Platinum Run

[bossreggie]

Well... Here goes. After lurking on this forum for years.... Avidly reading thousands upon thousands of posts..... I finally decided to attain WP. I have been SG for as long as I remember, but YOU have convinced me that WP is the way to go!

I am now sitting in the MEL Dom J lounge with my partner, who has agreed to accompany me on the first 2 flights. We are heading to BNE on QF634 at 1905. As usual I will be seated in 1C. This first up and down to BNE is really just to get the 60 SC I need for WP and to have lunch in BNE tomorrow before heading back to MEL on QF631 at 1645. (Once again in 1C)

Tomorrow night I head to NAD before returning to MEL on Tuesday via SYD-BNE.

I have never done a TR before and I am not sure if it would be at all interesting to others anyway. However.... I will add to this and maybe (if I can work out how) post a pic or 2.

Thanks to all the AFF'ers who have inspired me to even contemplate doing anything like this. I may indeed be "crazy".... Yet somehow it feels right!

Shaun

 

[samh004]

If you were a WP I’d meet you at the airport to congratulate you on re-qualifying and have a drink, but you don’t have that anytime lounge access just yet

 

[markh]

Good on you and good luck!

You know that once you are a Plat you will never go back !!

 

[JohnK]

Good luck!

You know that once you are a Plat you will never go back !!

Do you go back if you don't do enough flying?

 

[Paddy55]

Thanks to all the AFF'ers who have inspired me to even contemplate doing anything like this. I may indeed be "crazy".... Yet somehow it feels right!

Shaun

Bossreggie

Did a MR in US last year to get to WP... haven't looked back since.
Mrs Paddy looks at me strangely these day though...

Paddy

 

[bossreggie]

You know that once you are a Plat you will never go back !!

I am wondering about that. To maintain WP I just need to do one of my long haul flights with QF each year. ATM I use Emirates for Europe as I like the hard product. I only travel "F" long haul so if WP is worth it.... I shall ensure I maintain it.

I think for me.... As I do the Trans Tasman several time per year in "J" with QF..... The first lounge access will be ideal. I have never particularly liked the QF Int J Lounge in MEL. There are no windows and I prefer to see the tarmac! Yhe other main benefit I see for me..... Is using the DOM "J" lounge if I am traveling with someone who is not in "J". I feel I have to sit in the QP lounge if I am with someone who is traveling economy now.

I don't think I will ever get an op-up as I travel in the premium cabin anyway. I do like the extra QFF points I will get though.

 

[RescuePilot]

Hi Boss Reggie

If you gain WP then the First Class loung option and Plat lounges throughout Australia (where provided) will be good value.

In terms of "add ons" or "benefits" you essentially get what you pay for - much like all things in life.

Having been WP now for some 8 Years I found myself and Mrs Rescuepilot stuck in Istanbul - no BA flights to route back through Heathrow to connect to SYD on A380.

The only option was Emirates J x 2 from Istanbul through Dubai.

I was absolutely amazed at the service from Emirates (and marked difference between BA and QF) and absolutely gobsmacked at being upgraded to First suites with no prior custom ever.

In 8 years of WP with QF I have never been offered an op up or been successful with bids for upgrades on points.... Emirates 777ER is fantastic, cabin staff superb and tech crew highly competent (opp to visit Flight Deck post landing Dubai and Capt and FO were great)

The bext thing to come out of the ash cloud for me was a wonderful experience with Emirates, something that I would never have considered if BA was unavailable.

Trust you enjoy the Platinum experience

Cheers
RP

 

[Dave Noble]

Having been WP now for some 8 Years I found myself and Mrs Rescuepilot stuck in Istanbul - no BA flights to route back through Heathrow to connect to SYD on A380.

The only option was Emirates J x 2 from Istanbul through Dubai.

I was absolutely amazed at the service from Emirates (and marked difference between BA and QF) and absolutely gobsmacked at being upgraded to First suites with no prior custom ever.

The benefits that you get if you get away from being fixated with an airline or alliance... that you find that for quality of travel, the grass can indeed be greener

Suites are nice arnt they ?

Dave

 

[bossreggie]

Suites are nice arnt they ? Dave

Yes they are.

I regularly have to fly by myself, and the solitude offered by the suites, is just what I need. I'm not looking for random conversation and "niceties" from fellow pax. I'm ALWAYS going to be polite and I WILL have social intercourse with someone..... HOWEVER..... I actually prefer to be left alone. The crew are being paid to look after me and I am happy to allow THEM to do it!

Shaun

 

[Grooba]

Yes they are.

I regularly have to fly by myself, and the solitude offered by the suites, is just what I need. I'm not looking for random conversation and "niceties" from fellow pax. I'm ALWAYS going to be polite and I WILL have social intercourse with someone..... HOWEVER..... I actually prefer to be left alone. The crew are being paid to look after me and I am happy to allow THEM to do it!

Shaun

Absolutely 100% agree with that statement.

