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?

 

[juddles]

Fellow P1's (and aspirants),

It is now about 3 or 4 mths since I made P1, and have flown about 6 or 8 longhaul flights on QF metal, and about the same on domestic. I have not had any major issues to require help with, but have chatted to the P1 team a couple of times with small enquiries that were not appropriate for the general call centre.

My experience thus far is that it is very pleasant being in this club. Just because you probably get treated the way all travellers would like to be. Simple things like very helpful and competent call centre staff, very willing onboard staff, etc.

There has not been a single flight where I was greeted in any special and pandering manner,, and I would not like that anyway. But during those long flights (all in J) the particular staff that have looked after me have been really really good. I sometimes think I disappoint them by not actually having many requests

Anyway, just rambling here, partly as an escape from reading other threads of people fighting for the scraps (like WP status)

 

[Princess Fiona]

Fellow P1's (and aspirants),

It is now about 3 or 4 mths since I made P1, and have flown about 6 or 8 longhaul flights on QF metal, and about the same on domestic. I have not had any major issues to require help with, but have chatted to the P1 team a couple of times with small enquiries that were not appropriate for the general call centre.

My experience thus far is that it is very pleasant being in this club. Just because you probably get treated the way all travellers would like to be. Simple things like very helpful and competent call centre staff, very willing onboard staff, etc.

There has not been a single flight where I was greeted in any special and pandering manner,, and I would not like that anyway. But during those long flights (all in J) the particular staff that have looked after me have been really really good. I sometimes think I disappoint them by not actually having many requests

Anyway, just rambling here, partly as an escape from reading other threads of people fighting for the scraps (like WP status)

Thanks for your insights juddles. I've been there for about 8 months now and I agree that it's way nicer to be P1 but I think that based on my three fails where I really needed the P1 team to be empowered to step up I think it lacks something in execution. Don't get me wrong my enquiries are answered ASAP but I still need to be extremely vigilant about my bookings.
I'll summarise briefly
1. Complete failure of droid to action an upgrade for P1 on LAX-SYD sector J-F for QF12 JFK-LAX-SYD. I have had this confirmed from internal sources (Pax below P1 had points upgrade) P1 cheerfully continued to tell me that I was in the P1 pool in the upgrade process.
As a side issue - regardless of status don't ever request an upgrade on J-F QF12 LAX-SYD if leaving from JFK on QF12 it is doomed.
2. Missed my connection from LHR-GLA on SYD-MEL-LHR-GLA due to IRROPS QF9. Two tickets, single PNR. Advised by P1 in DXB that I'd been rebooked next morning on my flight to GLA but unable to check in or select a seat. P1 certain it was rebooked. Turned up to BA check in at 0600 and practically had to beg to let me on the flight as had not been rebooked.
3. Chauffeur drive disappeared from MMB for GLA-DXB-SYD. Not needed for GLA as dropping off hire car but needed to and from DXB. Telephoned SST and put through to general team. Agent "booked" car to and from DXB. On arrival EK no record of booking and also no record of pick up or return to DXB. 4 or 5 phone calls to and from P1 during one day of my DXB visit to manage to eventually book a chauffeur drive to the airport.

I'm a relatively patient princess to be honest but my expectations of P1 are slightly higher than what I've experienced so far.

 

[RichardMEL]

QF onboard have never been great at status recognition - actually in my first year or so of P1 they were much "better" (in that I used to have awkward forced convos from CSM's clearly trying to make an effort due to status) - I don't want the whole pandering thing either tbh but on the other hand it's not been obvious that there's any difference onboard.

except for last weekend on trans-tasman (as I posted above) where it seemed the FA made a very specific beeline to me in row 3 ahead of everyone else to ask my order. She didn't mention P1 or anything but it seemed clear I was the "ranking" passenger in J. I do know the bloke next to me was an employee (assigned seat at boarding and he was greeted as an employee) but others seemed to be revenue so can only conclude it was due to status. It was so unusual in terms of over all QF experiences it really stood out to me. Worse for her when I just wanted a glass of water !!

