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?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Random question that occurred to me when travelling in Y on the tram this morning....

If one was P1, then earned 0 SC's the next year, would they have a soft landing to WP,or to SG? I am presuming/guessing WP, but I just wondered if anyone knew? (I know what JohnK's answer will be : "It doesn't matter, WP and SG are merging" )

You'd drop to WP.
If you have another year after that with just 4~ you'll retain WP with as little as 40 SC. essentially meaning a 2 year soft landing with only a few targets required.

What this means is if you can't keep p1 there is little benefit of crediting any flights to QFF for 2 years as anything more than 4~ is wasted effort.

 

[trixydoza]

Just out of curiosity, how do you know (or why do you suspect) that the 4~ requirement applies?

You'd drop to WP.
If you have another year after that with just 4~ you'll retain WP with as little as 40 SC. essentially meaning a 2 year soft landing with only a few targets required.

What this means is if you can't keep p1 there is little benefit of crediting any flights to QFF for 2 years as anything more than 4~ is wasted effort.

 

[RichardMEL]

4~ is required for ANY status attainment, so yeah I see that point perfectly.

I mean by the rules of QFF you could attain 10k SC's flying CX/BA/AA etc etc but have zero status if you only had 3~. crazy but true. That's by the rules.

I'll note this happened to me with another airline a couple of years ago because I forgot. I had well over the status threshold of their Silver (I know, so what) level, but only wound up with 2~ (their metal) flights due to a big RTW. no status.

 

[kermatu]

Have come across one CSM when flying in J domestic recently who was adamant that neither WP or WP1's warranted any special treatment and or drinks etc from J as they had not paid for it and this would devalue the J cabin if he were to do it.

So stump up for J or stay in Y and get the same as everyone else was the basic belief.

I can see the 'devalue J' argument, and given it's an unpublished benefit I also don't have a problem with individual CSMs making that call. If a flight is short and there are 10 WPs or P1s in Y, it would consume a lot of time, be quite obvious and awkward.

But for the most part, I reckon it is a nice gesture that doesn't 'cost' much - especially headphones and one glass of wine from a $10 bottle - but generates a lot of goodwill and a positive vibe. I was once on a flight in Y to Cairns (from Melb or Sydney) and was offered wine or a pre-lunch drink, when the announcement had been made about purchasing alcohol in the main cabin. The fellow in the seat near me asked me afterwards what that was about - I explained the benefits of higher tiers (think I was P1), he was Gold - he came away with a good vibe about QF treating upper tiers well. Surely a positive for QF.

My concern from posts of late and my own experience is when WPs have been offered something extra but P1s miss out. That is when I get frustrated. Is there a system problem which then actually devalues the P1 experience? If it happens again to me I'll ask the CSM (maybe the others are actually CLs?) or maybe it is a problem the crew can't see a P1. No harm in asking and getting a straight answer from the CSM at the time.

 

[trixydoza]

4~ is required for ANY status attainment, so yeah I see that point perfectly.

I'm yet to hear of someone not getting a soft landing because they didn't have the 4~, and this would seem to be a similar case.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm yet to hear of someone not getting a soft landing because they didn't have the 4~, and this would seem to be a similar case.

We are talking about different things here.
One is a soft landing with no requirements
The other is a 3 year average rule with requirements

 

[trixydoza]

The other is a 3 year average rule with requirements

I understand that, but do we really know that the 4~ requirement is critical there?

Partner may be in a position to find out next year, I guess.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I understand that, but do we really know that the 4~ requirement is critical there?

Partner may be in a position to find out next year, I guess.

You really want to test it and lose a 'free' year?
I've seen enough evidence having known more than a handful of ex-P1s including myself....

 

[trixydoza]

I've seen enough evidence having known more than a handful of ex-P1s including myself....

OK, that's all I was asking. So you know people who didn't get the extra year, and that was because they hadn't done the four flights?

 

[737]

I can see the 'devalue J' argument, and given it's an unpublished benefit I also don't have a problem with individual CSMs making that call. If a flight is short and there are 10 WPs or P1s in Y, it would consume a lot of time, be quite obvious and awkward.

