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?

 

[RichardMEL]

So seems like that was a CBR-centric thing.

Interesting.

 

[kermatu]

Perhaps it was a CBR thing only. When I was given the explanation the CL attendant did say the practice caught some lounges by surprise (she mentioned Sydney).

Better consistency would be 5 CL passes per year for a P1. But that’ll only happen when I’ve dropped back to WP or lower.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Better consistency would be 5 CL passes per year for a P1. But that’ll only happen when I’ve dropped back to WP or lower.

Or a new benefit for those P1 who are also LTP?

 

[kermatu]

Or a new benefit for those P1 who are also LTP?

I’d suggest such folk deserve to be CLs more than many existing ones.

 

[juddles]

Hi all,

a few days ago I dropped from P1 to vanilla platinum. Was hard to swallow, but I retain my reasons....

But as a data point, or opinion, I just flew 5 segments domestic with my new lowly status - and guess what? I did not notice a difference.

On 3 out of those 5 flights I was given the "Welcome back" greeting by observant staff as I entered the planes. I was travelling business so there were no subtle offerings of tiny extras. I know that staff and experiences can be greatly skewed by individual flight segments, but the overall experience reinforced what I already knew - P1 is only valuable when things go wrong.

Anyone who actively pursues P1 is crazy - it is, IMHO, a great service to those who have to travel heaps. But something to be fought for, yearned for, aspired to? Absolutely no way.

 

[kermatu]

So the soft landing or 3 year averaging remains?

 

[Fergo747]

So the soft landing or 3 year averaging remains?

I believe it’s the soft landing. You never seem to drop more than one level of status of you don’t meet the threshold of the level you are. So P1 > WP > SG > PS > NB. The only difference is CL and depends whether the holder was a vanilla CL or status CL.

 

[Kangol]

I believe it’s the soft landing. You never seem to drop more than one level of status of you don’t meet the threshold of the level you are. So P1 > WP > SG > PS > NB. The only difference is CL and depends whether the holder was a vanilla CL or status CL.

What's the difference between vanilla and status CL?

 

[Fergo747]

What's the difference between vanilla and status CL?

To me anyway a Vanilla CL = someone given CL that doesn’t travel enough to earn a useful status where a status CL is someone that holds not only CL but flies enough to earn status in their own right (e.g. WP)

On an unrelated note, I received my first P1 upgrade yesterday which I only noticed on checking in when my boarding pass showed 1F (originally in 4A). Only SYD-MEL but better than nothing.

 

[RichardMEL]

I would expect almost no difference between a WP and a P1 flying domestic in J. *Rarely* I get a comment like "You fly a lot you must have had all the meals" or "I bet you're sick of the safety video right?" (was said last week)

but there is really zero difference as you say.

So Juddles does this mean an end to your rantings about all of QF's failures and disdain for P1? Asking for a friend

 

[flyingfan]

I would expect almost no difference between a WP and a P1 flying domestic in J. *Rarely* I get a comment like "You fly a lot you must have had all the meals" or "I bet you're sick of the safety video right?" (was said last week)

Being WP or WP1 (or CL from what I can see) makes no difference in domestic J on the golden triangle IME. The only differentiator is those on industry fares, otherwise the service tends to be good for everyone but nothing exceptional.

I got a comment about being tired of the meals too, that was the only nod to P1 status.

Internationally in Y (I’m still smarting over it), I got treated worse than WP because the CSMs still can’t interpret the manifest, I was overlooked for a greeting or drinks.

 

[juddles]

I would expect almost no difference between a WP and a P1 flying domestic in J. *Rarely* I get a comment like "You fly a lot you must have had all the meals" or "I bet you're sick of the safety video right?" (was said last week)

but there is really zero difference as you say.

So Juddles does this mean an end to your rantings about all of QF's failures and disdain for P1? Asking for a friend

RichardMel, I am not sure what to take from this comment....

Over the years I have been a devout supporter of QF, yet willing to highlight their fails that I have experienced. Regarding P1 specifically, I have always enjoyed the true support that they give to P1's, just not the hype and frivolous stuff (the hype being generated, IMHO, from customers, not them)

So am not sure what you refer to about "rantings". Perhaps it is my line that I am firm on in that, in this small AFF world, I truly try to dissuade people from actively trying to "attain" P1. It is simply not that sort of status program. But I feel that some do still make economic decisions (whether it be status runs or whatever) to try to get to that P1 point. Which I personally feel is not warranted.