 

[juddles]

....I'm a relatively patient princess to be honest but my expectations of P1 are slightly higher than what I've experienced so far...

I understand. Aside from the CL sideshow, really, what QF displays to their P1's is really a reflection of the utmost quality care they can give to their best customers. So if we feel let down that is not good

Just a side note, I am also Lifemiles Diamond with Avianca, which is their "P1" equivalent. And in the last three years I have held that status they have been brilliant. A couple of weeks ago I flew them BOG-LAX, on an economy ticket. Their rules are really simple and well enforced - I had expected to get an upgrade as it is pretty much automatic if there are more than two or so seats left in business - and as a Diamond I am first in line. With Diamond they give 4 "upgrade certificates" per year, which are essentially guaranteed upgrades if you choose to invoke them for an otherwise economy ticket. I hadn't done that as I was saving them, assuming a gate upgrade, but watching Expertflyer I realized a couple of days before the flight that J was full. I forlornly attempted to call and use a certificate but sure enough they apologized and said there were no seats left to get me into. At the airport (lounge to be precise) I enquired again and was told that they had two seats that were no-shows, but two others had already accepted their at-airport opportunity to buy upgrades. Again I thought I was doomed to a 7 hr flight in Y But then the lady said to me that as a Diamond she could bump them back in the upgrade queue and I could secure a J seat for a few LM miles, which I very happily did.

What I am getting at here is that it was a flawless prioritization for their top FFers. I hope QF manages same.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

P1 has been around for 5 years now.

Looking at this thread, not a lot has changed. Thoughts?

 

[Happy Trails]

P1 has been around for 5 years now.

Looking at this thread, not a lot has changed. Thoughts?

Partner platinum is the only substantive change I can think of.

 

[boomy]

P1 has been around for 5 years now.

Looking at this thread, not a lot has changed. Thoughts?

Well I thought once MASA was axed numbers of P1s will reduce and benefits improve but in reality not much have changed. Most significant improvement for me is the FlyAhead option on domestic Y flights. Partner WP is also nice addition. On the negative side, no more greetings onboard and less J perks for pax flying Y. Not big deal to me but I know some members liked the special attention. Op-ups stayed the same, roughly every 10th flight. Sadly some perks that were part of WP status are now only given to P1, bad move by QF that significantly devaluated WP in order to make P1 more attractive.

Best thing about P1 has always been SST. Wonderful group of people which I got to know well over the years, always there 24/7 ready to help with any issue.

 

[kermatu]

My feelings of being underwhelmed have been expressed many times in this thread. I agree partner platinum (while irrelevant to me and I suspect many others whose partner flies a lot too) is a good change. I wish they had more defined and certain benefits like this (and with choices).

Since dropping back to WP 7 weeks ago all my Y and J flights on QF (domestic and trans-Tasman only) have been terrific - empty seats next to me in every single Y flight and about 50% in J, no trouble getting row 4 on the 737s just a few hours out, nice greetings, hot and better meals and more than 1 serve of wine (in Y). Possibly luck but more than two dozen QF flights suggest maybe not.

So, not missing P1 at all and happily building status on international flights elsewhere. Grass isn't necessarily greener, but more 'freedom of choice' sure helps.

There are so many perks that surely would be costless (or close to it) to QF that they could guarantee to make P1 more predictable and something you actually want to attain -- automatic shadow placement, ability to book spa treatments in F lounges, earlier guarantee of points upgrade, X CL access vouchers, or CL access when QP or J lounge closed, alternative choices to partner platinum (X automatic upgrades, XX SCs, or xx_X points), a higher FF points earn per flight, ability to book xASAs etc.

While QF maintains CL (over-granted) and P1 (vague) as distinct, separate levels I don't believe much will change.

