Retaining P1 - Can I go close in one trip?

[RichardMEL]

Yes, if you fly a lot.

Fly *QF* a lot. Partners such as oneworld and EK do not recognise P1 status over and above Plat. EK has a similar program to P1 but there is zero recognition in kind.

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.

While this is handy (works for J too) often first few rows can become full with Plats so apart from the legroom it's a questionable benefit (I'm thinking 73H domestic mostly) vs a few rows back

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

This may be so (I've had a couple over the years) but it's not confirmed in any way as a definite rule that I am aware of.

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.

Yes and no. The person flying will be assessed at the window of their status, but ahead of all others(except for other P1 nominees I guess where it probably comes down to fares, PCV etc, but I digress). For example I put in for my Bronze sister a few years back, she was granted the upgrade 24h prior to flight rather than at the 7 day window opening. Just to clarify how it works.

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.

My questioning of the OP above as to the benefits that would be worth the effort for domestic flights is based on the observed benefits. Everyone places different emphasis on what matters (free membership of QF Golf Club? I could care less ) and the odd invite to "off field" stuff is nice but far from a given, and for those that travel so much sometimes they are not about to take advantage. However the OP may value one or two specific things to make it worthwhile to them and that's totally fine (I was not meaning to seem rude above).

Personally though I find the value of status is best when bad things happen.. and QF domestic is pretty good overall... the P1 SST are a nice bunch but I rarely if ever talk to them or need them for anything. Just as if I was WP.

Each to their own on what's important and hey if budget is not so much of an issue then sure go ahead, but seems at odds with wanting reduced travel time to attain it, because as I am certain the OP knows... it takes a LOT of bum in seat time, even if it's F to LHR r/t to get there.

Let alone some of the poor buggers I know of who have got there on discount Y flying *shudder*

my 2 cents

 

[RichardMEL]

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

Not to want to get off topic too much but PPS is a SQ only program of recognition for premium cabin paid flying.. it's separate to Star Gold status and on SQ outranks Golds totally. They are quite different.

 

[Jet L]

Not to want to get off topic too much but PPS is a SQ only program of recognition for premium cabin paid flying.. it's separate to Star Gold status and on SQ outranks Golds totally. They are quite different.

Ah ok, but doesn't it off *G when partner flying?

 

[Platinum One]

Thanks for all the comments.

I'm very confident that I will attain Solitaire status with SQ within the next year to 18 months, where I am PPS/*Gold already. Great program and great recognition for Elites, but isn't relevant for USA travel. Have tried west coast and east coast via SIN, but not great.

Keeping P1 is not greatly about alignment to specific benefits given the domestic travel plans with QF. It is more that I like status and irrationally, like to keep top tier. Happy to work and rejig a trip to keep it, but wouldn't undertake an epic trip to attain it.

So, throw up some QF centric AONE6 itineraries!

 

[Simo]

P1 big benefits is when things go wrong and also invites to special events and you also get a Xmas present from QF

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Keeping P1 is not greatly about alignment to specific benefits given the domestic travel plans with QF. It is more that I like status and irrationally, like to keep top tier. Happy to work and rejig a trip to keep it, but wouldn't undertake an epic trip to attain it.

So, throw up some QF centric AONE6 itineraries!

tell you what... send me half the cash you are planning to blow on a status run and i'll send you a bunch of white shiny cards!

 

[juddles]

First up, I respect each person's desire to have status, irrespective of a cost analysis or a discussion of benefits. So if the Op really wants to do it - their choice

But my comments:

I would completely separate the concept of SC run and visit to Sao Paolo. There is only one sensible way to get to Sao Paolo - in QF to SCL then connection with LATAM to GRU. That will net you about 400 SC return - in J, the only offering. I do that a bit and the offering is not too bad - the SCL-GRU sector is usually a TAM 777 - the J product is ok but the service is good. And the LATAM lounge in SCL is quite good. And you avoid traveling via the USA which is a pain.

Due to the relatively restricted global covering of QF, especially in F, I don't think any round the world will have a serious impact - but I do not know how many SC you are starting with?

The quickest and easiest way to gain large volumes of QF SC is obviously on their SYD-LHR route - but even then you only get about a third of the required SC for P1 in a return trip in F!

But if you truly want to retain P1, then do a couple of those and just do the rest of your travels in a direct and complication-free manner.

