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 I was thinking about my upcoming year of P1, and deaing with dendle again, and that I should contact the SST at the start of December to pre-empt them and that lead to me to another thought about the gift that most of us non govt types have gotten over the past few years, and I thought I'd pose the following topic/poll/issue for consideration - more for fun than anything else.

Disregarding the books, it's been wine(French Champagne) since then. For most of us it's been Taittinger CdC, with that year when it was Krug 2000 - a splendid drop

but, I was thinking, Champagne, while appropriate for the festive time of year (for most of us, I suppose not if you're someone who prefers Jewish, or Chinese new year for example, but I digress), is not for everyone.

So as a P1 member, would you prefer (assuming QF continue to send an end of year gift):

- something other than alcohol (but hopefully a little fancier than what the govt types got last year)
- if alc - still champagne?

or.. what about something like a selection of items from EpiQure?

eg QF could offer a selection of say 2 French Champagnes they sell, and say an equivalent red (or number of bottles of) or white to be roughly the same value. So if you don't like bubbles but prefer a quality red, then that could really be more appreciated

or, would you prefer a voucher to a specific $ amount (say $250) to spend on whatever the heck you'd like?

or, expand the offer to be say a choice of - epiqure product selection, QF hotels credit or even a gift voucher credit?

Now I realise, practically, that would be a LOT of work for QF to manage for a few thousand members picking and chosing this, that or the other... but I just wondered if maybe QF could perhaps exand the offering just a little bit even to provide some choice?

And as I write this I do feel quite churlish in a way in that the whole idea is supposed to be a gift and it may seem ungracious to even question it like this or ask the question. I am very grateful for the gift every year... it just occured to me that possibly they could rejig it a little and actually make it an enhancement of sorts (though a voucher for a $ value is a bit.... you know, dminishing the effect of the gift by exactly putting a value on it.. a possible bonus for QF would be to tie it back in to their own group of products and services they keep pushing at us anyway... like Epiqure, hotels etc... heck maybe a round of golf through the golf club (I have no idea what these things can go for) or something like that coul dbe an option. Just a way to, I don't know, more personalise a bit the end of year gift.

I mean, I wonder how many tetotlers they have sent Champ too, for example?

Anyway, what do you all think?

 

[Ansett]

Whilst no longer a P1 I would have preferred choices and that for me would be a voucher to buy what the heck I wanted to buy from the Epicure store.

 

[kermatu]

Personally I think the choose your benefit things should be something available for the whole P1 year (eg, 5 CL entry passes, or 5 Chauffeur drive vouchers or Partner Platinum etc) rather than as a gift at Christmas. I don't think it that feasible to have multiple offerings for a gift which is kind of meant as a pleasant surprise.

But I agree being able to say in advance, please don't bother sending alcohol for reasons XYZ is sensible, and a back-up gift or two very reasonable. I think I recall someone upthread saying they had done this and they received the same travel wallet I (somewhat mistakenly) did.

But being more specific or transactional than this doesn't feel right (to me). Give us choice for the big stuff, not the gift.

 

[RichardMEL]

I like the idea for chosing perks instead of partner plat... a number of us have no use for that and it's a waste... I don't know about CL passes, but yes, other options instead of Partner Plat are a great idea.

Unfortunately P1 doesn't seem to be that much about the defined benefits, like BA's GGL, at least the travel ones bar upgrade priority... obviously all of us would prefer more concerete things like confirmed upgrades (or like Systemwide Upgrades), or to gift gold or plat(not just partner) or whatever like BA does. QF P1 seem to prefer for thr travel stuff intangible things like "random" comp upgrades, the christmas gift and maybe event invites.

but that's a whole other argument, had many times on here

 

[kermatu]

but that's a whole other argument, had many times on here

Indeed! But I remain hopeful someone's watching....

The other place some of your options would work well is the P1 Briefing if it continues - eg, the points discount and the Epiqure discount both enticed me to make purchases I probably wouldn't have otherwise.

 

[calmelb]

I like the idea for chosing perks instead of partner plat... a number of us have no use for that and it's a waste... I don't know about CL passes, but yes, other options instead of Partner Plat are a great idea.

Unfortunately P1 doesn't seem to be that much about the defined benefits, like BA's GGL, at least the travel ones bar upgrade priority... obviously all of us would prefer more concerete things like confirmed upgrades (or like Systemwide Upgrades), or to gift gold or plat(not just partner) or whatever like BA does. QF P1 seem to prefer for thr travel stuff intangible things like "random" comp upgrades, the christmas gift and maybe event invites.

but that's a whole other argument, had many times on here

Well I think QF are changing that now. With all of their new combined lounges (SIN, HKG, LHR) making you be P1 to get champers and decent service.

Whereas WP may get the same lounge in MEL/SYD they don’t get the treatment for a lot of QFs other lounges

 

[danielt25]

Just received the Platinum One briefing.

One thing that is useful (to me) is the 40% off Accor Plus membership which suits me as my Accor Plus membership is about to expire!

