Plat Benefit - Really?

[BD1959]

So, I've been giving my new-found WP Benefits a bit of a test-drive and I'm having an issue with one in particular, just wondering if I'm missing something ....

[h=3]Preferential access to selected Qantas Classic Award seats[/h]Qantas provides preferential access, when available, to selected Qantas Classic Award seats to Silver, Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyers. On selected flights, preferential access for Gold and Platinum members may be above the access available to Silver and Bronze members+.



I've just performed a side-by-side comparison of award availability for a NB (Mrs BD) vs WP (m'self) across a number of dates for MEL-LHR-MEL. Result? Exactly the same availability.

Now obviously this isn't a scientific sample, but I'd have thought that this would be one of the flag-ship routes where a premium status Passenger would be looking to maximise their benefits.

So, given the wording of the benefit: what are people's experiences of "selected flights" where this benefit *is* available?

... and on a very related subject, I'm sure I've read in the past of award inventory having been opened for WPs - is this so? If so, presumably this is an "unpublished benefit" which may be taken away at a moment's notice?

Is there a list of other "unpublished benefits" which I can look to take for a test??

Regards!

BD

 

[MelUser]

I think you have to phone to get this preferential treatment.

 

[oz_mark]

So, given the wording of the benefit: what are people's experiences of "selected flights" where this benefit *is* available?

I've certainly seen award availablity as a Gold that wasn't appearing to a Bronze member.

 

[puppysparkes]

My experience has been the same as OP.

 

[anchew]

My experience is that I get more dom award availability. But doesn't translate to ASA.

 

[Ewing]

I've certainly seen award availablity as a Gold that wasn't appearing to a Bronze member.

Same here.

 

[BD1959]

I've certainly seen award availablity as a Gold that wasn't appearing to a Bronze member.

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

Regards,

BD

 

[BD1959]

My experience is that I get more dom award availability. But doesn't translate to ASA.

The benefit does state "Classic Award Seats".

Regards,

BD

 

[drewbles]

So, I've been giving my new-found WP Benefits a bit of a test-drive and I'm having an issue with one in particular, just wondering if I'm missing something ....

Preferential access to selected Qantas Classic Award seats

Qantas provides preferential access, when available, to selected Qantas Classic Award seats to Silver, Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyers. On selected flights, preferential access for Gold and Platinum members may be above the access available to Silver and Bronze members+.

(my bolding)

Not every flight it would appear. I'm guessing not all flights are created equal.

If you need a seat, call and ask if they can request yield management open a seat up. I believe they have a button they click with 'request' and the answer is usually instant yes or no. In most cases i've had a 'yes no problem' and they have processed my (classic) award booking, with an assisted booking fee which is worth it if you need the seats. Other times they've said 'we'll get back to you soon' and they've called me back within half an hour, each time was a 'yes we had a seat made available for you', also with the booking fee.

 

[BD1959]

(my bolding)

Not every flight it would appear. I'm guessing not all flights are created equal.

If you need a seat, call and ask if they can request yield management open a seat up. I believe they have a button they click with 'request' and the answer is usually instant yes or no. In most cases i've had a 'yes no problem' and they have processed my (classic) award booking, with an assisted booking fee which is worth it if you need the seats. Other times they've said 'we'll get back to you soon' and they've called me back within half an hour, each time was a 'yes we had a seat made available for you', also with the booking fee.

Thanks drewbles. I did see that selected flights which is why I'm questioning whether this "benefit" is more likely on the less "glamorous" routes; I also noted the word may which, as we all know, is used to cover a number of get-out clauses!!

Thanks also for confirming the continued existence of the non-published YM benefit path. As I said in my OP, at this point I'm just "test driving" and storing "the knowledge" for doubtless later use.

So, dear WP peeps, any more unpublished benefits?

- A relaxing massage whilst waiting behind the statusless Plebs in the PB line?
- A glass of JW Blue delivered, hand-chilled, to Emerald City??

One can but live in hope!!

Regards,

BD

 

[JohnK]

Is there a list of other "unpublished benefits" which I can look to take for a test??

If you do find a list can you publish it for all?

There used to be a few "unpublished benefits" but one by one they have disappeared in recent times.

- Anytime access to international lounges
- Anytime access to domestic lounges
- Complimentary exit rows on international flights

Occasionally on both domestic and international flights you will get the CSM come down to economy to greet and offer business headsets and perhaps a glass of wine. Happened on domestic to me the other day as well. Asked if I would like something from the front.

Another benefit you may have some success with is asking to fly forward if you get to airport early but I hardly ever get to the airport early while I am commuting.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

My experience has been the same as OP.

+1
and +2 with another friend.

On long haul, no difference, but what just my experience.

 

[ChrisCunard]

I must say I've had no "special" treatment since making WP.

Actually can't access front row on seat maps which QF tell me is reserved for WP1 and CL.

No access to exit rows on 763 whY.

No welcome aboard (not that I need it).

Bonus points is the biggest perk so far

 

[amaroo]

I've been WP for 7 years.....it's nothing special.

Have rung the WP line to request award seat release about a doz times.......have never had one come through.

 

[ChrisCunard]

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

 

[amaroo]

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

Thats a question for another thread.....start one!

 

[ChrisCunard]

Hah fair enough!

 

[JohnK]

No access to exit rows on 763 whY.

Why? Have you updated the status on all your bookings or is this on new bookings as well. I get the option of exit rows but I do not want to sit that far back and I can usually get aisle in first row anyway.

 

[moa999]

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

Really...
Apart from Row 3 access, I am 0/35 comp upgrades with VA (mostly flexies) versus something like 4/50 on QF, albeit am probably about 75% for free upgrades/business seats which is better than my QF at Club upgrades.
I would hardly call it King treatment.

 

[JohnK]

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

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....