Or perhaps it is from my habit of sharing amongst this community my angst at certain moments? It is a fairly well known idea that to vent is a way of coping

In any case, that you have perceived my posts as "rantings" hurts me. I think that over the years I have shared both good and bad feelings about QF. Unlike some that have a perpetual rage against them..... But perhaps it is time for even more change. A fellow AFF'er once said that "the lower your status, the better quality of your life" or something similar. Forgive me that I cannot recollect who said that. But it is true. I have gone from 400,000 km to 40,000 km a year, and I am so far loving it. Maybe I need to make the same change with regards to AFF involvement.

I maybe just got too involved. Hence the sharing of feelings that seem to come across as rantings....

In any case, tell your friend that the P1 program is exactly what it is marketed as - a status level only obtained by those who fly way too much, and designed to lessen the pain of such. It is not about "perks" - it never has been.....

 

[juddles]

sjk, I note your "hilarious" emoticon response to my above post.

I cannot fathom it as a serious reply or comment, but I can understand what it says about you. If you need to learn the tools to be able to be able to engage in a discussion, I am very willing to help you...

 

[Kangol]

I would expect almost no difference between a WP and a P1 flying domestic in J.

Might be a coincidence, but I was lucky enough to get the last chicken sandwich once when sitting in the last row of J.
Who knows if this was a P1 "benefit"; would be interested to hear if P1s have not had their meal choice in dom J.
It's all relative to the cabin I suppose. If you are P1 and there are 6 other WPs, that's not the same as being the only P1 and everyone else without status. Or, being the only WP (with no one higher) and everyone else without status.

 

[RichardMEL]

Judd;es.

my "friend" and I both apologise for hurting you.

I did think twice after my comment and then got caught up in Melbourne weather and stuff to get back to editing it.

I guess what I meant is that it seems to me that over the past year, or maybe less, you've made many posts to point out your dissatification with QF (and not without justification mind you) and how you've moved elsewhere and the like. It just seemed that every opportunity was taken to tell everyone you were out.. and on reflection that's fine.

(and in no way is any of this me trying to defend QF or P1 for that matter.. though maybe it seems that way)

Anyway I apologise for any hurt caused. Of course you're entitled to voice your opinions and views and I shouldn't have used a term like "ranting"

 

[RichardMEL]

Might be a coincidence, but I was lucky enough to get the last chicken sandwich once when sitting in the last row of J.
Who knows if this was a P1 "benefit"; would be interested to hear if P1s have not had their meal choice in dom J.
It's all relative to the cabin I suppose. If you are P1 and there are 6 other WPs, that's not the same as being the only P1 and everyone else without status. Or, being the only WP (with no one higher) and everyone else without status.

Based on my own experiences, so totally anecdotal, it's really up to the CSM's.

For example on a couple of flights I've specifically been addressed (once sitting in 3F on a trans tas, another time sitting in row 2 or 3 on a 717 that I can recall) with the CSM specifically asking me my choices "So you don't miss out on your pick" as a clear attempt to give it as a status benefit.

On the vast majority of flights though the only differential I have noticed in J cabin service (on narrowbodies anyway) has been the pax on staff travel and sometimes late upgraders (ie: "CNA") are offered a tray and to come back to them.. but no apparent priority to status otherwise. I usually sit in row 2 and hadn't noticed a lack of options at that stage (but honestly I have more or less stopped eating on short haul domestic J preferring to eat in the lounge and just drunk on board)

I can recall various times when pax in row 1 have consumed all of one option so not offered when I have been further back. Of course I have not known those pax status to know one way or the other if that was taken into account or not, but I suspect more or less not - as long as revenue(inc award) pax they get their choice in order.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

I recently flew BKK-SIN-SYD using CX BKK-SIN then QF2 all in premium Y. I was surprised CX wouldn't give me a fast track pass through BKK immigration when checking in - I thought either premium Y or OWE would make me eligible but they insisted it was for J PAX only...were they right? Immigration took me almost an hour!

 

[flyingfan]

A few months ago flying QF Y into BKK, the CSM apologetically said due to airport policy, only J and F get express immigration now - it’s not given for status.

 

[sudoer]

I thought either premium Y or OWE would make me eligible but they insisted it was for J PAX only...were they right? Immigration took me almost an hour!

It's definitely a BKK airport thing - all airlines have started giving the passes to J/F pax only

 

[Daver6]

I recently flew BKK-SIN-SYD using CX BKK-SIN then QF2 all in premium Y. I was surprised CX wouldn't give me a fast track pass through BKK immigration when checking in - I thought either premium Y or OWE would make me eligible but they insisted it was for J PAX only...were they right? Immigration took me almost an hour!

From the OW website. Suitably vague so airlines can do whatever they want I guess