What's your favourite benefit of QF Gold?

[goldenhorn]

Very excited to make QF gold for the first time ever after my status run to AKL last weekend. (Thanks for the help with booking the DSC run Alan Lam @ Netwave Travel.) I've been VF Gold for the last 2 years but have been underwhelmed with the benefits (especially the lounges, although I think QF Pub is not going to be much better).

I'm yet to experience any of the benefits, but I am hoping the wider choice of lounges internationally and *maybe* getting better support on the phone will be enjoyable. And of course, getting earlier access to classic reward seats. I rarely book QF with my Qantas points, but I do often book partner airlines, so that will be handy.

For those seasoned QF Gold travellers, what's your favourite benefit?

BTW, is there a nickname in AFF for QF Gold? I know about NB and WP...

 

[Dmac59]

Very excited to make QF gold for the first time ever after my status run to AKL last weekend. (Thanks for the help with booking the DSC run Alan Lam @ Netwave Travel.) I've been VF Gold for the last 2 years but have been underwhelmed with the benefits (especially the lounges, although I QF Club is not going to be much better).

I'm yet to experience any of the benefits, but I am hoping the wider choice of lounges internationally and *maybe* getting better support on the phone will be enjoyable. And of course, getting earlier access to classic reward seats. I rarely book QF with my Qantas points, but I do often book partner airlines, so that will be handy.

For those seasoned QF Gold travellers, what's your favourite benefit?

BTW, is there a nickname in AFF for QF Gold? I know about NB and WP...
View attachment 498429

Nickname is SG (scum gold)

 

[mviy]

The best benefits are the lounge access, better seat selection, higher upgrade chance, higher priority for boarding, and a little better access to classic reward seats.

Extra checked luggage is important to some but not really to me as I find the standard allowance more than adequate. I would value extra carry on allowance, but with limited space they’re not going to offer that.

 

[Aeryn]

And of course, getting earlier access to classic reward seats. I rarely book QF with my Qantas points, but I do often book partner airlines, so that will be handy.

The earlier access to award seats is only for QF metal everyone gets access to partner seats at the same time irrespective of status so no real benefit there. And since QF stopped doing predictable releases for international classic awards, I dont think even WP or P1 really get anything earlier unless they request a seat release.

J Lounge access on OW flights overseas (and Q Pub in Aus domestic), extra luggage allowance as a SG/OWS, better free seat selection than PS/NB including on partners; plus extra points earn on QF flights are the main benefits of gold - as these are guaranteed unlike awards.

 

[VPS]

I like the lounge access and priority boarding. Also as a LTG gold I've hardly flown Qantas since I achieved that but it gives benefits in other OW airlines

eg BA - log in a select my seat with my QF number then change it back to my BA number

 

[burneracc]

It works incredibly well with partners, from my experience so far on Cathay. I’ve flown to / from hkg 3 times in the last few months on CX and it’s given me free extra legroom seats when I haven’t flown in business, priority checkin counters, plus access to their excellent lounges in hkia. The airline staff also seem to give a little extra care when not flying business too, for example, sneaking me desserts from business class in economy

Pictures attached

Domestically it gives priority security which reduces time spent in airports even further I guess, but the domestic Qantas club lounges are fairly middling imo.

 

[goldenhorn]

It works incredibly well with partners, from my experience so far on Cathay. I’ve flown to / from hkg 3 times in the last few months on CX and it’s given me free extra legroom seats when I haven’t flown in business, priority checkin counters, plus access to their excellent lounges in hkia. The airline staff also seem to give a little extra care when not flying business too, for example, sneaking me desserts from business class in economy

Pictures attached

Domestically it gives priority security which reduces time spent in airports even further I guess, but the domestic Qantas club lounges are fairly middling imo.

Oh I'm glad to hear that. I'm actually flying to HKG in a few months on Cathay. I got reward seats in J BNE to HKG but I'm flying to PER in Economy. Just just about to make that booking so hoping I can get free extra legroom seats too. I look forward to enjoying the lounge now, based on what you've said when I fly to PER.

 

[SYD]

In the US, QP gets you inside the AA ACs flying AA/QF but SG (OWS) gets you into the AA Flagship lounges flying any OW airline.

 

[Mqrko]

Shower is very handy

 

[fletty]

You'll get free economy plus at check in now too.

 

[MELso]

Getting all the business class perks (except for the seat on the plane itself obviously) when travelling economy. Lounge, priority boarding, priority check-in, priority luggage, better seat selection (on most airlines anyway - looking at you MH!) etc. For daytime flights, it enables me to save an absolute packet...

 

[jastel]

When it all goes wrong you are NOT last in line to get helped anymore.

 

[algae]

Oh I'm glad to hear that. I'm actually flying to HKG in a few months on Cathay. I got reward seats in J BNE to HKG but I'm flying to PER in Economy. Just just about to make that booking so hoping I can get free extra legroom seats too. I look forward to enjoying the lounge now, based on what you've said when I fly to PER.

Make sure to go to the pier! Don't waste your time with the others. They're crowded and mediocre. (The bridge might be okay, last couple times I was in HKG I noticed it was open now, but haven't ventured inside yet).

To answer the question posed though, priority check in counters and baggage have been a big time saver