Qantas Platinum One experiences?

[aus_flyer]

To all the newly-minted Platinum One frequent flyers out there... I'm curious to hear... what's been your experience so far?

Anything different?

Free upgrades?

... or all hype?

 

[nutwood]

Boarding Gate 12 at Melbourne last night. Was late to the gate as previous flight was delayed. Several gates boarding in that mess at the end of the LH arm and I was struggling to decipher the queues. Figured my gate and weaved through the crowd to the premium (LH) lane. Arrived at the end to find a huge queue to my right and only one person handling the boarding. Of course I'm the only one on the premium side. I was basically ignored whilst she steadily boarded another half dozen or so. I eventually caught her eye and was asked if I wanted to board the flight ( I don't think I imagined the sarcasm). She did allow me to jump in but no apology offered. Definitely got the impression that I was considered to be doing the wrong thing because she was on her own.
Not sure of my thoughts on this. Definitely no regrets. I still got on promptly and avoided a long queue. I'm wondering if it was rude behaviour? I find priority boarding is one of those things I'm proprietorial about. I hate queues and find it annoying to stand in the priority lane behind very obvious non FF pax and they get boarded without a word. I even manoeuvre so that I can squint at their boarding pass, just to add extra venom to my dirty looks! In this instance, I was simply utilising a promoted benefit. Priority lane was there, I used it. P1 flying J, fully entitled and I can't help but think that the embarrassment should be on Qantas' side, for not having anyone to board the premium lane.

 

[Kangol]

The service applies in LHR too (flew EK) so I presume it would apply in all of those special treatment lounges. Just have to show your card for the non QF bps

What service do they offer in LHR?
I was referring to a reserved table and champagne (VC).
I remember reading something about shirt pressing in HKG but have not considered it in the past.

 

[Fergo747]

I remember reading something about shirt pressing in HKG but have not considered it in the past.

Slightly OT, but you don't need to be P1 to get a shirt pressed in HKG, only a WP. Just head to the cabanas in The Wing

 

[Happy Trails]

ISTR that the the shirt ironing (and shoe shining) service was a SIN thing.

 

[calmelb]

What service do they offer in LHR?
I was referring to a reserved table and champagne (VC).
I remember reading something about shirt pressing in HKG but have not considered it in the past.

LHR have champagne in the lounge for P1/CL (Sparkling for everyone else) as well as fancier wines too. Staff also give better service as you are identifiable with a book with a gold band on it

 

[RichardMEL]

Boarding Gate 12 at Melbourne last night. Was late to the gate as previous flight was delayed. Several gates boarding in that mess at the end of the LH arm and I was struggling to decipher the queues. Figured my gate and weaved through the crowd to the premium (LH) lane. Arrived at the end to find a huge queue to my right and only one person handling the boarding. Of course I'm the only one on the premium side. I was basically ignored whilst she steadily boarded another half dozen or so. I eventually caught her eye and was asked if I wanted to board the flight ( I don't think I imagined the sarcasm). She did allow me to jump in but no apology offered. Definitely got the impression that I was considered to be doing the wrong thing because she was on her own.
Not sure of my thoughts on this. Definitely no regrets. I still got on promptly and avoided a long queue. I'm wondering if it was rude behaviour? I find priority boarding is one of those things I'm proprietorial about. I hate queues and find it annoying to stand in the priority lane behind very obvious non FF pax and they get boarded without a word. I even manoeuvre so that I can squint at their boarding pass, just to add extra venom to my dirty looks! In this instance, I was simply utilising a promoted benefit. Priority lane was there, I used it. P1 flying J, fully entitled and I can't help but think that the embarrassment should be on Qantas' side, for not having anyone to board the premium lane.

Did you mean this to be in the P1 thread or the PB thread?

At any rate on a few occasions I've been in similar situations (one person manning the EGR) but never experienced being "ignored" for being in the priority queue. I guess though that the way I've also handled it is walked up to the end of the line, waited for whoever is being processed to pass through and then step forward practively. Never really had an issue.

I do agree that area around gates 9/10/11/12 can be a zoo, specialy with a widebody at one of the outher gates..

 

[New to this]

Hi Guys

First post, please go easy on me.

I had a question, but I couldn't easily find the answer elsewhere.

I am recently minted P1.

Going Sydney-London for Xmas holidays. Wife and 3 kids. Travelling economy

Traditionally, never had a problem getting the 3 kids in the lounge, but this year the eldest will be 18 (classified as an adult guest, I guess?)

Anyone know what the protocol/rules are around getting them into the First lounge at Sydney (or any other lounge for that matter)?

Should I use one of the complimentary passes to get the eldest in?

Thanks for any tips

 

[pjm99au]

I struck problems with my boys being refused entry under the child policy when they turned 18. If you have gifted platnium to your wife you will be fine as the 18yo will be your guest and she will get in under her own status. If not then you maybe best to use a P1 guest pass

 

[Matt_01]

You can gift the WP to your wife then you should be covered, you are both able to to bring in a guest so the 18yo will be covered. Kids do not add to the tally unless you are travelling on another OW carrier, then entry will be under the OW rules.

Also welcome to the P1 club and AFF

 

[nutwood]

Did you mean this to be in the P1 thread or the PB thread?

At any rate on a few occasions I've been in similar situations (one person manning the EGR) but never experienced being "ignored" for being in the priority queue. I guess though that the way I've also handled it is walked up to the end of the line, waited for whoever is being processed to pass through and then step forward practively. Never really had an issue.

I do agree that area around gates 9/10/11/12 can be a zoo, specialy with a widebody at one of the outher gates..

