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?

 

[defurax]

Every few months I get a survey from QF about being P1. I'm usually pretty blunt in my assessment of the program. I like to remind them that one can become WP by spending about $600 on QF (e.g. 4 x $150 MEL-LST) to get 40SC and 4 flights, while P1 have to get 2,700 QF SC. I also typically give them a list of BA GGL benefits.
Next year will probably be my last P1 year. It was fun to be constantly disappointed for a few years, but I think I need to go see if the grass is greener elsewhere!

 

[Matt_01]

Not strictly on topic but essentially a P1 problem. Does anyone else miss the thrill of the chase? Following the excitement and hunger on the DSC thread and I have zero use for DSCs so had to take the points. What should keep us P1s engaged and excited like the hungry golds and WP wannabes

I think the DP or DSC option was quite good, pre covid I had little interest in the DSC promos as I would be confident I would retain P1 without it and would have selected a point option. That being said whenever the promotion came about I always purchased a few vouchers or the BCI-LRE flights as they were cheap and couple be changed without penalty. I have a July roll over so the Feb/ Mar dates just didn't do it for me. I also spread flights across carriers to also retain VA WP and SQ *G. With a July rollover I missed out on the automatic extension and unless I can somehow to give me an extension as an exception my P1 days are numbered. There will be a few things I will miss but not a lot and no reason to chase it. Edit. I am not interested in chasing QF LTP.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Where are you off to?

Next membership year I have 7 trans-Tasman trips in C booked.

 

[aus_flyer]

I think that’s a bit rich, is it not? Anyone on this forum would chase BA GFL before LTP unless you’re at the margins and already around 40-50k?

I’m young, and age is largely irrelevant, so have little interest in LTP given the above.

Are you LTP? Curious to hear if it’s worth the journey?

Not rich. Legitimate question! If you’ve reached Lifetime Platinum then there’s little reason to keep crediting to QF once you’ve retained P1.

For me - before P1 was introduced I would credit enough to QF to retain Platinum but would then credit elsewhere.

When P1 was created… I’d credit enough for P1 and then elsewhere.

Now, I credit everything to QF because I want Lifetime Platinum.

I know BA Lifetime is easier but there are benefits of QF Platinum that go beyond OW Emerald. In particular, the ability to request award seats.

 

[RichardMEL]

Every few months I get a survey from QF about being P1. I'm usually pretty blunt in my assessment of the program. I like to remind them that one can become WP by spending about $600 on QF (e.g. 4 x $150 MEL-LST) to get 40SC and 4 flights, while P1 have to get 2,700 QF SC. I also typically give them a list of BA GGL benefits.

Just want to querty this WP thing. To "get" WP one needs 1400 SC. Even to retain it's 1200. A $150 Y fare MEL-LST yields 10 SC, and as you say 4xthis is 40 SC. How does that get you to WP? I think you're missing quite a few SC's in that equation

Or are you saying that you only need the 4xQF operated flights, or 40 SC worth as minimum, then make up the rest of the SC on other airlines - in your case citing GGL, I'll guess BA. Of course, why would a GGL even credit flights to QF unless they had extra flights to credit (which is going to be a LOT of travel/spend either way).

To be fair, to attain WP with QF is a fair amount of spend. Sure, with DSC and creative routings one can get there for a few grand (probably a bit more these days given current prices) and no it's not that hard for medium level flyers and easier for those that make even a small amount of effort.

but WP earn seems to be irrelevant to any argument since the real comparison, as you say, is between GGL and P1 as they are far closer to apples and oranges - and of course GGL comes out on top with perks and recognition (you just have to fly BA a lot - and some don't love that idea - but that's a different issue totally of course).

yes, the P1 benefits are underwhelming compared to something like GGL, but nobody here has ever suggested P1 to be worth chasing - but more a side "benefit" of that level of spend/travel with QF that sometimes can be very handy (and sometimes isn't).

I just think when discussing P1, citing the relative ease to attain WP isn't very helpful to an argument - unless that argument is that "I get most of the benefits P1 provides at a lot less than 1/3 the cost/effort" then that would be the only real argument to make - because yep, short of VIP and increased seat release benefits (and they ARE) and sometimes excellent help from the team, and other intangibles like event invites and the like, P1 doesn't add a whole lot to the pax experience imo.

Anyway I mostly ignore the surveys as I consider them mostly token puff and doubt anyone really takes notice.