But for the most part, I reckon it is a nice gesture that doesn't 'cost' much - especially headphones and one glass of wine from a $10 bottle - but generates a lot of goodwill and a positive vibe. I was once on a flight in Y to Cairns (from Melb or Sydney) and was offered wine or a pre-lunch drink, when the announcement had been made about purchasing alcohol in the main cabin. The fellow in the seat near me asked me afterwards what that was about - I explained the benefits of higher tiers (think I was P1), he was Gold - he came away with a good vibe about QF treating upper tiers well. Surely a positive for QF.

My concern from posts of late and my own experience is when WPs have been offered something extra but P1s miss out. That is when I get frustrated. Is there a system problem which then actually devalues the P1 experience? If it happens again to me I'll ask the CSM (maybe the others are actually CLs?) or maybe it is a problem the crew can't see a P1. No harm in asking and getting a straight answer from the CSM at the time.

WPs and P1s are certainly listed in the system/on the manifest, however are listed separately and may actually be missed, and could be by pure accident. With regards to providing of product from different cabins, it would usually be up to the discretion of the operating CSM, however officially the crew are only able to provide the service of cabin within which the passenger is booked. This may create inconsistency from flight to flight, which is why there is the aim to maintain consistency in providing/not providing service items from another cabin.

 

[QF WP]

OK, that's all I was asking. So you know people who didn't get the extra year, and that was because they hadn't done the four flights?

I do believe trippin_the_rift knows from personal (first-hand) experience

 

[JohnK]

Random question that occurred to me when travelling in Y on the tram this morning....

If one was P1, then earned 0 SC's the next year, would they have a soft landing to WP,or to SG? I am presuming/guessing WP, but I just wondered if anyone knew? (I know what JohnK's answer will be : "It doesn't matter, WP and SG are merging" )

LOL. I love random thoughts. Platinum/Gold. Same same. Much of a muchness.

 

[AirKat]

I've just re-qualed for my 4th year, but not really 4 whole years as the first one I was only P1 for a few months. Anyway, I didn't think I'd be P1 for this long but the travel just keeps coming. I haven't posted an update for a while so thought I'd share my thoughts.

Events/tickets - last invitation was to an event with Ellen in March 2013, given my membership ends May I have gone two entire years, plus a few months, without any invites
Op-ups - I am a frequent rather than premium flyer, doing usually 4-6 flights a week. I have an op-up perhaps every 3 weeks... which are always appreciated! I've had a couple onboard when certain things have been going on with pax around me - so grateful
Points upgrades - 100% success rate, which while only 5 or so times a year is very helpful
Partner WP - Mr AirKat travels and would be SG on his own, but being WP is a good perk for us
Onboard greeting - I am in the camp of people who love this. It is hit and miss but happens more times than not. Had a new variation the other week, CSM offered a drink (thank you!) brought back Y wine... thanks but I could have waited the 3 mins until service, I'm in the first row
Seat selection - this is the one thing I could not live without, I am so entitled these days about seating, I can see that about myself.
SST - people ask for examples. The SST have found numerous things for me that I've left on board flights, they will help move my flight if things go awry. We were flying Syd-Manila-HKG when our Manila flight was delayed to the extent we would miss our connection, SST moved us onto Syd-HKG with CX

If there are other perks, I can't seem to remember them. I value it... but like a lot of P1s, I'd expect, my thoughts are usually on how I can reduce my travel and spend more time at home, rather than on retaining.

 

[boomy]

Onboard greeting - I am in the camp of people who love this. It is hit and miss but happens more times than not. Had a new variation the other week, CSM offered a drink (thank you!) brought back Y wine... thanks but I could have waited the 3 mins until service, I'm in the first row

Haha it also happened to me once, found it very amusing.
I'll add one strange greeting I had recently:
The CSM greeted me as I entered the plane and asked why P1 sits so far down the back (exit row 14). Told him I just changed my flight and that was the best seat available. He then tore my BP stub and smiled. I never saw or heard from the CSM after that.

If there are other perks, I can't seem to remember them

For me Fly Ahead is the second best perk as P1 (after any seat selection).

 

[11sjw]

LOL. I love random thoughts. Platinum/Gold. Same same. Much of a muchness.

