Retaining P1 - Can I go close in one trip?

[Platinum One]

Having held P1 Status since inception, mainly via 10-15 MEL-SIN Returns in F each year, I am looking at slipping of the P1 radar due to changing travel patterns this coming year.

I am more than happy with the benefits and perks of P1 and would like to keep that status level. I hold top level status within a couple of programs. I like shiny cards!

Given I need to be in São Paulo in mid June, I am looking at putting together a giant Status Run with the sole aim of retaining P1.

Appreciate the QF metal requirements will be a challenge, but hoping to get some much needed input.

Have flown countless DONE4/AONE4/ACIRC22 routings, but sadly these were >5yrs ago and have lost touch with the market, rules and tricks.

Looking at minimising away time and maximising genuine F class travel. Don't need to visit any other locales specifically, and am happy for quick flight turnarounds and minimal nights off.

Looking for SC/time in air value but not overly price conscious.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

NOT OVERLY PRICE CONSCIOUS?
You could do a one way Au - NZ - SCL with LATAM all the way in subclass of J, they do carry a QF flight designator though the metal is LATAM.
I have flown this with the LAN at that time LA flight number, and got my 10 QF SC for whY. Am sure that if I had booked it with the QF flight designator, I would have had 20 QF SC, but I was money tight at that time, my flight was AKL - SYD.
From SCL Santiago, you could do a LATAM to GRU Sao Paulo.
EDIT: if you want true F, you would have to go with QF via the US. OR time it AA still flies AKL to the US which does have a F service.
LATAM 787 does not have an F class.
EK F from SYD - AKL, then F again, AKL - LAX with AA with a QF flight designatior (before June this year I think, then it drops), AA from LAX to GRU in J all will earn you 500 QF SC.
OR Would subclass of J suffice (bypassing the US)? You do get F lounge as P1 in SYD and AKL.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

On AA, AKL - LAX will still earn QF SC as if you were flying a QF aircraft.
But from 01 Nov, if you were to fly an AA plane from SYD - LAX, your QF SC earn drops.
This is due to the break up of the QF and AA relationship. Not sure if it would ever get back to the FF deal as it is now.

 

[snabbu]

Am I right in thinking you essentially want to max out an AONE4/5/6 fare departing AU to GRU?

 

[JessicaTam]

How many of the QF metal SCs do you need, based on any other flights you have planned?

I can see BNE-MEL-LAX-JFK return picking up ~920. Increase that to 1250 if BNE-MEL becomes BNE-PER-SYD-MEL. F transpac, and J domestic.

 

[Pushka]

On AA, AKL - LAX will still earn QF SC as if you were flying a QF aircraft.
But from 01 Nov, if you were to fly an AA plane from SYD - LAX, your QF SC earn drops.
This is due to the break up of the QF and AA relationship. Not sure if it would ever get back to the FF deal as it is now.

You need to fly majorly on QF planes for P1 not just get status credits on alliances.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ta Pushka.

 

[Platinum One]

Am I right in thinking you essentially want to max out an AONE4/5/6 fare departing AU to GRU?

Correct, unless there is a more suitable option/product.

 

[Platinum One]

How many of the QF metal SCs do you need, based on any other flights you have planned?

As close to 2700SC as possible.

Have switched the bulk of travel to SQ. QF will predominantly be short haul domestic.

 

[Jet L]

Just curious is WP1 substantially better then vanilla WP

 

[Platinum One]

I have personally found the benefits to be of value to me over the past 6 years or so.

 

[Jet L]

Ok, Never had WP1 so I wouldn't know but if its of value then i'd say spend the ridiculous amount of money to retain the status, Good Luck

 

[Platinum One]

...... spend the ridiculous amount of money to retain the status, Good Luck

It's more a case of what the incremental cost of an optimised AONE6 (or similar) is over and above a return MEL-GRU in First.

 

[RichardMEL]

As close to 2700SC as possible.

Have switched the bulk of travel to SQ. QF will predominantly be short haul domestic.

IMHO if that's the case I see no reason to chase P1. I think you'd get treated just as well as WP (or even Gold come to that) on domestic.

