Qantas Platinum Status Worth It?

[kangarooflyer88]

Hello,

This program year ending on November 30, I will fly enough with Qantas/JetStar to earn 610 status credits to maintain my Gold status. Next program year (starting December 1) I will begin the year with 250 rolled over status credits from this program year, 50 status credits from the loyalty bonus earned late this program year (and redeemed on December 1), 50 status credits from earning Qantas Green earned late this year (and redeemed on December 1) so 350 status credits. I've got a further 530 status credits worth of flights booked with Qantas to end of January (and potentially another 50 status credits loyalty bonus supposing one earns a loyalty bonus flying QF during the double status credits promotion) and another 50 status credits earning QF Green next program year and redeeming it there. So in theory 980 status credits by end of January if all goes well. At this point I'll have easily earned QF Gold through November 30 2024 but am wondering whether I should bother flying the extra 400 status credits or so to earn QF Platinum. An obvious benefit I see doing this is I'll have QF Platinum through November 30, 2024 and QF Gold through November 30, 2025 without doing any additional flying with QF (aside from the 1400 status credits earned in 2023). On the other hand, I'd like to maintain my Delta Gold medallion status next year if possible (need to fly approximately 50,000 miles with SkyTeam airlines to make that happen).

Hence my question for the esteemed audience is whether it makes sense to go for Platinum? What benefits would I notice day to day flying Qantas and OneWorld airlines that I wouldn't notice as a lowly Qantas Gold member (aside from slightly better lounges which is likely a moot point given my AmEx Platinum)?

-RooFlyer88

 

[jakeseven7]

Like anything it depends on how, how much you travel and what you value, and that is different for everyone, so you will get different answers from everyone and ultimately will be up to you.

For me, these things make WP worth it for me:

- Ability to have reward seats released, this has been amazing for me and my family and great use of my points. This can be particularly helpful in peak travel periods where no airline from any alliance has seats available

- Priority QF customer service, there is a whole thread of people complaining about wait times earlier this year due to covid, I’ve never waited more than 3-5 mins ever

- International F lounge access (QF + one world/Emirates). I personally don’t care as much about domestic lounges but international lounges in a post-covid world where you need to be at airports earlier than normal is a lifesaver

- Priority treatment (overall) from OW + Emirates: having F check in privileges has been a lifesaver in post-covid times travelling internationally my goodness the big international airports are a zoo at the moment. I’ve also scored op—upgrades a few times on Emirates (as have many on AFF) which has been a happy bonus

- Priority upgrade processing on QF. I know most AFF members don’t see this as a great use of points, but I’m swimming in points and doesn’t bother me, I use them and get processed ahead of many people

- Qantas domestic J lounges, I like being able to socialise with the business crowd while travelling, we meet there, do a lot of events and everyone migrates there afterwards on the return flights (if I get into CL with my boss that is next level of course!), it’s actually great for our level of business networking. Plus I love the Spice Bar in MEL

These are the benefits that I value for my life. Good luck!

 

[sudoer]

Agree with all the above points.

- Qantas domestic J lounges, I like being able to socialise with the business crowd while travelling, we meet there, do a lot of events and everyone migrates there afterwards on the return flights (if I get into CL with my boss that is next level of course!), it’s actually great for our level of business networking. Plus I love the Spice Bar in MEL

As an extension on this, domestic lounge access on arrival can be a very useful benefit when flying a lot for work. The flexibility to delay a lounge coffee/breakfast until after an early morning flight, or to fly earlier than needed and spend a couple of hours working in the lounge, is something I would miss a lot when dropping back to Gold.

What benefits would I notice day to day flying Qantas and OneWorld airlines that I wouldn't notice as a lowly Qantas Gold member (aside from slightly better lounges which is likely a moot point given my AmEx Platinum)

Oneworld F lounges are significantly better than Centurion or Plaza Premium lounges IMO.

 

[levelnine]

From my understanding of your other posts on this forum, you regularly fly non-oneworld carriers and are happy to purchase points in other alliances (eg Air Canada) for your long-haul flights.