Except when you get to a lounge.

From a newly (due to demotion) created SG.

 

[pagingjoan]

Except when you get to a lounge.

From a newly (due to demotion) created SG.

Indeed. A highly significant distinction.

 

[citrusb]

with regard to 4~ rule... am currently P1 but this period have flown all on points domestically and overseas and hence no ~. My year finishes 30/11/15 and although I have LTG safety net...would prefer WP for lounges.

Question I'm flying Per-Syd 23/7 to transfer to Ethiad Apartments SYD-AUH and have most of day 'free'..should I slip in a couple of cheap short flights ex sydney on that day (a lot cheaper than ex Per)...ie almost a ~ run. Don't need the points only the ~. Was thinking SYD -CBR or SYD -TMW (Tamworth)..any other thoughts...do cheap sale JQ's count for ~ would prefer shortest distance, as I have 4 'long' days ahead.

SYD-AUH 1st apartments, transit to AUH - BOM 1st 77W, overnight sleepover, then BOM- SIN KF suites then SIN -PER and 2 hours drive to country WA home. All on AA points and KF points. Any help appreciated.

 

[trixydoza]

with regard to 4~ rule... am currently P1 but this period have flown all on points domestically and overseas and hence no ~

The soft landing shouldn't be in jeopardy even without 4~... the claim is that the subsequent comp under the three-year-average rule requires 4~.

Partner will quite possibly test that next year.

See also:

I am well aware that qantas has a unpublished soft landing policy for tier downgrades but does this apply to platinum ones?

If a Platinum One member is unable to attain 3,600 Status credits (including a minimum 2,700 on QF marketed Flights) in their next membership year, they will be automatically reassessed to the Platinum level regardless how many status credits they earned. Hope this helps.

 

[TonyHancock]

In theory I am exactly the sort of flyer QF does not want, I have just re-qualified as a P1 for the fourth time........but.......of the 3600 SC's I have earned this year 2140* are from mASA's. So I am one of those utterly dreadful mASA peeps gaining benefits that should be reserved for those earning them through "paid" fares.

"Simpler and Fairer" did for me - I was OK when I could get away with a couple of MEL-LHR mASA's each year but with the mASA demise it is nigh on impossible to retain P1 for me...and keep VA Plat to enjoy domestic priority boarding#. My next go to, other one world carriers, dropped off the list with the SC earn changes that were part of S & F.

I reckon QF has done a decent job honing the benefits. When I fall of the P1 perch in August 2016 I will miss it. Seat selection and upgrade priority have been top of the tangible benefits list. I hope QF will continue to focus on travel benefits rather than events.....although I am in the UK for the rugby world cup....hint...hint...

It has meant a few changes for me, my direct sweep QF credit cards have gone and there is no real need to chase EDR points any more. (For that matter there is no need to chase epiQure points, or any other QF partner points.)

My international trip earn is now directed to BA, but the grass is greener only in patches. The tangible benefits, upgrade certificates and jokers (the ability to "force" release standard seats as rewards seats) that come as you rise to GGL and above do make up for the dire service and dreadful rewards availability. Lifetime Gold (Lifetime OW Emerald) is a significant lure for me and if QF had this I would be back to QF in a heartbeat.

I'm not a believer in "loyalty" in the FF game, I believe in getting the best deal for me to keep me nearer the front of the aircraft. I suspect QF will do well from their S & F changes and I will miss what has been, on the whole, some pretty good service and benefits. The reality for me is that whilst I have re-qualified it is for the soft drop as an insurance policy...so I will get little opportunity to get any P1 benefits this year.

*I have earned 2290 BA TP's and 685 VA SC's in the same period.
# Yes this is genuinely important enough for me to avoid QF domestic.

 

[serfty]

Not P1 specific, However in relation to "soft landings" and 4 ~'s ...

SWMBO was partner gold for two years before earning SG in her own right; her flight that earned SG was the last taken by her that earned with Qantas Frequent flyer.

The next year she was soft landed to PS, a year later she was "comped" PS before finally dropping to NB a year year later ... in all of that, the ~ count was 0 (as was SC's).