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?

 

[Ansett]

Yet another disappointment

Secured Row 4 on tomorrows flight to Brisbane on a 738 and just gone to do online check in but prior checked and could see on Flight stats at least 23 seats available in Y for the flight. Low and behold go to confirm set and guess what seat has been allocated so no spare seat.

It would be nice to actually have a shadow for a change as it seems yet again even as a P1 it isn't happening.

MEL to BNE

(QF) Qantas 604

Departs:
7:05 AM
MEL Tullamarine Airport


Arrives:
9:15 AM
BNE Brisbane Airport


Equip:
73H

3.3 out of 5
Available Seats:

First:	n/a	Business:	2 (at least)	Coach:	9 (at least)	Other:	n/a
Fare Classes:			J/2 C/1 D/0 I/0 U/0		Y/9 B/8 H/6 K/5 M/4 L/0 V/0 S/0 N/0 Q/0 O/0 G/0 X/0 E/0

Or am I reading it all wrong?

 

[Happy Trails]

Yet another disappointment

Secured Row 4 on tomorrows flight to Brisbane on a 738 and just gone to do online check in but prior checked and could see on Flight stats at least 23 seats available in Y for the flight. Low and behold go to confirm set and guess what seat has been allocated so no spare seat.

It would be nice to actually have a shadow for a change as it seems yet again even as a P1 it isn't happening.

MEL to BNE

(QF) Qantas 604

Departs:
7:05 AM
MEL Tullamarine Airport


Arrives:
9:15 AM
BNE Brisbane Airport


Equip:
73H

3.3 out of 5
Available Seats:

First:	n/a	Business:	2 (at least)	Coach:	9 (at least)	Other:	n/a
Fare Classes:			J/2 C/1 D/0 I/0 U/0		Y/9 B/8 H/6 K/5 M/4 L/0 V/0 S/0 N/0 Q/0 O/0 G/0 X/0 E/0

Or am I reading it all wrong?

Those numbers are not coughulative so there could be as few as nine available.
On EF I see 4E as occupied and 4B as blocked.

 

[Ansett]

Thanks Happy Trails

It also seems that if you want a seat blocked it has to be requested 3 days prior

I asked the P1 team what the go was as it seemed to be an unwritten benefit and here is the response for all to take note of and utilise

Blocking seats is a courtesy that we are more than happy to assist with and requires manual intervention. The system cannot block off seats next to Platinum One or Chairman’s Lounge members automatically. If you would like to contact us 3 days prior to any flights you would like to request a spare seat next to you please do so and we will be happy to try to facilitate that for you.

 

[mattm199]

Thanks Happy Trails

It also seems that if you want a seat blocked it has to be requested 3 days prior

I asked the P1 team what the go was as it seemed to be an unwritten benefit and here is the response for all to take note of and utilise

Blocking seats is a courtesy that we are more than happy to assist with and requires manual intervention. The system cannot block off seats next to Platinum One or Chairman’s Lounge members automatically. If you would like to contact us 3 days prior to any flights you would like to request a spare seat next to you please do so and we will be happy to try to facilitate that for you.

Interesting... Has the fabled "Shadow" been enhanced as well?

 

[mannej]

Interesting... Has the fabled "Shadow" been enhanced as well?

It has always been an unpublished benefit.

 

[JohnK]

It would be nice to actually have a shadow for a change as it seems yet again even as a P1 it isn't happening.

All part of the inconsistency of seat allocation.

I could not get row 4 yesterday on SYD-BNE flight. I asked at check-in ~40 minutes from flight and still couldn't get it. I was in row 8 with a vacant seat next to me. When I boarded there was someone in 4A, 4D and 4F.

Asked if I could move but had to wait until after take off. Jumped out of my seat into row 4 at first opportunity.

I don't know what status the guy had in 4A but I did learn how to get an alcoholic beverage for $5. If you are even sneakier you may get it for free. :mrgreen:

 

[Ansett]

Flew last Night on the 8pm Flight BNE-MEL and no CSM greeting acknowledgement. Infact when I went to ask him a question he simply shoved his nose in the air and walked off ignoring me.

