When is it all to much - Flying and Chasing Status

[Matt_01]

Is it just me, is it timing.

Recent posts here, AUSBT and FT in regards to DSC offers VA and QF, 50% DSC, double/ triple points, QF LTP, QF R4, F Lounge reviews, free give a ways etc., I am wondering if it there is a point in time when flying, hotels, restaurants, room service, lounges etc just becomes mundane. I get there are business travellers, enthusiasts, avgeeks, well-heeled individuals (money is no option), points chasers…. when does it stop.

In most cases if you have been to the proper F lounge and to some extent a J lounge in a carrier’s home base you have been to them all. What I mean is that and it may be personal experience but honestly QF, JAL, CX, SQ, AA, QR, EK............they are all the same, French fizz and reasonable to good food. Some have day spas others on demand chefs. Once flying more fizz and ok to reasonable food. Opinions on better beds, better food, aisle access it all depends what the experience of individual travellers.

Is there any point to this post, well ……..no. I think I am just on one of my quarterly or half year travel rants, cannot remember which one. Mods please delete if appropriate.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

No it's not just you. Status is only of value when things go wrong, and that is why I chase it. Lounges are boring mostly and I'd rather be elsewhere than in a lounge. I hate queues and status helps with that as well.

 

[Deleted member]

I was thinking much the same thing the other day.
In fact I’m resolved to stop chasing, and look at sensible pricing with a value proposition I can relate to.

 

[Pushka]

I’m enjoying some love with the status thing for me as it’s so new. For MrP who has to travel so much, esp for work and usually in the cheapest Y seats domestic, it’s helps a bit to ameliorate the side effects and to get the odd points upgrade (and which came through this morning). He reaches status through travel alone and I get there only through DSC. Our holidays - I always do the maths. I always try book J awards a long time out. I know I can’t travel in Y for long distances (over 7 hours) as I’m at risk at developing another DVT. (Wouldn’t surprise me if I had one in my calf right now from prolonged cramped sitting at the cricket test) So not a lot of choice there. I’d never pay for J to Europe unless it’s on sale (Qatar had an amazing sale recently through DPS)

I don’t bother with status in hotels at all. Too much for me and I pick hotels for location and price.

Come retirement and thankfully with LTG for MrP a lot of the mess is removed. It will be back to bronze for me and our travel will be much curtailed as I won’t be able to fly long in Y.

For me - make hay while the sun shines. Carpe diem. Or whatever.

 

[OATEK]

In a somewhat related way, I have found having to do 4 x QF flights a year to retain status has become a pain! Must be getting old, and of course being in a semi-retired state most of my travel is overseas (while the legs and hips hold out), and QF are well out of my budget most of the time. So why am I still trying to keep QFF Gold - I can't really give a sensible, logical explanation.

 

[Denali]

There was a very good article somewhere about a guy, in the US, who was on the status crazy chase. I remember him cancelling a free reward flight and telling his wife he had to get a paid flight to maintain status ect. It was quite good, pointing out some of the craziness.

The only incentive for us, thanks to VA family pooling, is the 100% bonus points - they sure do add up but otherwise, Im starting to look at other airlines to save $. We're flying J no matter what, we're going to have lounge access so status isnt the priority anymore.

 

[11sjw]

As someone who has slipped right down the totem pole in the last few years due to no work travel I can say the most important time for the status perks was when I had my family travelling with me. I guess it was a "see this is a benefit of Dad/Husband being away regularly" thought process. Mind you Miss 11sjw (11 yr old) has asked if we have to sit in the "yucky outside seats" when we next go on an OS holiday, mmm might be a problem there!

 

[Pushka]

As someone who has slipped right down the totem pole in the last few years due to no work travel I can say the most important time for the status perks was when I had my family travelling with me. I guess it was a "see this is a benefit of Dad/Husband being away regularly" thought process. Mind you Miss 11sjw (11 yr old) has asked if we have to sit in the "yucky outside seats" when we next go on an OS holiday, mmm might be a problem there!

Wow. A real fall if you now have to have seats outside? (And adding - of the plane )

 

[11sjw]

Wow. A real fall if you now have to have seats outside?

Yep, Lifetime Silver is all I'm at these days. Lucky to do 200 SC's this year.

Said Miss 11 turned a end of year 4 B in Maths to a strong A at the end of year 5 so the extra home time hasn't been wasted! Oh and she was referring to no lounge access and not being strapped onto a wing #DadEnglishFail

 

[Pushka]

Yep, Lifetime Silver is all I'm at these days. Lucky to do 200 SC's this year.

Said Miss 11 turned a end of year 4 B in Maths to a strong A at the end of year 5 so the extra home time hasn't been wasted!

But I was joking - meaning your fall meant your seats were on the outside of the plane!!!
I enjoy poking around airports and food often better outside the lounges even if paid for.

 

[11sjw]

But I was joking - meaning your fall meant your seats were on the outside of the plane!!!
I enjoy poking around airports and food often better outside the lounges even if paid for.

I figured, once I reread my poorly worded post that is!

 

[UP4014]

It's worth it to the level you need. I don't bother with hotel schemes but with airlines the bonus of some free booze and food (and a shower some times) pays off and you only need mid level to get all that.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Wow. A real fall if you now have to have seats outside? (And adding - of the plane )

I though convertibles were all the rage! (or are these the dicky seats)

 

[bsb]

Why would you be on here if you’re not a status chaser? (that’s humour, before y’all trash talk me)

 

[Deleted member]

Why would you be on here if you’re not a status chaser? (that’s humour, before y’all trash talk me)

Even some fanatics grow a bit weary. You’re right of course.

 

[Buzzard]

To answer the actual question, it will become too much for me when I can no longer afford it.
Can't see myself getting to LTS let alone LTG, never been WP and doubt I ever will be, but have certainly received benefits of my hotel status.

 

[cove]

Mrscove thinks it is too much. When I am gone I think she will just pay for tickets.
My sons both love business class or better and just use their points and miles.
I am a bit more tenacious as all my Travel up to about 1994 was QF economy. Never want to go back.

 

[JohnK]

I've been chasing status a long time. Can become too much at times but I feel it's worth it as I travel regularly and I love flying so can take 4-5 flights to/from destination when I fly overseas.

 

[drron]

I though convertibles were all the rage! (or are these the dicky seats)

Only in Hawaii.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I wonder if that is the cat flap that was referenced in another thread!