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?

 

[RichardMEL]

If I understand what the OP is saying, I would think as you suggest it's ensuring you get the meal you want (if you're sitting further back in the cabin) or even little things like I've mentioned in another thread where I was offered a coffee from the (n)espresso machine whilst most others weren't, or being offered a drink straight after take off and not having to wait for them to set up the drinks cart. Little things like that can go a long way and given there's rarely going to be more than a handful of P1's on any given flight it's something that could be easily done without disrupting the flow of service yet make the P1 level feel a little more 'special' than a vanilla WP.

That all makes sense.

I know often a lot of things can go on in the galley to ensure choices and it may not be explicit.

Not QF, but UA on international usually ask for a first and second choice of main mean option up front just in case. Back in the day they'd usually say to high status members "don't worry, we make sure you get your choice." I am a high status (1K) with UA (well until the end of the year) and flew a few months ago. They asked pax around me the usual 2nd choice. Gog to me and just asked me what I'd like. To me that was the status recognition right there. not explicitly declared, but clearly saying "You don't have to bother with that" and I appreciated that.

With QF, as we know on domestic, it's often first come first served in J, and status is rarely outwardly a factor (but it HAS happened to me a few times as P1 as I've noted over the years here). However, I do feel, internationally they figure it out in the galley. I could be wrong on that, but I'm sure I was once told they figure it out - and I have witnessed crew come to pax and say "Sorry we're out of....." but never to me. Anecdotal of course, but I do feel at least some crews (good old consistently inconsistent) do make some effort in this dept. If it's policy or not (as with UA) I'm uncertain.

Can't say I've had specific separate (or advance) drink service from QF. I'd feel singled out a bit tbh if I did, specially if I was sitting away from the front row where it would be obvious - though I can definitely see how that would make one feel acknowledged.

 

[Daver6]

If I understand what the OP is saying, I would think as you suggest it's ensuring you get the meal you want (if you're sitting further back in the cabin) or even little things like I've mentioned in another thread where I was offered a coffee from the (n)espresso machine whilst most others weren't, or being offered a drink straight after take off and not having to wait for them to set up the drinks cart. Little things like that can go a long way and given there's rarely going to be more than a handful of P1's on any given flight it's something that could be easily done without disrupting the flow of service yet make the P1 level feel a little more 'special' than a vanilla WP.

I think this just goes to show how sad a state of affairs it is in QF J when getting your choice of meal, a drink in a timely fashion or being offered what's actually on board needs to be a benefit of the very top level FF. All that should be an absolute minimum for any pax in J, not a status benefit. It just goes to show how bad things are at QF when basic service like that is considered a status benefit.

 

[Fergo747]

Can't say I've had specific separate (or advance) drink service from QF.

I have a few times, but it's been only when I've been in row 1 on the 787. Generally have been speaking with the crew during boarding / safety demonstration and they have said before they sit down 'what drink can I get you after departure' and not long after the seatbelt sign has been switched off they've come back with it.

I think this just goes to show how sad a state of affairs it is in QF J when getting your choice of meal, a drink in a timely fashion or being offered what's actually on board needs to be a benefit of the very top level FF. All that should be an absolute minimum for any pax in J, not a status benefit. It just goes to show how bad things are at QF when basic service like that is considered a status benefit.

I understand what you're saying but in most airlines they won't carry enough meals for everyone to necessarily get their choice so the comment was to ensure that those with high status do get what they want (I mean QF could avoid this by being able to order your meal prior to the flight but I digress).

 

[Happy Trails]

Is Select on Q-Eat no longer a thing?
I'm reminded of this interaction some years ago as a P1 in J.

Round 1 after boarding and it’s all smiles.

FA: “ I see you’ve ordered on line - the beef dish?”

HT: “Yes, that’s right, the beef thanks.”


Round 2, a little later, with the smiles now slightly strained.

FA: “Just confirming, it was the beef you ordered?”

HT: “Yes, still the beef thanks.”

FA: “Oh it’s a very popular choice today.”


Round 3 and the smiles are now positively sardonic.

FA: “Are you quite sure you want the beef? You’re more than welcome to choose anything else on the menu.”

HT: “Thanks, but I think I’ll stick with the beef.”

 

[Daver6]

I understand what you're saying but in most airlines they won't carry enough meals for everyone to necessarily get their choice so the comment was to ensure that those with high status do get what they want (I mean QF could avoid this by being able to order your meal prior to the flight but I digress).

I agree that they won't carry enough if all pax want the same meal, but QF seems to be especially bad. I recall recently on a 737 that someone posted they ran out of a specific dish after only 3 pax ordered it. Given there's 12 pax, that's really not good enough.

