I hope you can help me - I am living in Asia and not flying much with Qantas but instead Qatar and BA.
I want to ensure I retain Platinum with QF but for some reason had in my head i have to do the bulk of my 1200 status credits on QF metal in order to retain.
I maybe getting confused with retaining P1 (which is now a distant memory) but just wondering if anyone can clarify this for me? As far as i can see i only need to take 4 QF flights and then hit 1200 credits with oneworld airlines?
So question is - do i have to do a minimum amount of my 1200 SC's on QF metal or can i just do the four flight segments and then the rest can be with whoever?
Perhaps it makes better sense to switch to British Airways Executive Club? They are pretty easy to earn status with and provide good status even when you fly on their Oneworld partners.
You don’t make it clear why you are wedded to retaining QF status. Unless you are chasing lifetime status or will be returning to Australia and resuming predominantly QF flying again shortly, I don’t see why you would be so determined to retain status. The earn rates will be considerably lower on partner airlines. I moved back to BAEC and they are easy to earn status with, as Sid says. Finally you don’t mention where you live in Asia, but if you’re flying BA I’m assuming it’s to LHR, if you’re in Singapore then flying QF on that route is an option.
I’n in a similar situation, I live in the US and am platinum and lifetime gold. All you need to do is those 4 flights on Qantas metal, the credits can come from anywhere. But in reality if you live outside Australia with a few long hauls flights in Qantas you’re well in your way to 1200 points already. A few regional / domestic flights on other one world carriers and your good to go.
I went through this exact thought process when I was going to be relocated to Singapore, and it comes down to how you are going to fly and to where and how often. I could have held onto QFF by using JetStar Asia for most of my intra-Asia (easy 1-3hr flights) and then plan for my min x4 QF flights back to Oz (e.g. SG-SYD via BNE or MEL), and use CX for trips to HK, China, Japan and Korea but...keeping Platinum with short haul JQ flights and partner flights (e.g. CX) was going to be tough. My company travel policy is economy class for >4hrs, premium economy 4>8hrs and then business class 8> so most of my flights would be in economy (you have to take this into consideration as it will make 1200 status credits much more work). I considered BA Exec Club but I don't travel to Europe so this was not the best option. I considered moving everything to Cathay Marco Polo/Asia Miles which would have worked. Otherwise for SG then SQ Krisflyer was really the best + credit card with KF.
I guess what I'm saying is QFF may not be your best option if you're not doing a lot of QF flight numbers, and you should consider the best program for the Asia region (and I don't think QFF is unless you're doing a good bulk of Asia-Australia). Hope this helps.
The 4 flights do not need to be on Qantas metal - only on Qantas marketed flights. Therefore, your flights can be on another airline if booked via Qantas using the applicable Qantas codeshare flight number.
For example, I have retained QF Plat status a few times by only flying to/from Europe on Emirates metal using the QF codeshare flight numbers which count towards minimum QF sectors and give you the full earn of points/status credits. If I was to book with an EK flight number, I would miss out. Tickets issued by Qantas (assuming it is available as a Qantas codeshare flight) will start with 081-xxxxxxxx. Hope that helps.
The four flights can also be on Jetstar flights, so Jetstar, Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Pacific or Jetstar Japan flights (with the right bundles) might also help in a pinch.
Yes i am based in Singapore so regularly back to Aus and London so makes sense to retain Platinum
I have never had status with anyone other than QF so wondering if I should email BA and see what they can do?
They won't do a status match against another OneWorld airline, but if you've got your QFF status secure for a while then you could start with BA. It largely depends what your medium term plan is. If you are going to move back to Australia in the near term, then makes sense to stick, if not then I would consider which one fits in best with your travel profile. Clearly if you are doing a significant amount of flying to Australia then the status quo could make sense. Between BAEC or QFF you'll get the same benefits at Changi, including the new First lounge when it opens. I am partially based in Singapore and made the decision to switch back to BAEC after five years with QFF (which started when I moved to Australia) but that's because long term I won't be moving back to Australia and most of my flying is to Europe or the Middle East. I'm also assuming that you don't want to consider Singapores KrisFlyer scheme? Bear in mind credit card spend, etc in Singapore could be useful there in building up points. If you do a reasonable amount of flying and have the freedom to choose who you fly with (SQ normally much dearer than BA or QR if you are paying versus a corporate account!) then its worth considering KrisFlyer.
I’m based in SIN. I use JQ, 3K, QF to hit the 4 required. MH gives good SC if you travel in J. MH gives significant value for SC when you plan your trip in advance as their J pricing is the same as SQ Y pricing.
I have lived in Australia for 13 years but have continued to be with BAEC. I do fly to the UK twice a year and have an address I can use in the UK for correspondence though.
I find BAEC to be much better than Qantas for many reasons. You get confirmed points upgrades when travelling internationally (provided there is a points redemption seat available). That means no wait list. You can achieve lifetime BAEC Gold after 35000 status points. There is plenty of award seat availability, especially between London and Asia/USA. You earn the same status points on oneworld airlines as you do on BA metal. For example, that means if you fly KUL to SYD on a Malaysia Airlines special business class fare, you still get 140 status points (unlike with Qantas).
