When is it all to much - Flying and Chasing Status

[Pvcmenace]

This year my family and I would have had enough flying for me to keep QF Gold again, but have now shifted to cheapest fares as I'm training for my PPL. Which means status will no longer apply as I'll be doing all our domestic flying by me.

 

[straitman]

This year my family and I would have had enough flying for me to keep QF Gold again, but have now shifted to cheapest fares as I'm training for my PPL. Which means status will no longer apply as I'll be doing all our domestic flying by me.

Good luck with your PPL. Where are you training and on what a/c?

 

[Pvcmenace]

Good luck with your PPL. Where are you training and on what a/c?

Training on a Tecnam P92 Eaglet and Super Eaglet out at Lethbridge.

 

[straitman]

Training on a Tecnam P92 Eaglet and Super Eaglet out at Lethbridge.

Best wishes for it all.

I used to fly over that way when I was instructing at 1FTS at Pt Cook.

 

[harvyk]

Most flyers, including those with status most likely have had that middle rear seat experience, We all start at NB or equivalent. Even with status you occasionally get reminded of the middle rear seats when you choose to get home earlier and fly forward or short notice tips booked inside T-80, most of the better seats have gone.

Just a comment, yes you perhaps didn't get the plum seat, but you're on the earlier flight and not your original one thanks to your status. In the example given you where given a choice, fly home on an earlier flight, or stick with the best seat on the aircraft. Had you not had status you would have probably ended up in a not so great seat AND still had to take the later flight.

"Care free travel" the perception of those who do not travel frequently. They miss out on the some of the pleasures of the frequent traveling experience - delays, cancellations, overbooked flights/ hotels, the DYKWIA, bad passenger behavior, inconsiderate travelers etc. The grass is always not greener. Just saying

The above you've listed happens to both experienced and inexperienced travelers, and issues arising from the above are more likely to affect the no-status pax, for example an overbooked flight where someone has to go. They are more likely to pick a pax with no status to be involuntarily booted than a person in the top tier.

Another example - a delay, the last major delay I had I spent the day in the lounge drinking free booze, yes I wish I was in the air, but it wasn't a totally sucky way to spend the day. The non-status pax on the other hand where down in the terminal, they where on hard uncomfortable seats, they had been issued their $20 meal voucher, but that's only going to go so far especially at airport prices, and there is only limited number of power points available, and for some reason never next to a seat, so spending all day on the web and sitting in a chair was not exactly an option for them.

Yes we're perhaps more likely to encounter something going wrong (hey, it's a number game), but we're also going to be far better looked after than virtually any other pax.

 

[Pvcmenace]

Best wishes for it all.

I used to fly over that way when I was instructing at 1FTS at Pt Cook.

Thanks for that. Cant wait for my twin, endorsement, as I've got access to a Piper Seneca for my holidays

 

[NZflygirl]

I've been having similar thoughts lately. Especially when I'm on say QF and realise VA is flying the better aircraft on that route. That's when it gets up my nose as to why I shouldn't just fly the better aircraft on the route. I book flights with one then when I think I've flown enough to retain status I switch to the next programme etc.

The truth is I'm happy in economy for my short haul flying. I get annoyed when I'm flying QF out early mornings so why do I fly it? The VA or NZ flights that leave a bit later are way more convenient! With EK coming off the AKL-Oz routes I'm not so enamoured with QF anymore. I appreciate J is still very good on the A330s. I prefer the QF lounges over VA generally but I tend to head to priority pass cafes if hungry regardless of airline as the food is so much better IMO, then head to the lounge if time. Alcohol is served earlier than in the lounges too . Admittedly QF has been useful flying partner airlines, VA less so.

