Chasing Platinum Qantas frequent flyer status, worth it?

22 replies

michael339

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Dec 2016

Total posts 6

I've been a gold frequent flyer for a few years now. I always am pretty close to getting platinum but have never really made the extra flights. 

I'm currently sitting on 805 status credits and have approximately 120 points to be allocated for upcoming flights. I've also already earned a loyalty bonus that could give me an extra 50 - haven't used it yet. Leaves me with 475 points to be credited by 30th November 2017. 

  • Do you think it would be beneficial to move up? 
  • What flights should I do that are cost effective but will get me up to the next level? 
  • Would prefer to do either weekend trips
  • Wouldn't mind doing a short 1 week stint somewhere, if needed to travel further.
  • Pretty flexible on flight class, but just don't want to waste money. 
  • Or maybe I've made my mind up, I'm just needing to understand the easiest and most cost effective way of doing it 

Thanks everyone for your help! 

Michael

Senhsiu

Member since 06 Aug 2017

Total posts 4

Hi Michael,


Platinum is worth getting if it's within striking distance and you have trips planned on qantas/oneworld airlines for the remainder of your current membership year and the next. The domestic business lounge is substantially better than qantas club lounge in terms of catering options, and international first class lounge is a treat.

Rather than flying multiple sales economies for the last few sc, I suggest flying the shortest sales business. It doesn't work out to be much more expensive and you save a few more weekends doing what you actually want to do.

Good luck!
J

michael339

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Dec 2016

Total posts 6

Platinum is worth getting if it's within striking distance and you have trips planned on qantas/oneworld airlines for the remainder of your current membership year and the next. The domestic business lounge is substantially better than qantas club lounge in terms of catering options, and international first class lounge is a treat.

Rather than flying multiple sales economies for the last few sc, I suggest flying the shortest sales business. It doesn't work out to be much more expensive and you save a few more weekends doing what you actually want to do.

Hi Senhsiu,

I agree - I think I should chase it, after all I'm close again this year. 

Any suggestions on a couple of cost effective ways to get those extra status credit points? 

thelongroad

Member since 14 Nov 2015

Total posts 54

I've found the wait times and quality of service using the call centre is significantly better for platinum. Concur about the business lounges. They're also usually a bit less of a zoo, although not always. Melbourne, for instance, is frequently crowded, even outside of peak times.

Metoo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Nov 2016

Total posts 93

If you only travel domestic I wouldn't bother. Platinum is best served on international routes especially with check in, lounges (not just the First in Syd/Mlb but other international ones especially Hong Kong), baggage and yes you get the Aussie based customer service centre with knowledgable staff instead of the off shore call centre. Try it for a year and if its not to your needs you get a soft landing to Gold. 120 SCs is not a lot to chase. 

mviy

Member since 05 May 2016

Total posts 322

Definitely worth it for the experience. You really should keep a look out for double status credits promotions. This year's one has already been and there may/may not be one next year. Double Status Credit promos really help with obtaining/retaining status in a cost effective way.

Senhsiu

Member since 06 Aug 2017

Total posts 4

My normal route is Melbourne-Sydney. You need some flexibility with departure time and booking a couple of weeks in advance, there are sales business for just under $800 one way (40 status credit).

mviy

Member since 05 May 2016

Total posts 322

$800 for 40 SC is poor value. You can fly indirect MEL-SYD-OOL in J and have a much better earn rate than that. Or one could do e.g. my favourite domestic run MEL-BNE-CNS

Last editedby mviy at Aug 06, 2017, 10:33 PM.

Sibelius

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Aug 2017

Total posts 181

I flew Melbourne-Christchurch in business last month for just over $500, from memory: 80 status credits. The downside is that the MEL-CHC leg (QF133) is an overnight flight. 

fatty

Member since 24 Feb 2015

Total posts 62

EK metal, qantas ticket (700-750$) - or just qantas metal, qantas ticket (600-650$) between Aust and NZ gets you 80 stauts credits.

mviy

Member since 05 May 2016

Total posts 322

NZ trips are a good quick way to get SCs for a short overseas trip. For domestic if based in MEL/SYD indirect flights to somewhere in QLD offer good value.


