How much better is Qantas Platinum than Gold?

[serfty]

... But I ask the question - would you spend $2000 of your own money to retain Platinum status for the benefits? Or as was noted in previous posts, for the benefit of obtaining Qantas Club lounge access when flying non-OneWorld airlines?

I would (& do), but for the overall WP benefits - not just "Anytime Access".

If you are right into flying as a passenger, WP can increase the comfort considerably (as noted in many posts within this thread).

So by spending some additional money and time doing what you like doing (whether $200/$2000 and a few hours/days for 30/600SC's) it's a win win for the hobby flyer.

As far as the main topic of this thread goes, a Qantas frequent flyer with SG status would generally be far far better off finishing a year with 1400SC* than finishing with 1370 SC's*. :shock:

*(... and at least 4 eligible QF/JQ segments)

 

[Dave Noble]

So by spending some additional money and time doing what you like doing (whether $200/$2000 and a few hours/days for 30/600SC's) it's a win win for the hobby flyer.

There is another key thing to a lot of people. Some of us don't want to fly any more than necessary ; flying for the sake of it is not on my top 100 things to spend time or money on

Dave

 

[drron]

When my EXP status was expiring last December I could have requalified with a MR costing~$A1500 but decided not too.But it is a personal thing and it was a close call even mrsdrron said I could but dollars is dollars.

 

[serfty]

There is another key thing to a lot of people. Some of us don't want to fly any more than necessary ; flying for the sake of it is not on my top 100 things to spend time or money on

Dave

Well in that case Dave, you are not a "hobby Flyer".

Personally, I love it - for me the airline travel is a significant part of any holiday! YMMV

Back OT, if a Frequent Flyer is looking like being 30-60SC's out of 1400 needed for WP Qualification and those can be garnered without stressing one's budget of time/money, then it might not be unreasonable to do so, even if one is not a "Hobby Flyer".

 

[JohnK]

Back OT, if a Frequent Flyer is looking like being 30-60SC's out of 1400 needed for WP Qualification and those can be garnered without stressing one's budget of time/money, then it might not be unreasonable to do so, even if one is not a "Hobby Flyer".

Did we actually have a topic?

I don't think it matters how far short a person falls of status. You can fall 30SCs short and the best way of doing it could cost ~AUD350 or you could fall 200SCs short and if you are at the right place at right time and it only costs ~AUD350 then go for it. Personally I feel people spending AUD10000+ on DONEx's or AONEx's are wasting their money but for me spending ~AUD2000 on maintaing Platinum status is thoroughly worth it.

Is there a right and wrong? Just because someone does not like flying for the sake of flying does not mean someone else spending money on retaining Platinum status is wrong. It is their money and they can do anything they want with it. I don't see anyone criticising people for spending thousands on designer suits, or hundreds on designer torn jeans or hundreds on shoes when you can spend a fraction of the price and still look just as good if not better.

For the record I do not like flying for the sake of flying but when it comes to status runs or some challenge like the Queensland Mining Towns tour then I go for it. I see it as a challenge or another way of having fun. Much much better than skiing (of any kind), parachuting, abseiling, hang gliding, diving etc....

 

[jamesatfish]

You note that the benefit is "worth well in excess of $2,000" to you. But I ask the question - would you spend $2000 of your own money to retain Platinum status for the benefits? Or as was noted in previous posts, for the benefit of obtaining Qantas Club lounge access when flying non-OneWorld airlines?

For me, yes on both counts.

Yes from a purely economic sense, because spending that theoretical $2000 to retain Platinum status means I can use points for my wife to travel with me on business trips rather than paying cash, which is a net saving. Indeed it'll be even more justified from my next trip onwards, as we'll be travelling with our first child as an infant so without WP status and the points booking we'd be paying a further 10% of the fare for our baby.

Yes also just for the anytime access - a lot of my family live interstate and overseas, and it's brilliant to be able to take them to the airport, guest them into the QC or Business Lounge and enjoy the free drinks and snacks. This is especially useful in CBR where there are no paid coffee/food facilities after security in the QF terminal, as many of them are non-frequent flyers who can't relax until they're through security and sitting looking at the aircraft they're due to fly on.

 

[ejb]

The whole status thing is so very personal I don't think anyone could agree totally on any question.

I have friends who would spend their last dollar to maintain SG whilst others who fly frequently but pay no attention to status credits and only ever fly the cheapest most direct route.

I have heard stories of people who fly F between Aust and Europe multiple times each year and have not joined QF as they don't care, now to most on this forum that would be unthinkable.

I was lucky enough to be comped WP this year while 450 SC's short and I never thought of a status run but the year before I was 30 SC's short of PG and did take a day trip SYD-MEL on an International leg (FLounge time) to accure those points as I considered it worthwhile and I had the time.