Monday on the 7 am Flight MEL-BNE no CSM greeting or acknowledgement what so ever. Did end up getting the shadow but strange thing was it tuned out the person they turfed out of the seat as an old work mate I hadn't seen in years ROFL. Should have seen his face when I told him it was because of me that he ended up in 4E. We ended up having a good laugh about it later

 

[GoldenWinger]

P1 has been the biggest joke ever. You will see it drop even further with numbers. I am cancelling all my forward bookings where possible and using other airlines to ensure I won't requalify. The people in Canberra are the nastiest ever with attitude. I hope they're in the batch of 5000 people to go from Qantas. They are a waster of space.

 

[JohnPhelan]

P1 has been the biggest joke ever. You will see it drop even further with numbers. I am cancelling all my forward bookings where possible and using other airlines to ensure I won't requalify. The people in Canberra are the nastiest ever with attitude. I hope they're in the batch of 5000 people to go from Qantas. They are a waster of space.

Attitude can be a two-way deal .......

 

[GoldenWinger]

Attitude can be a two-way deal .......

Totally agree John - it's all about attitude and being nice. That's why I don't bother calling SST CBR - I get everything done with the Premium Desk who are absolutely delightful and provide excellent service. If your inference is that I was somehow rude or had a bad attitude to the SST that is not the case - they do a pretty good job of that themselves.

 

[ReLoad]

P1 has been the biggest joke ever. You will see it drop even further with numbers. I am cancelling all my forward bookings where possible and using other airlines to ensure I won't requalify. The people in Canberra are the nastiest ever with attitude. I hope they're in the batch of 5000 people to go from Qantas. They are a waster of space.

That is a pretty negative post which is pretty rude to make without explaining and giving reasons why, especially asking for people to lose their livelihoods.

By the experiences listed here we have all had hit and miss from the P1 team over a decent period of time, and fair criticism does suggest that the gloss has indeed worn off the P1 program, but does it suggest they should all be sacked? a very long bow to draw.

Going on your post with your anger would suggest that both parties will enjoy not working with each other anymore.

 

[747800intercon]

Whilst GoldenWinger could have worded his post in a better manner I can see where he/she is coming from. From my personal experiences the SST team hasn't been overly helpful whilst the normal Premium Desk in Melbourne have been great. I too see very, very little value in P1. If people are doing status runs to achieve this then I would say not worth it but if you will get it anyway through natural flying patterns then it's OK. I will very content when I drop back down to normal platinum.

 

[danny09]

I for one think the SST is great. Never had any drama's, actually they have done everything they can to make things happen, & they havent dissapointed me.


Bit harsh about losing thier job though, totally not a nice thing to say.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Sometimes it would be difficult to measure whether you're getting value or not.

Maybe you have a points upgrade request from whY to J SYD/LAX that comes through & had you just been WP it may not have.

 

[ketsuzei]

I was in 1A of a SYD-CBR flight at the end of a long international trip when the plane went tech... raced up to the lounge, and found that the P1 team had already moved me onto the next-departing flight (and on CBR legs I'd imagine there's a lot of competition from CLs). The replacement flight ended up being around four hours late... I felt for the teachers leading a group of perhaps 60 high-schoolers.

That was worth quite a lot in my book.

 

[QF WP]

Brickbats and bouquets are part of life in any job - whilst some here appreciate the service they get from the P1 team, others may have a different experience. The circle of life means some will choose not to re-qual and either drop to Plat or fly other airlines, which may enhance their flying experience moreso than being P1...to each their own.

As Evenlyn Beatrice Hall wrote "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Obviously GoldenWinger (by their standards) has had a number of poor outcomes in contact with the P1 team. Perhaps others should feel grateful they aren't in the same shoes...

Whether they feel it is necessary to contact Supervisors to discuss the issues or simply decide to vote with their feet, it's their decision.

 

[747800intercon]

Great comment QF WP - beautifully worded.

 

[QF WP]

Thank you 747800intercon...well, apart from the changes I needed to make to correct poor grammar, typing, spelling...

I will just have to live vicariuosly through one less P1 member - but I am sure others will take up the position.

 

[JohnK]

Are shadows a guaranteed benefit?

Asking for seat to be blocked before flight is OK.

Asking to move someone already seated next to you is not so good.

And even worse if someone has your favourite seat and you ask they be moved so you can sit there.

 

[boomy]

Coming back from overseas flying in F, I wasn't keen to do my SYD-MEL connection in Y so I was very happy when my seat changed from 4C to 1C and I even got a shadow
The next day another nice surprise when MEL-ADL also changed from 4C to 1C.
Thanks Qantas!