Made Platinum last week for the first time

[rory breaker]

Yes, made WP just last week, for the first time, after 8 years of being a PS/NB.

And made it with one week to spare.

So, today I'm on my first trip as a WP.
In short, I'm underwhelmed by it all, especially when I consider how much travelling I've done this year to get to this point.
Mostly Domestic Red e-deals funded by my employer. About 10% of my travel has been private travel, and no status runs here.

So what did I find new today?

The business lounge in CBR - just like the QP but with less people, I'm not sure what the point of difference is between the QP and the Business lounge.

The ability to pick row 4 on a 738, great, I could do that most trips as a PS and a SG

The FA took my laptop offered to pack my laptop in my carry on (in overhead locker) when preparing for landing.

Access into the QP after my QF flight as I waited for a 'regional' carrier flight (which I almost missed lol)

To be honest, with the exception of the QP access after my flight, I don't see the value- even the thought of the Platinum Bonus points is a turn off, I dont need the points, the last thing I want to do is sit on a plane any more than I have to.
Am I missing something?

And the irony of all this?
Well, the next 12 months was 'promised' to be a year of travel for work, which has now all been canned, I do have a private RTW next year, and I think that'll be the only chance to travel as a Platinum.....

Cheers
RB

 

[markis10]

Making a call on the benefits after one flight is a tad unfair, the real benefits are to be had when things go wrong or get busy.

A few weeks ago QF has a problem with an aircraft and my flight was delayed 5 hours, I was called by QF premium and told they were holding a seat on all the alternatives for me until I get the QP to lock me into one of them, not bad for a red-edeal CNS-TSV.

Congratulations on your achievement, at least you can look forward to a soft landing should your plans not change.

 

[oz_mark]

Congratulations on your achievement!

Much of the value of platinum is in the unpublished benefits. When things go pear shaped, being at the front of the queue can be beneficial

(From someone thinking of making a run back to Platinum after having been dropped to Gold for a few years)

 

[codash1099]

I've been WP for 6 months now and am enjoying the benefits.

I think it's of such great value that I'm organising the timing of my next DONE4 so that I can enjoy its benefits more fully (shame PER has no F Lounge, but then it doesn't have a J lounge either) and to make sure of renewal.

 

[dfcatch]

6 months for me as well, and although I agree with you on the QP-Dom J lounge lack of differentiation (that said, I did enjoy my pikelets in SYD this morning);

It is true that a lot of the premium advantage of being WP is the treatment you get when things go wrong. And (sometimes) the little touches. I've also already locked in my renewal plans.

Currently sitting on JQ3 back to SYD after enjoying my WP benefits in the MEL F lounge, and i'm brutally reminded of the stomach-churning experience that is Jetstar. And without being snooty, I seriously miss my WP benefits such as priority check in, decent seating, oh did I mention I'm flying Jetstar?? I'd
actually take being a NB on QF over this....

Mr Joyce succeeded awesomely at creating an airline that deliberately makes you feel regretful for choosing a LCC.

 

[nlagalle]

Well done on making WP. I hope to be there in a couple of months myself after a year of DOM travel..

I think there would be benefits, many you will see next year going OS. F lounge comes to mind.

And if you don't want to use your points for flying, burn them in the Award Store!! lol!!

Cheers,

Nick

 

[BVT]

6 months for me as well, and although I agree with you on the QP-Dom J lounge lack of differentiation (that said, I did enjoy my pikelets in SYD this morning);

It is true that a lot of the premium advantage of being WP is the treatment you get when things go wrong. And (sometimes) the little touches. I've also already locked in my renewal plans.

Currently sitting on JQ3 back to SYD after enjoying my WP benefits in the MEL F lounge, and i'm brutally reminded of the stomach-churning experience that is Jetstar. And without being snooty, I seriously miss my WP benefits such as priority check in, decent seating, oh did I mention I'm flying Jetstar?? I'd
actually take being a NB on QF over this....

Mr Joyce succeeded awesomely at creating an airline that deliberately makes you feel regretful for choosing a LCC.

Now, now. I fly JQ regularly OOL/SYD/MEL. The only serious gripe I have is that as I nearly always get 1D, there is often nowhere to put my reasonable sized carry on bag. Occassionally, on the MEL run the FA's reserve overhead lockers for rows 1 and 2, but never on the SYD run. No explanation has been given for this service(!) anomaly.

JQ is not QF, but in IMHO, FAR superior to DJ.

Congrats on WP. That will be me after my next flight - should be WP now, but someone had to stay behind an mind the shop last week! Not bad for someone who was comped silver at the beginning of the year.

Bring on the FLounge!

 

[Keith009]

Congrats on achieving WP, though sorry to hear that it's not been what you'd expected.

