Life Time Gold - The [Realistic] Holy Grail

[Chrizztofa]

Some (but not many) - 75% points bonus, priority classic reward access (it might not be revenue J), extra baggage in some cases

Another benefit are potential savings by purchasing J-lite fares on partner airlines (AY, QR and EK), while still obtaining lounge access and checked bags.

 

[SYD]

Another benefit are potential savings by purchasing J-lite fares on partner airlines (AY, QR and EK), while still obtaining lounge access and checked bags.

and free seat selection.

Just paying a Biz fare doesn’t always cut it these days. BA will charge you several hundred Pounds to select seats in the J cabin if you don’t have status.

QR will leave you wandering the terminal on a Lute fare with no status….

 

[mviy]

One of the things I find most frustrating with flight travel is all the overhead lockers near my seat already being full when I board. I want to take on my full carry-on allowance and store it near my seat especially on short domestic Y flights. Sometimes QF calls both priority 1 and 2 to board at the same time if there are not many priority 1 passengers on the flight. Gold should be able to find space somewhere near the seat (even if it happens to be a row or two further back or forward) boarding before lots of other passengers get a chance to board.

Gold will get into lounges flying OneWorld airlines in many cases where QANTAS Club will not.

Better availability for J reward seats can help save thousands on booking J. That’s the equivalent of a lot of years of QANTAS club membership fees which keep on getting increased.

 

[RB001]

on a Lute fare

So, they send you to Cleveland?

Cleveland Lute Fest 2024 Event Details

Details about the upcoming Lute Fest 2024 held in Cleveland, Ohio.

lutesocietyofamerica.org

Lute Fest



I assume you meant Lite...

 

[Chrizztofa]

and free seat selection.

Just paying a Biz fare doesn’t always cut it these days. BA will charge you several hundred Pounds to select seats in the J cabin if you don’t have status.

QR will leave you wandering the terminal on a Lute fare with no status….

True. I got free seat selection on AY on a lite fare (as a OWE) whereas other family members who paid full fare didn't!

 

[aikman]

The OP simply said (to my read) that they'd book J to NZ during a DSC to get there sooner, and would be doing a lot of J flying.

OP said they might book a weekend trip to NZ in J during the next DSC. I took this as a status run. I didn't think that the 75% bonus points, classic reward access and extra baggage was a good return on investment on the cost of the status run, but I get now that your comment was in relation only to the future J travel.

One of the things I find most frustrating with flight travel is all the overhead lockers near my seat already being full when I board. I want to take on my full carry-on allowance and store it near my seat especially on short domestic Y flights. Sometimes QF calls both priority 1 and 2 to board at the same time if there are not many priority 1 passengers on the flight. Gold should be able to find space somewhere near the seat (even if it happens to be a row or two further back or forward) boarding before lots of other passengers get a chance to board.

Gold will get into lounges flying OneWorld airlines in many cases where QANTAS Club will not.

Better availability for J reward seats can help save thousands on booking J. That’s the equivalent of a lot of years of QANTAS club membership fees which keep on getting increased.

All benefits of status but are these benefits worth the additional costs of full or partial status runs?
1. Somehow everyone manages to find overhead space for their baggage anyway.
2. Imagine not being tied up to oneworld and being able to choose any airline with better routes, schedules and prices and just paying for lounge access.
3. Is priority access to classic rewards for Gold even real? Is there any benefit in this era of Classic Plus?

I think that from a purely financial perspective, nobody that has to do status runs to reach LTG will get their investment back. I do realise however that the pursuit of LTG is not just a financial decision. The sense of achievement, the peace of mind and the idea of "free" gold status for life is no doubt priceless to many. Sunk cost fallacy will also apply if you've already started the journey toward LTG.