshares as part of a larger Qantas itinerary- so you would be modifying an existing booking to add more intra-European flights, not creating a new booking. The codeshares also tend to exist only in places where connections with QF (or maybe EK) flights are reasonable. As alluded to above, don't expect this to be a wallet-friendly experience.

 

[avlawyer82]

Many thanks, Kerrodt, and jpp42. I guess it was a case of wishful thinking. I had often seen when booking on the QANTAS website or on some travel comparison websites that the option was there - but I suspect that, as you say, it may prove more elusive (and expensive). It may be that P1 may remain just out of reach this year - but have a few flights now scheduled which will see me hit Platinum but obviously its something I might just have to keep as a goal for when I return.

Thought, if I manage to find out any secret tips or a way of doing it abroad, then I'd be certainly happy to share details with the forums.

 

[calmelb]

There is a map I've seen (could be in the inflight magazine) but BA only have the QF codeshare on a very limited number of flights so even if it were possible there wouldn't be many ways to get on board

 

[RichardMEL]

If you're based in Europe or the UK why not go for BA GGL? There's little point in QF P1 on the other side of the world if one flies QF rarely (ie on return visits to Oz perhaps)?

 

[avlawyer82]

HI RichardMEL - it seems like that at this stage, but I will be back more next year to Australia with some internal flights - so I've tried to balance it to see if QFF P1 remains the best option. That said, if circumstances change then it may be a separate registration with BA - though I am holding onto the Flying Kangaroo tight at this stage....

Given that the benefits of OWE are the same on the alliance then I suppose there is no distinction on benefits at the pointy end of the FF club tree.

 

[calmelb]

HI RichardMEL - it seems like that at this stage, but I will be back more next year to Australia with some internal flights - so I've tried to balance it to see if QFF P1 remains the best option. That said, if circumstances change then it may be a separate registration with BA - though I am holding onto the Flying Kangaroo tight at this stage....

Given that the benefits of OWE are the same on the alliance then I suppose there is no distinction on benefits at the pointy end of the FF club tree.

Though if you are flying BA you could get the Concorde lounge card. It could be something to consider if you're planning on doing more BA flights than QF.

 

[RichardMEL]

Honestly I see very little (if any) benefit to P1 status for someone not Australia based. I get it for the future you may well spend more time in Oz, but it is a LOT of effort, cost etc and it's not that much worth it for many of us Oz based flyers tbh. If you're flying that much for work etc, I would think BA would be the obvious choice in the short - medium term

If you want to stick with QF.. get to or retain Plat, then put the rest to another program like BA or even a Star carrier, VS or something if you may use their services within europe.

Also remember you WILL need at least 4 QF sectors (can be codeshare) to make status. If you do not plan to return to Oz in this new membership year I would give this careful consideration.

I'm honestly not sure what you'd be aiming for P1 for in this situation?

but it does I guess all depend on one's situation, and the medium and longer term goals - both FF wise and work/living situation wise.