 

[TonyHancock]

I was P1 for four years, and have been BA GGL for two years. (This year I'll hit 8000 TP's.)

there is no comparison for me. BA offers documented tangible benefits that make my travel life easier. QF offers books or champagne at Christmas, and the odd invitation to a "special" event.

The SST is a lovely team but lacks the empowerment to action requests. The BA GGL team is quite simply the best team I have ever dealt with at an airline in 30 years of regular flying. Knowledgeable, empowered, and supremely capable.

Sure people moan about BA and make ridiculous posts comparing BA F to other airlines J, but for me the grass has proved much greener than I could have ever imagined. (Eight BA J/F returns to the UK this year with one more to go.)

I don't miss the QF Droopbed on the A380's either.

 

[boomy]

Sure people moan about BA and make ridiculous posts comparing BA F to other airlines J

Warning! Ridiculous post coming your way

Isn't the seat on BA F almost identical to CX J?

I don't miss the QF Droopbed on the A380's either.

You must have gone up the stairs by mistake.
On the A380 the only place you want to be is downstairs in the front where the beds are most comfortable. QF also want to make sure that you wake up refreshed with no hangover so they only load limited number of champagne bottles in that area

 

[RichardMEL]

Not much has changed with P1 I agree. I can't use Partner Plat so not much help but can see that as a very nice benefit for some members. Also adding more bonuses a 5k+ SC's has a place I guess (I've never earned more than 4k in a year so not for me).

I think TonyHancock makes a great point - BA's GGL benefits are published, known, tangible so you know what you can expect and what you're entitled to. The P1 benefits, apart from partner gold, epiqure golf memberships etc are all a bit intangible.

I also think a big thing is QF has zero incentive to improve the benefits, even if the membership drops - there's very little competition in this space to influence them. I mean it's unlikely those of us who fork out and fly QF for these large (at least 2700 SC+) numbers a year are probably more or less seen as "locked in" by QF and they don't need to make much effort to retain. (folks like TonyHancock being an exception). VA offers nothing even close to be worried about so there's nothing there for QF to feel "yeah let's create an extra perk like confirmed upgrade certs or guaranteed space available upgrades on domestic" or whatever.

Also agree the VERY important point that the SST simply act as liasons rather than people with real authority to do stuff. I always have the feeling that the SST are part of marketing, rather than any operational area within QF and this means their abilities are probably quite limited.

I will note though that there have been some small signs of thoughts towards P1 members such as the thought to move P1 members from J lounges to the CL in MEL/SYD during recent heavy delay weather days - a proactive and good move by the people on the ground IMHO.

just my thoughts

 

[mviy]

Well if you're P1 you probably already have LTG or will get it soon. With no LTP to aim for if you mainly fly internationally then doing what TonyHancock has done makes a lot of sense.

 

[Kangol]

Isn't the seat on BA F almost identical to CX J?

Yes and no. It's reverse herringbone but not the same model. More room with BA F.
The CX J seat (Zodiac Cirrus) is marketed as an F seat and is used by many other carriers for long haul J (EVA, AA, the old US, Finnair, AF, China Eastern).
The other similar J seat is a reverse herringbone (B/E Aerospace Super Diamond) used by a few other carriers (QR, VA, AC).

As much as some people like to bag BA F, their F product is pretty good and like all products, somewhat crew dependent. I've certainly had crews on QF and even SQ that have not been as good as that on BA, for many reasons.

 

[boomy]

Yes and no. It's reverse herringbone but not the same model. More room with BA F.
The CX J seat (Zodiac Cirrus) is marketed as an F seat and is used by many other carriers for long haul J (EVA, AA, the old US, Finnair, AF, China Eastern).
The other similar J seat is a reverse herringbone (B/E Aerospace Super Diamond) used by a few other carriers (QR, VA, AC).

As much as some people like to bag BA F, their F product is pretty good and like all products, somewhat crew dependent. I've certainly had crews on QF and even SQ that have not been as good as that on BA, for many reasons.