 

[Fergo747]

Is Select on Q-Eat no longer a thing?

It disappeared during COVID and hasn't come back.

I generally used it previously to ensure that I got what I wanted, however it was hit and miss whether it actually registered as there was more than one occasion that the FA asked what I was having and when I mentioned that I had already ordered they stated that they didn't have this information.

Funnily enough, one of the times it worked was when I managed to snag an upgrade to F and the FA came round to take orders and noted that I had already ordered. I did change on that occasion given there were a couple of F only dishes (though the majority of the menu was indeed shared).

 

[RichardMEL]

It's not just QF. As my post expressed above, UA (for example) for years have basically made it clear you may not get your preference (I'm talking for average J pax, not status) and that's why they would ask for a 2nd choice. Perhaps that is a bit too transparent?

QF domestic has an issue with catering but it's one of those fragile things - I mean every extra meal catered is going to be extra waste potentially, let alone space in a catering cart for multiple meal options. Not making an excuse for QF as I think it's a bit rubbish if you're in row 2 and "Oh, the XYZ is gone..." - even if I usually don't eat on short dom flights as a general rule(so someone else usually gets an extra crack at an option that I don't pick I guess). Again though, I've been on multiple other airlines that have also run out of various options. And that's with airlines that offer pre ordering of meals in J (like AA and UA). Infact I recall being on a flight a few months back, I think IAH-LAX, and the guy next to me had pre-ordered a burger I think, but I think forgotten or changed his mind and wanted one of the other options, and he was told well sorry, your order for the burger is there and we can't give you the other meal because of that.

And that's an interesting aspect too - because you'd think offering a Eat on Q style ordering system would be far more efficient for everyone - but doesn't always cater for those that change their mind.. so what do you do? You can't figure out beforehand the likely mix of meal choices - it's probably a set number of "X hot option A's, Y salad/cheese options" and so on. And of course, say you're on a busy/popular route - you chop and change or cancel, that causes its own logistical problems.

I was part of a tour five o so years ago of BNE Catering and that was fascinating in terms of dealing with special meal requests, cut off times for fina pax numbers (how many recall the "Catering not assured" messages?) and so on to get a mix of meas cooked, prepared, stored and sent to aircraft in a timely manner. It's quite the operation.

I reckon most airlines can improve in this area - not just QF.. but it's not as simple as it may seem at first glance.

 

[jcwhizz]

I actually had something decent on a QF from SIN the other day - the Smokey chicken kebabs - totally out the blue they were tender, tasty and totally tip top!! Clearly Neil and his special sauce had gone no where near them.

And the Halibut on QF22 was also actually good as well.

I went to the (outstanding) P1 whisky tasting the other day with a P1 friend and got quizzed by one of the Qantas execs on food so I suspect that the howls of misery from the masses might be penetrating the QF Tin ear….

 

[jcwhizz]

And had a good chat with the QF22 CSM - who enthusiastically suggested (and delivered) a couple of cognacs…. Almost like old times

 

[Matt_01]

I actually had something decent on a QF from SIN the other day - the Smokey chicken kebabs - totally out the blue they were tender, tasty and totally tip top!! Clearly Neil and his special sauce had gone no where near them.

And the Halibut on QF22 was also actually good as well.

I went to the (outstanding) P1 whisky tasting the other day with a P1 friend and got quizzed by one of the Qantas execs on food so I suspect that the howls of misery from the masses might be penetrating the QF Tin ear….

And had a good chat with the QF22 CSM - who enthusiastically suggested (and delivered) a couple of cognacs…. Almost like old times

Are you using AI to craft your responses the reason I ask:
If you google 'Smokey chicken kebabs + qantas' no hits are returned for in-flight also is flying out of SIN on QF these will be QF1/2 or the other flights back to AU and most are in the evening.
Hailibut is a firm flesh fish and is often substituted with cheaper fish and I would not put it past QF to do this.
The congnac that QF serve up in F are ok at best and that is assuming they have been loaded.

 

[jcwhizz]

Are you using AI to craft your responses the reason I ask:
If you google 'Smokey chicken kebabs + qantas' no hits are returned for in-flight also is flying out of SIN on QF these will be QF1/2 or the other flights back to AU and most are in the evening.
Hailibut is a firm flesh fish and is often substituted with cheaper fish and I would not put it past QF to do this.
The congnac that QF serve up in F are ok at best and that is assuming they have been loaded.