IMO, I've enjoyed WP most when flying internationally and, as mentioned, being looked after first when things go wrong. The First lounges are a dream, as are the other published and unpublished benefits such as priority baggage, extra baggage allowance, Express cards, and being near the top of the upgrade waitlist. Like any other top tier airline status when used on the 'home' carrier, WP is also a great insurance policy for when things go wrong.

 

[winfred]

Try applying for an upgrade when you do your RTW trip and you will appreciate the benefits of being a WP.

Also, there is the premium help desk, occasional op-up, international F lounge with proper meals and spa, other OW carriers F lounge such as CX in HKG, BA at LHR, more seats when redeeming for Classic award, .......

 

[Bundy Bear]

Yes, made WP just last week, for the first time, after 8 years of being a PS/NB.

And made it with one week to spare.

So, today I'm on my first trip as a WP.
In short, I'm underwhelmed by it all, especially when I consider how much travelling I've done this year to get to this point.
Mostly Domestic Red e-deals funded by my employer. About 10% of my travel has been private travel, and no status runs here.

Cheers
RB

Congratulations, Gold is really where it is at domestically but you will appreciate being platinum more on your Round the world trip.

Congratulations on your achievement!

Much of the value of platinum is in the unpublished benefits. When things go pear shaped, being at the front of the queue can be beneficial

(From someone thinking of making a run back to Platinum after having been dropped to Gold for a few years)

Seems like you enjoyed the Brisbane J lounge on Sunday.

 

[markis10]

Seems like you enjoyed the Brisbane J lounge on Sunday.

That is a poor example of a J lounge! After all, scones are on the offer in DRW and CNS, and the hot food for breakfast is but a dream!

 

[MiLK_MaN]

I envy the OP. I'm about 455 SC's short of WP, but don't need to get that until end of March.

I'll also be saying a thanks to the fine folks of this forum, as without the 300 SC's I got from a F run in the US, I'd probably be a few hundred short without doing a domestic J run somewhere.

Mind you, I just had a wedding in Adelaide to attend on the weekend, and did MEL-ADL on a JASA on the way over, but MEL-SYD-ADL on another JASA solely for a few more SC's.

 

[djfuzz]

So what did I find new today?

The business lounge in CBR - just like the QP but with less people, I'm not sure what the point of difference is between the QP and the Business lounge.

The ability to pick row 4 on a 738, great, I could do that most trips as a PS and a SG

The FA took my laptop offered to pack my laptop in my carry on (in overhead locker) when preparing for landing.

Access into the QP after my QF flight as I waited for a 'regional' carrier flight (which I almost missed lol)

To be honest, with the exception of the QP access after my flight, I don't see the value- even the thought of the Platinum Bonus points is a turn off, I dont need the points, the last thing I want to do is sit on a plane any more than I have to.
Am I missing something?

Congratulations on making WP!

I agree with you - for most of the time domestically, there's nothing particularly special about it other than a different word printed on your boarding pass (though here's hoping the J lounge 'enhancements' are worth the trade off).

However, it must be said that on occasion it does really come through - as mentioned by the others: when things do go awry, when applying for points upgrades, and when flights are overbooked you're closer to first in line for the op-up (which finally came through for me last night after commuting for quite some time!).

And do find an opportunity to try the F lounges if you can - they are just that little bit special.

 

[Travel Guru]

Now, now. I fly JQ regularly OOL/SYD/MEL. The only serious gripe I have is that as I nearly always get 1D, there is often nowhere to put my reasonable sized carry on bag. Occassionally, on the MEL run the FA's reserve overhead lockers for rows 1 and 2, but never on the SYD run. No explanation has been given for this service(!) anomaly.

JQ is not QF, but in IMHO, FAR superior to DJ.

Congrats on WP. That will be me after my next flight - should be WP now, but someone had to stay behind an mind the shop last week! Not bad for someone who was comped silver at the beginning of the year.

Bring on the FLounge!

I'd have to say I agree; I swore off every flying JQ soon after the started but having got sick of the 1hr+ drive to BNE from the GC, I've taken to flying JQ of late and they've improved remarkably.

Being able to pay $9 to reserve 1D is a massive plus for myself, I'm SG on QF, but doesnt guarantee me 4D, especially when flying at the same time as the suits do.

JQ is definitely IMHO than DJ, and am happy to fly them (though obviously still prefer being on a QF flight).

TG

 

[dfcatch]

I'd have to say I agree; I swore off every flying JQ soon after the started but having got sick of the 1hr+ drive to BNE from the GC, I've taken to flying JQ of late and they've improved remarkably.

JQ is definitely IMHO than DJ, and am happy to fly them (though obviously still prefer being on a QF flight).

Fair enough guys - I accept YMMV.
I was the other way around and gave JQ the benefit of the doubt at the beginning.

IMHO - the experience of my friends and family, and lately mine with JQ has me leaning a preference to DJ over JQ (although QF by 1st choice).

