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?

 

[Brettmcg]

My one suggestion, if I were to receive the survey, would be that they send me the survey.

 

[JRR]

I would like the option to permanently and reliably opt out from the onboard “greeting” ... where the csm spends more time looking at the iPad than at you ... and where it always interrupts me at a crucial
plot moment in what I am (clearly due to headphones in) watching ... totally insincere and boring after the umpteenth time.

 

[Matt_01]

xtra services in Economy? Moot point for me as, aside from a minority of my trans-Tasman flying, the last time I flew internationally with QF not in J or F was February 2001.

I am showing my age however I can better 2001. Last time I traveled Long Haul with QF in economy was as a child in 1976 on a 707 to the UK.

 

[mviy]

I am showing my age however I can better 2001. Last time I traveled Long Haul with QF in economy was as a child in 1976 on a 707 to the UK.

How long did the trip take back then?

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I am showing my age however I can better 2001. Last time I traveled Long Haul with QF in economy was as a child in 1976 on a 707 to the UK.

I probably saw your aircraft arrive as I lived under the LHR flight path at that time

My Feb 2001 flight was on the old flying dump of a 747 that QF leased from BA (some people here of a certain age will remember a Qantas 747 with the blue belly and non-QF tail). Its UK rego was G-BNLH and it was AU registered as VH-NLH. It was so dilapidated that QF staff referred to it as "Never Leaves Hangar".

 

[Matt_01]

How long did the trip take back then?

From a post last year there was 2 different flights SYD-LHR depending on the day of the week. From the information posted (and a copy of the schedule, thanks to another AFF member) I was on a SYD-PER-BOM-LHR which I believe was QF 7. From what my farther has told me it took around 26-27 hours.

 

[RichardMEL]

I admit to being somewhat amused by the ambit suggestions proposed by some. Good luck with that (not saying I'd decline any though)

QF is not going to do things that will cost them a lot or potentially affect things. Things like comp upgrades on international, even if there was like 4 or 6 (like AA SWU's, what BA get for GGL etc) would be great for US but would QF bean counters go for it? Nice little profit announced today QF probably says no.

I have to say I am also personally a bit bemused by the focus on anytime access to lounges. I do understand that folks maybe flying some Other Airline where they may not have status may want to use a QF lounge... though honestly I would think those splitting their revenue spend probably have access anyway... and I can't see many people just popping out to the airport to enjoy a few beers and party pies in the SYD J lounge because they have anytime access. Given the chance to CL access announced you can be sure this won't be happening

And anyway as I've posted before, as a P1, in domestic I've pretty much HAD anytime access because I walk in and flash my card.. they check the expiry date and that's it. Never been scanned for an actual flight.. waved through at all the major ports (well not CBR I must admit). Usually it's been me popping in for a pit stop o arrival from somewhere when I've done it, which is a benefit, but the fact that it's NEVER been checked makes it a de factor "anytime access" (international is obviously a very different situation). I recall one entry at BNE J (prior to the new lounge) where I showed it and the agent exclaimed "That's the magic card! You can do whatever you want!" LOL I did smile (I think I judt verified if it was OK to go in post arrival)

I had more checks for SYD dom->int transfer bus that I flew in on QF and had an international flight then I've had getting into domestic lounges with my white card. Just sayin'.

Anyway I suppose it's something they're asking for feedback. Of course what they propose is underwhealming... I mean none of those things are really big items for QF.. kind of "throw 'em a bone" type stuff. What we really want are far more big ticket items...

Also I believe the "Guaranteed Commercial Seat" thing would mean that if I want to book a QF flight tomorrow and it's oversold they'll confirm a booking and if need be push another pax off. Similar to some of the hotel elite programs that you can get a room guaranteed. That could be quite a useful perk for last minute business pax road warriors I guess.

I'd also note I kind of received something similar a couple of years ago when flying in early at SYD from LA or someplace and wanted an earlier connecting flight home. There was a 332 showing on a flight I'd prefer, but EF was showing 0's in all J classes so I quipped to the agent that "I'd really have liked this flight but it looks full" to which she replied Just let me look... 30 seconds later I had 2K on that A330... I was gobsmacked (but much happier with that than the 737! after a long flight!)

Of course nothing about this survey suggests QF will even change anything at the end of the day.. or maybe give an "enhancement" that would practically mean nothing. I'm chosing to take it as a positive to at least be asked...

 

[RichardMEL]

Oh and for the record I had a couple of suggestions not specifically given by others:

* Confirmed international upgrades
* Complementary domestic upgrades where space available on day of departure (basically like what the US airlines do for their elites)
* Ability to uypgrade friends with points rather than just family
* Gift plat to friends/family not just "partner"

 

[kermatu]

If that is what a guaranteed commercial seat means I'd be even more opposed. Personally don't like the idea of someone coming in last minute and being able to bump another paying pax. Staff sure, but not another general customer.

