I also feel BA, as Bloody Awful as it is, has far more competition at it's home base (they only really HAVE one ) that handing out more of the candy is probably seen as approprate. QF doesn't need to; VA has nothing remotely close.
To compare - Malaysia Airlines Enrich gives free Platinum to your spouse once you attain basic Platinum. No need to achieve 3x Platinum to enjoy that benefits. Also unlimited free meet and greet services for all classes of travel for standard Platinums at KUL.
If you can get to SQ PPS Solitare, you'll be upgraded for free at every possible opportunity on every SQ flight.
CX Diamond Plus is on the table for the big spenders which has soft benefits like customized napkins, private escort services at HKG etc.
EK IO members have their own personal, direct phone# to the Skywards contact centre. A private squad of men-in-black type characters to whisk you around the airport, check in from your house, always unlimited free airport transfers.
Air Asia will assign an anonymous, dedicated staff member to be on your flight (as a passenger) to ensure NOTHING goes wrong. They have authority on flights second only to the Captain.
There are PLENTY more examples of how airlines (especially in Asia) treat their top members.
Qantas has focused way too much on the hard physical status benefits. I'm willing to bet they see significant churn from P1 among members who have a choice of which carrier they fly. Reading through this thread it's clear even basic stuff like priority boarding is still a problem after what.. a decade? Way past due for some airport ops management to lose their jobs IMO.
If you wanted the physical benefits - you'd go for BA or perhaps AA who have significant tangible rewards at the top end.
IMO Platinum One is only worthwhile if you fly Qantas... where there are light loads in premium cabins, or/and... you're unlucky and constantly have disrupted flights to really utilize SST.... or you really want a white card to show off.
I like Qantas and they're a great airline with a special place in my heart and the market performance is excellent - but if you're spending over ~$30K AUD on international flights p.a. - it's time to smell the roses elsewhere. No need for *slight hope* ... just move your business elsewhere and get rewarded in a more meaningful way.
Where would you suggest we go? I fall into that group easily these days but having had a look around, I didn't notice anyone that was really that different.
BA has significant, as some may perceive YMMV, advantages for its Gold Guest List program (analogous to QF P1).
But then we'd have to fly BA! haha
For Air Canada P1 equivalents, they have concierges at the airport (print out boarding passes in case you're late, get bag tags ready, walk you through security if you have a tight cnx). They were helpful for sure, (but no P1 customer care team)
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I would so enjoy P1 however from all that the current holders are saying it has merit but ....does lack
I would rather structure our flying so we continue both to have Platinium
Pointing out my travel is not work related as I am retired .
I've mulled a run for BA GGL+CCR with the eventual target of lifetime OWE. I'd never drop below QF Platinum though to keep arrivals access, award seat release, better(?) handing on IRROPS.
BA F is essentially QF F with better wine, as I've been vocal about.
TTR - I agree with your comments for sure.
Then again isn't every airlines uber premium tier going to focus and reward on their own metal? That makes perfect sense.
Any suggestions?
This!The #1, biggest loyalty drive I've seen is CONSISTENT DELIVERY OF THE BASICS
I have done this but it doesn't seem to be so easy. Current situation is that I'm contacting them for each flight as the SST don't monitor domestic flights. I'd like to get it back to how it was when I was WP and my shadow just travelled with me. Early days yet though, just curious if others have encountered this?Speak to the SST and tell them your preference for a shadow rather than row 4. They should be able to assist and block the seat next to you where ever possible.
I’ve had this issue for a long time, but as far as I’m aware the only automatic granting of shadows is for CLs, not P1s or WPs. This is supported by my expert flyer searches where you can see where a seat is actually blocked, versus just one that isn’t filled because it’s not available. I’m sure airport staff try to keep seats next to CLs, P1s and WPs vacant as long as possible, but in the end they almost always go to random pax or staff. I also used to ask the SST for a shadow but succes rate was less than 10 per cent so I gave up.I have done this but it doesn't seem to be so easy. Current situation is that I'm contacting them for each flight as the SST don't monitor domestic flights. I'd like to get it back to how it was when I was WP and my shadow just travelled with me. Early days yet though, just curious if others have encountered this?
Thank you for that. I think you are correct about CL's having a solid and reliable shadow, however my WP shadow did pretty well. Probably 90% of flights with an empty seat next to me, although that figure would have been augmented by me occasionally asking.I’ve had this issue for a long time, but as far as I’m aware the only automatic granting of shadows is for CLs, not P1s or WPs. This is supported by my expert flyer searches where you can see where a seat is actually blocked, versus just one that isn’t filled because it’s not available. I’m sure airport staff try to keep seats next to CLs, P1s and WPs vacant as long as possible, but in the end they almost always go to random pax or staff. I also used to ask the SST for a shadow but succes rate was less than 10 per cent so I gave up.
I personally value row 4 legroom over a shadow. But in instances where I’d be happy with the latter I wait until boarding commences, check the seatmap on expertflyer and then specifically ask for any seats where there’s a vacant adjoining seat. Much more effective than relying on QF.
re BA/MH etc
These are all great suggestions for where to go etc in general
but they are VERY dependent on each person's travel demands/patterns and even preferences.
For example, if my travel is mostly domestic and to/from/within North America, then BA is near useless becaue little if few opportunities to fly BA metal to make use of upgrade perks, special service, or even to meet any minimum flight requirements (though I do understand AA offers BA GGL Conceriege Key equivalent treatment which is a nice one) but QF domestic would treat one like a OWE. Nothing wrong with that of course but it may have mixed benefits if one could qualify for P1 with a mostlia QF metal type travel pattern
If you can get to SQ PPS Solitare, you'll be upgraded for free at every possible opportunity on every SQ flight.
Put down the cheap QF kool-aid and enjoy the champagne on the other side with the rest of us
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