Companion Platinum - Urgent question regarding renewal

[Deleted member 29185]

With the double SC promo finishing today, +1 (who currently has companion platinum) and I were discussing what she could do to keep status after her review date in May. In a nutshell, she is happy to retain Gold rather than platinum but I was unsure whether to retain Gold she would need 400 or 500 SCs (given she was red before the companion platinum boost) and her online account states to retain platinum, she'd only need the 800 not 1000, which tends to suggest it is simply the retainment amount rather than the initial attainment amount.

I thought I'd telephone the GCC to confirm this assumption was correct and what I was told seems to be at odds with reports here on AFF. The GCC gent I was talking to, said she did indeed only need 400 SCs for gold, but even if she didn't achieve that, she would enjoy a soft landing from platinum to gold.

Now I'm pretty sure I've read here on AFF, anecdotes saying that a companion status does NOT get a soft landing but is bumped straight down to the status actually earned. Can anyone offer recent anecdotes or first hand experience with regard to how VA deal with non-achieving companion elites?

FTR, +1 can most likely reach gold (even plat with a double SC HBR-CHC for 2 + positioning flights but she's not fussed over that one) but if we don't have to, we won't bother too much about counting every last SC. She'll be fairly close regardless.

 

[IainF]

I can confirm that the "partner platinum" does indeed have a soft landing. I gave mine to a mate last year for his USA trip in Y. He only managed a total of 220 SCs but only went to Gold.
This happened just 2 weeks ago.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks IainF, info much appreciated.

 

[777]

I can confirm that the "partner platinum" does indeed have a soft landing. I gave mine to a mate last year for his USA trip in Y. He only managed a total of 220 SCs but only went to Gold.
This happened just 2 weeks ago.

That is very handy to note. Will have to tell my MIL who is currently my nominated platinum (Mrs 777 qualifies through pooling) -- she is planning a trip to Europe mid year just after her plat is due to expire and i can't guarantee getting her there again. Gold should do her fine.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I can also confirm a soft landing for Partner Gold to silver last month.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I can also confirm a soft landing for Partner Gold to silver last month.

Thank you Princess! Lisa will be happy. She's a bit reticent about losing Row 3 but her comment was "I don't think I could do the back of the plane thing again".........what a DYKWIA! Gold seems a fairly easy task and a happy midway point!