Hi All - Long time lurker here. After 4 years of P1 I have decided to give it up and move to SIA so thought I would share some of the reasoning here.
I have hit LTG and the haul to LTP is just too much to countenance. I would probably get there if I continue to focus on it for the rest of my career but it just feels like too much commitment for not that much payback once LTG is locked in. I am based in SG and so SIA makes a lot of sense from here:
- I enjoyed earning status credits on redemptions. Now that will move to a credit card instead of points club, its not possible for me living in Singapore. They have effectively cut out offshore members from that benefit which I find annoying.
- Reward space is pretty much always available on SIA (sometimes at higher miles but its there). On Qantas as P1 I have tired to book our family trip back to Aus at Christmas in J as soon as the space opens 12 months or so before. Never been able to get it in 10 years.... we fly SQ every time and I am only Gold there currently.
- Ive never been able to get London either - again - I have on SIA
- SIA Network is bigger
- More First across the network
High availability to upgrade to F using miles - and you can book it before rather than having to wait for a few days before
- Metal is just better - even the new Qantas coming in 27 looks underwhelming in J. SIA are also updating their metal so expect that delta will persist
- SIA will suit the travel pattern out of SG better - holidays and so on can use the First lounge (once Solitaire) when travelling in Y on short trips
- First Class check in area - helpful when travelling with kids
- Syd Mel / HK First lounges will I am sure be nice once open, removing some of the delta from Qantas First lounges in Syd and Mel both of which I enjoy
I will miss the Qantas service - I find most of the cabin staff authentic and friendly. My wife will miss the platinum ticket but as this will be replaced by Solitaire when the time comes I think she will get over it !
The P1 customer service team have normally delivered and I find them efficient. But as I reflect on it - the fact I have to request redemptions is kind of disguising a bug as a feature. On SIA they are there on the website and you just get better saver options as you increase status. Much easier.
I feel like there are probably many people like me who decide to get off the train at LTG because LTP is placed so far out. I think in the recent changes they should have made it more attainable... and made platinum harder if they are worried about numbers.
Cheers