 

[Ewing]

. I'm not looking for random conversation and "niceties" from fellow pax. I'm ALWAYS going to be polite and I WILL have social intercourse with someone..... HOWEVER..... I actually prefer to be left alone.

Same actually.

Travelling is usually my "down time" before/after some fairly intensive meetings/etc. When I am on a plane I usually prefer to be left alone.

I've sat besides some very recognisable business people/politicians/etc over the years and many of them also enjoy their privacy, although on that same note I've also enjoyed some interesting conversations with some of them (usually when the other person has initiated it).

Anyway, congratulations on making WP. My own flying has increased exponentially lately and I'm about to make SG for the first time (next couple of weeks) and based on my current bookings will make WP also so i'm quite excited.

 

[ejb_nz]

A quick smile, brief hello and that is all I am willing to give to the person I am sitting next to.

I chose the seat based on my comfort and not to talk to the person next to me.

I am never rude, however I do make it clear by my actions that I am not up for a 10+hr get to know you flight. Headphones on early and IFE as soon as possible.

ejb

 

[RescuePilot]

Suites are nice arnt they ?

Dave

Dave - I can agree 100%....It was surreal and could not believe that I and Mrs RP were the chosen ones. There were three spare suites which remained unused for the complete flight although one was used for the Purser to complete paperwork - which is no problem by me.

Is it possible that they were tipped off by my agent as to QF/Oneworld status? Just wondering as to how I came to be kissed on the head by an upgrade fairy!

Cheers

RP

 

[bossreggie]

Fiji

Well... I am sitting in my hotel in Fiji. It was raining as we landed this morning however it has turned out to be quite a nice day.

I had 2 AWESOME flights with Qantas, both up to BNE, and back down to MEL. Service was excellent and it was helped by the fact J was fairly empty.

The QF codeshare to NAD was also very good. We had a scheduled departure time of around midnight but due to everyone boarding the aircraft quite early we pushed back at 11.30pm. We arrived into NAD about 35 minutes ahead of schedule.

My driver was waiting for me and within 45 minutes I was checked in to the Sofitel. I was greeted by the duty manager on arrival and he personally walked me to my suite. I felt that was a nice touch as I have only stayed here once before.

I'm going to have several mojitos this afternoon before heading to "The Flying Fish" restaurant at The Sheraton for dinner. We have always enjoyed the table on the sand and I highly recommended the degustation menu.

I have an early check out time tomorrow morning as My return flight to Sydney is scheduled for a 9am departure.

I am still showing as SG on my Qantas profile but I am not too concerned as all my flights are in J and WP will not be of any benefit. I am hoping that my points earned for the remaining flights are accrued as WP level though.

 

[ejb_nz]

Hi bossreggie,

How did you enjoy the FLounge in Melbourne?

How was the inflight service, I am considering taking mrs ejb to Nadi for a couple of weeks later in the year to burn some SPG points.

Enjoy your short break.

ejb

 

[bossreggie]

Hi bossreggie,

How did you enjoy the FLounge in Melbourne?

How was the inflight service, I am considering taking mrs ejb to Nadi for a couple of weeks later in the year to burn some SPG points.

Enjoy your short break.

ejb

Hi ejb.

I did not get to use the Flounge in MEL as my status still shows me as SG. I was a little annoyed but I did not want to create any fuss.

I find the inflight service with Air Pacific to be quite good. The hard product is nothing special but the Fijian friendly attitude is a big win. I enjoy Fiji and with the strong AUD and a short flight time from the eastern states it's an ideal spot for even a short break.

I will get to try the FLounge in MEL and SYD in the middle of next month. I am looking forward to it as it will mean a bit more relaxing pre-flight.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Your experience on the flight reminds me of this trip report. http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...tos/bula-fiji-air-pacific-qantas-22319-2.html

 

[notzac]

Re: Fiji

I am still showing as SG on my Qantas profile but I am not too concerned as all my flights are in J and WP will not be of any benefit. I am hoping that my points earned for the remaining flights are accrued as WP level though.

What will most likely happen is the flights will initially credit at SG bonus levels, your account will get WP'ised and any flights that were taken after you reach WP will get retroactive credit - QF are pretty good about that.

 

[v8Statesman]

Re: Fiji

What will most likely happen is the flights will initially credit at SG bonus levels, your account will get WP'ised and any flights that were taken after you reach WP will get retroactive credit - QF are pretty good about that.

Don't give them to much credit. AA give you the 100% bonus on the flight that qualified you. QF it isn't until the next flight!!!

 

[bossreggie]

Well I'm now in the DOM J lounge in SYD. Flights have still not shown up on my profile but I hope they will later today. A quick flight up to BNE at 2pm then heading back to MEL this evening. I am going to try and catch an earlier flight than the 6.55PM flight I am currently booked on.

This whole brief trip has been tiring but it was for a purpose. I do not know how people could do this type of run in economy. I just can not fathom it.

I am going to look forward to receiving my new WP card and luggage tags in the mail soon.

I will be very interested to see if the level of attention/recognition is much of an improvement over SG.