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?

 

[Brettmcg]

Then you may be on the list.
Fingers crossed for you.

It appears it is particularly geared to P1s with Lifetime Status (which would likely be most I would have thought!).

 

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It appears it is particularly geared to P1s with Lifetime Status (which would likely be most I would have thought!).

Oh that's interesting. I do have LTG, but I'm really far away from LTP though, so may not have met the cut-off.

 

[Brettmcg]

Oh that's interesting. I do have LTG, but I'm really far away from LTP though, so may not have met the cut-off.

I'm LTG and about halfway to LTP, which if I keep travelling at this same rate for the next 8 or so years (I'm only just 34) I should easily reach.

 

[Fergo747]

As some here may remember, I was the lucky winner of the P1 competition to London. Having recently returned from the week away and thought I would provide some details around it. I'm not going to do a full TR, however thought that some may be interested. This post is to focus more on the competition and the P1 experience (or lack thereof) along the way so thought it belonged in this thread.

As for the booking of the trip, at the time of winning I was provided a contact at QF as well as the overall details of the competition including certain blackout dates. Once we had settled on the dates we wanted to travel (after arranging care for our little one) it was a straightforward process where the QF contact made the arrangements based on the dates I provided. Interestingly the booking appeared to be made in C class so I was hopeful of points and SCs, however the flights posted as ineligible. Once booked there wasn't really anything to do except plan our time in London which would consist of eating at many nice restaurants, catching up with some friends, going to the theatre and some minor site seeing (we've both been before so not a huge amount to do).

I was able to put in upgrade request so naturally did that for both ways. At T-7days (P1 benefit) I got the text to notify me we had managed to secure the upgrade for SYD-LHR so I was pretty happy. Received an email from the First hosts the day prior and booked in spa treatments. Upon arrival into the F-lounge, was greeted very warming, spa appointment confirmed and escorted to the P1 / First section of the lounge. Enjoyed a nice meal and spa treatment in the countdown to the flight.

Boarding was done efficiently with First called first and we were on in no time. Unfortunately this is where the 'first' experienced ended until SIN. It appeared to be an inexperienced crew (the attendant that was performing duties on our aisle made the comment that she normally worked on the A330) and it really showed as pre-departure drinks / snacks were a shambles, no PJs offered on this segment and I somehow missed out on my main choice option (despite being a P1 in row 3...I saw that a person in row 4 got what I wanted). No interaction from the CSM (though interestingly the CSM spoke to my wife who is a WP). Overall a disappointing flight to SIN, however on stepping off the aircraft there was a First host to escort my wife and I to the lounge (no other First passenger had this). She was lovely and made sure there was a shower for us and then came to collect us and take us to the onward flight. SIN-LHR was uneventful and I did manage to get a decent amount of sleep. (I'll post the menus / meal pics in the relevant thread).

The hotel as part of the competition was the Sofitel St James. It was a great hotel, with lovely staff that went above an beyond whilst we were there. Would highly recommend given the staff, location, bar and restaurant.

Unfortunately the upgrade for the return journey didn't eventuate, however watching expert flyer in the days prior to the flight I was not surprised. Check in at LHR was efficient and made a beeline to the CX lounge so no P1 experience to note of re LHR QF Lounge. LHR-SIN crew were very attentive (moreso that the F crew on the way over) with a genuine CSM greeting as well as a signed P1 card). Nothing to note on the transit in SIN, however I have a real hit and miss experience with that lounge. The person in front of us in the line at the lounge entrance was a P1 and they were shown to their seat etc, whereas we were just admitted entry. SIN-SYD was a good flight with crew being very proactive again. The attendant on my side was very efficient at and breakfast offered me coffee from the espresso machine rather than the pot rubbish. From what I could see this was only offered to myself and the other P1.

All in all I consider myself very fortunate to win the trip as we had a great time. Unfortunately it further instilled the fact that P1 isn't really worth striving for based on my experience on the flights. The exceptional ground service on the way over was due to flying F, not being a P1, and whilst nice and appreciated, I'm not sure that a card and a coffee from the espresso machine is worth the extra flying required. Some may suggest that not being P1 would have meant I wouldn't have won the competition (which I true), my comment is more in relation to my future flying and anyone wondering about benefits of P1.

 

[Kangol]

Interestingly the booking appeared to be made in C class so I was hopeful of points and SCs,

Did you think about crediting to AAdvantage or another OW program?

Thanks for the report, interesting to hear of your experience even though it wasn't so great.

The SIN F host upon arrival might be restricted to one travelling party. Recently I was on QF2 LHR-SYD in F and another passenger was having long conversations with the crew on both legs. Maybe he was a CL/other VIP. At the SIN transit there was an F host waiting to take him to the F lounge for him only and no other F passengers.
At the F lounge they did show me to the shower as I entered, but then again it may have been due to being in F, not P1.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Great summary and well done on winning @Fergo747!
We won a trip to Fiji years ago pre Covid, stated flights were ineligible for points and SC's.
Mr Flyfrequently hadn't read that bit and sent through BP's anyway - were credited Worth a try?

 

[Fergo747]

Did you think about crediting to AAdvantage or another OW program?

Thanks for the report, interesting to hear of your experience even though it wasn't so great.

The SIN F host upon arrival might be restricted to one travelling party. Recently I was on QF2 LHR-SYD in F and another passenger was having long conversations with the crew on both legs. Maybe he was a CL/other VIP. At the SIN transit there was an F host waiting to take him to the F lounge for him only and no other F passengers.
At the F lounge they did show me to the shower as I entered, but then again it may have been due to being in F, not P1.

HA! Unfortunately not worth crediting to another program on the OW alliance as I don't have status anywhere else. I might do what Flyfreqently has suggested and still try and claim.

