Does QANTAS comp status ?
 

I am thinking of switching from Star Alliance (UA) to Oneworld (QF) due to change in travel patterns, as I now see myself doing SIN-NZ-AUS-SIN trips in a C cabin instead of SIN-US-SIN. The QF programme looks easy for accumulation of status and maintaining status, especially when travel is in paid C/F. I am currently UA Prem Exec (Star Gold). But now I expect to do SIN-NZ-AUS-SIN about 2-3 times a year, which would have earned me Gold status at the end of one year in the QF programme. Just wondering if QF would comp my current Star Gold status to perhaps one level below in their equivalent programme.

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UA 1P
I like NZ,NG,NH,UA,SK,LH
I do not like SQ !

NO.

I am Star Gold with UA, and have asked QF this question more than 20 times and they always say no.

I have heard rumours about people getting the comp, but have never met one of these people, and this is completely contrary to my experiences. That said, I imagine if you send them a long letter, and have a very good reason you may get somewhere, but I doubt it. It just aint worth the trouble as you're already flying C, and they'd prob only comp you to silver, which is what, 25% bonus.

MD

A knock-back would be likely. But it begs the question : why Star Alliance in the first place?

Interesting trip report here where the writer managed to get QF to comp him Silver status. So there you have it.

igel - your best bet may be to ask AA to comp you based on your UA status. It's easier to get US based airlines to compete against each other.

AA should at least comp you to GOLD and permit you to take the Platinum Challenge, which you have up to 3 months to accumulate 10K miles/points. If you say that you do as much Business Class travel within Asia/Pacific, you'd hit Platinum level in no time. Also the plus point on AAdvantage Platinum and Exec Plat levels are that you'd get 100% bonus base points on every OneWorld flight you take.

You'd have to fly at least 4 AA segments to retain your AA status though. But if you fly at least once in a while to USA, that shouldn't be a problem.

<<igel - your best bet may be to ask AA to comp you based on your UA status.>>

You can get comp status on QF, but you need to have a good reason... I got comp from AA to QF when moving back from the US to Oz. I know of many others that have had the same experience.

Another way is trough a corporate account.

Or just become a chairman's lounge member - gives you top status and you never have to requalify!

<<Also the plus point on AAdvantage Platinum and Exec Plat levels are that you'd get 100% bonus base points on every OneWorld flight you take.>>

Not on BA trans atlantic!

Also you are much more likely to get free upgrades if you are gold/platinum QF FF. In my experience on both Star and Oneworld you are much better off as a top tier in the airline you regularly fly.

Cheers... Bruce

I made it to Executive Platinum with AA (OW Emerald level) without flying them at all during 2001. All my flights last year were QF/BA. The way I read the rules I was worried that I would lose (or not get) the status, but I've got the card and thus be able to gain access to all OW lounges etc. I've also received the free upgrade vouchers and all the other perks that EXP get. I am flying with AA this year though, as well as QF/BA, but that will be the subject of another post...!

What would be the benefit of being given Silver status anyway. I expect that they would still require the 700/1400 points accrual to attain the next level. If travelling internationally to the US in business class, then lounge access is available anyway. The 1st real benefit for for status level would only come at Platinum with the 1st class lounge/luggage imo. Silver status would be attained after 1 or 2 trips anyways.

Dave

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[This message has been edited by brianf (edited 02-07-2002).]

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[This message has been edited by brianf (edited 02-07-2002).]

Not wanting to get too far off topic, I'd like to know the background to this Brianf. Has this got to do with landing slots at Heathrow, trans atlantic flight restrictions or has QF done something to offend the powers that be?

<<"Or just become a member of the Chairman's Lounge"? I presume that was a bad joke, as there are not too many current or former Prime Ministers, Premiers or CEOs of major companies on this board. Perhaps you could elaborate.>>

Sorry bad joke! Although many more qualify than you think qualify.... not just PMs, ceos, etc but a lot of senior management

<<As for gold and platinum status helping with free upgrades; here's a gold member who has never had a free upgrade; do you think there's a chance in the future? After how many years, would you say?>>

Well as a platinum I have received 4 free upgrades to first in the last year (LHR-SYD*2, SYD-BKK and SYD-LAX). I tend to get them about a third of the time... but I think it primarily works biz to first because of the overbooking in biz.

As for the trans atlantic routes - QF could fly this route - just like NZ (LAX-LHR).

Cheers... Bruce

>If you are talking about QFF Silver status, it is of some assistance domestically in Australia. Fly on the cheapest tickets, and you may still check in at their Biz counters; that will save you half an hour; ring QF up, and you don't have to wait for half an hour to be answered. There are also higher baggage allowances, both domestically and internationally.

However, neither a J ticket nor Silver status will get you into a QF domestic lounge. Either Gold or Platinum status will allow you into domestic Qantas Clubs.

The earlier poster mentioned iirc, travelling business class from SIN-US so I thought he was travelling to the America. On re-reading, I saw that he was now going to NZ and AUS from Singapore in Business


Silver status is not great, but it is useful; Gold is much more useful, but requires twice as many points, or about £3000 p.a. more.

But, as you only want to travel to the USA, Dave, and do not consider Platinum to be a problem, why did you bother popping in to this board?

I don't . I was looking at the earlier poster's comments. As an international business class traveller , I cannot see any real benefits to silver status. As business class traveller, he would have benefits such as lounge access and business class check in . If travelling domestically in Australia as part of an international business itinery into Australia he would still have Qantas Club access. If doing such a trip, he would get 260+ tier credits per trip and have Silver after the 1st or second trip ( depending on any domestic itinery ). Based on the travel type mentioned, I don't see that there is that much of a benefit until platinum at which point 1st class facilities become available.

I would say that I don't find Qantas overseas very slow in answering the phone either.

Still, thanks for popping in.

Thanks for the sarcasm

Dave

:-) Interesting commentary in the Fin Rev about the Chairman's Lounge. On how if it was based just on miles/expenditure it would be full of "footballers and IT consultants". The Horror!

For those who haven't heard of it, one is invited to use the lounge at Qantas' absolute discretion.

M.P.s automatically qualify (Feds or state? I don't know.) CEOs of 'important' companies, senior union officials etc are invited.

On the other hand, like the late lamented AN, one can purchase access to QF (and thereby OW) lounges. At sub $500 US it's a bargain.


What seems to work for me is to be running late for a busy intercontinental flight :-)

If Y is overbooked the crew have a choice of a) upgrading someone or b) paying someone to catch a later flight. If later flights are also overbooked then the passenger list will be searched using a combination of status and ticket price for potential upgradees.

You might get upgraded at check-in, in the lounge, at the gate or even once seated.

Domestic today is a different matter altogether - QF could just about hold an auction at the gate for seats!

CD

"On the other hand, like the late lamented AN, one can purchase access to QF (and thereby OW) lounges. "

Qantas club membership only gives access to QF, BA and AA lounges, not all OW lounges.

Dave