I'm over (most) lounges

[DejaBrew]

This sounds contradictory to me. A bit like saying you want to stay with your partner but really wanting to be with someone else.

Understand where you're coming from, but I'd argue it's more about playing the game to your advantage. That's why I say that I don't really think most view it as a "trophy" so much as locking in a minimum set of benefits across multiple airlines within the OW alliance and opening up greater flexibility for future travel plans. That being said, I recognise that everyone has different needs/goals, so each to their own.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have a bit of a foot in both camps on this one, with the decision ultimately hinging on the quality of the lounge.

Agree ... with my (Most) in the thread title. Some lounges are worth going out of your way for (and I'm only talking business lounges or similar)

1. The Al Mourjan Lounge - The Garden at DOH. for business pax. Sublime. Uncrowded, huge dining area, a la carte or buffet, lots a waiters and other helpers, dozens of showers. Barman remembers the type of gin you asked for in your last G&T. Quiet areas, or views overlooking the Orchard. USB and international power points everywhere. Spa. How good is this lounge? I put my jacket over the back of my chair. Chap come up and offers me a proper jacket hanger. Unreal.



QR biz lounges at LHR and SIN also excellent.

Business Lounge at IST. Also vast, lots of different places to be, variety of activities (inc for kids, so gets them out of the main areas). Live cooking stations, lovely buffet food. Booze hidden away, so marks taken off for that.

Cathay biz lounges at HKG. Only recall from the recent lounge crawl (I'm usually in The Pier), but I recall as being good.

Anyone been in the new DeltaOne lounge(s)?

 

[Seat0B]

This sounds contradictory to me. A bit like saying you will stay with your partner but really wanting to be with someone else.

More like saying you want to stay with your partner, but have a meal with their cousins from time to time…

 

[significance]

LTG is nothing more than a trophy. I don't think many AFF people want LTG for its benefits. I think that's why many are upset with the LTP criteria, not so much because they can't get Platinum benefits but more so because the LTP trophy is difficult to get.

I've never reached Platinum (I don't travel business class unless I get a points upgrade and I only occasionally travel overseas), but I aimed for LTG and I'm glad I've finally reached it. I expect that I will not be travelling enough to maintain Gold year-to-year after the next few years, but I'll still be flying Qantas enough to want lounge access and good seat selection options. For me, that's why LTG was a goal.

 

[aikman]

I've never reached Platinum (I don't travel business class unless I get a points upgrade and I only occasionally travel overseas), but I aimed for LTG and I'm glad I've finally reached it. I expect that I will not be travelling enough to maintain Gold year-to-year after the next few years, but I'll still be flying Qantas enough to want lounge access and good seat selection options. For me, that's why LTG was a goal.

Your story makes complete sense and is what I'd expect the point of LTG is. Congrats on reaching LTG without ever reaching Platinum.

It's a rare story though as most of the comments on the LTG thread say that after achieving LTG they will
a) move to BA (to collect another lifetime trophy)
b) move to Star Alliance
c) continue qualifying for WP

Perhaps most people do use their LTG benefits but they just don't post about it in the LTG thread.

 

[DejaBrew]

It's a rare story though as most of the comments on the LTG thread say that after achieving LTG they will
a) move to BA (to collect another lifetime trophy)
b) move to Star Alliance
c) continue qualifying for WP

Perhaps most people do use their LTG benefits but they just don't post about it in the LTG thread.

Again, I think understand where you're coming from. The title of the thread you're referencing really sums up the situation -: "Life Time Gold - The [Realistic] Holy Grail"

Qantas make LTG realistically achievable, but beyond that, it's exceedingly difficult to go any further (i.e. LTP), hence the use of what I always viewed as the slightly tongue-in-cheek label of it being the "Holy Grail". They don't encourage Frequent Flyers to remain loyal beyond this, so many people - especially here on AFF - will simply keep LTG in their back pocket and go looking for what makes the most sense for them and their current/upcoming travel needs and patterns. LTG is a nice safety net when your days of frequent travel are behind you, but if you're no longer being encouraged to remain loyal because you've attained the "realistic Holy Grail", then you're likely going to looking elsewhere. As I mentioned earlier, it's about people playing the game to their own advantage.

Of those who achieve LTG, some will then move onto BA and aim for LTP as BA has/had the only somewhat viable path for the average status chaser (vs QF's 75,000 SC target). Some will target status on other airlines/alliances (if it meets their respective travel needs) so as to obtain a more consistent experience across multiple alliances, safe in the knowledge that they will maintain a minimum set of benefits across OWA despite not really focusing as much of their spend or travel effort there. Some will continue to earn WP on Qantas as their respective travel patterns/needs dictate that it's achievable and they may as well enjoy the added benefits whilst they can, but again, they have a soft landing to LTG when those patterns change. Finally, there will be some who will simply use their new-found LTG status as the opportunity to target BFOD, again, safe in the knowledge that they have a lifetime safety net when their circumstances change. There are bound to be all sorts of permutations in between and I'm sure, just like @significance, there are those who specifically target LTG as their endgame situation because it precisely meets their needs/wants both now and into the future.

Frankly though, I'm not sure anyone is really chasing LTG with a view that it is simply a "trophy".

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Not so sure it works that well given the dozens upon dozens of posts on AFF and eleswhere where the op says “reached my goal of ltg, now moving to another program”.

Most of them got to LTG on the company dime, now they are "self funded" it's BFOD in discount Y

 

[justinbrett]

Well other than all their continuing airfare revenue….

Sure but they’ve already got the win after 14000 SCs. I expect many stick around to either reach WP or at least use their LTG, but for those that don’t QF is still ahead.