Overall the trip itself was great (even if my writing didn't necessarily convey that), just when comparing to overall expected benefits as a P1 it left much to be desired.

You might be correct re the SIN F host as there was only one on the areobridge as we disembarked. My hit and miss comment about the SIN lounge has also been from prior trips where even travelling F as a P1 wasn't shown in or anything but on the return in J was given preferential treatment. Again just shows the inconsistency in overall service (whether in F or P1).

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Does anyone know whether a P1 lounge pass can be used at the LAX F lounge?

The website says Qantas F Lounges but for Business, excludes the TBIT J lounge. Just wondering whether such an exclusive exist for the F lounge.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Does anyone know whether a P1 lounge pass can be used at the LAX F lounge?

The website says Qantas F Lounges but for Business, excludes the TBIT J lounge. Just wondering whether such an exclusive exist for the F lounge.

Yes it can be used at LAX F

 

[Matt_01]

Does anyone know whether a P1 lounge pass can be used at the LAX F lounge

The P1 pass can be used in the F lounge as it is QF owned and operated. QF lounge passes cannot be used at the J lounge as it a OW lounge.

 

[chooms]

Hoping for my first invite. Nothing yet, but have domestic trips coming up, so fingers crossed

No email/invite here despite P1/LTG. In saying that, not too fussed as been in to all of them many times and whilst quiet, I don't think they are super special.

What has been special these last few weeks have been the op ups... including an east coast-PER journey but mainly golden triangle and one trans-tasman. This is despite half my spend moving to VA (purely price) so not flying QF as often as I used to.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Yes it can be used at LAX F

The P1 pass can be used in the F lounge as it is QF owned and operated. QF lounge passes cannot be used at the J lounge as it a OW lounge.

My colleague was just refused at LAX. They just said that QF LAX F lounge is excluded from the P1 lounge pass.

I'm going to write to VIP services and hopefully they can provide a definitive answer.

 

[Princess Fiona]

My colleague was just refused at LAX. They just said that QF LAX F lounge is excluded from the P1 lounge pass.

I'm going to write to VIP services and hopefully they can provide a definitive answer.

I have gifted one that was used at LAX F

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I have gifted one that was used at LAX F

Unfortunately the staff didn't apply the rules correctly then.

Having had another conversation with my colleague, it seems like her flight was cancelled 36 hours before departure which was the originally linked flight and was subsequently rebooked for this evenings QF12. This might suggest why it didn't work? Perhaps it delinked?

If so, then my question is, why is LAX staff saying that she wasn't eligible as passes aren't valid at LAX lounges rather than saying there isn't a linked pass on her reservation. That would have cleared up any misunderstanding.

 

[Matt_01]

My colleague was just refused at LAX. They just said that QF LAX F lounge is excluded from the P1 lounge pass.

I'm going to write to VIP services and hopefully they can provide a definitive answer.

I agree with @Princess Fiona, I have also give away P1 passes that have been used in LAX F and for what it is worth also SIN F.

 

[RichardMEL]

+1 for passes working at LAX F. The J lounge @ LAX *is* excluded and that's well known, as it's acting as a OW J lounge and is a specific exclusion, but the F lounge has always been treated differently. Perhaps the lounge dragon was confused on that score?

Unless the policy has changed in recent times, which I doubt.

the cancelled flight/rebooking makes far more sense - does your colleague still have the pass available in their invitations list?

 

[Matt_01]

@_TheTraveller_ if the pass was de-linked and as your colleague has not used the VIP should be able to reinstate the pass to your account.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I have gifted one that was used at LAX F

I agree with @Princess Fiona, I have also give away P1 passes that have been used in LAX F and for what it is worth also SIN F.

+1 for passes working at LAX F. The J lounge @ LAX *is* excluded and that's well known, as it's acting as a OW J lounge and is a specific exclusion, but the F lounge has always been treated differently. Perhaps the lounge dragon was confused on that score?

Unless the policy has changed in recent times, which I doubt.

the cancelled flight/rebooking makes far more sense - does your colleague still have the pass available in their invitations list?

@_TheTraveller_ if the pass was de-linked and as your colleague has not used the VIP should be able to reinstate the pass to your account.

Thanks for all the answers. I think the delinking might be the case rather than the reason stated by the lounge dragon. The lounge pass reappeared on her account so she has transferred it back to me. Bit of a bummer given that we've had such a great trip and gave her such a great impression of QF (despite the recent media).

There's always next time!

Edit: I would like to pass on some feedback to the lounge if possible. Does anyone know where I could pass on this feedback? I'll be there in person next week so perhaps a brief conversation with the lounge manager might be better than email?

The lounge dragon was apparently quite patronising and rude. Acted as if my colleague was someone trying to gain something they weren't entitled to. I understand that they get plenty of these people but rather antagonise the passenger, it might better to defuse and simply explain that there was no invitation linked to the flight rather than put out some incorrect information to get the person to leave.

 

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The lounge dragon was apparently quite patronising and rude. Acted as if my colleague was someone trying to gain something they weren't entitled to. I understand that they get plenty of these people but rather antagonise the passenger, it might better to defuse and simply explain that there was no invitation linked to the flight rather than put out some incorrect information to get the person to leave.

That lounge dragon is particularly difficult (if it's the same person I'm thinking about). Was on a Qantas Codeshare with WestJet (QF flight number) connecting from SYD-LAX (Qantas J) and was denied access.

Raised a complaint to the VIP service team later on & even they couldn't understand why I was denied access given the access rules on the website stated it was permitted. But apparently the lounge dragon insisted WestJet wasn't a oneworld partner.

 

[Andy72]

I have switched to flying Alaskan if possible over westjet for connections for this reason, west jet can be iffy re luggage allowance when connecting on the return. Wish there was more of a one world footprint in Canada