Platinum One... worth it??

[AirKat]

Hiya

Sometime lurker and first time poster.... thanks to all for your advice

This membership year due to work travel I'm going to end up around 3400 SCs. All on Qantas domestic Y flights, with one Y Mel - HKG flight thrown in. A hectic year for me, although I know others travel more. I am trying to work out if it is worth a status run to get to Platinum One.

From everything I read I just can't work out what the tangible benefits are, WPs even have Epicure membership at the moment. I'd appreciate any advice, anything I am not aware of. I have to admit I am a point hoarder so do not often use them on upgrades... like all I am a big fan of complimentary upgrades though so improved chances would be a good enough reason for me. Like most WPs I was spoilt and had about 75% of flights in December upgraded to J but those days seem gone.

Many thanks

 

[richie9x]

I'm in a similar position will be a 200-300 short of Platinum one when my QFF year ends this month. And like you it has been earned through Y travel domestically and plus a few trans-tasman for me.

Looking at the benefits of platinum one there is no benefit that really sticks out for me. A lot of the benefits seem so intangible, it is hard to gauge their actual benefit. The "special service team" sounds great but I'm not sure how useful it would be in reality. For instance I don't think it would have been any benefit to me this year.

A lot of the benefits are really only use when flying long haul with Qantas. For a variety of reasons I haven't flown Qantas long haul recently. So the free international exit row seating isn't much of a benefit. I am quite happy in row 4 on a 737 transtasman.

I already have free Epicure membership due to the grounding. I don't think I'll order anything from them anyway.

Special events seem interesting - a simulator session would be cool. That is the only real good benefit to me.

So the rational side of me says not worth it. The irrational side say go for it for the prestige of having a boarding pass with "platinum one" written on it. The rational side of me is winning at the moment.

But if my current travel patterns hold up and depending on when MAS joins OW I should make P1 in my next QFF year. So i think I might just wait and see.

 

[AirKat]

The irrational side say go for it for the prestige of having a boarding pass with "platinum one" written on it. The rational side of me is winning at the moment.

Oh you are so right!! Unfortunately I think my irrational side is winning...

 

[samh004]

I'd say yes if you're a short status run away purely because it also means you can only be downgraded to WP, not all the way to SG!




 

[TonyHancock]

I made a decision quite a few months ago to plan my travel for my current QF year to reach P1. After a year of "enhancements" I was convinced that QF would come up with something special. The teasers and then the launch with AFF members present whetted my appetite. (I was in the UK when the launch event happened, eagerly following thewinchester's updates on twitter and AFF.)

Foolishly I had fallen for the QF marketing bollocks again. A poor November 2010 left me 250 SC's short of P1 level at the end of October but I am doomed to reach the depths of P1 in early March.

My travel is planned about six months to a year out and QF does feature in my plans for 2012/2013, but only yesterday I booked an Etihad LHR-MEL J trip for August/Oct. Six months ago this would have gone to QF. I'll still fly QF next year, when it suits my needs, but I'll be looking to earn partner platinum at VA. Partner gold is about as far as I will look to go with QF.

I'm struggling to see any real benefits in P1 for me. I'm not one for events or flight simulators, travel is an occupational hazard that I would like to avoid in my leisure time. A wasted opportunity to give some genuine enhancements to it's most FF's in my opinion.

 

[casanovawa]

I'm sure Wilco would have something to add about all this?!?!?

 

[bossreggie]

I think some of the "unwritten" benefits are good for those who travel this much.

My son returned to MEL 1 day before me yesterday, he was in J. He is P1. He wanted to take a friend back with him from LHR so I agreed to pay for a Y fare.

All done and my son reports when they checked in, his mate was op upped right through to MEL.. My son did not ask for this.

On the way over last week. I was in F, my son was in J, I was asked in the first Class Check in area if I'd like my son to be in F with me. I said yes but then we both slept most of the 2 flights.

99% of the time I NEVER have anyone sitting next to me in Dom and trans Tasman J. I have also booked flights at the very last minute and have been given my usual seats I know that in some instances other pax have been asked to change seats even after check in.. I overheard a fellow pax asking the csm who I was as he had allocated 1B for himself and 1A as a second choice but was advised BOTH seat were now taken.
(I was flying alone)

 

[TonyHancock]

I think some of the "unwritten" benefits are good for those who travel this much.

My son returned to MEL 1 day before me yesterday, he was in J. He is P1. He wanted to take a friend back with him from LHR so I agreed to pay for a Y fare.

All done and my son reports when they checked in, his mate was op upped right through to MEL.. My son did not ask for this.

On the way over last week. I was in F, my son was in J, I was asked in the first Class Check in area if I'd like my son to be in F with me. I said yes but then we both slept most of the 2 flights.

