Hindsight is a wonderful thing

[bPeteb]

I walked up the aerobridge from my 16th flight in 11 weeks last night and wondered to myself if only...

I'm in my third year of SG this year, a mix of work and holiday travel. Work travel had died up and after being comped last year (on three year average) it looked unlikely I'd make the credits this year. We like the lounges, the extra luggage (on the rate occasion we need it), seat selection, extra points that come with SG.

So we decided to book with QF Y+ to Sao Paulo and fly LATAM throughout Brasil (we leave on two weeks) and gamble on a couple more work flights, or a status run. With one and a half return work flights I'd make SG.

Then I found myself with a new role with possible regular BNE-MEL travel. Double SC offer arrived but I was only able to book one return flex flight.

If only if known what was to come. If I'd booked all eight of my flights that week I would have stepped off the last flight of our holiday and a WP card would have arrived in the mail a week or so later.

Maybe next year

 

[serfty]

Well I guess you'll at least have SG for the trip.

 

[Chesty]

Don't be too concerned. I have been WP for the last 12 months and am about 400 SC from requalifying this year, anniversary end of the month. Decided not to chase WP again this year as it's reallly just not worth it. SG is the sweet spot as the benefits of WP beyond access to the F lounges are not that worthwhile.

 

[mviy]

There are other benefits in addition to FLounge access which are quite nice.

WP speeds up the progression towards LTG which is a big help. Once you've got LTG there'll be no need to chase SG. It'll then be a question of chasing WP (or above) or not at all.

It's not easy to maintain SG for over 20 years so some years as WP can help make LTG achievable before you retire.

WP gets you into domestic J Lounges which are a little better than the QANTAS Club lounges

Arrivals access to domestic J lounges (or QANTAS Club if you prefer or if a J lounge is not available) can be useful sometimes as can the ability to take two guests in to QF Domestic lounges. I've used my ability to take in two guests quite a bit.

WP can select better seats before T-80 than SG and even after T-80 in my experience.

F check-in is another benefit.

International upgrades can be confirmed up to a day or so before SG where they are available.

WP has an unofficial benefit of being able to ring up and ask for an award seat on a QF operated flight to be released (may be unsuccessful but can still try).

Extra checked baggage allowance (not a big thing for me as I try to pack light. I find the carry on limits are more of an issue).

Priority tags for checked luggage (I wish QF consistently treated priority cases with priority. Bags with F tags should be the first onto the carousel closely followed by those with J tags).

 

[Sdtravel]

Although this is wandering off topic WP's also infrequently (depends on airline and flight) get a nice greeting from most OW airlines when flying. WP's also get things like arrivals lounge access on some carriers.

Ive chased status over recent year. Perhaps in a few years ill look back at my finances and decide it was a terrible decision. Which is probably why so few people know i do it.

 

[Deleted member]

I'm not sure I will cope with NOT be WP. .
Having been SG and WP. I know which I prefer.