Certainly am not using AI (!!!) and yup I was very surprised I had never had the kebabs starter before. I may have got mixed up with my trips I think it was QF6 from FCO to PER. Whatever they were actually great.

And yes QF22 was definitely Halibut - or they said it was at least and to be fair it tasted like it was as well! It wasn’t F it was J as QF22 is a Dreamliner so no F sadly.

 

[sudoer]

If you google 'Smokey chicken kebabs + qantas' no hits are returned for in-flight also is flying out of SIN on QF these will be QF1/2 or the other flights back to AU and most are in the evening.

They're billed as chicken skewers on the menu - quite a few positive reports in the menus thread.

Qantas Business Class meals & menus

AKL-BNE scotch pork.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Qantas Business Class meals & menus

Slightly OT, but Qantas could learn something from KLM 's intra EU J flights. No fancy linen but wonderful service and food not bad either.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Qantas Business Class meals & menus

Another throwback as I'm still catching up on my backups. 12 May 2023 - QF127 - SYD to HKG (A380 - VH-OQL) I was lucky to snag an F seat on this unrefurbished A380. Service is a little more personal and professional as the cabin seats much less than the set up in J. The atittude I feel were...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Qantas Business Class meals & menus

sounds like something I would order, and looks good except for the Coke I only comment because I sent the same pic to a friend who knows me fairly well (don't ask why :p ) and she wrote "Coke? COKE?! Where's the vino?!" lol. I just had a sugar hankering I guess (because I kept the actual...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Finding it increasingly useful to have reserved sections in lounges. LAX was a wait list on tables for the general section.
SYD has also been more pleasant for morning departures down the end.

 

[kermatu]

Received the invitation to MONA and - for once, saw the email in time and was actually able to attend. Superb evening of a handful of P1s (and guest) and a contingent of the Hobart-based VIP Service team. Return ferry service in the Posh Pit; private exploration of Museum; 3 course meal with local wines from the estate (with bottles to take home too).

Everything was excellent, but particularly nice to meet some of the VIP team, and to see MONA after hours. Lovely and greatly appreciated perk.

 

[sirchop]

Received the invitation to MONA and - for once, saw the email in time and was actually able to attend. Superb evening of a handful of P1s (and guest) and a contingent of the Hobart-based VIP Service team. Return ferry service in the Posh Pit; private exploration of Museum; 3 course meal with local wines from the estate (with bottles to take home too).

Everything was excellent, but particularly nice to meet some of the VIP team, and to see MONA after hours. Lovely and greatly appreciated perk.

Shame I couldn’t go. Sounds like it was a good event!

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

The LAX lounge crew continue to excel at recognition. One minor drawback was no Lallier this time but only very minor.

Received a nice card and bag tag

 

[Matt_01]

I have never been one for bag bling but I was given one of the '50 Years of Lounges' last month. I put it on one of the zippers on the day so I would not leave it behind, it is still on my backpack.

 

[Per_Travels]

Got an invite to 'Experience our Chairmans Lounge' before my next flight. Email offer of a one off visit:
'As a valued Platinum One member, who holds Lifetime Status recognition with Qantas, we would like to show our appreciation for your support by offering you one-time access to experience the Qantas Chairmans Lounge before your flight'

Never had this before - is it common?
Mildly interested to see what it's like inside the hallowed ground.

 

[aus_flyer]

Got an invite to 'Experience our Chairmans Lounge' before my next flight. Email offer of a one off visit:
'As a valued Platinum One member, who holds Lifetime Status recognition with Qantas, we would like to show our appreciation for your support by offering you one-time access to experience the Qantas Chairmans Lounge before your flight'

Never had this before - is it common?
Mildly interested to see what it's like inside the hallowed ground.

As nice as this is, I do find it an odd thing to do. I understand offering a Gold member a free pass to the Business lounge - as it’s showing something to strive for (with Platinum) or pay for.

But why give P1s a taste of something they can’t ever have - no matter how much they fly or pay?

It’s nice but also a cruel tease!

 

[kermatu]

Got an invite to 'Experience our Chairmans Lounge' before my next flight. Email offer of a one off visit:
'As a valued Platinum One member, who holds Lifetime Status recognition with Qantas, we would like to show our appreciation for your support by offering you one-time access to experience the Qantas Chairmans Lounge before your flight'

Never had this before - is it common?
Mildly interested to see what it's like inside the hallowed ground.

Have been around for a few years, but no idea how common they are. I've had one to BNE. My gut is they offer them when they are reasonably confident the CL will be quiet.
In my handful of experiences the CLs are quiet and with the comfort of the F lounges - decent food and drink.