Lifetime Gold - now what?

[alanw]

After a few years of concerted flying throughout Australia and Asia with work, I'm going to reach Qantas Lifetime Gold, while also requalifying for Platinum (I've typically gotten 2500-2900 status credits per year). Now what?

I don't think trying to qualify for Qantas Lifetime Platinum is realistic, though I would like to continue annually qualifying for Platinum, given that this seem achievable and will continue to provide better lounge access.

But each year, after it’s clear that I'll make the 1200 status credits necessary for that, I figure I have a few options:

• I could try to qualify for Star Alliance Gold, so that I can get international lounge access across another alliance (I tend not to fly places that are serviced only by Skyteam):
  • Am I right that lifetime status on Star Alliance is pretty unobtainable? From what I’ve heard, few airlines offer lifetime status from flying across the alliance. I see that SAS bestows lifetime status after 10 years of annual status, but I also feel that’s rather unlikely for me. Am I missing a good lifetime prospect somewhere?
  • If lifetime status is out, then I suppose it makes sense to go after the program with the lowest qualification requirement. I previously had status with Asiana, which had a very low qualification bar, but their imminent takeover by Korean Air, of Skyteam, means they're out. It looks like Turkish Airlines have a pretty normal qualification requirement but a lower requalification requirement; is that then best? Singapore Airlines might also be attractive, given that I do a lot of travel out of Singapore, and that they also count Virgin Australia amongst their partners, but I think it is outweighed by their higher requalification thresholds?
• Or I could qualify for Virgin Australia status. Alongside Qantas status, this would provide excellent flexibility for earning points across Australia. I had discounted them on the basis that their international network (where I value lounge access) is patchy, but looking at the website now I see it includes Singapore, Etihad and Qatar, which is much better than I had thought, and might provide sufficient coverage for Europe and Asia, where I travel most. Perhaps this is a good option?
• Alternatively, I could just continue spending with oneworld airlines, but with a greater focus on building points for use, rather than status credits (probably not that much change, other than not worrying about double status credit promotions and the occasional Jetstar business flights with a max bundle!). But, while this would mean I’d get more reward flights on oneworld airlines, I presume it’d be better to get reward flights AND lounge access on Star Alliance or Virgin and its partners?

Are there other options I'm missing? What have others done, post-Lifetme Gold qualification?

 

[Seat0B]

These are great questions @alanw and I will also be interested in what the brains trust suggests.

And welcome to posting on AFF.

 

[Jubas]

After several poor experiences with Qantas, I'm also keen to understand the perspectives of others here. Already LTG and fly in J to NAMR/EU/Asia regularly. ~2k status credits per year

 

[justinbrett]

If you’re LTG and WP I’d be enjoying that status flying oneworld. What’s the point in earning status if you’re not going to use it.

It does depend on your own travel patterns though. For me, as oneworld is the only alliance that recognises top tier status (well status that gives F lounge access at least) it’s a no brainer. Most of my flying is in oneworld strongholds so I’ve got no motivation to go elsewhere.

 

[jpp42]

I have been WP on both Qantas and Virgin for several years (while not lifetime), and it's really helpful to have both options for flights to either networks. Access to the top tier Etihad lounge in Abu Dhabi had been my preferred way to get to Europe in the past. , But the lack of upgrade options can be frustrating- as is the lack of widebodies for trans cons. I got most of my Virgin SC's through SQ, but if I were doing it all over again I might have chosen SQ instead for upgrade opportunities, better lounges in Singapore, and StarAlliance lounge access in places not served by VA partners. I think it's really going to depend on your cabin type and domestic / international mix, which works out better. As my flying has not picked up to anywhere near the previous level, now that status extensions are stopping I'll be lucky to renew Qantas WP , and definitely not VA this year - I've prioritised Qantas due to the availability of very cheap SC's via Jetstar Max bundles on routes I want to fly, the DSC offer, and OWE access being of broader use than Virgin WP internationally.

 

[RooFlyer]

Or I could qualify for Virgin Australia status. Alongside Qantas status, this would provide excellent flexibility for earning points across Australia. I had discounted them on the basis that their international network (where I value lounge access) is patchy, but looking at the website now I see it includes Singapore, Etihad and Qatar, which is much better than I had thought, and might provide sufficient coverage for Europe and Asia, where I travel most. Perhaps this is a good option?

This would be my choice, in fact has been in the past. If you get VA status, it will give you flexibility and choice in flying domestic. Why pay a high fare and/or fly at a non-optimal time if you don't have to? Not having status handcuffs is quite liberating. The top benefit I like of VA Plat is the ability to choose Economy-X seats at no charge. Econ fare, but huge legroom, at the front of economy.

VA's international partner network is still has some wrinkles in it - offshore lounges sometimes not recognising status etc, so if you intend to use the VA offshore partners sooner rather than later, maybe do it next year.

 

[RichardMEL]

I agree with some of the earlier comments - it all depends. I mean if one has the ability, budget etc, holding status (and thus engagement/pints etc) across multiple loyalty programs - in this case airlines - is always a good thing as it opens up more opportunities to earn and redeem (same with the hotel chains). For me I mix UA and QF. I'm near LTG with UA and once I've done that, then I have a decision to make ) but both programs give me coverage over both major global alliances. However, not everyone is in that situation and so the equation would be different.

