Worth going for Gold?

[gpl007]

Morning AFFers!

I'm currently a QFF Bronze with Qantas Club and I'm trying to decide if it is worth doing a couple of status runs to get myself up to Gold.

To give a bit of context:

I'm likely to travel at least once a month for work over the next 12 months, both domestic and international - but it could be more or less depending on how business goes. All business travel is in Y (generally discount Y). I already have 4 personal trips organised for the first half of the year too (3 weekends and 1 extended).

So I do travel quite a bit, but I have traditionally gone with the cheapest fares and not focussed on airline & status.

The main benefit I see from Gold (over what I have now) would be better seat selection.

What are your thoughts on the value of Gold vs. QC? Worth the effort/cost?

Cheers!

EDIT: I found another thread with a similar discussion after posting this, I'd post the link but I don't have that ability yet. Probably answers my question but still welcome any further input.

 

[userlame]

When does your QC run out? When does your QFF status renewal year start/end?

If these line up, you can build up the status for the next year and not have to renew the QC you already have.

 

[gpl007]

When does your QC run out? When does your QFF status renewal year start/end?

Only just got QC (discount through work), QFF renews in June.

 

[Mgjdubs]

I'd consider a couple of things:

- If most of my travel was international, I'd deem it to be worthwhile. The logic here is that Gold entitles you to OW Sapphire, which means priority boarding and lounge access both of which are particularly handy when travelling on OW partner airlines. If most of the travel was domestic, I wouldn't bother as it can be expensive to get enough points for Gold, and in my own personal experience, I found little discernible difference between QC membership and FF Gold membership on domestic, except for some marginally better seating options.
- I'd do it if I thought I'd have a good chance of retaining it in the new membership year. The logic here is that status can be quite expensive to maintain if you wouldn't ordinarily do enough travel to service elite status retention. As an example, last year I knew I'd be doing enough travel to maintain Platinum (WP) in this year to make it worth while running up the 1400 status credits last year. Although I was pretty determined to get it anyway, but that's a bit of a digression.

This is just my thought process, but hopefully you'll make the best decision for your situation. Happy flying!

 

[Dmac6345]

Hi all,

Sorry to go off track a little bit. I have had QF Gold for the last 9 months and just realised that my QC membership was due to expire in Dec 2014. This was due to a 2 year pay for one deal. Does it still expire then, or will it take over after/and if I go back to Silver. If I stay gold for, lets say 6 years, will they still honour it ??

By the way, I would go for Gold, but only because you are travelling International. As Mgjdubs said, its probably not worth it for Domestic Travel. Only real difference is the Priority Security Lane (which is always longer than the normal ones) and now lots of luggage. Seat pref is only 4 extra rows in front of Silver as far as I can tell.

 

[Skyring]

Gold is a better option overall, because as Mgjdubs points out, it gives you oneWorld status on international flights. I've found that waving a QC card around overseas generates random and not often helpful behaviour from dragons.

On a strictly objective view, lounge access and status isn't worth going for if that's all you want. Often you can get a better meal and drinks in a terminal restaurant, and if you don't fly a lot, then those sips of sparkling wine in the QP can wind up being like a hundred dollars a glass. You can buy a lot of good wine at home and enjoy it at leisure.

But everybody is entitled to a hobby, and while some spend fortunes on collecting vintage sportscars, travelling is my hobby, and if I can possibly afford it, travelling in a style that makes flying enjoyable, rather than a torment. Flying longhaul in Y is no fun, but having a few belts of good stuff and a great meal in the Flounge before turning left at the aircraft door makes for a very pleasant experience. Up to you, really, as to what you spend your money on.

You can do both, actually. If you buy a year's QC membership and then reach Gold status, your membership is put on ice until you sink down below Gold. You then get the balance of the QC year to help soften the blow.

 

[Mgjdubs]

Only real difference is the Priority Security Lane (which is always longer than the normal ones) and now lots of luggage.

Ah, yes, thanks for that. I forgot about those! The priority security lane is fantastic if you're travelling at peak times and the additional luggage allowance can come in handy if you frequently travel with checked bags.

 

[Pushka]

Your Qantas Club paid membership will go on hold for the period that you are Gold+; as soon as you revert back to silver, the remainder of your QC paid membership will kick in.

I am in the same position, I am silver now but just paid another year of QP. Thinking about doing a gold run - will take a couple of trips though.

 

[Dmac6345]

Thanks Pushka,

I though this was the case. Looks like a good period of time for Qantas Clubbing for the next couple of years.
Status re-assess not until September 2014.

Cheers

 

[Limewood]

I was silver couple years ago, had one double SC run to DRW plus few trips since both Dom. and OS since, chase points constantly. Mrs Lime loves me being SG, fast lane checkin, lounge access extra baggage, even been recognised and bumped up Y to J on CX twice and QF once, so being SG hard going back.

 

[gpl007]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I'll weigh up the value based on how much international vs. domestic travel I think I'll do.

Cheers