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?

 

[juddles]

Doing SCL-SYD and SYD-BNE next week so will see if I get nice treatment. Was not overly impressed when I did SYD-SCL the other day - not just a QF fail for P1, but a general fail all round in the staff in J.

 

[RichardMEL]

Flew this last weekend and only note taken was on a delayed departure CSM seemed most concerned with my shortish turnaround (*SC run* ahem). she was very sweet even suggesting she was looking to get me rebooked, but it all ended up well. No mention of P1, so maybe she would do that for any of her pax but it was a nice gesture. No mention or note on the return. Just for data points.

 

[juddles]

How are my peers going in the P1 world? All seems quiet.

 

[Chalkie]

How are my peers going in the P1 world? All seems quiet.

I've been on a long haul travel break since before Christmas - mercifully. All starts up again in March (MEL-LAX-YVR-PHX-LGA; JFK-YUL-JFK-HKG-MEL) and then OW long haul to northern hemisphere every couple of months. Some European destinations so will get to try EK F again - have done it once or twice before and enjoyed. I will definitely have a shower this time on the A380!

Christmas is in YVR but we're travelling with NZ - gasp - as the MEL-YVR-MEL sector is so much easier with NZ than it is with QF, IMO. I will do anything I can to avoid having to fly through SYD (marginally less loathsome on the forward journey because of the F lounge and not having to collect luggage, but still loathsome (and truth be told I prefer the smaller MEL F lounge) or LAX (or SFO or DFW for that matter) when going to Canada. NZ has very civilised flying times from MEL to YVR via AKL, and the return timing is perfect - a 6pm departure from YVR. Yes, I know, no F lounge visit but we can manage just this once.

On present flying indications I will requalify for P1 while on QF10 in September. I think that 2018 will be my last P1 year. I'm not sure I will requalify in 2018 for 2019, and I'm retiring at the end of 2018 so the post retirement flying will be very different to my flying during my working life.

 

[Spurs10]

As with Chalkie I have been on a self imposed travel break since just before Christmas...Has been lovely! Back off again this weekend MEL-DXB-MXP-DXB-MEL, and more coming March onwards... Those lazy days of summer are fast becoming a distant memory.. Will probably re-qualify this year for P1 but who knows going forward....

 

[juddles]

Yet again quoting a friend - "if you enjoy travel you have simply just not done it enough"

 

[Matt_01]

My renewal is at the end July, I was able to take a 6 week break in late September to early November but still chalked up 3615 SC by the end of January 17 so have it until July 18 then I may be on the downward slide. A couple of DSC trips helped bringing in the required SC 2-3 months ahead of normal time.

 

[Matt_01]

Over the weekend I took 3 QF domestic J flights and noticed on all 3 the CSM's went out of their way to greet me and note my P1 status (and on one sector I think a CL in front of me and an EK elite behind me were also specifically welcomed).

I have no idea if this is a deliberate change or I just got lucky with 3 CSM's in a row, but there seemed to be a change (as I had a flight late last year where my status was also recognised) in recognition.

Anyone else notice a more consistent approach (maybe the ipad issue has been resolved????)

i have not noticed a big difference but have noticed a difference. I have been travelling with a couple of other P1's during the past 12 months, not deliberately, we just worked out we were all in the same club. First time we all received greetings, about 6 months ago we assumed the CSM had just been promoted and was still keen, that been said the latest was last Friday and Sunday.

 

[Matt_01]

Just curious to know which domestic J seats other P1's prefer, to date I normally choose 1C, why:

• no one in front of me
• if the the cabin if full of J PAX with a loose interpretation of carry on (size and qty) and the overheads are full, the crew will always find a space for my carry on.
• Just because I can

I am thinking of going to 2C for a couple of reasons both relating to IFE

• Airframes with WiFi - I can hang my iPad on the back of the seat (R1)
• Airframes with TV's - Can turn it on prior to takeoff and during landing

May have to give row 2 a go for a while.

 

[boomy]

Just curious to know which domestic J seats other P1's prefer

Only row 1 for me. It's perfectly acceptable to recline in J and if I'm in row 2 or 3 and pax in front reclines all personal space is lost. Happened to me few times and I remember thinking row 4 is more comfortable.

In row 1 prefer window to have control over the shades and shut them when too sunny or if wanting to snooze.

 

[mviy]

Just curious to know which domestic J seats other P1's prefer, to date I normally choose 1C, why:

• no one in front of me

Not P1, but WP. I like row 1 with an aisle seat

I am thinking of going to 2C for a couple of reasons both relating to IFE

• Airframes with WiFi - I can hang my iPad on the back of the seat (R1)

Row 1 with a shadow would solve this problem, but that is very hard to get. Even with someone next to you you can manage with an iPad in the front row but obviously it's not ideal when eating.

• Airframes with TV's - Can turn it on prior to takeoff and during landing

I use my iPad at these times. I don't need to see the same safety demo video every time I fly and short domestic flights can be too short to finish an inflight video.

