Complimentary Partner Gold Membership is now for a "family member or friend"

[Feper]

They have actually had this in place for a while.
i am a single father and in the past have signed up my young daughter as my partner gold member, the QF team just rang me and informed that " as such a valued customer we will make a one off exemption".
As my daughter is only 11 I thought that it was a nice touch from QF as they clearly recognised how little it would cost them, and for her being a gold member is quiet a novelty.

Well done Qantas you have proven that you can be flexible and kept a customer happy.

 

[dajop]

I hope the difference listed between Gold and Platinum for Domestic priority boarding means that they are actually going to do this as a matter of routine.

How many Gold and Platinums actually hang around at the gate waiting for boarding to start? I guess those with lots of overhead luggage, but most people I know wait until called in the lounge, then have another beer and wait another 5 mins, hoping to waltz on to the plane without waiting, and have the doors shut behind them. That
's priority, rather than being squeezed into a sardine can 1 more minute than necessary. Maybe the real benefit should be reserved overhead locker space, after all isn't that why anyone needs priority boarding

 

[markis10]

When I have carry on I hang round the gate, I hate paying find the space when I get onboard, especially when that space means going backwards when it comes to de planing.

 

[samh004]

I normally get a bit edgy before boarding is due to begin thinking I may have missed the call, or something, so am usually ready to leave as soon as the call is made.

 

[Mal]

Can I just confirm I read this correctly as sarcasm?

Yeah, it was sarcasm. And there is a basis for the sarcasm too:

Compare with BA's perks for their "Golds" who reach magic tiers above "Gold"
Executive Club - Gold membership - British Airways

2000 Tier Points - Complimentary upgrade for 2 pax on a flight.
4500 Tier Points - Complimentary "Silver" card for a friend/family.
5000 Tier Points - Concorde Room Access Card.

Also BA still has "Anytime Access" to their lounges for the Gold members.

 

[MatF]

Partner Gold membership when you reach 2,100 Status credits

Reach 2,100 Status credits** in one membership year and, until 3 May 2011, you'll receive complimentary Gold membership for your partner for 12 months. This has now expanded to allow you to nominate any family member or friend as your partner.

Or wait to reach 2,400 Status credits for a choice of rewards

If you have not already nominated complimentary Gold membership for your partner, when you reach 2,400 Status credits in one membership year, you have the choice of one of the following rewards

• complimentary Gold membership for a family member or friend or
• three complimentary Qantas Valet Parking or Chauffeured Transfer invitations~~ or
• a bonus of 50,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points

Am I not reading this correctly, or is it just poorly written?

What's the point of listing "complimentary Gold membership for a family member or friend" as an option at 2,400 SCs, when that's available at 2,100 SCs? It's not like anyone will not take that benefit at 2,100, to get it at 2,400? Colour me confused

Can someone please explain the valet parking and transfer invitations? Are the invitations valid for multiple uses, or is it essentially valet parking or transfers three times? Doesn't seem particularly valuable.

I suspect it boils down to PG @ 2100 or 50,000pts at 2,400 for me.

 

[markis10]

Am I not reading this correctly, or is it just poorly written?

What's the point of listing "complimentary Gold membership for a family member or friend" as an option at 2,400 SCs, when that's available at 2,100 SCs? It's not like anyone will not take that benefit at 2,100, to get it at 2,400? Colour me confused
.

Put simply, regardless of your membership month, if you dont reach 2100 by May 2011, then you need to get to 2400 to get PG or the other benefits. Post May 2011, its 2400 regardless, however if you have hit 2400 now and have not used PG, you have options.

 

[MatF]

Ahh, gotcha. I missed the crucial words.

So we need more SCs to get PG as of May 2011, but there are then alternatives.

 

[YQY]

Put simply, regardless of your membership month, if you dont reach 2100 by May 2011, then you need to get to 2400 to get PG or the other benefits. Post May 2011, its 2400 regardless, however if you have hit 2400 now and have not used PG, you have options.

IMHO PG will be removed as benefit within the next few years. It's gone as a benefit at 2100SC - now it's a option at 2400sc - next not even as an option at 2400.

They may replace PG initially with a say with 20 annual guest passes with some points thrown in and thereafter give the option to buy passes using points.