If that's the case and is going to continue to be the case, the value proposition of Platinum significantly diminishes.

There's no need to request release of reward seats if you are able to find reward seats on other carriers. There's not a huge need to have priority QF customer service if you're not doing a lot of complex itineraries on Qantas tickets. There's no need to worry about international first access because you'll be flying non-oneworld carriers etc etc.

In this scenario, focusing on Virgin Gold so you can have lounge access for domestic flights + continuing to exploit the points purchase loopholes you've documented in other threads may be your best bet.

Once I am fully established in the US credit card system, I will probably be able to drop Qantas from my life as I'll have an abundance of transferrable points that can be redeemed across a wide array of carriers into/out of Australia (Singapore, United, Delta, etc) and I will pursue Virgin status for domestic lounge access as it is easier to attain/retain and I find the difference between the two carriers domestically to be fairly marginal.

 

[exceladdict]

Thinking the same @kangarooflyer88, though I don't have as many forward bookings. For me, the packed QP in Brisbane in my last stopover has made me very tempted.

While this next year looks like it will have as good a head start as I ever will though, 1400 is a big target and I'll only get there on SCs from points club-based J redemptions.

 

[mviy]

WP means that you would be progressing faster towards LTG if you don't have that yet and if that's a goal.

If you need to call QANTAS the wait times are shorter for WP than for SG.

 

[tdimdad]

As a lowly SG, I've appreciated how much sooner I'm rebooked to an alternate flight and closer to my original schedule in case of flight cancellations, as compared to what it was as a silver. I presume it's even better arrangement for WP's. When scooting in the east coast triangle, this is my second favourite benefit after lounge access (and before priority security check queue).

 

[Aeolus]

Used to enjoy the award seat release request perk for WP but recently, the call centre staff didn’t even know what that was. Took me 30 mins to explain and lots of kerfuffle which came to nothing. Once you’re LTG, unless you’re flying OWE international a lot, there’re not much incentive to chase WP year on year.

 

[sudoer]

Used to enjoy the award seat release request perk for WP but recently, the call centre staff didn’t even know what that was.

HUACA. If they don't know what you're asking for, they definitely won't know how to set the booking up for the bot.

 

[Austman]

domestic lounge access on arrival can be a very useful benefit when flying a lot for work.

I've found it useful even if not flying for work. In fact more so!

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thanks everyone for the feedback on Platinum. Based on people's feedback it seems like it may indeed be a useful status to pursue. Thus far I've got 2 long-haul trips not yet for next booked for next program year that might help me get close to earning QF Platinum status:

• Sydney to Amsterdam in July (120 status credits return with the most direct routing in discount economy)
• Sydney to Minneapolis in November (140 status credits return with the most direct routing in discount economy)

I reckon the best time to book would be during a double status promotion (i.e. in March) which would provide a considerable boost on status credit earn (albeit not double since some segments would obviously have to be with JAL, AS or AA). In any event this would put me really close to earning the 1,400 status credits to earn QF Platinum. I'd be curious if there are some other pointers on how to eek out that last few status credits with the minimum amount of spend/additional flying as possible.

-RooFlyer88

 

[mviy]

QF may not have a sale going for most routes when DSC is on though this year they had great pricing on return trips to NZ which when flying indirect meant a high rate of SCs per dollar spent.

 

[Aeolus]

HUACA. If they don't know what you're asking for, they definitely won't know how to set the booking up for the bot.

Did huaca, 2 out of 2 without luck, ran out of time, haven’t tried since. Will need to build up my depleted patience before I try again.

 

[exceladdict]

Thanks everyone for the feedback on Platinum. Based on people's feedback it seems like it may indeed be a useful status to pursue. Thus far I've got 2 long-haul trips not yet for next booked for next program year that might help me get close to earning QF Platinum status:

• Sydney to Amsterdam in July (120 status credits return with the most direct routing in discount economy)
• Sydney to Minneapolis in November (140 status credits return with the most direct routing in discount economy)

I reckon the best time to book would be during a double status promotion (i.e. in March) which would provide a considerable boost on status credit earn (albeit not double since some segments would obviously have to be with JAL, AS or AA). In any event this would put me really close to earning the 1,400 status credits to earn QF Platinum. I'd be curious if there are some other pointers on how to eek out that last few status credits with the minimum amount of spend/additional flying as possible.