See your point. I did mean it to be in the P1 thread as it was a P1 experience but on re-reading I can see it sounds a bit like a PB rant. The point was, that as a P1 inadvertently placed in a slightly embarrassing situation, there was no effort made to smooth the situation. A quick smile and "sorry about that, I'm on my own" would have sufficed.
Probably seems a bit precious, but it's the little things that make the difference.

 

[New to this]

Thanks guys. Both for the advice and for the welcome.
Much appreciated

 

[RichardMEL]

See your point. I did mean it to be in the P1 thread as it was a P1 experience but on re-reading I can see it sounds a bit like a PB rant. The point was, that as a P1 inadvertently placed in a slightly embarrassing situation, there was no effort made to smooth the situation. A quick smile and "sorry about that, I'm on my own" would have sufficed.
Probably seems a bit precious, but it's the little things that make the difference.

Well but that should have happened if you were Gold or WP or even a J customer anyway?

I don't really count this as a P1 specific experience tbh. I suspect because the agent/FA was on their own they just wanted to board and didn't spend the time noting all satus and making the connection, specially if you had showed up after general boarding had commenced (which it sounds like since PB queue was empty). That's not implied criticism of you in any way just that I think it's just a case of busy staffer trying to board a plane with no help.

Sometimes they note status and give the usual "Welcome Back..." or similar which is nice but really I don't care too mch either way. I usually say hi, how are you going? depending on the situation but that's being polite if it's a rush I just say thank you and move on.

Anyway my two cents(again - I like to double up )

 

[Spurs10]

Hi Guys

First post, please go easy on me.

I had a question, but I couldn't easily find the answer elsewhere.

I am recently minted P1.

Going Sydney-London for Xmas holidays. Wife and 3 kids. Travelling economy

Traditionally, never had a problem getting the 3 kids in the lounge, but this year the eldest will be 18 (classified as an adult guest, I guess?)

Anyone know what the protocol/rules are around getting them into the First lounge at Sydney (or any other lounge for that matter)?

Should I use one of the complimentary passes to get the eldest in?

Thanks for any tips

I had a similar situation last Christmas, where I was travelling with my family 3 kids and oldest had just turned 18. I had given Platinum to my wife but as we were flying CX (QF award redemption), the rules stated that we could only invite 1 guest each into Sydney F Lounge.. Luckily the Lounge staff offered to give CX a call to see if an exception could be made...which was duly granted so all ok...never had a problem when flying QF though

 

[Kangol]

LHR have champagne in the lounge for P1/CL (Sparkling for everyone else) as well as fancier wines too. Staff also give better service as you are identifiable with a book with a gold band on it

Thanks, so similar to F then.
I haven't been through in over a year so the book with the gold band is possibly new - not something I remember.
The host did mention to the bartender that I was an F pax and they had Perrier-Jouet.

 

[juddles]

Hi Guys

First post, please go easy on me.

I had a question, but I couldn't easily find the answer elsewhere.

I am recently minted P1.

Going Sydney-London for Xmas holidays. Wife and 3 kids. Travelling economy

Traditionally, never had a problem getting the 3 kids in the lounge, but this year the eldest will be 18 (classified as an adult guest, I guess?)

Anyone know what the protocol/rules are around getting them into the First lounge at Sydney (or any other lounge for that matter)?

Should I use one of the complimentary passes to get the eldest in?

Thanks for any tips

Hi there @New to this, I get your situation.

Since last year QF brought in that the WP membership can be given to people who are not your partner (used to be only to your spouse). I also have an 18 yr old daughter, so she is now the beneficiary of this. This makes sense as my wife only ever travels when I do. Have you considered gifting WP to your child?

I understand that tecnically if you did this, on partner airline flights you and your child could only invite one guest each. But it would be a brave lounge dragon at a Qantas lounge that would deny a P1 entry to a lounge with their wife and an additional child, no matter what One World airline you were flying....

 

[swordfish]

Hi there @New to this, I get your situation.

Since last year QF brought in that the WP membership can be given to people who are not your partner (used to be only to your spouse).

Oh really? That's interesting. I wonder if P1 members are selling them off (particularly if they don't have a spouse).

 

[RichardMEL]

Oh really? That's interesting. I wonder if P1 members are selling them off (particularly if they don't have a spouse).

There probably are some. I haven't searched the usual suspects for such things though.. and honestly I'd hope if QF found someone doing this they'd jump on them.

Me (who does not have a partner) - I have given freely to friends and worthy people(to me) without desire for compensation other than it being used and enjoyed (and to the one person I have so far gifted my WP to, that is absolutely certain it has happened multiple times )... I have someone else in mind for my next year, and I am pretty certain they will derive the same.

That's just me though.

 

[Kangol]

Thanks, so similar to F then.
I haven't been through in over a year so the book with the gold band is possibly new - not something I remember.
The host did mention to the bartender that I was an F pax and they had Perrier-Jouet.

The LHR CL/F/P1 menu only has 3 wines that are available to these passengers. No other hidden offerings.
Perrier-Jouet, Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay 2015 and Wolf Blass St John's 5355 Shiraz 2012.
Similar to the other F lounges - SYD, MEL, LAX.

 

[calmelb]

The LHR CL/F/P1 menu only has 3 wines that are available to these passengers. No other hidden offerings.
Perrier-Jouet, Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay 2015 and Wolf Blass St John's 5355 Shiraz 2012.
Similar to the other F lounges - SYD, MEL, LAX.

I still don’t get why WP don’t get proper champagne in these lounges. Surely it costs QF more in LHR for the WPs to go to BA/CX first lounges than just to provide champagne for them. Feels a little cheap from my end

 

[Matt_01]

I arrived for my weekly commute back to MEL, as I entered the the lounge I was informed that the lounge was quite busy and then directed to the CL. I really do not understand why QF cannot just make CL lounge access available as a P1 standard benefit.