I've kept an open mind in regards to JQ but recently took a ZQN-AKL JQ flight with SWMBO (after a NZ AKL-ZQN the week before). Not knowing my opinion on JQ as we'd never discussed it - she was "I now know why you don't fly JQ", upon my querying the comment she replied "They are a LCC like DJ, but here on JQ they just make you feel like you are cattle flying on a LCC, whereas I've never felt that way on DJ"

FWIW - I actually thought the flight was fine. Perhaps I was just cheesed off this morning that it took 35 mins to check in when there were only 8 people in line in front of me (Hey - there was a perfectly good F lounge waiting for me partake )

Apologies for going OT!!

But back to the OP - I'm only WP thanks to all the advice from the good folks here on AFF and FT, but have already greatly appreciated it especially when flying international. Good luck and as others have said - find an excuse to visit the F lounges

 

[Paddy55]

Well done on achieving WP!

I got there for the first time a year ago, and I agree with others re the value internationally - I'm looking forward to my first DONE4 starting next month

I've about 20 sectors domestically in the past year... a couple of on departure points upgrades, no op-ups at all.

However, 90% of the time I have a spare seat beside me, and that is fantastic

Oh, and the 100% bonus is pretty damn good too.

I think you'll be happy

Paddy

 

[ajw373]

Yes, made WP just last week, for the first time, after 8 years of being a PS/NB.

And made it with one week to spare.

So, today I'm on my first trip as a WP.
In short, I'm underwhelmed by it all, especially when I consider how much travelling I've done this year to get to this point.
Mostly Domestic Red e-deals funded by my employer. About 10% of my travel has been private travel, and no status runs here.

So what did I find new today?

The business lounge in CBR - just like the QP but with less people, I'm not sure what the point of difference is between the QP and the Business lounge.

The ability to pick row 4 on a 738, great, I could do that most trips as a PS and a SG

The FA took my laptop offered to pack my laptop in my carry on (in overhead locker) when preparing for landing.

Access into the QP after my QF flight as I waited for a 'regional' carrier flight (which I almost missed lol)

To be honest, with the exception of the QP access after my flight, I don't see the value- even the thought of the Platinum Bonus points is a turn off, I dont need the points, the last thing I want to do is sit on a plane any more than I have to.
Am I missing something?

And the irony of all this?
Well, the next 12 months was 'promised' to be a year of travel for work, which has now all been canned, I do have a private RTW next year, and I think that'll be the only chance to travel as a Platinum.....

Cheers
RB

What did you expect? Dancing girls and VIP treatment?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes, made WP just last week, for the first time, after 8 years of being a PS/NB.

And made it with one week to spare.

So, today I'm on my first trip as a WP.

In short, I'm underwhelmed by it all

, especially when I consider how much travelling I've done this year to get to this point.
Mostly Domestic Red e-deals funded by my employer. About 10% of my travel has been private travel, and no status runs here.

So what did I find new today?

The business lounge in CBR - just like the QP but with less people, I'm not sure what the point of difference is between the QP and the Business lounge.

The ability to pick row 4 on a 738, great, I could do that most trips as a PS and a SG

The FA took my laptop offered to pack my laptop in my carry on (in overhead locker) when preparing for landing.

Access into the QP after my QF flight as I waited for a 'regional' carrier flight (which I almost missed lol)

To be honest, with the exception of the QP access after my flight, I don't see the value- even the thought of the Platinum Bonus points is a turn off, I dont need the points, the last thing I want to do is sit on a plane any more than I have to.
Am I missing something?

And the irony of all this?
Well, the next 12 months was 'promised' to be a year of travel for work, which has now all been canned, I do have a private RTW next year, and I think that'll be the only chance to travel as a Platinum.....

Cheers
RB

Well done first Rory.

You are correct on one point, the types of dips and wine dont matter in the big picture - you will live regardless......

When you least expect it and need it most thats when your new found status will suprise and support you.


Sorry to hear though your travel plans have been curtailed - for now at least!!! things will change, they always do.

cheers

SPRUCE

 

[dfcatch]

What did you expect? Dancing girls and VIP treatment?

hmmmm, perhaps this could be a replacement benefit for "anytime access"


Sorry for being mischievous - couldn't resist!!

 

[burrco]

Not much difference between gold & platinum domestically, but the little extra benefits add up internationally.

I flew on a J award ticket today on CX: SIN - BKK. Despite being a 2 class flight, my luggage was still tagged First, and came out well before the business class bags, the CSM seamed very genuine in greeting me and thanking me for my loyalty to Oneworld. Before meal service she also came to ask me if I had a preference as J was full so she would ensure I would get my first choice.

Only slight disappointment was that the SIN QF/BA lounge doesn't open to 3, so had to go into the crowded (it had two other people in it) J lounge.