-RooFlyer88

With planning, you should be able to smash out some segments on AA while in the states for pretty good $/SC.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

With planning, you should be able to smash out some segments on AA while in the states for pretty good $/SC.

I was thinking of that too since QF blows at North American geography (i.e. one can fly LAX to SFO in J and earn 100 status credits each way with a well positioned connection point).

-RooFlyer88

 

[tdimdad]

I'd be curious if there are some other pointers on how to eek out that last few status credits with the minimum amount of spend/additional flying as possible.

You could perhaps check if there are any credit card sign-up offers. In recent years, some of them have given 75 SC, or so, and that might count, as well.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You could perhaps check if there are any credit card sign-up offers. In recent years, some of them have given 75 SC, or so, and that might count, as well.

I'd do that but sadly don't qualify for AU credit cards.

-RooFlyer88

 

[waz22]

Being London based and predominately flying BA, QF Platinum (OW Emerald) significantly improves the experiance either flying out of T3 (Cathay First Lounge) or T5 BA First Wing.
It provides better seating options and if the plane isnt full will have the empty seat next to me.
If you are looking for Status Runs in Europe you can get 120SC for circa £200 Club Europe to Eastern Europe or 200SC for £320 with IB to a number of Spanish Cities with stopover in MAD.
Also if you get it this year you will get the rollover next year so may be worth it just for a few years.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Being London based and predominately flying BA, QF Platinum (OW Emerald) significantly improves the experiance either flying out of T3 (Cathay First Lounge) or T5 BA First Wing.
It provides better seating options and if the plane isnt full will have the empty seat next to me.

To be perfectly honest, I haven't flown any other OneWorld partner since earning QF Gold back in 2021. Part of it was due to burning the many award miles I earned during the panorama on J tickets internationally, part of it was due to some great sales and status match offers by SkyTeam. That being said, I certainly do look forward to seeing how AA and BA treat me as a OWS and eventually as a OWE.

If you are looking for Status Runs in Europe you can get 120SC for circa £200 Club Europe to Eastern Europe or 200SC for £320 with IB to a number of Spanish Cities with stopover in MAD.

I'm not sure what the right sweet spot is here. I reckon North America could be particularly lucrative given the close tie up QF has with AA and the fact that QF has failed North American geography class (i.e. there are some interesting routings where I criss-cross the Mississippi and earn 100 status credits each time for little to no spend. At the same time, I eagerly await the next double status credit promotion which might enable me to earn those extra 400 status credits for next to nothing.

Also if you get it this year you will get the rollover next year so may be worth it just for a few years.

No way am I gonna be able to get it this year. I'll hit 610 status credits based on the flights I have booked till the end of program year (November 31), and have no intention of flying anymore between now and end of program year given my commitments. That being said, the status credits rolled over from retaining Gold this year combined with the loyalty bonus (50 status credits) and the green tier bonus from this year and next year (100 SCs total) will provide me with a great start (400 status credits). When combined with the flights I've already got booked for next program year, I'll be at around 1000 status credits about 3 months into the program year.

-RooFlyer88

 

[JohnK]

I used to swear by Platinum status when I was commuting BNE-SYD regularly.

I've not seen anything this year that justifies continuing the same thoughts.

One of the things Qantas used to well was disruptions and cancellations especially as Platinum. Failed badly late July. Long story but Qantas sends me SMS they have moved me to later flight after my flight cancelled. Go to service desk to get boarding pass and told I'm on standby and need to go to gate at boarding to find out if any room on flight. What about my luggage and golf clubs? What if flight full? Risk later flights full?

No thanks. Lifetime Gold should be enough.