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?

 

[La Mouette]

Good to hear- on many levels.

If you, or anyone else, attends - can we lobby you with our suggestions?

Definitely

 

[mviy]

This means that one will be able to fly F all the way to JFK on QF metal not just only as far as LAX which I'm sure some will be thrilled about. Should mean QF9/QF10 get F again when Project Sunrise takes over those flights.

I've only flown QF F on one return trip and that was from upgrades both ways (and I'm just a WP) so there's no chance they'll invite me to participate. This would be fun though.

My suggestions (tell me I'm dreaming):

At least as many F seats as on A380 (14). I don't want it to become harder than it is already to get a F seat especially on my favourite route to LHR.
Introduce F to more routes.
Showers & Bar area like Emirates have on A380
With Ultra Long flight area to exercise (even if just pace up and down) is a must. DVT is a bigger concern with longer flights.

Everything F passengers would use should be on the main level not on the cargo level. If they want pods etc. for economy passengers down there that's fine, but not for F.

The food offering should be a completely different menu to the offering in J and also should make sure they don't run out of champagne.

With direct aisle access available in J for all passengers QF needs to lift the bar for F to keep enough of a gap between J and F.

 

[Matt_01]

@La Mouette not being sure if your invite was P1 related I checked my email thinking there may be hope. Nope. What was I thinking? I am just a J traveller who only gets into QF F on upgrades.

 

[RichardMEL]

Given the quoted message noted "valued First Class flyer" I am thinking it's more on paid F flying than P1... others in the past, not only P1, have been invited to similar forums/sessions in the past...

 

[Matt_01]

@RichardMEL my post was in cheek. A couple of weeks back I could have spent a night at the ballet complements of P1 however it was not to be. MrsM and MissM enjoyed the night whilst I spent time chatting to another member on this thread.

 

[mviy]

Given the quoted message noted "valued First Class flyer" I am thinking it's more on paid F flying than P1... others in the past, not only P1, have been invited to similar forums/sessions in the past...

Considering the high status credit earn rate for F travel and that most people paying regularly for F probably pay for J when they can't get F I would guess a fairly high proportion of "valued First Class flyers" would either currently have or have had P1.

 

[Matt_01]

Considering the high status credit earn rate for F travel and that most people paying regularly for F probably pay for J when they can't get F I would guess a fairly high proportion of "valued First Class flyers" would either currently have or have had P1.

Not sure if I would agree completely with the logic. For those who can fund their own F travel there are better options than QF and may not even consider status important. If you travelling in F you have access to F lounges and any other perks. If most of your travel is in J then most likely WP so you get into the F lounge (assuming OW as this is a QF thread) and a few other benefits, although I am not sure what these are. If you have been to one F lounge you have been to them all, sorry if I seem blase, I travel to much to care.

There are many regular posters on this thread who are proper P1s, there are pretenders, some pop in now and again, some arrive then disappear and come back again and most are QF LTG.

 

[juddles]

It is interesting (and encouraging) to hear of QF's desire for input. That they are then clearly intending to retain F on the Project Sunrise flights is a very good thing.

In a way it makes perfect sense though - at least initially, it is probable that those ultra-ultra long haul flights may have some weight / pax limits. And "rich" people are an obvious consumer for direct flights, with the ease and time-savings these would entail. So having a premium-heavy config is not surprising, but that some of that is F, well this is news to me.

 

[juddles]

@RichardMEL my post was in cheek. A couple of weeks back I could have spent a night at the ballet complements of P1 however it was not to be. MrsM and MissM enjoyed the night whilst I spent time chatting to another member on this thread.

To me that was a great P1 perk - to have the P1 team look after your ladies happily out doing something fun, giving you time to quietly relax, everyone happy, - that is great stuff

 

[La Mouette]

@La Mouette not being sure if your invite was P1 related I checked my email thinking there may be hope. Nope. What was I thinking? I am just a J traveller who only gets into QF F on upgrades.

I think it is maybe P1 + F. The registration said that if there are any change to your acceptance to ring or email the SST.

 

[La Mouette]

And "rich" people are an obvious consumer for direct flights, with the ease and time-savings these would entail.

Well there are those who were rich before flying QF, and those who remain so afterwards!

My ideal hard product is a personal igloo - private, climate controlled to freezing, and enough humidity to breathe properly.

 

[La Mouette]

As a reference point, this was my last P1 briefing blurb. That would be 18 days (and nights) sitting in one of those F seats, apart from the time I was downgraded to J when the F seat was broken.

 

[calmelb]

As a reference point, this was my last P1 briefing blurb. That would be 18 days (and nights) sitting in one of those F seats, apart from the time I was downgraded to J when the F seat was broken.
View attachment 131972

Ah the briefing. The one thing that obviously I don’t qualify for even as a P1 (I really only wanted it to see the stats like above). I don’t think my dad even got one either (Also P1)

 

[kermatu]

Holy carp - that's a lot of F flying! Nice work.