Side note - I am currently debating my need for P1 - essentially for me to retain it I would need to do something like a SYD-LHR status run. I do a zillion miles each year between latin america and Australia, but have bought the last half dozen tickets via LATAM, travelling on QF metal SCL-SYD. I already have WP in the bag with QF, but also will attain LATAM Black Signature - to get P1 again would require many thousands of dollars discresional spend, and to be honest I have not found the P1 thing that amazing. They are very good, but as many would say, if you are flying F or J there is not really that big a difference. But despite the economics I find it a distasteful feeling to possibly relinquish that status, so I understand you

 

[juddles]

BTW, you appear to want to do this in a single trip. Without multiple back-tracks, etc it is simply impossible. A RTW trip that includes F travel SYD-LHR and then returning JFK-SYD still gets you less than a 1000 SC on QF ticketing.

 

[opusman]

QF simply do not have a wide enough network of own metal or codeshares to get 2700 SCs in a single trip (without significant backtracking). Even with a double SC offer I doubt you could do it.

 

[whughes3]

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.

Out of curiousity, exactly how are you doing this? There has been no F cabin on QF MEL-SIN flights for some years now, indeed for most of the time that P1 has been in existence.

 

[Platinum One]

QF flight numbers on EK metal.

 

[opusman]

Out of curiousity, exactly how are you doing this? There has been no F cabin on QF MEL-SIN flights for some years now, indeed for most of the time that P1 has been in existence.

Codeshare on the EK flight, presumably.

 

[Pushka]

Codeshare on the EK flight, presumably.

But those don't count for the heavy Qantas carrier requirements of P1 do they?

 

[BacchusMarsh]

But those don't count for the heavy Qantas carrier requirements of P1 do they?

3,600 (at least 2,700 on Qantas marketed flights)^

^ Qantas marketed flights are flights with a Qantas (QF) flight number on the ticket.

 

[Matt_01]

Maybe I have been missing out

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

Based on this I would get op-up every 4-5 weeks, I find this does not occur, usually happens for operational reasons, travel inconveniences, e.g. delays. I also noticed an op-up around the first flight post annual rollover date if I have retained P1.

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

Is this something you have to ask for, I didn’t think that the staff post entry are aware of you status, you are a customer who has access by class of travel or OW status. I just drink what is on offer and personally it I had to ask or pull out the card it seems like a bit to much like DYKWIA approach.

I knew about these ones:

upgrade requests for family members being assessed at your level not theirs is huge as well.

I have used this successfully, provided they have purchased the correct type of ticket and they fit in with all the other criteria QF uses

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

I have been able to get J rewards whenever I have searched for or requested seat conversion.

Like others have mentioned, I like P1 status when something goes wrong as an aside a nice touch was when P1 team helped out my +1 and child even when I was not travelling with them.

Each to their own, if the OP just likes the P1 Status and is happy to travel to retain it then good luck to them.

 

[opusman]

But those don't count for the heavy Qantas carrier requirements of P1 do they?

Qantas marketed so they do count.

 

[Pushka]

Qantas marketed so they do count.

For some reason I read that requirement as being Q metal. Not that it makes the task any more likely for current WP given lack of international flights Q offers direct from Adl. We have to use AirNZ for regular trips to NZ so no chance.

 

[RichardMEL]

re 2700 QF requirement. As stated yes QF codeshares count. One reason I do at least a few trans-tas EK F sale fare runs (as QF# of course!). I figured the MEL-SIN EK flight there - I had considered it myself but the timings are a bit lousy (a late evening arrival in SIN is not too bad, but a late evening departure not so great .. but I digress )

re "1 in 10 op up" - as I noted before this has never been defined as an actual thing. I also don't consider them op ups but courtesy upgrades. The 2 I have had have been done around 24h prior and both on (domestic) flights with basically 0 paid in J (eg a sat afternoon MEL-BNE) - it costs QF almost nothing to offer this given they're not giving up any revenue (I only figured it out when my seat assignment disappeared and suddenly 1A was full, yet my booking still showed Y and seemed a fair hint as I'd seen the flight on EF as empty). A really nice surprise for sure, and made the 2h flight nicer than sitting in Y but you can be sure as heck a monday morning MEL-SYD or fri evening MEL-BNE won'tsee that love. Of course we've seen on here that some lucky ducks have gotten these lovelies on REAL flights like LHR-SYD or SYD-LAX (J-F) which would br brilliant (but I put in for the upgrades myself anyway since points aren't an issue and rather confirm if possible than hope).

