Pausing membership due to accident?

[FlashKiwi]

Has anybody been able to pause membership with QF/DJ due to accident or similar?

I had a motorcycle accident at Xmas and wont be able to drive/fly again until May or June at the earliest

I am a QFWP (flicking between SG, WP and PG over last 10 years) and DJ Plat (earned). My QF membership turns over April 1 and I am at 1190 SC's . My DJ membership is up in Sept and I have 160SC's. There is no chance I will earn 640 SC's in 3 months. I know there is soft landing in both programs but with a lot travel planned for the the second half of the year I am keen to keep Plat and not have to requalify (once you have tasted WP/Plat there is no going back....).

Before calling the respective airlines has anybody had experience in asking for a 6 month extension/hold/block or similar?

Many thanks

FlashKiwi

 

[simongr]

Being 10 SCs short of WP I can't imagine you will have an issue with QF - just call. I know they have put women's memberships on hold whilst not flying due to pregnancy (not an official benefit).

No idea re DJ but they do have an official maternity pause benefit I think.

 

[Taezar]

I'll be interested in your experience as I was hit by a car in December and haven't flown since. I have just got medical okay for a 1 hour flight but no way I can requal plat this year.

 

[FlashKiwi]

I'll be interested in your experience as I was hit by a car in December and haven't flown since. I have just got medical okay for a 1 hour flight but no way I can requal plat this year.

A quick follow-up....

I spoke to QF via the Plat line. They dont have have a procedure per see for holding membership, but in my case with only 30 SC's short (thought it was 10), and based on the last 2 years (1700sc's and 2410 SC's) the guy on the phone didn't think it would be a problem to roll over my QFWP status. Wont find out until rollover date though. The only downside for me it will only leave me 9 months to re-qualify, which may be tough ) - Bring on double status credits!

I also called DJ Plat line and they said I have to send an email explaining the reasons, plus medical certificate etc. The person on the line seemed reasonably positive but he couldn't do it - another department. Probably take a a couple of weeks to find out.

Fingers crossed....

 

[Taezar]

Thanks. Will give them a call.

 

[eastwest101]

I spoke to QF via the Plat line. They dont have have a procedure per see for holding membership, but in my case with only 30 SC's short (thought it was 10), and based on the last 2 years (1700sc's and 2410 SC's) the guy on the phone didn't think it would be a problem to roll over my QFWP status. Wont find out until rollover date though. The only downside for me it will only leave me 9 months to re-qualify, which may be tough ) - Bring on double status credits!

I also called DJ Plat line and they said I have to send an email explaining the reasons, plus medical certificate etc. The person on the line seemed reasonably positive but he couldn't do it - another department. Probably take a a couple of weeks to find out.

Fingers crossed....

I will be interested to see how you go as well. Commiserations on being out of action due to the accident and hope you get better.

Maybe tell VA and QF the same story (sounds like you already kinda have) and see how they treat you. With both airlines - treat them as loyally they treated you when you do start booking your flights again in May/Jun, and tell them that if they make any enquiries about your travel patterns or any inexplicable lack of bookings or status drops.

 

[Deleted member]

Has anybody been able to pause membership with QF/DJ due to accident or similar?

I had a motorcycle accident at Xmas and wont be able to drive/fly again until May or June at the earliest

I am a QFWP (flicking between SG, WP and PG over last 10 years) and DJ Plat (earned). My QF membership turns over April 1 and I am at 1190 SC's . My DJ membership is up in Sept and I have 160SC's. There is no chance I will earn 640 SC's in 3 months. I know there is soft landing in both programs but with a lot travel planned for the the second half of the year I am keen to keep Plat and not have to requalify (once you have tasted WP/Plat there is no going back....).

Before calling the respective airlines has anybody had experience in asking for a 6 month extension/hold/block or similar?

Many thanks

FlashKiwi

Kia Ora flash Kiwi. Hope you get well soon.
Look forward to hearing how you go

 

[FlashKiwi]

A quick follow-up.....

I sent an email to Virgin and 10 days later an email saying they had paused my membership until Sept. Then they will give 12 months to re-qualify so my Plat is valid to Sept 2014. They have wiped my SC's and this is all reflected on my account page.

This really confirms my decision to push all domestic and trans Tasman flying (and some international) to Virgin over the last 24 months. This was way over what I asked for (6 month extension) and show that Virgin know how to look after status customers and build long term loyalty.

My second call to Qantas hasn't been so good and they didn't want to comp WP for next year (30 SC's short). I will try again next week :-(

FlashKiwi

 

[Deleted member]

A quick follow-up.....

I sent an email to Virgin and 10 days later an email saying they had paused my membership until Sept. Then they will give 12 months to re-qualify so my Plat is valid to Sept 2014. They have wiped my SC's and this is all reflected on my account page.

This really confirms my decision to push all domestic and trans Tasman flying (and some international) to Virgin over the last 24 months. This was way over what I asked for (6 month extension) and show that Virgin know how to look after status customers and build long term loyalty.

My second call to Qantas hasn't been so good and they didn't want to comp WP for next year (30 SC's short). I will try again next week :-(

FlashKiwi

That's a pity.
Bouquets to VA

 

[schomers87]

My advice would be to put the request in writing to QF as you have done with VA. Sometimes better than just getting someone who is at the end of a 10 hour shift on the phones.

 

[eastwest101]

My advice would be to put the request in writing to QF as you have done with VA. Sometimes better than just getting someone who is at the end of a 10 hour shift on the phones.

May be good advice there - and in the letter and email specify that you would be happy to provide evidence of being medically unfit to fly etc and your phone number and invite them to call and discuss it. If you don't get a response out of QF after that, then you have your answer.

 

[FlashKiwi]

A final follow-up...... I had sent any email to Qantas 10 days or so ago with no response. I called the Platinum line today and they rolled me over for another year with out any problem. I think it was being with-in 30 SC's and 6 years of 1400 + SC's that kicked it over the line, rather than having being invalid. Either way happy camper now!

Should be right to fly late April - that will be 6 months without stepping on a plane - I think the last time that happened was late 80's.......

FlashKiwi

 

[eastwest101]

A final follow-up...... I had sent any email to Qantas 10 days or so ago with no response. I called the Platinum line today and they rolled me over for another year with out any problem.

Did you mention that VA had already paused your membership or it just didn't come up?

 

[FlashKiwi]

Did you mention that VA had already paused your membership or it just didn't come up?

No, just said that I am 30 SC's short and haven't been able to fly since Xmas. Put me on hold for a minute or two then come back and said no problem - you new card will be sent out.