Just be aware that you do need to do
4 BA flights a year though, as well as get 1500 status points (BA calls them tier points) to get gold (oneworld emerald).
Whilst BA might not be the world’s greatest airline, I have noticed huge improvements in the soft product in business over the last 12 months and the new Club Suite also looks to be impressive when it is rolled out over the next few years.
PNGRotator
PNGRotator
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Oct 2014
Total posts 19
Hi All,
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
Just 4 flight segments on QF with the remainder of the 1200SCs on any oneworld airline.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 736
Do note the earn rates are much lower on non QF airlines so best to do some homework on the best rates.
sid
sid
Member since 07 Jan 2011
Total posts 208
Perhaps it makes better sense to switch to British Airways Executive Club? They are pretty easy to earn status with and provide good status even when you fly on their Oneworld partners.
Ourmanin
Ourmanin
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 08 Jun 2018
Total posts 144
You don’t make it clear why you are wedded to retaining QF status. Unless you are chasing lifetime status or will be returning to Australia and resuming predominantly QF flying again shortly, I don’t see why you would be so determined to retain status. The earn rates will be considerably lower on partner airlines. I moved back to BAEC and they are easy to earn status with, as Sid says. Finally you don’t mention where you live in Asia, but if you’re flying BA I’m assuming it’s to LHR, if you’re in Singapore then flying QF on that route is an option.
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
I’n in a similar situation, I live in the US and am platinum and lifetime gold. All you need to do is those 4 flights on Qantas metal, the credits can come from anywhere. But in reality if you live outside Australia with a few long hauls flights in Qantas you’re well in your way to 1200 points already. A few regional / domestic flights on other one world carriers and your good to go.
AT
AT
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Sep 2012
Total posts 16
I went through this exact thought process when I was going to be relocated to Singapore, and it comes down to how you are going to fly and to where and how often. I could have held onto QFF by using JetStar Asia for most of my intra-Asia (easy 1-3hr flights) and then plan for my min x4 QF flights back to Oz (e.g. SG-SYD via BNE or MEL), and use CX for trips to HK, China, Japan and Korea but...keeping Platinum with short haul JQ flights and partner flights (e.g. CX) was going to be tough. My company travel policy is economy class for >4hrs, premium economy 4>8hrs and then business class 8> so most of my flights would be in economy (you have to take this into consideration as it will make 1200 status credits much more work). I considered BA Exec Club but I don't travel to Europe so this was not the best option. I considered moving everything to Cathay Marco Polo/Asia Miles which would have worked. Otherwise for SG then SQ Krisflyer was really the best + credit card with KF.
born2fish
born2fish
Member since 01 Apr 2014
Total posts 19
jubbing
jubbing
American Airlines - AAdvantage
Member since 13 Jul 2015
Total posts 60
Emirates flights on a QF booking is the same however.
brinkers
brinkers
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Jun 2011
Total posts 233
The four flights can also be on Jetstar flights, so Jetstar, Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Pacific or Jetstar Japan flights (with the right bundles) might also help in a pinch.
PNGRotator
PNGRotator
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Oct 2014
Total posts 19
Thanks all.
Ourmanin
Ourmanin
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 08 Jun 2018
Total posts 144
They won't do a status match against another OneWorld airline, but if you've got your QFF status secure for a while then you could start with BA. It largely depends what your medium term plan is. If you are going to move back to Australia in the near term, then makes sense to stick, if not then I would consider which one fits in best with your travel profile. Clearly if you are doing a significant amount of flying to Australia then the status quo could make sense. Between BAEC or QFF you'll get the same benefits at Changi, including the new First lounge when it opens. I am partially based in Singapore and made the decision to switch back to BAEC after five years with QFF (which started when I moved to Australia) but that's because long term I won't be moving back to Australia and most of my flying is to Europe or the Middle East. I'm also assuming that you don't want to consider Singapores KrisFlyer scheme? Bear in mind credit card spend, etc in Singapore could be useful there in building up points. If you do a reasonable amount of flying and have the freedom to choose who you fly with (SQ normally much dearer than BA or QR if you are paying versus a corporate account!) then its worth considering KrisFlyer.
Metoo
Metoo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Nov 2016
Total posts 93
Double SCs promotions help a lot. First class Singapore to Sydney with double SCs gets you 720 return. Only 480 to go from there.
Sam P
Sam P
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 27 Nov 2016
Total posts 1
I’m based in SIN. I use JQ, 3K, QF to hit the 4 required. MH gives good SC if you travel in J. MH gives significant value for SC when you plan your trip in advance as their J pricing is the same as SQ Y pricing.
rwSydney
rwSydney
British Airways - Executive Club
Member since 23 Mar 2018
Total posts 48
I have lived in Australia for 13 years but have continued to be with BAEC. I do fly to the UK twice a year and have an address I can use in the UK for correspondence though.