Debating just buying Koru club for NZ in the future when needed which still has benefits with VA but also useful for domestic flying. Maybe pay for economyX if the partner is flying VA too, otherwise fly Y with whomever. Also excited China Airlines is bringing their A350 TT. Have zero status but I'm excited to fly them in all cabins just to nosey. Not excited about check-in queues but I have been noticing the OLCI and bag drop queues look ok at some airports. I'm less enamoured with QF now EK is leaving AKL TT routes. Although I am a bit excited I can book the dreamliner as part of a AKL-MEL-PER itinerary, but I don't need the sc until July so then I'd choose VA because I still need sc to retain status...what am I doing? I want to fly the dreamliner and the opportunity is right in front of me.... I haven't booked this trip yet because I'm still struggling to make sense of myself

My favourite time of year is achieving status with the carriers and then I can actually relax and just fly who I want to and whoever is most convenient, which is actually the way most people fly without status. I have thought about using the QF DSC to achieve targets earlier so I can get back to flying any carrier I want because that seems to be what I really want.

For the first time I've actually booked some long haul J flights using points I've bought from AA and SPG so it's possible to fly J with points. I understand the availability thing. There's also some amazing J sale fares that pop up and I am happy flying some LCCs on certain routes.

I don't think I need status..... I just haven't accepted that yet

 

[Matt_01]

Just a comment, yes you perhaps didn't get the plum seat, but you're on the earlier flight and not your original one thanks to your status. In the example given you where given a choice, fly home on an earlier flight, or stick with the best seat on the aircraft. Had you not had status you would have probably ended up in a not so great seat AND still had to take the later flight.

Maybe I am just reading this wrong, the quote I responded to inferred “go and sit in 20B or such then see how much you like it”. Yes I get when I flow forward seating options are limited and regular FF with status are aware of this. In most cases the opportunity to get home earlier outweighs the need for plum seats. Now to put a different spin on things, with status I can pick the plum seats. I have also had my fair share of what I assume are lower or non-status travellers in QF 4B/E selecting these seats from T-80. I have experienced the R4 B/E travellers that are plus size overflowing into the window and aisle seats, the singlet person covered in wookie hair and shares their body sweat with fellow travellers, and my personal favourite Mr/Ms Sleepy who jumps into R4 B/E then proceeds to wedge their feet between the backs of R3 A/C or D/F falls off sleep then the legs relax onto other R4 passengers then falls asleep against one or the other.

The above you've listed happens to both experienced and inexperienced travellers, and issues arising from the above are more likely to affect the no-status pax, for example an overbooked flight where someone has to go. They are more likely to pick a pax with no status to be involuntarily booted than a person in the top tier.

Another example - a delay, the last major delay I had I spent the day in the lounge drinking free booze, yes I wish I was in the air, but it wasn't a totally sucky way to spend the day. The non-status pax on the other hand where down in the terminal, they where on hard uncomfortable seats, they had been issued their $20 meal voucher, but that's only going to go so far especially at airport prices, and there is only limited number of power points available, and for some reason never next to a seat, so spending all day on the web and sitting in a chair was not exactly an option for them.

Yes we're perhaps more likely to encounter something going wrong (hey, it's a number game), but we're also going to be far better looked after than virtually any other pax.

Your response to this part of my quote is interesting, I originally responded and gave my thoughts on "Care free travel", you responded using "experienced and inexperienced travellers". These in my opinion are 2 different things. I will admit that this is just semantics and am stirring the pot. Frequent Flyers are different - some just like flying, others for work, FIFO either employer or personal requirements, each to their own.

Part of my OT may have been poorly worded, my rant was brought on by the number of what I consider to be irrelevant posts on the DSC thread and the madness that DSC seems to insight to chase status by others. Another is the increasing number of posts (here and on other sites after QF make announcements about changes to the loyalty bonuses and lounge access rules, currently MEL) with posts such as “as a SG you need to treat your most loyal travellers better” or “I am off to VA”, good go to VA, clog up their lounges even more.

Dissertation over.

 

[serfty]

Hah, I guess I am fortunate.

I basically chase status in two programs as a hobby and have been doing so for over a decade; it was QF/NZ, Now QF/VA. Until 2004 (pre AFF for me), just QF

I work hard to get it for as little outlay as possible - in the early days this century AFF/FT is was mainly nested red e deals, then until Velocity/NZ partnership it was many trans tasman trips, with a few YUPPs (both on AA, US and UA).

I enjoy it and am fortunate to be able to do it.

 

[harvyk]

I love flying, I love being on an airplane, being on a flight to some far flung destination is pretty much my happy place.