May have to give row 2 a go for a while.

That's your choice.

 

[RichardMEL]

Re Seat preference.. this seems clearly related to the massive number of 737's in the QF fleet since on the 330 it's a whole other story (row 2 or 4 for me there)

I am actually very split on the 737 preferred seat.

My usual strategy is if I have a larger than small bag I will probably go row 2 to store it under the seat in front and have access to it - or I can put it (usually) above row 2 without the space issue of row 1.

If I have a small bag and it's a flight where I think I'll eat I might go for 1A or F(depending on which is the sunny side during flight to avoid it) for the legroom and I can usually find a cubby hole to stick my small bag in.

My problem with row 2 and 3 is that the new config squeezes them in even in J. They just feel tighter than the older config and sometimes it's not pleasant, but if I want to access my stuff it's far more convenient. If I think I'll just have a drink then I'll usually take 2A/F

The notion of a shadow in J on a 737 is a rare one indeed. Almost ALWAYS go out full of either upgrades and/or staff. It's been a rare experience to have any empties, even during non peak times. Peak? forget it.

 

[RichardMEL]

Had a P1 SST comp upgrade on Saturday MEL-SYD to head up to fly on the 744.

I will admit I ever so slightly planned the opportunity for this as most flights were 73H with J2 or J4 showing but the 12noon was a 332 with 9's across the board, and I thought it was fairly likely I would see some love on this non peak lunch flight vs the 737's even though it got me into SYD a lot earlier than I would have preferred.

Anyway around 23h out my 23A disappeared and they'd popped me in 2A which was mighty fine of them. I'd note that 1A was open, but they put me in 2A (which I prefer). Don't know if that was just luck, or someone noted somehow.

I'd note a small bit of disappointment with no message on the BP as has been in the past. No greeting from the P1 team or anything but this was def a free upgrade and greatly appreciated. Thank you QF.

Of course we went out full in J

 

[kermatu]

While I'm no longer P1 for now, I have snared row 1 on my last half dozen 737 flights this past fortnight (a couple were Trans-Tasman so row 1 was available at booking. On 5 of the flights I had an empty seat next to me right up until the flight closed, then the seats were taken on 3 of them (checking via Expertflyer). Staff every time.

1C is definitely my pick for the best legroom vs seat in front trade-off. And if you get the empty seat next to you even better. I am so sick of the entertainment options on the 737s -- I usually listen to music rather than watch anything -- so access to IFE is irrelevant to me, but I agree a perfectly valid consideration. One of the reasons the refurbed A330 J setup has grown on me.

 

[Kangol]

Not that it would likely affect many here, but P1s now do not have access to the TBIT F lounge when flying EK. Previously they had access. Not sure when it changed.

 

[RichardMEL]

Not that it would likely affect many here, but P1s now do not have access to the TBIT F lounge when flying EK. Previously they had access. Not sure when it changed.

I presume if one is flying in F on EK they still could though?

 

[Matt_01]

I presume if one is flying in F on EK they still could though?

As I have not flown from TBIT on an EK marketed flight I was not actually aware of this, however a quick look at the QF eligibility rules and sure enough "class of travel" access if F on a QF flight, "QF Members" P1 if on a QF, JQ, OW flight, no mention of EK. A quick check of the EK site did not list the QF lounge as a partner lounge at LAX. Even the benefits with EK at P1 level is a little vague.

That is something that I did not know.

 

[Matt_01]

Over the weekend I took 3 QF domestic J flights and noticed on all 3 the CSM's went out of their way to greet me and note my P1 status (and on one sector I think a CL in front of me and an EK elite behind me were also specifically welcomed).

I have no idea if this is a deliberate change or I just got lucky with 3 CSM's in a row, but there seemed to be a change (as I had a flight late last year where my status was also recognised) in recognition.

Anyone else notice a more consistent approach (maybe the ipad issue has been resolved????)

In a previous response to this post I indicated I had noticed an uplift in recognition but not much. On Sunday's (12/2) I was a bit surprised, usual greeting at boarding "Welcome back Mr xx_x, thank you for your loyalty". Sometime between doors close and crew be seated for takeoff the CSM approached myself and one other and informed us what the meal choices were and took our orders. The passenger next to me seem a bit perplexed as to why he was not asked. It was a small difference but something I noticed.

 

[RichardMEL]

Well I've had now 5 sectors in the last week and it's gone back to its usual (good) levels of QF service, but noted nothing much P1 wise.. the closest was yesterday on a refreshment service the FA was going through the options (soup, cheese box and whatever the other option was) then said while I was pondering "... which one haven't you had recently?" which was a tacit acknowledgement of status

I had a beer

 

[Spurs10]

Op Up J to F on QF10 DXB to Mel tonight..thanks P1.. Currently en-route to DXB from MXP and it looks like QF10 is suffering from the QF1 troubles today and is currently an hour delayed...hope it stays at that!