Is Qantas Platinum One status worth chasing?

14 replies

John Odlum

Member since 13 Sep 2016

Total posts 15

My QFF membership year ends in April 2018 and based on current travel plans it looks like I can qualify for Qantas Platinum One status provided I stretch things a little, book flights to some work conferences and maybe be a bit creative with routing, such as flying to London as SYD-MEL-DXB-LHR to earn some extra status credits to close the gap. My question is, is Platinum One actually worth chasing like this? Can anybody here with P1 status share what actual useful benefits they get out of it compared to Platinum?

Bob Burgess

Member since 13 Sep 2016

Total posts 49

I qualified for P1 last year, haven't really seen much benefit from it. The wife gets free Platinum status which is handy when she's not travelling with me, which is most of the time. Have been invited to a few special QF events but I'm flying so much, that's how I got P1, that I'm usually not around to take them up on those offers.

But I believe that P1s get a 'soft landing' to Platinum if they don't requalify so it depends on your travel plans for 2019, if you reckon you might have less travel in 2019 then you may as well shoot for P1 this time around and cover yourself.

mviy

Member since 05 May 2016

Total posts 322

I don't have P1 but I am envious of the ability to select the front two rows of economy on domestic flights when you book and points upgrades confirmed where available up to 7 days before an international flight. If you like getting J to F upgrades on QF then P1 would help your chances.

Some P1 members get sent a bottle of champagne at Christmas time.


Some report the P1 SST is a big help to them if they run into issues and subject to availability may surprise them (e.g. if they're flying on their birthday).


If you long for the elusive op-up (free upgrade) then you'll have a better chance as a P1 when flying QF but the chances are still low.


I would go for P1, then if retaining it is not looking at all likely try to fly on points where possible (if your work isn't paying for the travel).

If you don't already have Lifetime Gold then getting P1 will help you get there faster.

For savvy travellers, there's a motto "Why fly direct when you can fly indirect?". I've done indirect flights to help with status on multiple occasions and intend to continue to do such flights.


Some fly to MEL because they prefer the flight timings, some because they prefer the First Lounge in MEL, some to maximise their points/status credits earn and some because typically their chances of an upgrade on the flights to/from LHR are higher from MEL.

Last editedby mviy at Jul 31, 2017, 06:06 PM.

princess fiona

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Dec 2012

Total posts 6

I do notice the difference being P1 as opposed to Platinum. My International upgrades regularly come through 7 days beforehand, I like sitting in row 4 and I get the occasional Domestic upgrade. The SST has been invaluable to me on a few occasions with IRROPS and lost luggage. I have been invited to a few events, get a lovely bottle of Champagne at Christmas. 

There's no real benefit with other One World partners or with EK but as most of my flights are with QF the OWE status is enough. In DXB they seem to have started giving P1 First Host service if in F. 
I would say if you are close then it's worth leveraging up for at least a year to see if you make use of it. If not close (maybe just hitting the 2400 SC level) then I probably wouldn't bother.
I actually think QF could go further improving the benefits of P1, some at no cost. Eg. Spa bookings taken by telephone on the morning of Departure, and some at cost eg hotel chain status and some guaranteed upgrades similar to what BA does with Gold Guest List. 

Smithy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 05 Apr 2012

Total posts 8

I qualified for Platinum One in early April 2017 for the first time with a year end date of April .. so to end of April 2018.  Been Platinum for the last six years & prior after a year or so Gold, & I am LTG,  so I was to see what Plat One would bring.


I have been most impressed with the Special Service Team.  The response to enquiries is extremely prompt & they are proactive in monitoring your bookings.

I fly a lot Domestically Economy & the ability to pick Row 4 & be the 'last' to loose your shadow is great.  Plus being first on the list for upgrades & ops is great.

My first Hong Kong International as a P1 saw an op & even better treatment than my fabulous normal.

Fly ahead is also very easy now, although I have been very lucky as as Plat.

Not been to many events but the Two hours in the QF 767 Simulator was a lifetime experience !

Don't arbitrarily spend excessive $$ on attaining it, but it is worthwhile for a little stretch ... in my opinion ...

You can always see what EBay pays for White Coasters .. 