At any rate I am sure the SST do keep an eye on some bookings, and some members and dish out some love when they can(and it's a win-win for QF of course) but I doubt they go to any kind of specific "rule" on how it's done.

I see it as a bit like the much discussed invites to events and stuff... those are more or less random (but it really helps if you're SYD based!!! ) ... some report regular invites, others very rare. I've had maybe 3 or 4 in the 4ish years I've been P1.. and 3 of those I couldn't take advantage of (ior wasn't something I was interested in). Nice gesture.. really nice but I don't really include it as such as a benefit of P1 that I value when thinking about what it means to me to have it... it's not really related to the travel experience and is rare and random. It feels great to get one and it's a nice gesture - just like the "courtesy upgrade" but I neither expect or bank on these things as regular or something to rely on.

I also agree.. if the OP wants the status and is in a position to do this financially more power to them!!! I also agree a single AONE6.... I'd think virtually impossible... you'd need a couple,

Do QF still code on AA 3 class transcon LAX-JFK? that could be useful if so, except that you can't do that cross-crossing the US a few times on separate tix, as a QF codeshare can only be used in connection with an international QF flight.. but I guess using UA in the paid F cabin(3 class transcon with the new rules) can get some of the 900 non-QF SC requirement happening.

I wonder also if perhaps in addition to a RTW type fare to get to/from GRU, maybe silliness like a few LHR-DXB r/t in F? or possibly nest "QF" flights vix DXB to european destinations and/or africa could add some SC's.

All of this though totally blows out the stated goal of minimum time in the air, and that's the problem with trying to get this huge number of SC's... whichever way I look at it, it would be either multiple long trips or a lot of bouncing around (even including the MEL-SIN r/t type things). A lot of time, and a lot of money. Seems time is the real enemy to the OP though.

I follow with interest how (if) this works out!

 

[Matt_01]

Of course we've seen on here that some lucky ducks have gotten these lovelies on REAL flights like LHR-SYD or SYD-LAX (J-F) which would br brilliant (but I put in for the upgrades myself anyway since points aren't an issue and rather confirm if possible than hope).

Never been a lucky duck but also have not run the gauntlet to see if it would happen. Always request the J-F upgrade via points (points are also not an issue).

Also have been invited to a couple of events over the past couple of years but have not been able to attend as I was interstate or OS.

I do like the bottle of plonk they send at Christmas waiting for an occasion to open last years.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

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..

This works really well when planning travel at least 3-4 days in advance. It doesn't necessarily help when you have a last minute booking.

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

Dependant on the time of year, day of week and/or flight time you can reasonably anticipate upgrades every 10 flights. The upgrade is done in the back end booking system as opposed to the seat allocation you do online. Over the Xmas / NY period the 10:1 ratio went down to 5:1. The Op-Ups typically come from two sources - the P1 SST can do the upgrade anything up to 24hrs out and you will typically get a message on the boarding pass that says something like "Enjoy your flight from the P1 team'. The other source is load control at the airport who will upgrade you if they have oversold Y and/or need to make some seating changes that affect you.

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. ...

This one hasn't worked so well from my perspective. On the 4 occasions I've submitted an upgrade request on behalf of a relative over the past 12-18 months I've struck out on each occasion. Although some years back on a HKG-SYD sector as a P1 I put an upgrade request in for my brother-in-law and I travelling on two separate PNR's. Interesting he got the upgrade and I didn't?

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

I did read somewhere that only CL and P1 could have award seats released. Even then there are some limitations on the numbers of seats you can get released and the class you need.

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

When your in the F Lounge in either SYD or MEL you can ask the team if there are any special bottles of red / white / champagne behind the bar. If there is something they will grab it for you. Over the Xmas / NY period I did a couple of SYD-SIN sectors and they had a Rockford Basket Press with a few years on it behind the bar. For those travelling through Singapore as a CL or P1 using the QF Lounge there is a separate reserved section available for use where the staff will provide you with food and drink service. Of course as a CL or P1 in SIN you can use the Emirates lounge as well.