While the service on BA F may be outstanding the hard product is not on par with the world best airlines. I'm not trying to bag them or anything, just stating the fact.

I'll do the same for QF as well, while I'm most loyal and they have been preferred carrier for years, they are far from being the best and I have no problem with constructive criticism when they deserve it.

 

[TonyHancock]

While the service on BA F may be outstanding the hard product is not on par with the world best airlines. I'm not trying to bag them or anything, just stating the fact.

I'll do the same for QF as well, while I'm most loyal and they have been preferred carrier for years, they are far from being the best and I have no problem with constructive criticism when they deserve it.

You'll get no disagreement from me, but BA F is better than J on the other carriers I have flown, CX/QF/EK/MH/EY/UL/VA. BA F is a long, long way behind EY and EK F, and I suspect many others.

I read comments about it being the equivalent of other J products and it is just not the case in my experience. There seems are a number of BA contributors on Flyertalk who perpetuate the myth and it seems to be interpreted by some as fact.

BA is poor in many areas and not my first choice but it is functional, inexpensive and the FF program is good if you are traveling a lot to the UK.

 

[boomy]

You'll get no disagreement from me, but BA F is better than J on the other carriers I have flown, CX/QF/EK/MH/EY/UL/VA. BA F is a long, long way behind EY and EK F, and I suspect many others.

I read comments about it being the equivalent of other J products and it is just not the case in my experience. There seems are a number of BA contributors on Flyertalk who perpetuate the myth and it seems to be interpreted by some as fact.

BA is poor in many areas and not my first choice but it is functional, inexpensive and the FF program is good if you are traveling a lot to the UK.

People make stupid comments on FT? I'm shocked

While there are some aspects like the hard product which are not far from the leading J products I do agree BA F is overall better than any J.

My biggest issue is they don't provide good value for money/points. You say they are inexpensive and obviously you have more experience with them but I rarely found their J/F products to be significantly cheaper compared to other carriers flying AUS-EUR.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I read comments about it being the equivalent of other J products and it is just not the case in my experience. There seems are a number of BA contributors on Flyertalk who perpetuate the myth and it seems to be interpreted by some as fact.

I like BA F. Did two sectors this year but unfortunately both were inbound to LHR and so no CCR. Thoroughly enjoyed the cabin ambience, food and beverages. I have never understood the 'BA F is the best J on the market' argument.

 

[Kangol]

While the service on BA F may be outstanding the hard product is not on par with the world best airlines. I'm not trying to bag them or anything, just stating the fact.

I'll do the same for QF as well, while I'm most loyal and they have been preferred carrier for years, they are far from being the best and I have no problem with constructive criticism when they deserve it.

As far as an F hard product goes, EY A380 F is the best. Nothing at this stage compares to the space you get, plus the shower.
EK A380 would probably come second due to the shower, but their seat is not really different in size compared to all other F cabins.

So BA is on par with most of the other airlines' F due to the similar size. The only one that is notably different (and even worse) is SQ R - the forward flipping awkwardness which blocks access to one storage area doesn't do any favours...

 

[GoldCanyon340]

As far as an F hard product goes, EY A380 F is the best. Nothing at this stage compares to the space you get, plus the shower.
EK A380 would probably come second due to the shower, but their seat is not really different in size compared to all other F cabins.

So BA is on par with most of the other airlines' F due to the similar size. The only one that is notably different (and even worse) is SQ R - the forward flipping awkwardness which blocks access to one storage area doesn't do any favours...

Agree with you about EY F and hard product and I'm sure I'm not the only one waiting for EK's announcement regarding its new F. I could go into a diatribe of ranking F&B and extras but that's off topic (suffice to say I rank BA food above EK because most of EK food is really quite basic and they save themselves with their stellar wine collection.)

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
Back to the P1 experience (or lack of it) discussion thanks folks.
[/mod hat]