Good luck :)


btaus

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 15 Dec 2016

Total posts 171

I was a P1 member from 2014-2016, it was something only for hardcore flyers, but few benefits still better than Platinum:

- Qantas sent me a Rimowa carry-on as 2016 P1 thank you gift.
- Qantas sent me a bottle of Krug 2002 as 2015 P1 thank you gift.
- get upgrades cleared easily (sometimes I gave up upgrade) domestically
- got me 3x quicker to LTG. Took 12 years to get LTG if every year you're a platinum, but if you're a P1 for 4 years, your status will never fell below Gold.
- had few invitation only events, didn't bother attend because I'm on my way to renew P1.
- one immediate family member get platinum, the real point of getting P1.

alarmour

QF

Member since 10 Oct 2012

Total posts 1

I'd have to say that it depends on the type of flying you're doing. 
I was P1 for two years and Plat for 11 years prior to that. Due to work changes, my flying has stopped and I've soft landed down to Plat now. While I was flying, 100% of it was in economy and about 98% was international.  For reference, in 2015, I flew 585,865 km (751:55hrs bum in seat on 116 flights). 

For me, having P1 over Plat got me significantly better service on board - on the flight where I broke 4 Million kms (MEL-DXB) the CSM upgraded me to Business class, gave me the OW pin off his uniform, gave me a A380 model signed by the flight and cabin crew, made an announcement on the PA and invited me up to the cockpit to meet and chat with the flight crew.  on normal flights, the cabin crew remember my drink preferences (recorded on the CSMs iPad) and pro-actively offered them to me before I even asked. Giving my wife Plat status really helped while we were on holiday over the Christmas/New Year holidays when accessing 1st class lounges from other OneWorld airlines.

Access to better Y seats was a big benefit for me - no charge access for front row or extra legroom Y seats on international flights and front row Y seats on domestic flights in Y.

While I was P1, Qantas gave me+1 access to the Grand Prix corporate enclosure over the F1 pits (including a pit lane walk) for Saturday of the Grand Prix (I had a GREAT day!!!!) - I guess Sunday was reserved for Chairman's Lounge members. Qantas also offered me a corporate box access to the Boxing day test at the MCG. Again, that was day two, not boxing day. Again, I guess Chairman's lounge members got the day one invitations. Unfortunately I could not attend as I was on holidays with my family. Qantas also gave me a number of VERY nice bottles of champagne.

The P1 SST team (am I the only one who reads that and thinks SuperSonic Transport every time?) were useful when things went awry. They weren't always on top of things however - on multiple occasions, I had to ring them to inform them of my woes - they claim to be actively monitoring your travel, but that's clearly not true. On some itineraries, they would ring prior to departure to check if I wanted them to keep an seat allocations aircraft swaps etc, but that was probably only 10% of the time.

If you're flying in J or F (which is probable), you have more choices than just sticking with QF. BA's equivalent status may well be achievable for you - if so, it offers better benefits than P1. (for me BA was not an option because to many of my Y flights would earn nothing or very little).

So, if you're in Y, then I say yes go for it! if you're in J or F, I'd suggest you also look at BA as an option.  Note that for BA, you'll need an address outside of Oceania for your BA membership, but you don't have to live there.  Friends or Relatives living overseas can be useful for this.

Last editedby alarmour at Aug 02, 2017, 10:14 AM.

Matt_01

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 23 Feb 2016

Total posts 63

The choice will be up to you and how far you need to chase the required SCs, if it is only a few hundred it may be worth it and then judge for yourself.

Like others have said, domestically being able to select R4 at the time of booking is an advantage. The partner WP status is one of the best features for my circumstances. We travel as a party of 3 and having x2 OWE enables to gain access to OW F lounges. International upgrades 7 days out are a distinct bonus and my ability to redeem J and F rewards for my +1 and MissM seems relatively easy.

The SST are excellent when dealing with problems if they arise. When flying, it can just depend on the crew and if they have taken the time to notice your status. Some crew seem to go out of their way for you and at other times you are just one of the masses. It also seems that over the past couple of years the domestic op-ups seemed to have slowed but still occur.

The program could be improved through defined tangible benefits, although benefits are listed on the QF website it seems like the P1 experience can vary between individuals and is most likely based on what their personal expectations are. I second Princess Fiona would like to see some additional benefits such as guaranteed upgrades, either a number per year or at the time of booking so as to avoid the lottery.

I have been invited to a few P1 events, however due to travel have not been able to attend any. I would think that it would not be to hard for QF to create a portal that would list upcoming events and give P1’s the ability to register an interest in attending, based on their travel and location at the time.  I have been to the simulator experience, it is well worth registering for this, it may take a while to come through but it is excellent.

If you are not that far away may be give it a shot and then decide if it works for you. At worst you can see if it works for you and if you do not want the white coasters ebay is at your disposal.  

