Plat Benefit - Really?

[ChrisCunard]

I guess I've been lucky with VA. had last two flights upgraded.

 

[medhead]

I've had one or 2 experiences of being able to access awards that were not available to NB family members. QF5/6 SIN-FRA about 4 to 6 months out.

Ask medhead if he as a Platinum pre-allocating 3C is happy with 3B allocated to a solo traveller when the next 4-5 rows had plenty of empty seats.

Admittedly I did not take that many Virgin flights as a Platinum but the treatment was not befitting a king....

Bemused is probably how I feel. Can't claim to feel. Happy but not unhappy either. Perhaps someone here is the guy I mentioned who got free flowing Bundy and cokes on one flight.

 

[simongr]

Just to clarify did the OP get the same availability of zero seats or the same availability of some seats?

As a P1 I have definitely had awards opened for me - 3 J seats to DXB on the dates I wanted - at least the dates I originally wanted. When I then had to change the dates I could only get the day later than I wanted.

 

[BD1959]

Just to clarify did the OP get the same availability of zero seats or the same availability of some seats?

Hi simongr,

To clarify: this was on-line ONLY. Side-by-side comparison. Screens exactly the same - where there was 0 availability for the NB, there was 0 availability for the WP. Where there was availability for the WP, the NB saw exactly the same - and where the [!] appeared ... it appeared on both with monotonous consistency!

OK, I wasn't expecting acres of availability for myself to which Mrs BD-NB would be denied, but - on a key route like MEL-LHR (where the benefit would be of more use than, say, MEL-LST) I expected to see *some* difference. I can accept that it is there and you need to call to access it, but in this day of self-help automation I thought that QF would reduce costs by making this available through the online option.

Regards, all.

BD

 

[simongr]

Thanks for the clarification. My understanding was that there was some online differences - but obviously subject to dates/routes/direction of wind. I have only booked awards as a P1 so no real experience.

 

[BD1959]

Like I said in my OP, I don't consider what I've done to be a scientific sample - and the reason of the OP really was to find out whether this is a real benefit or just the figment of some QFF marketer's imagination.

Given the positive responses of some, I can only assume I should be looking to fly somewhere more exotic than dear, old London-town.

I see Manila features in this month's onboard mag ...

Regards,

BD

 

[medhead]

I think there are 2 different things, being discussed here. One is releasing classic award seats. The other is different availability of awards depending on status.

 

[drewbles]

Why bother then? As WP on VA you get treated like a king.

Really? I never even get 'Welcome back Mr drewbles' 95% of the time now. Never an op-up (well there was one, followed by a downgrade to a middle seat down the back at the gate but that's another story).

WP on VA has been totally underwhelming. I'm hoping things improve though =)

 

[daturtle]

I find it amazing how nice it is to hear "Welcome back Mr daturtle". Mundane but oddly pleasing.

 

[oz_mark]

Thanks oz_mark, remember if this was a "popular" route?

Was to Singapore, and several domestic routes.

Given they use subclasses to differentiate, it is a bit hard to actually spot using the tools most of us have at our disposal.

 

[EmilyHoward]

I think I have called the Plat 1 line 3 times re getting Classic Award Seats released. Twice got them released with no problem but the other time it was a no-go as it was an oversold flight. I wasn't really expecting to be able to get seats released anyway the third time.

EH