So I think every situation is different.

ejb

 

[BlueAU]

I have heard stories of people who fly F between Aust and Europe multiple times each year and have not joined QF as they don't care, now to most on this forum that would be unthinkable.

:shock::shock::shock::shock::shock::shock:: lol not wrong about that !

 

[NM]

Is there a right and wrong? Just because someone does not like flying for the sake of flying does not mean someone else spending money on retaining Platinum status is wrong. It is their money and they can do anything they want with it. I don't see anyone criticising people for spending thousands on designer suits, or hundreds on designer torn jeans or hundreds on shoes when you can spend a fraction of the price and still look just as good if not better.

I don't see anyone criticising people for spending money on status runs either. Plenty of people saying they would not do it themselves and plenty of people saying they would (and do) do it themselves. Stating ones own personal view does not always mean criticising others who think differently. Different people have different priorities and focus.

I have no problem with other people undertaking status runs and I understand and accept the reasons you and other have for ensuring you reach and/or retain status. But that does not change the fact that I have things I consider more important for spending my own money and time.

 

[NM]

For me, yes on both counts.

You will fit in well around here

Yes from a purely economic sense, because spending that theoretical $2000 to retain Platinum status means I can use points for my wife to travel with me on business trips ...

Ahh, I see. Its an "investment"

 

[docjames]

Internationally, it is FCFS for buying an exit row where they are sold

Not quite, CLs can still request at time of booking (without having to fork out the $160)

 

[Dave Noble]

Not quite, CLs can still request at time of booking (without having to fork out the $160)

That was outside of the Gold vs Platinum question to which I was replying though

 

[serfty]

Not quite, CLs can still request at time of booking (without having to fork out the $160)

OT:

Actually, these days, if you can select seats online after booking, you can Buy that exit seat there and then.

 

[2muchplastic]

I've been reading this thread for a while, and decided I would finally wade in with my (probably insignificant) opinion just as it is dying down a little.

I agree with all the tangible benefits:
FLounge access
Anytime QP/Int J Lounge access (and that is worth a fair chunk when talking about buying food & drink at airport prices)
Better chance of the good seats pre-allocated on Dom flights.....etc

But by far and away the best benefit is how you are looked after when it all goes wrong (as already mentioned somewhere in the thread - I can't find it at the moment). I have on two occasions been told quite explicitly when issues have arisen, that I would be looked after "because I was WP/OWE", and on another occasion, I was given that impression rather than being told outright.
That can mean the difference between spending a night somewhere you don't want to/messing plans up/waiting at an airport for hours and hours. To me that's worth a heck of a lot.

 

[fly by wire]

Im obviously missing something, where is the $2000 figure coming from to retain WP?

 

[straitman]

Im obviously missing something, where is the $2000 figure coming from to retain WP?

Like we discussed on the other thread, JohnK has a few routes he uses to maintain status at a very low cost. These run through Asia, but if you can get to the USA the YUPP fares are probably the best value for money.

Have a look at The ULTIMATE Qantas Guide for a bit more back ground information.

 

[NM]

Im obviously missing something, where is the $2000 figure coming from to retain WP?

It was an example figure mentioned in an earlier post. The amount will vary for each person depending on how many SCs they are going to fall short of the qualification threshold and the type of flights they book to ensure they earn enough SCs to make the mark.

 

[serfty]

Im obviously missing something, where is the $2000 figure coming from to retain WP?

That is in relation to how a member may be able to earn 400-600 SC's with travel in Asia to retain WP by spending an additional few days and $2000 on flights. This would be on top of all other earning travel this year. It termed a "Mileage Run".

This ACTUAL thread's topic is on how a member considered they would be on 1340-1370 SC's for the year (being 30-60 SC's of earning WP) with their current planned travel and was wondering how to gather those additional SC for Platinum status.

Here's the original post (OP):

My QF SCs are due to reset at the end of Feb 2010 and I estimate that the flights I'll be on for work before then are likely to get me within 30-60 SCs of platinum. A couple of years ago this happened when I reset with only 30 to go.
My question is whether people think the extra benefits are worth the cost of a status run. If so, does anyone know any good status run suggestions from Perth?

Cheers

 

[JohnK]

That is in relation to how a member may be able to earn 400-600 SC's with travel in Asia to retain WP by spending an additional few days and $2000 on flights. This would be on top of all other earning travel this year. It termed a "Mileage Run".

That is the current situation but in theory one can re-qualify QF Platinum for just over AUD2000 in Asia. Not as good as the YUP/KUP runs in the USA but still good and a much better destination and carrier in my opinion....

 

[fly by wire]

Thats crazy... Can you post up the legs/classes/airlines to do that?

I cant even get gold and ive probably spent about 5k on flights this year.