Having clearly over-reached in my suggested improvements to the P1 program, my more modest-ish suggestions for improving the F experience (not that I'm a frequent F flyer) follow!:
Onboard
- I think the hard product still stacks up well (size, space, bed, general privacy). Having to sit forward for takeoff and landing is a niggle. And a sliding door would be a simple improvement which gives you choice of total seclusion or some openness.
- Larger bathroom space. Just does not feel premium. I personally don't utilize a shower onboard, but for the length of flights under contemplation it's likely be desired by the majority of pax.
- Similarly, I'm not a fan of the bar / lounge options. But for flights of this length it's a good way to encourage movement and people getting up. If it was a choice of better bathroom(s) or bar, I'd go for bathrooms personally.
- Agree retaining the same number of seats would be good
- Food must be improved. Should be clearly distinguishable from J menu. I like the tasting menu concept but needs to be better dishes. And please ditch the 'salad'. Either have proper salads or a proper palate cleanser. Or both.
- Any-time dining guaranteed. Should not run out of any items - especially anything F specific or special dishes.
- Appreciate this is subjective but I don't find the wines or spirits to be all that special. But I do on-balance like the emphasis on Australian wines.

Pre and post flight
- Chauffeur drive for all F pax, all F routes.
- Consistent F Host availability, clear communication in advance who / where they are and what they will do in each port.
- Ability to select meals in advance - especially if my suggestions above re food availability are not going to happen.
- Better lounge space for F pax in SIN (if relevant to this exercise). I haven't been to the LHR QF lounge but the same may be needed there (although there are other choices so not essential).

For any who do attend - enjoy the opportunity. Clearly well-deserved and improving the F experience is far more relevant and applicable to you than someone like me!

 

[juddles]

Just reporting good P1 experience. Flew BNE-SYD-SCL on a PE ticket (so domestic leg in economy).

When I checked in at BNE (it was early morning) I noticed I was still in 4A so thought "bugger - no upgrade" (ever hopeful) . But then looked at second leg BP and saw I had been bumped to J for the main flight There was the little message on that BP "ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT FROM THE PLATINUM ONE TEAM" I was happy Thank you!!

BTW, also a first for me was when I got to the Flounge in SYD - when I showed my BP to the gentleman at the entrance (before you go up the stairs) he paused and said something like "Wow, you must fly so much!" with an awesome smile! (ie it felt real, not the standard "you fly more than us" thing you get some times onboard) I don't know his name (am hopeless at that, but he is the man of asian(?) appearance that is usually there) - I like him a lot - he is unfailingly polite and nice - very good staff member they have for that spot!

The crew on board were all good - but yet again I didn't know any of them - which always amazes me as I fly SYD-SCL so much. (at baggage collection I saw one female crew member I recognized - none of the others!) And it was also novel for me as I was put on the top deck (12J) - I usually always go for the rockstar seats 5B or 5J downstairs because I am an unsociable sod. It was nice, and the pax next to me was perfect - we had a nice chat before dinner, then minded our own business for the rest of the flight.

Last thing, as I have already re-qualified for P1 for next year, have LTG, and thus no benefit in any further SC for the year, I am making the rest of my Australia - Sth America flights all "non-QF-J" - so some in PE with QF (I can stomach PE) and the rest on other routes using Lifemiles or other carriers. I do not think Qantas overly studies the P1 travel behaviours, but getting an upgrade or two PE-J on this route will certainly entice me to maybe get P1 again next year.

 

[kermatu]

I don't know his name (am hopeless at that, but he is the man of asian(?) appearance that is usually there) - I like him a lot - he is unfailingly polite and nice - very good staff member they have for that spot!

That sounds like Nestor, and yes, he's a gem. A favourite among AFF'ers.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Definitely Nestor.

 

[RichardMEL]

+1 for Nestor

 

[juddles]

That sounds like Nestor, and yes, he's a gem. A favourite among AFF'ers.

Definitely Nestor.

+1 for Nestor

For the record, at the time I did send an email to the P1 team, which included the following:

"2.- I would love if you could assist me to pass on some other positive feedback. There is a gentleman who is usually at the entrance to the F lounge in Sydney. He mans the first point of entrance (ie before you go up the escalator to the main desk) I do not know his name, am bad at getting these, but I really feel that he deserves some recognition from a frequent user of the lounge. (He is probably in his 50's, and of perhaps some asian heritage? He was there on Friday 20th July at about 11am) If you can give me his name that would be great so I can organise a personal thank you.
This gentleman, as I say, is almost always on the door there at my usual late morning time of entering the F lounge. He is ALWAYS impeccable.
Very polite, very cheerful. In my constant travels my short interaction with him is unfailingly something bright in my day. I actually look forward when travelling via Sydney to seeing him there.

I have no doubt that he must get recognition from other travellers, but I just want to highlight that I personally think he is an exceptional member of a team at that lounge that is great anyway."

And their reply to that part was "Thank you so much for your lovely email and comments. It's always wonderful to receive positive feedback. I believe the gentleman's name is Nestor, and I will certainly ensure your email is passed to his manager."

At least next time I will know his name

 

[kermatu]

That's great feedback.

On only maybe my 3rd time to the lounge some years back, he saw me standing outside the entrance fumbling through my briefcase or laptop bag, looking for my boarding pass. He came out, greeted me warmly by name, told me he didn't need my BP (and he never has since) but helped hold my case while I searched and found it.

I actually feel quite dejected whenever I visit and he isn't there!