 

[defurax]

Just want to querty this WP thing. To "get" WP one needs 1400 SC. Even to retain it's 1200. A $150 Y fare MEL-LST yields 10 SC, and as you say 4xthis is 40 SC. How does that get you to WP? I think you're missing quite a few SC's in that equation

Or are you saying that you only need the 4xQF operated flights, or 40 SC worth as minimum, then make up the rest of the SC on other airlines - in your case citing GGL, I'll guess BA. Of course, why would a GGL even credit flights to QF unless they had extra flights to credit (which is going to be a LOT of travel/spend either way).

To be fair, to attain WP with QF is a fair amount of spend. Sure, with DSC and creative routings one can get there for a few grand (probably a bit more these days given current prices) and no it's not that hard for medium level flyers and easier for those that make even a small amount of effort.

but WP earn seems to be irrelevant to any argument since the real comparison, as you say, is between GGL and P1 as they are far closer to apples and oranges - and of course GGL comes out on top with perks and recognition (you just have to fly BA a lot - and some don't love that idea - but that's a different issue totally of course).

yes, the P1 benefits are underwhelming compared to something like GGL, but nobody here has ever suggested P1 to be worth chasing - but more a side "benefit" of that level of spend/travel with QF that sometimes can be very handy (and sometimes isn't).

I just think when discussing P1, citing the relative ease to attain WP isn't very helpful to an argument - unless that argument is that "I get most of the benefits P1 provides at a lot less than 1/3 the cost/effort" then that would be the only real argument to make - because yep, short of VIP and increased seat release benefits (and they ARE) and sometimes excellent help from the team, and other intangibles like event invites and the like, P1 doesn't add a whole lot to the pax experience imo.

Anyway I mostly ignore the surveys as I consider them mostly token puff and doubt anyone really takes notice.

I gave the example of the minimum number of QF flights to retain WP just because at work this year I've seen many colleagues who pre-covid would have booked QF, now booking QR (but still crediting to QF). So basically WP who don't give much money to QF.
You are right that how one attains WP is not really relevant to P1 benefits, but I think it's more to highliht to QF how little difference there is between WP and P1. I have the impression that QF really believes the P1 status is amazing, while I consider it marginally better than WP.

I keep filling the surveys, maybe they do help. For years I suggested P1 should come with some hotel status, and then we all got Accor Platinum (not suggesting I had a direct impact, but I think QF needs honest feedback about P1).

 

[RichardMEL]

ok yes, now I see what you mean re the 4 sectors. Sure. I was a bit confused - from the wording I thought you were saying all it took was 4 cheap tix to attain WP!

I would point out though that just about every carrier these days has a minimum (usally 4) sector rule for elite status qualification to at least ensure SOME buckaroos go their way. Sure though, one can be WP with QF on cheaper AA runs or other methods. absolutely. Been the case for years.

I guess the 2700 requirement for P1 is fair enough in the context of the P1 program - and let's face it, if one flew 3000 SC on QR/AA/BA/MH etc then P1 benefit wouldn't mean a lot if that pattern held so I guess it kind of reinforces the requirement - ie you spend this much time and money enduring our serivce then hey you might get even more (by award seat release) or if not, a ticket to the corporate box at the footy or something so I guess if we fly the 2700+ on QF, we "deserve" P1?

 

[smckay]

How did you get a seating assignment 5 days in advance on a dash 8?

I think it was available on the app? Had the typical not eligible on the web. Can't quite recall but did think it funny at the time.
I have another flight in 2 weeks, I'll take more notice this time

 

[lsmi4126]

Just received another P1 upgrade to J ex CBR this afternoon. Seems to be back to its pre-COVID frequency for me, now.

 

[billbro]

No where near P1 status, but how beneficial is the gifting of WP status to a family/friend?

Tempted to ask a P1 friend to see if I can nab his, given our honeymoon trip coming up later this year - but if it's a key major perk or everyone gifts to their partners then it would be a bit too bold to ask!

Really need to pay more attention to these DSC runs rather than spend all my time in the wine forum .

 

[Fergo747]

No where near P1 status, but how beneficial is the gifting of WP status to a family/friend?

Tempted to ask a P1 friend to see if I can nab his, given our honeymoon trip coming up later this year - but if it's a key major perk or everyone gifts to their partners then it would be a bit too bold to ask!

Really need to pay more attention to these DSC runs rather than spend all my time in the wine forum .

It’s probably the only real tangible benefit left of the P1 status. I personally find it very beneficial and have gifted it in different years to my father and wife depending on the travel etc they had coming up.

Depending on the person that you’re asking and whether they have a partner, whether that partner needs their gifted WP status (e.g. the partner may only ever travel with the P1 so gifting them status may be somewhat redundant). No harm in asking as if it’s not being used then could be great way to use, however also be prepared for a flat no given that as I mentioned it’s one of the only tangible benefits remaining.