 

[RichardMEL]

Yes got it too. Instead of the blurb about being in the top x% of flyers, I got a "Feel comfortable in the Boeing 737-800? You've flown on it 15 times in the last year" (well QF ones anyway ). Hilarious really.

The Accor Plus thing is interesting. I recall QF had entered into an agreement with them some months back, and perhaps this hints at further benefits down the track (though it does not seem WP or P1 would get a comp status a ha HH Diamond from VA which is disappointing as that's actually a really good status perk VA offers IMHO)

the 30R off points plus pay offer is interesting since it applies to premium cabins too (eg: SIN sale). Don't see why one couldn't do a minimum pointts+pay booking and save some.. if that's one's thing. However only having a week or so to actually use it? That's pretty piss poor QF.. at least that 20% off P1 discount lasted for over a month. Not a great move in my book QF, specially if your "best" customers are out and about....

it seemed even less content filled than the last one though... running out of steam maybe (not that there was much in the boiler to begin with )

 

[juddles]

I think they do listen - I note that in the new competition (couple of nights in Sydney) they throw in the air tickets to get there in business class.

 

[kermatu]

Once again very underwhelming, but at least not insulting and condescending like last time.

Much better having a member of the P1 team interviewed, albeit just superficial.

Not sure if 30% P+P is worthwhile, but yet to do any maths or dummy bookings (I've never done P+P but always assumed, based on AFF, it's a total waste).

I stay a lot in Accor Hotels so will look at that offer.

But agree that absence of an automatic status with hotel chain X is a disappointment. I will soon focus on pursuing VA Plat to get the HH Diamond status as come April 19 I will drop down. Easy money for VA - which is actually stacking up way better on things like food and drink in J for me.

I'd like to think OW (ie, Olivia Worth) will take P1 feedback onboard. Pity I missed the dinner I was invited to as I'd have loved to have had the chance to give some views - even as a marginal P1 that may never make the cut again!

 

[calmelb]

Does every P1 get the briefing? I haven't noticed anything in my emails yet

 

[kermatu]

Does every P1 get the briefing? I haven't noticed anything in my emails yet

Should do. Mine arrived about an hour after danielt25's post.

 

[Matt_01]

I have been posting on other threads and have been listening to my phone chime but not looked at if I have received the latest round of P1 briefing notes. Looking the the recent up threads I am in no hurry to read it. I may be wrong but I would suspect that most P1's already have hotel status, I for one am WP or equivalent with Marriott (SPG by default) Hilton, PGR, then via AMEX Shagi-la and some other chain I never used. Why bring Accor into the mix, AMEX and Accor went separate their ways a while back and outside of AU Govt employees who are forced to stay in sh!@ty Accor property's why would QF not side with the majors.

Maybe I should read the briefing and get off my soap box but for my travel (current) QF is just fluffing around the edges and add no real value in spending coin to remain P1

 

[kermatu]

I've just tried a few dummy bookings. No idea how the 30% points and pay discount works. Has not been applied on any (points or total cost). Not to mention the usual QF farce of seeking flights in F and getting presented with only J or even Y options with several thousand dollars added cost to actually fly F that would negate any 30% reduction (if it actually worked). So pathetic.

 

[kermatu]

Why bring Accor into the mix, AMEX and Accor went separate their ways a while back and outside of AU Govt employees who are forced to stay in sh!@ty Accor property's why would QF not side with the majors.

Accor is becoming, in my view, one of the best chain options in our region. Multiple hotels, many different budgets catered for. I think it's a smart move given QF is really a domestic and regional airline.

And back when I travelled on Govt fares and hotel stays I was able to stay regularly at the Melbourne, Brisbane and Wentworth Sofitels on good, competitive rates with full (largely privately earned) benefits. Hardly sh!@ty properties! And across the road from the CPOs in Melbourne and Sydney.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

So I think the new 'slimline' P1 briefing is ok, more like the regular monthly FF email in style and layout. The competition, as much as clicking a link is competition, has a generous prize and I'm already looking forward to going I rarely stay with Accor but if it's of use to people then it's a positive. I do appreciate QF making the effort to send these communications.

 

[calmelb]

So far still no briefing for me. QF showing their inconsistent consistency. Even for their P1s

 

[Muppet501st]

Just received the Platinum One briefing.

One thing that is useful (to me) is the 40% off Accor Plus membership which suits me as my Accor Plus membership is about to expire!



View attachment 130594

Isnt the regular Accor Plus membership $300?
And there is a link where you can sign up via a Fiji Accor for $200!

 

[kermatu]

I've just tried a few dummy bookings. No idea how the 30% points and pay discount works. Has not been applied on any (points or total cost). Not to mention the usual QF farce of seeking flights in F and getting presented with only J or even Y options with several thousand dollars added cost to actually fly F that would negate any 30% reduction (if it actually worked). So pathetic.

I've now read the offer properly and realise why my dummy bookings weren't working, as I was not choosing the pay entirely with points option. Even with a 30% discount offer, can't see how that represents good value in any way at all.

 

[kermatu]

So far still no briefing for me. QF showing their inconsistent consistency. Even for their P1s

It's all up on the website anyway - but pretty poor nonetheless.