Countdown to Gold for Life

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HardieBoys

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Sep 28, 2003
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Less than 1000 points to go before I hit gold for life. Given that the Qantas sale is virtually a done deal, this may not be worth very much at all, but it is a bit of a milestone for me. I'll be there by July.

I realise that 'for life' actually means 'for as long as we bloody well feel like', so am thinking beyond this point. Is it worth investigating other oneworld programmes? I don't fly AA more than I have to (once every 2 years), don't regularly fly BA now, but may be flying them 10 + sectors annually in 2008, and could fly CX 2 to 4 long haul sectors per year. Regardless of the potential changes as outlined above, over the next year I will be flying 100 domestic QF sectors.

Looking for advice and wisdom...
 
I assume you mean less than 1,000 SCs
(if only it was as easy as 14,000 pts)

Anyhow your are definitely on the homeward stretch. Well done.
Hope you dont have too much 'paid QC' access stored up
 
Congratulations. :)

Regardless of what happens to the program, that's a pretty nice milestone to reach. :)

If I keep going at my current rate, I'll be there in...about 12-14 years! :D Any bets on whether there'll still be a LTG in 16 years? ;)

Cheers,
- Febs.
 
Hey guys,

Yes, I was talking SCs. I've got to earn 998 more, and currently earn 80 per month, however, have a J Circle Pacific fare coming up in May, and a J RTW in July. As I said, I'm not convinced Qantas' new owners will keep status quo once they take over...
 
Febs said:
Congratulations. :)

Regardless of what happens to the program, that's a pretty nice milestone to reach. :)

If I keep going at my current rate, I'll be there in...about 12-14 years! :D Any bets on whether there'll still be a LTG in 16 years? ;)

Cheers,
- Febs.

There might be, but may require more than 14,000 SCs or whatever equivalent measure is used by then. Then again, QF may abolish lifetime status (for newly qualifying members) like SQ has just done.
 
Kiwi Flyer said:
There might be, but may require more than 14,000 SCs or whatever equivalent measure is used by then. Then again, QF may abolish lifetime status (for newly qualifying members) like SQ has just done.

I know. Post was intended as tongue-in-cheek. :)

Whether they keep it or not, who knows...but I'd say it's a safe bet that in 12-14 years, the requirements will have changed. Or there'll no longer be "status credits". Or there'll no longer be a Qantas as we know it. Or we'll all be flying personal supersonic jet aircraft which do SYD-LHR in 8 hours non-stop....take your pick. ;)

Cheers,
- Febs.
 
Or we'll be flying to LHR in a packed-out, 800 pax A380 fitted out in all-economy, enjoying Jetstar International's finest non-service.
 
HardieBoys said:
Or we'll be flying to LHR in a packed-out, 800 pax A380 fitted out in all-economy, enjoying Jetstar International's finest non-service.

Stop giving them ideas for free - charge them a fee!
 
I purchased lifetime QC membership a few years ago, and ever since I have retained Platinum status. I only got about a year of benefit from my paid QC membership.
I'll reach lifetime gold in not too long, so I wonder if they'll refund part of my lifetime membership fee? I think not!
 
odoherty said:
I purchased lifetime QC membership a few years ago, and ever since I have retained Platinum status. I only got about a year of benefit from my paid QC membership.
I'll reach lifetime gold in not too long, so I wonder if they'll refund part of my lifetime membership fee? I think not!

I doubt that they will; but if you die and reincarnate I assume that you'll be given a soft landing to lifetime silver and your lifetime QF membership will continue :)

Dave
 
odoherty said:
I purchased lifetime QC membership a few years ago, and ever since I have retained Platinum status. I only got about a year of benefit from my paid QC membership.
I'll reach lifetime gold in not too long, so I wonder if they'll refund part of my lifetime membership fee? I think not!

I doubt it. Qantas thanks you for contributing to their coffers, and we thank you for subsidising the rest of us :D
 
HardieBoys said:
I realise that 'for life' actually means 'for as long as we bloody well feel like', so am thinking beyond this point. Is it worth investigating other oneworld programmes? I don't fly AA more than I have to (once every 2 years), don't regularly fly BA now, but may be flying them 10 + sectors annually in 2008, and could fly CX 2 to 4 long haul sectors per year. Regardless of the potential changes as outlined above, over the next year I will be flying 100 domestic QF sectors.

Looking for advice and wisdom...

I would definitely think about AAdvantage. 100 Sectorrs per year will have you at Exec Platinum (sae as QF platinum). Better earn/burn rates and at the moment you dont need to fly AA to maintain status.

I wouldn't bother with the challenge (AA verrsion of a sttatus match) unless it co-incides with your overseas trip.
 
Even though you don't plan to fly much on AA, I would still recommend considering using AAdvantage once you have LTG in the bag. You could use on of the upcoming DCIR or ATW trips to take the Platinum challenge (use an AA codeshare on a QF trans-Pacific flight for a 1-flight qualification.

Far better earn and burn rates for the points/miles earned and no fuel fines on awards.
 
Assuming nothing changes in the interim, my plans are that if I manage to achieve QF LTG my crediting thenceforth will be to AAdvantage (as appropriate, N & Q on QF earn nufin' with AAdvantage).
 
OK. So I should have LTG by July, in part because I'm doing a J circle pacific next month: SYD - HKG - LAX - SYD, and usually do about 80 SCs per month on domestic trips. I have to make up 998 SCs to hit the mark.

In July, I'm doing a Finnair-ticked J RTW, the one that is on sale for around $7000 and a bit. I'll be doing SYD - BKK - HEL - BCN - Madrid - LHR and then I'm unclear: I have to get home via either the US or South America. At best, I could do an AA flight from LHR to the US, then one AA sector in the US, before hitting QF from LAX. How many sectors on AA to I need for their Platinum Challenge? And what are the benefits of it compared with QF Platinum?
 
My understanding is that AA have changed the rule for platinum challenge, so that now all sectors must be on AA.

This change happened only a short time ago, and I have been told by AA that this is being strictly enforced.
 
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HardieBoys said:
I have to get home via either the US or South America. At best, I could do an AA flight from LHR to the US, then one AA sector in the US, before hitting QF from LAX. How many sectors on AA to I need for their Platinum Challenge? And what are the benefits of it compared with QF Platinum?

AA Platinum is the same as QF Gold - except you get a 100% status bonus as AA Plat unlike 50% on QF Gold).

To complete the challenge you need AA flight numbers so when booking your RTW ticket aim for AA flight numbers if possible. You need 10,000 elite qualifying points - as EQPs are earned at 1.5/mile flown in J/D you need about 6700 to complete the challenge. There is a sticky in the AA forum about the challenge.

For a QF Platinum the point of the challenge is to get you earning at the highest rate possible - but suggest you travel on QF Platinum card for better lounge access until you hit top tier AA - Executive Platinum.
 
LHR-MIA-LAX on AA flight number will complete the challenge using D class.

Of you can book LAX-SYD on AA codeshare and complete it in one flight if you like.
 
Thanks for the information. I've been QFF Platinum for about 7 years now, so usually get the 100% points bonus. Is there an advantage for transferring to AA if I'm likely to retain QFF Platinum this year again?

If AA Platinum = QFF Gold, what are the AA equivalents of QFF Bronze, Silver, and Platinum? What type of benefits do the AA top tier get, and how do they vary from QFF Platinum?
 
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