 

[kermatu]

No where near P1 status, but how beneficial is the gifting of WP status to a family/friend?

Tempted to ask a P1 friend to see if I can nab his, given our honeymoon trip coming up later this year - but if it's a key major perk or everyone gifts to their partners then it would be a bit too bold to ask!

Really need to pay more attention to these DSC runs rather than spend all my time in the wine forum .

The WP status can now be gifted to anyone. There was plenty of discussion in this thread a few years ago, when it could only be given to a partner, that it was too restrictive as a lot of P1s could not take advantage of it (no partner, or partner already at status). So no harm in asking I reckon.

 

[flyingfan]

It’s probably the only real tangible benefit left of the P1 status.

Pretty much agree - gifting WP as well as SG (which you’d have enough SCs to do to get to P1) are the best benefits for me and as mentioned most valuable for someone who’s less likely to travel with the P1 and thus would reap the benefits more when on their own.

Likely though that for P1s this benefit is one of those used up already very early on. A once-off trip isn’t the best use (asking for the Flounge passes would be more modest) unless a lot of other travel is on the cards.

 

[billbro]

Very informative thanks! Will have a ponder before stretching the friendship. They have a partner but they always fly together, so wasn't sure if the partner would also need it - though there is always family who might? I didn't

gifting WP as well as SG (which you’d have enough SCs to do to get to P1)

Thanks, didn't even realise this until the prompt and some browsing through the forums. May just aim for this actually.

A once-off trip isn’t the best use (asking for the Flounge passes would be more modest) unless a lot of other travel is on the cards.

One off trip is 6.5 weeks OWA 318k, though agree arguably the status won't help with much - except for maybe some European and LAX-JFK flights, likely would help with the US given I didn't clock the lack of included baggage.

However, if we had WP would likely look to book in another OWA 318k for my fiancée and I, if not will just hope for another DSC next year as I only caught this one on the night it was wrapping up.

Thanks all, super help.

 

[RichardMEL]

No harm in asking I guess.

I've given my Plat away every year - to friends mostly(those I knew would get real use and appreciation from it). Never a partner - so it definitely is an option but of course up to the P1 member if they want to or not.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I don’t think the SST/VIP team is monitoring flights.
I have suspected as much for a while but today pretty much confirmed it.
Was on a BNE-SYD which was delayed due to engineering/tech issues and the flight eventually cancelled. I was in J.
Went back to the lounge when the engineering issues were announced (at this point the passenger manifest had been printed as could hear the dot matrix printer 5 minutes prior).
Offered a Y seat at the service desk on the next flight but agent said, wait in the lounge as your flight isn’t cancelled.
Waited in the lounge, no options offered on App, no calls nothing.
Flight eventually cancelled on App and I immediately went to the service desk and was rebooked on the next available flight. In a middle seat down the back.

Partner on a separate booking also OWE but with BA given emergency exit seat same flight.

Staff at BNE were absolutely lovely and no issues with them but I would expect that a P1 in J on a flight that’s gone tech would maybe get a bit more proactive service than having to go up multiple times to the service desk.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Bit of a shame but IRROPS seem a flip of a coin particularly if domestic. I’d be disappointed if in your position but I think central ops then take over in these cases and they seem to have little grasp of status so pragmatism (I.e getting any old seat on next available) seems to take precedent.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Bit of a shame but IRROPS seem a flip of a coin particularly if domestic. I’d be disappointed if in your position but I think central ops then take over in these cases and they seem to have little grasp of status so pragmatism (I.e getting any old seat on next available) seems to take precedent.

I don’t know how long you have been P1 for but in the past the SST would ring you and have moved you before the flight was even cancelled.

 

[aus_flyer]

I don’t know how long you have been P1 for but in the past the SST would ring you and have moved you before the flight was even cancelled.

The good old days!

 

[kermatu]

Agree there seems to be little domestic monitoring now. But thinking back over the past several years I've only had the proactive and automatic SST service on a domestic tech or serious delay on a couple of occasions, and only when it has been a simple problem to solve (such as a single flight when there are multiple alternatives like SYD-CBR) where it is pretty obvious where/why I was going (home). Anything more complex I've always had to fend for myself, with generally good support from lounge or check-in staff - or the SST has tried to call me (often when I'm in the air!) to quite rightly discuss alternatives.

Doubt they have the staff available to really help P1s domestically, and in my recent experience the automatic process has been fine - but agree you do need to be vigilant / rely on other apps or means to get what you want.