If going to NZ a domestic leg in Australia could make sense to get the best $/SC ratio.

Sales don't tend to help with indirect flights (where a direct flight alternative is available) though. So see what you can get and figure out what offers the best value.

Some like to fly F to NZ on a QF ticket on EK metal for the experience. Again you have to weigh up time, money, value etc.

If you do need to do more trips you need to factor in transport to/from the airport, the value of your time, any additional hotel stays etc.

A MEL-BNE-CNS return day trip is pretty full on but by coming back on the same day there's no hotel rooms to pay for.

Steve987

Member since 23 Feb 2015

Total posts 268

I've been a gold frequent flyer for a few years now. I always am pretty close to getting platinum but have never really made the extra flights. 

I'm currently sitting on 805 status credits and have approximately 120 points to be allocated for upcoming flights. I've also already earned a loyalty bonus that could give me an extra 50 - haven't used it yet. Leaves me with 475 points to be credited by 30th November 2017. 

  • Do you think it would be beneficial to move up? 
  • What flights should I do that are cost effective but will get me up to the next level? 
  • Would prefer to do either weekend trips
  • Wouldn't mind doing a short 1 week stint somewhere, if needed to travel further.
  • Pretty flexible on flight class, but just don't want to waste money. 
  • Or maybe I've made my mind up, I'm just needing to understand the easiest and most cost effective way of doing it 

Thanks everyone for your help! 

Michael


Can I ask why this is important for you. Is it just the novelty (in which case I would say don't bother) or do you see genuine benefit? 

I've never quite understood incurring extra expense or time in the air just to accrue this benefit and no one has really been able to explain it to me. Each to their own of course!

There was a similar thread recently that had some good replies in it and would be worth a look too.

rcnr25

QANTAS

Member since 12 Jun 2014

Total posts 14

It's not for everyone. I certainly find it beneficial, but can understand others not. One of the benefits of Platinum in my view is progressing faster to Lifetime Gold. Achieving Lifetime Gold without ever achieving Platinum would take a very long time. It still takes several years of Platinum to reach Lifetime Gold but it makes achieving it more realistic.

henry_168

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 May 2016

Total posts 4

I think only it's worth it if you travel overseas extensively within a year of your status. Domestic flights are hardly worth it as your travel will be mostly business related?  One may question, how often you are going to eat lots at the lounge before your flight?  Do you have that kind of spare times to spend at the lounge prior to your flights?  I've once lacked 300 SCs to make it Platinum with one month left on my status anniversary date.  I did an evaluation of my future 12 months travel plans and concluded that not worth it as I only have a few overseas trips in the coming 12 months and cost me less to buy a discounted J class ticket than to chase for Platinum.  


If you are thinking of upgrades, QF has strange upgrade policy and sometimes Platinum's are not even granted for upgrade instead of lower status.  

Special seat requests (those front rows and exit rows) I believe are no longer available for Gold and Platinum flyers, hence another de-merit score to chase for that status.

To me, GOLD is good enough to make a frequent traveller feels good and comfortable at all levels of travel.  Have the priority line check-in and boarding.  Access to all oneworld lounges and have a slight better opportunity for upgrade.  If you really wanted to travel in J, just buy a J class seat and forget about taking the chances of scoring an upgrade in the last min.  

I hope this help you to make an informed decision.

akronflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 29 Jul 2014

Total posts 145

Maybe worth booking Syd to Akl  with Lantam.
You can sometimes  pick up J return fares around the $800 mark and earn 80 status credits from memory
I think they might be currently  running sale fares from $470 one way in J if you wanted to mix and match  Airlines

Check out the Qantas NZ  website for return airfares in J 

Qantas business rewards is worth joining, they recently had a Status credit offer   

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