I do fly for work from time to time, but not even enough to make PS. I have limited time, money, and points plus I have a family which means I can't just jet off somewhere over a weekend without negociating with the mrs.

Despite the above I'm still able to retain SG, and DSC's make that just a little easier. You see needless status run, I see excuse that will work with the mrs to get me a weekened away in Singapore.

We're all different in why we fly. There are some off is here who loath airplanes but are forced onto them by work and are only here to make that time more bearable, and there are others like me who love flying and will do it every chance they get.

 

[carambola]

I only started hitting gold in the last couple of years, partly due to increased domestic travel and partly due to some splurging on international leisure travel.

When flying for work (always in Y), the lounge access is worth it for the chance to grab a quick bite with minimal wait time, clear security more quickly, and get some work done with easy access to power sockets. On red-eyes out of BNE, particularly with DST, it means something like 20 minutes more sleep - and I do like my sleep. I realise I could pay for Qantas Club instead, but since I have to fly anyway, status makes more sense.

When flying for leisure, the lounge access is still good, but may increasingly become a non-factor if I succumb to the temptation to fly more J as a revenue pax. (Lounge passes from PP and other CC programs also fill in the gap there.) What I do appreciate from status is slightly better access to J award seats, and also the bonus points on my normal travel so I can save towards said awards. Every bit counts.

If I ever reach an income level where I can comfortably fly J on long hauls, I suspect I'd stop chasing status. For now, the pros outweigh the cons, and I have a higher threshold for how much I'm willing to invest in time / convenience or dollars to retain status.

 

[fifo]

I chase OW status for one reason: free baggage. I dive semi-professionally and as my hobby and my technical equipment min to travel is 2 x 23kgs and a way overweighted carryon. With a drysuit, this moves one bag to 32kgs.

The lounge, upgrades, free seating choices etc are nice benefits that save me some $$ overall I guess as well. I'm aiming for LTG.

For example: a few yrs ago I status matched and had the top tier on *alliance - I took a united flight to Kwaj Attoll and Chuuk from CNS, me and my mate both (same PNR) got 3 x 23kgs (or 32s? I cant remember), free. Between us we saved over 1500usd roundtrip on baggage alone. Another good example, I moved to the USA in August of 2015 - 3 x 32s with QF.

So its not as much as an option for me as a necessity. I weigh up the cost of gaining that status with what i'll save in luggage fees. I'd much rather do an extra trip in J than spend the same money on baggage. for example, I'm going to bangladesh with UL - 280 SC coming my way for around 800 something usd. - I was going anyway, in Y it would have been a handful of SC, maybe 80 and still half the cost of J. that extra 400 usd offsets future baggage costs.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Some people say even one big international flight a year is too much.
I do 4 per year Au to NZ only, most in premY or buy comfort seating, or works deluxe.
Its all perception.
But if its the only to get our kicks and not illegal whose business us it, really eh?

 

[daft009]

before we had our first bub early last year, I did quite a bit of international flying during 2016.
By the time I reached back home I had qualified for star alliance gold, it was literally the last flight from SIN to SYD that took me over.

So i was gold with no where to fly lol... didn't get to use it at all!
I also started flying only on points in J in 2018 (thanks ATO payments & linked amex explorer!) so never really missed not having gold.
currently back down to silver and as most flights are still on points I'll be at the bottom come Nov '18.

 

[mrsterryn]

All my travel is for pleasure. I am retired. Husband and I love planes and trains and yes he just got his brand new automobile. So happy husband
Hotel accommodation meh I can do 3 stars but my flights and long distance trains I just love that bit of extra.
I travel in economy seats PE...business and first . I have fun booking and researching the trips, which planes we are on , which airports etc.
Also...I love working out points and status. It is fun.

 

[fifo]

I have fun booking and researching the trips, which planes we are on , which airports etc.
Also...I love working out points and status. It is fun.

It's a hobby/job in itself, I enjoy it too. My partner not so much (me yammering on about it) hahaha.
Usually i'm trying to research how I can gain new countries/cities and the status cred I need to keep the baggage allowance I need to do the diving trips I do... its kind of a circular reference!