Not sure what I thought it meant but the above makes sense. Think I just assumed it meant we'll never move you from an oversold or downgraded flight (eg when a 737 is subbed in for an A330).

Yep, lots of ambit claims. But they did ask for five ideas!

Appreciate there's a risk that by rubbishing the ideas they are considering we'll end up getting none.

All first world problems in the end.

 

[RichardMEL]

Some of them could be useful eg more discounts, special offers from partners... or invites rather. I mean they sort of do that with the P1 benefits at MONA (if that's still a thing? it wasn't mentioned on the survey as one we should be aware of?) but if they actually meant say, I don't know, a one off 50% off dicount from hotel chain X on any rate, or maybe a red baloon experience offer as a P1 invite.. that could work.. The details were a bit thin on the ground as to what they meant.

I also realise many would not perhaps appreciate a "P1 discount" for QF fares (like the 20% one they obviously trialed late last year) becaise many are on corporate discounts that may well be more, but some folks are not, and hey if I could get a few flights or sale fares with an extra discount per year.. I would appreciate that. I'd prefer confirmed upgrades and the like, but it seems this is not the way they would head but intend to do things to a) leverage their partnerships and b) provide "incentives" to spend more (eg: airfare discounts, a points multipler-what cough btw, or that sort of thing.

An example of how these "loyalty" schemes are all about maximising their yield out of we self loading cargo

 

[juddles]

From a post last year there was 2 different flights SYD-LHR depending on the day of the week. From the information posted (and a copy of the schedule, thanks to another AFF member) I was on a SYD-PER-BOM-LHR which I believe was QF 7. From what my farther has told me it took around 26-27 hours.

Wow - you got the fast experience. I was (as a toddler) dragged to England in 1972. The flights were Adelaide - Darwin - Singapore - Bombay - Kuwait - Milan - London. And not in some flash jet like a 707 - my plane had PROPELLERS!! I have no idea how long it took, but surely a few days. (Constellation, Monarch Airlines)

I know these posts are a bit off-topic, but I also feel that we P1's can do whatever we like

 

[JessicaTam]

I know these posts are a bit off-topic, but I also feel that we P1's can do whatever we like

Ahem, not really.

It does detract from the usefulness of this thread

 

[oz_mark]

Also I believe the "Guaranteed Commercial Seat" thing would mean that if I want to book a QF flight tomorrow and it's oversold they'll confirm a booking and if need be push another pax off. Similar to some of the hotel elite programs that you can get a room guaranteed. That could be quite a useful perk for last mi

Did they expand on what this meant over and above the current Priority Economy Class Seat purchase?

 

[juddles]

Did they expand on what this meant over and above the current Priority Economy Class Seat purchase?

The only thing that would make sense is if they now intended that to apply to international travel as well.

All in all, there appears to be very little info in the survey - as one who has not received the survey (yet?) I wonder if there were previous emails/contact??

 

[kermatu]

All in all, there appears to be very little info in the survey - as one who has not received the survey (yet?) I wonder if there were previous emails/contact??

Zero additional info in the survey best I recall - just what is in danielt25's screenshot - hence my confusion as to what it meant. Not really a great way to gauge what people think about option(s) if all you get is these half-liner titles.

 

[nige_perth]

My suggestions would be....


Domestic flights

* Better pre take off beverage ie: a small glass of Grant Burge Sparkling Pinot Noir other than water or juice.

* Pre-ordering your meal with say “exclusive option” on domestic flights or meal selection taken prior to take off

* Qantas 3 PIN noise cancelling headphones



International flights:

* Reduced points for upgrades

* Ability to book spa treatments

* Skype or facebook messenger contact details for SST. Most places in the world have free wifi- my mobile is shocking to connect to overseas networks.

 

[juddles]

Anyone have experiences with international award upgrades? Specifically I was wondering if they ever do actually manage to grant those "up to seven days" before flight?

 

[Matt_01]

Yes I have done it before and normally get advice 6-7 days out. My experience is limited to J-F solo P1 traveler, I have not tried for a family sized group J-F.

Also I do not bother with booking Y or Y+ then going for the upgrade lottery. I just request J seat release for +1 and MissM and pay for my flight.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

I was P1 during the first year of its introduction and had no noticeable benefits whatsoever other than a single upgrade to J on a SYD-MEL flight one evening. I was always denied a spa treatment at SYD F lounge (sorry sir it's quite busy we are fully booked), perhaps less 'welcome onboard sir' than usual, and this was before the additional benefits were added such as partner WP, etc. I literally had zero contact from QF other than the P1 welcome pack!

I certainly hope it has improved since then.

 

[kermatu]

Yes for me too. Also travelling solo. Pretty much bang on the 7 days out. Flights were light though, from memory.