So I ask what do you see as the most beneficial perks of P1 that would aid mostly domestic travel?

If you're changing to SQ I reckon suites and F travel would be a much nicer way (over QF F) to get to GRU, or as close as... Certainly SQ/Star.

 

[mviy]

Just curious is WP1 substantially better then vanilla WP

Yes, if you fly a lot.

Being able to select front row economy on domestic flights when you book is a big plus rather than having to hope the seats are still free at T-80.

An unwritten benefit of an op-up where there are seats available every 10 flights is a nice benefit too.

Being at the top of the upgrade lottery and upgrade requests for family members being assessed at your level not theirs is huge as well. If you pick your flying dates well this can lead to substantial savings to fly in premium cabins on international long haul.

P1 probably has a higher chance of getting an award seat released than a WP.

If you like champagne in the international lounges you can get better champagne if you have P1 status.

Personally I don't fly enough to get value out of P1 so I haven't gone for it (I'm very happy with WP but a bit envious of most of the P1 benefits), but there are a number here on AFF that do.

 

[Jet L]

Also if you are doing a lot of travel in SQ first you will be *G in no time (if you are not already)

 

[RichardMEL]

NOT OVERLY PRICE CONSCIOUS?
You could do a one way Au - NZ - SCL with LATAM all the way in subclass of J, they do carry a QF flight designator though the metal is LATAM.
I have flown this with the LAN at that time LA flight number, and got my 10 QF SC for whY. Am sure that if I had booked it with the QF flight designator, I would have had 20 QF SC, but I was money tight at that time, my flight was AKL - SYD.
From SCL Santiago, you could do a LATAM to GRU Sao Paulo.
EDIT: if you want true F, you would have to go with QF via the US. OR time it AA still flies AKL to the US which does have a F service.
LATAM 787 does not have an F class.
EK F from SYD - AKL, then F again, AKL - LAX with AA with a QF flight designatior (before June this year I think, then it drops), AA from LAX to GRU in J all will earn you 500 QF SC.
OR Would subclass of J suffice (bypassing the US)? You do get F lounge as P1 in SYD and AKL.

AP you clearly don't seem to have any idea about the requirements for P1. I wonder why you're posting comments on this subject.

It's great you got 10 SC and could have got 20. P1 requires 3600 SC in a membership year, with 2700 of those on QF flights* (QF codeshares do apply).

While your random AKL-centric ponderings offer some level of SC's, they're nowhere near the stated requirements.

Anyway I'd think it would be pretty hard to do even with an AONE type fare tbh. Times like this a DSC offer would REALLY help the OP

 

[RichardMEL]

Also if you are doing a lot of travel in SQ first you will be *G in no time (if you are not already)

Would say PPS would be the goal rather than *G which would be more or less a given with a few premium flights on SQ

Probably even PPS Solitaire status with a bunch of AU-SIN F/Suites R/T on the table impressive.

 

[Jet L]

Yes, if you fly a lot.

Being able to select front row economy on domestic flights when you book is a big plus rather than having to hope the seats are still free at T-80.

An unwritten benefit of an op-up where there are seats available every 10 flights is a nice benefit too.

Being at the top of the upgrade lottery and upgrade requests for family members being assessed at your level not theirs is huge as well. If you pick your flying dates well this can lead to substantial savings to fly in premium cabins on international long haul.

P1 probably has a higher chance of getting an award seat released than a WP.

If you like champagne in the international lounges you can get better champagne if you have P1 status.

Personally I don't fly enough to get value out of P1 so I haven't gone for it (I'm very happy with WP but a bit envious of most of the P1 benefits), but there are a number here on AFF that do.

Wasn't aware as I rarely fly QF, most of my flights go to VA

 

[Jet L]

Would say PPS would be the goal rather than *G which would be more or less a given with a few premium flights on SQ

Probably even PPS Solitaire status with a bunch of AU-SIN F/Suites R/T on the table impressive.

PPS is *G isn't it, I see your point, didn't really think of PPS, Is there much difference?