Last editedby Matt_01 at Aug 02, 2017, 11:21 AM.

bhj979

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Feb 2017

Total posts 2

Agree with all of the above. Missed out on P1 last year after having it for 2 previous years and have just got it again. Being able to immediately pick row 4 seats in economy when booking is to me the best advantage.

 More regular domestic upgrades and international upgrades always seem to get approved.

Sarah Banks

Member since 16 Apr 2016

Total posts 4

My husband is P1 and I automatically get Platinum status which is handy when travelling with my kids or other family members.    I think it is worth it as he has often been able to get out of trouble with their help eg. that time QF1 was stuck in Dubai, they put him onto an Emirates flight and got him home.  We've got the date wrong on a flight before and they just put us on next available ..... He is often upgraded to First and he and I have been upgraded to First a couple of times when travelling together.  We always have great success in getting reward flights as well....

APACPete

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 Jun 2017

Total posts 45

I have been P1 but for the last couple of years dropped back to Platinum. To be honest there was not much advantage for me being P1. I dont drink so the free wine club membership meant nothing. I dont play golf so the free golf club membership meant nothing. I got invited to some events but could not attend as I travel overseas quite a lot and missed out. I did get an IPad case and a couple of bottles of champagne (still unopened). I contacted the Platinum One Support line a couple of times and they were helpful.
Its neat to have once and get the white luggage tags but unless you can justify the benefits, I would not spend thousands extra to get it.

jediweelum

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 14 Dec 2016

Total posts 7

I was P1 for 2 years prior and dropped down to Plat last year due to reduced business travel. 
Do I miss P1 treatment? Yes.
Is it enough to justify me getting back into planes week-in week-out as I did before to maintain P1? Nope.


Best parts of P1 I recall, some of which have been shared here already are:
- SST 80% of the time calls/emails in advance to check seat prefs, esp. for international flights in J. They knew my preferred seat (2D on QF147 across the Tasman) and always tried to get that for me.
- Row 4 in Econ flights
- same day flight changes for Domestic - I've done these a few times before, changing a 12pm flight to a 6pm flight on the day itself by calling SST and no issues, no charges. Handy for those last minute plans that creep up.
- I flew to HKG for business a lot and the QF Lounge in HKG is pretty packed, especially for the QF128 Sydney flight times. They often "reserve" a table at the restaurant specially for P1 members, so there was no waiting time especially when starving and wanting to rush a meal & shower pre-flight.
- Bottle of Krug both years if I'm not wrong, finished the day of receiving it :)
- Events, golf and MCA access I never got around to using.

If it isn't much more work/cost, say approx. 10-15% more and you've never had it before, might as well go for it since the question will always be "what-if". However, if you've had it before and not fussed about losing it, or too much hassle, then Plat to P1 isn't that massive a gap (both are still OWE).

Janeblogs

Member since 27 Nov 2016

Total posts 15

P to P1 is definitely a first world problem and I understand that when I ask the question - is it really worth it? I have already attained P for this year & I guess that means through to 2019. My year ends at end of May and with a bit of effort I could make P1. 
 
However, my year coming up will probably be a bit light on with travel by comparison to this year.  

So I am wondering whether I would be better off just postponing my personal travel through to  my new  year so I can ensure I remain at P till 2020 rather than squeezing a lot of extra trips into this year seeing as I have already made my P number? Is having P1 only once worth it as I am sure with my work, the current level of travel won't continue to make it a reality long term?

I am a single person so don't need the advantages that P1 brings for partners.  I am mostly well looked after as a P and never fly further back than 6 in economy and often have flights changed with no charge although that is not always the case. 
 
Any thoughts from the experts? Thanks.

OzMattyD

Member since 25 Jul 2011

Total posts 10

Hey There, I have been P1 since the end of 2011 (missed out on the launch but qualified a couple of months later).


My travel is 95% international, and it is definitely worth while when you are flying on Qantas metal. Also just received my annual bottle of bubbly today. I get treated as a First Class passenger at the mixed lounges in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore (reserved seating, priority queue for showers, and the special under the shelf drink selection)

The biggest benefit for my money is the ability to email the P1 team with questions and requests. I really hate hanging around on the phone, but there is generally no wait time on the P1 queue either.

Having had P1 for this long, I would be aghast at having to go back to Platinum.

OzMattyD

Member since 25 Jul 2011

Total posts 10

The benefit I use the most is priority upgrades... Jumping above all the Platinum requests is worth it (especially for an A380 First seat)

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