99% of the time I NEVER have anyone sitting next to me in Dom and trans Tasman J. I have also booked flights at the very last minute and have been given my usual seats I know that in some instances other pax have been asked to change seats even after check in.. I overheard a fellow pax asking the csm who I was as he had allocated 1B for himself and 1A as a second choice but was advised BOTH seat were now taken.
(I was flying alone)

Are you getting the benefits of your CL status though? I'll be interested to see of if there is any change in approach after I qualify.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Kefci2000]

I think some of the "unwritten" benefits are good for those who travel this much.

My son returned to MEL 1 day before me yesterday, he was in J. He is P1. He wanted to take a friend back with him from LHR so I agreed to pay for a Y fare.

All done and my son reports when they checked in, his mate was op upped right through to MEL.. My son did not ask for this.

On the way over last week. I was in F, my son was in J, I was asked in the first Class Check in area if I'd like my son to be in F with me. I said yes but then we both slept most of the 2 flights.

99% of the time I NEVER have anyone sitting next to me in Dom and trans Tasman J. I have also booked flights at the very last minute and have been given my usual seats I know that in some instances other pax have been asked to change seats even after check in.. I overheard a fellow pax asking the csm who I was as he had allocated 1B for himself and 1A as a second choice but was advised BOTH seat were now taken.
(I was flying alone)

We will start calling you "George" soon......... (Clooney.....as in "up in the air")

 

[Alanslegal]

This membership year due to work travel I'm going to end up around 3400 SCs. All on Qantas domestic Y flights, with one Y Mel - HKG flight thrown in. A hectic year for me, although I know others travel more. I am trying to work out if it is worth a status run to get to Platinum One.

With that many domestic Y flights, I can only imagine your increased op-up chances as a P1 (which is perfect for you as you don't like to points upgade on domestic legs, and I agree with that view).

 

[Canny man]

I'm just back from a terrific family holiday using points that simply would not have happened without the efforts of the special service team (especially Jess) and the P1 ability to have classic award seats released.

My family put up with a lot due to me being away for much of the year. QF's efforts to support and enhance (in the true sense of the word) one of our few joint travel experiences helped say thank you for their sacrifices.

 

[Per_Travels]

I'm just back from a terrific family holiday using points that simply would not have happened without the efforts of the special service team (especially Jess) and the P1 ability to have classic award seats released.

My family put up with a lot due to me being away for much of the year. QF's efforts to support and enhance (in the true sense of the word) one of our few joint travel experiences helped say thank you for their sacrifices.

I had a similar experience - made a late decision to spend New Year in Brisbane and the P1 team released 5 classic award seats for us (flying from Perth). Not sure if this is a P1 benefit or if it would still work for a platinum. Also were able to accomodate some late changes on the return legs with no drama's.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I had a similar experience - made a late decision to spend New Year in Brisbane and the P1 team released 5 classic award seats for us (flying from Perth). Not sure if this is a P1 benefit or if it would still work for a platinum. Also were able to accomodate some late changes on the return legs with no drama's.

I've had success getting seats released as well, and it's impossible to know if this could be achieved as a platinum member. The process is identical for both Plat and Plat1 (except the phone number).

So far my thoughts are if you are ~200 SC short then yes go for it assuming you can make use of the additional benefits. However - if you were say 800SC away then I think you would get more bang for your buck crediting those 800SC to Virgin to retain Platinum (or another airline of choice which would surely get top status).

Plat1 appears to be exactly what it was meant to be. Extra recognition for travellers ALREADY doing that much flying and not designed as something to strive for.

 

[awilcockson]

not designed as something to strive for.

awwww

 

[simongr]

Not looking like I will even get close this year (may crack 2400 SCs) so I might be hitting WP and then flying on DJ related codes int'l to retain WP with them. So far I agree I haven;t seen real reports of it being something to seek. I would however if I was likely to be flying 3600+SCs of flights - I would be making sure that I didnt miss out by flying a non QF code where possible.

 

[emef]

Been P1 for two months now. Their service is excellent in getting me on a full flight and getting upgrades which the website says are unavailable. I travel 5 to 8 sectors a week so having a concierge available to fix stuff is wonderful. I was skeptical at first but it's terrific.

 

[TonyHancock]

I flew Y, SYD-PVG this week and the service for the FA's was very good. (Champagne pre flight and drinks from the J cabin.) The Cabin Supervisor introduced himself and made the comment that he saw that I was one of their top tier fliers. The CSM said two words to me......."Landing Card" which I thought was a little poor. I had a shadow too so that was good.

Returning today so will be interesting to see the service levels. I'm warming a little more to P1 but I still see it as a wasted opportunity.

 

[smit0847]

I travel 5 to 8 sectors a week

wowee thats a lot.

 

[Jasecoop]

not worth it, especially for a status run. Haven't noticed much difference except for being offered first choice for food in first before they run out, which happens everytime. The call centre is useless, they cannot do anything. Also noticed on LAN that the status doesn't even show on the ticket, where as platinum does

 

[ChrisCunard]

I'd say yes if you're a short status run away purely because it also means you can only be downgraded to WP, not all the way to SG!


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That's good thinking!!