I think then it becomes a mix of cost/benefit combined with short/medium and longer term projections - of one's goals travel wise, and the need/want to travel too - for example - what work trips might be in the knowable future, what personal goals or trips might be on the horizon - even aspirational ones. Then try and match up what would best meet these needs. Of course all circumstances change - both personal and the loyalty programs (devaluations, adding/losing partners, or even leaving an alliance, or rarely but i happens disappearing all together). Nothing is certain in life and the longer term is of course much harder to determine because of so many factors both within and without our control. Still, having a general idea can help.

So, as example, let's say someone gets to LTG with QF and holds WP, and they see travel to certain areas such as asia, or the US with perhaps an odd trip to Europe. Perhaps, having achieved a long term goal of LTG, and short term of WP, one migh think OK, which airline or group, would work for the rest of the trip(s) to take and how might that fit in to the medium and loinger term goals - for example looking towards LT status with another group/airline, or just perhaps looking to making mid tear and using those benefits in the following year (and in this case, Star Alliance Gold - otherwise known as *G) can make some real sense as they have no equivalent to the oneworld Emerald tier.

Also potentially factor in mind the HSBC Star Alliance card - this provides status and points in the mileage program one picks - there is a spend requirement and such but it may help to fast track some status and points towards a longer term goal.

Mixing and matching has provided me with many options personally over the years - both with rewards and just reach (eg: try getting deep into Canada with oneworld...) and I've definitely appreciated the ability I've had to make the most of the memberships - just like in some cities one hotel group may provide better options than another and so having a finger in a few "pies" in that arena also helps from that point of view.


Again, every person's situation is unique and what works for some won't work for all, so that's why I personally feel it's a matter of trying to figure out what might be the best mix for you.

 

[levelnine]

Where do you redeem your points?

If it is for flights to Europe, diversifying away from QF is a no brainer as they have poor redemption options between Australia and Europe at the moment and probably for the foreseeable future.

By contrast, if you went with VA, you'd have access to three of the best programs for redemptions in terms of availability and product: QR, SQ & EY.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

It’s tricky…to start with I’d say just enjoy reaching the goal. Plenty of time to consider next steps if any.

Im QFP1 and VA WP. I got to LTG this year after a handful of years. I hope to never require it for my next 60 years (give or take a few) which is perverse in itself given it’s a goal we all strive for….natural reaction according to psychological studies I’d imagine.

My strategy was, and largely still is, to switch over to BA. I’m a big Oneworld fan and BA has LTG (emerald for them) at 35k TP and LTGGL at 100k.
I still haven’t made that move as I’m a multi week dom flyer with periodic international trips and it just seems like an effort. I’ll start experimenting and gradually making the move. If I immediately switch I then miss out on some, albeit limited P1, benefits.

For star I’d do more research as the easier programs have tightened up like Aegean and Asiana (now merged with KE and had lifetime star gold).

Ultimately all depends on travel patterns but I’d take a look at BA

https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/executive-club/tiers-and-benefits/lifetime-tier-points

 

[Airbumps]

If your earning that many status credits a year I'm guessing most of the travel is in J or F in which case the perks that come with status are likely going to be afforded to you anyway by way of J or F class

 

[therudies86]

I fly 3-4 times a year internationally and every couple of weeks domestically. Have been long time WP on QF. Once I achieved LTG, I did a status match with Virgin and got WP with them - this gives me flexibility for flight selections both internationally and domestically.
I like QF network (particularly international), and I like VA seat choices/fly forward (although increased United frequency is good).
I'm now WP for around 12 months on both, and will seek to hold WP on both into the future if possible.
Loyalty - yeah nah.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Some thoughts on LifeTime status on other alliances as this is something I am somewhat actively pursuing:

• Star Alliance: Many airlines in this scheme offer lifetime status (United, Air Canada, ANA, Asiana and Lufthansa come to mind). Arguably the easiest program to earn lifetime status from the lot would be Asiana which (roughly) requires flying 500,000 miles with Asiana and Star Alliance to earn lifetime Star Alliance Gold. United, Air Canada and ANA only count miles flown on their metal (which can be limiting)
• SkyTeam: Several SkyTeam airlines offer lifetime status, namely Delta, Korean Airlines and Air France come to mind. Air France is arguably the easiest to achieve in the sense that if you achieve top tier status with them for 10 consecutive years you lock in lifetime top tier status with them. Delta requires earning 2 million lifetime miles flying them/partner airlines to earn lifetime mid-tier status whereas Korean requires just 500,000 miles for mid-tier status.

Whether this makes any sense at all really depends on how you value status with these airlines and what you intend to get out of it. If it's something like lounge access, I would make the argument that it frankly isn't worth it. Better to get something like the AmEx Platinum card and use the lounge benefit on that card (i.e. access to Virgin Australia, Lufthansa and Delta lounges when flying with them, access to the Centurion lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Priority pass lounges). If you intend on making full use of the status (i.e. checking in bags, selecting better seats, etc.) it could potentially make sense, especially if you are flying with the airline you are about to hold lifetime status with.

In terms of your question about whether to stay loyal to Qantas (and by extension OneWorld) or to use the lifetime status as your ticket to once again become a free agent, that really comes down to how much you value your relationship with them. For instance, how useful has Platinum status been compared to simple Gold status? I would argue that if you are only taking a couple of international trips a year, you would hardly notice it, since much of the benefits tied to Platinum status (i.e. First class check in and lounges) only apply to such itineraries. What free agency gets you (and I can say this as I currently hold mid-tier elite status with all three major airline alliances) is the ability to book whatever flight makes the most sense be it in terms of price, routing, etc., knowing full well (albeit not as well as someone who holds top tier status like Platinum) you'll be treated well as an elite passenger.

Those are my 2 cents (or is that Euros? )

-RooFlyer88