 

[medhead]

Can someone please explain the valet parking and transfer invitations? Are the invitations valid for multiple uses, or is it essentially valet parking or transfers three times? Doesn't seem particularly valuable.

For mine, depending on the conditions 3 valet parkings will be better value as I could use them for 3 return trips, whereas 3 transfers would only cover 1.5 return trips. (or maybe I'm missing something)

 

[samh004]

For mine, depending on the conditions 3 valet parkings will be better value as I could use them for 3 return trips, whereas 3 transfers would only cover 1.5 return trips. (or maybe I'm missing something)

Even though I’m clearly no where near the offer, I was thinking it sounded very good too. This past year when I’ve gone away I’ve been away in 3-week blocks. Leaving my car with QF for free (or a voucher) for 3 weeks, seems like an easy sell.

 

[medhead]

Even though I’m clearly no where near the offer, I was thinking it sounded very good too. This past year when I’ve gone away I’ve been away in 3-week blocks. Leaving my car with QF for free (or a voucher) for 3 weeks, seems like an easy sell.

Although, I would expect the conditions of the free valet parking might say for no more than 2 or 3 days. Not that I'll get near 2400SC anyway.

 

[MatF]

Not a lot of use to me, my home airport (WGA) of course doesn't have valet parking (parking is free there anyway).

 

[samh004]

Although, I would expect the conditions of the free valet parking might say for no more than 2 or 3 days. Not that I'll get near 2400SC anyway.

At which stage they’d be useless.

Depending on who i travel with in the future and how further the program is enhanced, I might even be looking at 50,000 bonus points.

Although, there’s 5 lots of bonus points in 2400SC, so that’s 25,000 points just there.

 

[Voyages]

QF put me on hold for 2 minutes, and confirmed that the information provided in my account is correct. That is, I only need 2,100 SCs by anniversary date (NOT 3rd May) for PG qualification. For subsequent years, the SCs required for PG will then be 2,400.

My my... the very same QF agent called me back yesterday suggesting that I should not consider her advice the day before an official QF reponse :shock:. Apparently, 'some issues have emerged', and that she needed to refer my inquiry to 'upper management' and I'll hear back from them early next week.

Looks like one might have to get 2,400 SCs for PG qualification afterall

 

[Ewing]

They may replace PG initially with a say with 20 annual guest passes with some points thrown in and thereafter give the option to buy passes using points.

Now that's something that would fit in with a "broader, more rewarding program".

I don't even know that I would use my PG (I will hit 2,100 SCs in a few weeks with my membership year ending at the end of the month). People that I would consider giving it to fit into one of three categories:
1) They don't fly enough to make it worthwhile (eg: once a year), so it's pointless.
2) They already have status in their own right ;or
3) They fly with me anyway.

If on the other hand I received 20 guest passes I could give them to family and friends as needed (or even make it a choice)

 

[markis10]

The only reason I am keen to get PG (and I changed a flight yesterday as I was 5 SCs short by EOM to ensure I got it) is to take advantage of the guests limits when the whole family heads OS early next year, avoiding the need to rely on the grace of the lounge dragons. I have a couple of family trips next year where we can really take advantage of the benefits but after that its going to be useless to us.

I cannot see 2400SCs being worth the effort for the rewards, 2100 was questionable already.

 

[serfty]

PG has been good for us, especially with the 50% points bonus.

However, next year we already have bookings that will take SWMBO beyond the 600 (yes, 600 not 700) needed to re-qualify her, so I have to consider if the additional 1300 SC's is worth it for 50K QFF points.

 

[samh004]

My my... the very same QF agent called me back yesterday suggesting that I should not consider her advice the day before an official QF reponse :shock:. Apparently, 'some issues have emerged', and that she needed to refer my inquiry to 'upper management' and I'll hear back from them early next week.

Looks like one might have to get 2,400 SCs for PG qualification afterall

Well, as per the new T&C’s that were released yesterday with all the announcements, that would be correct. If you get it before May when the new program takes affect you’re fine, otherwise you need to get an additional 300SC.

 

[markis10]

Has anyone nominated their partner for Gold on the first day of a new year as far as anniversary date goes for you, when they had a different anniversary?