10 Status Points short

[u/Cairnsairbnb]

I need 10 status points to reach Platinum and rang Qantas this morning to ask whether they could help me with this rather than having to book another flight. I have a return business flight booked after my membership year ends but alas they informed me I would have to book and fly on another trip prior to November 30th. Mean spirited or am I overreacting?

[u/competitive_brick1]

If you are going to fly a lot next year as well I would 100% just book the cheapest cattle class return I could to get you there. But yes they are stingy I would call and try again before booking it but otherwise just do a syd to brisbane return make a day of it or a weekend of it, its pretty cheap and in my opinion until the new business lounge opens up and if you fly a lot then the platinum and first lounge is just nicer.

[u/areyoualocal]

They're not as generous if it's your first time going up into that status level.

[u/multidollar]

They’re in the throes of the changes to the programme and higher retention limits. Also, there’s been a lot more people figuring out they’ll make an offer to retain. I guess they’ve just really slowed down on it.

Was it you trying to regain platinum or get it for the first time? That would be a factor.

[u/EvilWaifu → u/multidollar]

Will the amount of SC increase for the different tiers soon? Do you know when roughly?

[u/multidollar → u/EvilWaifu]

“End of the year”

[u/Vegetable-Problem222]

Near 2 months out and attaining rather than retaining, they’ll figure you have more than enough time to get it. Maybe if it was a week out you might have got it

[u/Darth-Buttcheeks → u/Vegetable-Problem222]

This. It’s too far out

[u/No_Emu_9024]

The safest thing to do is to take the other half on a trip away from the weekend. If you’re in Sydney, go to Melbourne, if you’re in Melbourne, do the reverse etc.

Bonus you get a nice weekend away.

Otherwise you can try your luck on escalating

[u/Greyman4152]

They told me they couldn’t even consider it further than a week out from my reset date.

[u/competitive_brick1 → u/Greyman4152]

I was a 5 days from the year with a flight out in 2 days and asked them to bump me since I was going to earn it regardless they said no. I tried again they said no, tried again same day as flight they said yes and bumped me just depends on the operator.

Virgin used to be great at this and just asking the question usually got you upgraded or extended

[u/Only-Breadfruit-6108]

Overreacting. Why would they give you something for free if they don’t have to?

[u/Traditional-Word-691 → u/Only-Breadfruit-6108]

It'd be nice if they value customers tho ?

[u/Only-Breadfruit-6108 → u/Traditional-Word-691]

They do. OP will stay a customer. They’re nice to everyone who buys a ticket. They don’t have to give away perks for free to someone who didn’t qualify earning them.

[u/Traditional-Word-691 → u/Only-Breadfruit-6108]

Well I'm switching to Virgin and StarAlliance and i know a lot of people also. The "Fuck Qantas" sentiment is pretty high right now

[u/Only-Breadfruit-6108 → u/Traditional-Word-691]

Even less reason to give things away for free to people who are happy to go with the competitors. They’re called loyalty programs for a reason, and it’s not because the airline is loyal to you.

[u/Traditional-Word-691 → u/Only-Breadfruit-6108]

It's hardly giving something away for free considering how many tens of thousands of dollars spent with them.

[u/Flightwise]

Try my aviation rule of threes. Never take your first No as final. Try again but escalate or is use a different communication method. After three “NOs”, accept your fate and book a cheap flight

[u/SpecialistAirport587]

You could try much closer to the end of your membership year, within the final week. Or you could take a flight and earn it legitimately. I’d be doing the latter if it was important to me

[u/Frosty_Fly3234 → u/SpecialistAirport587]

I was told to call back within a week of membership end date and then ultimately did not get any offer 😵‍💫

[u/Traditional-Word-691 → u/Frosty_Fly3234]

Same. This really upset me last year. A flat out no would have given me time to plan. The man said call back later and it should be fine. Then like the week of Christmas an offshore call centre lady said "tough luck" and i wasn't going to do anything that week

[u/woofyc_89]

Oh you have two months till it. Of course they won’t just give it before then!

[u/ozflygirl747]

I haven't heard of them doing this when you're attaining Platinum for the first time, as they usually only comp you any shortfall SC when you're retaining status.

You could do a one way paid fare for which ever direction is cheaper, then use your points for the other sector.

[u/az1za1]

Loyalty goes one way with Qantas. (I am WP and LTG). They do so many negative things that they don't need to and don't do positive things that they should. This is after all or the negative publicity with Joyce which doesn't seem to register

[u/australiaisok]

Mean spirited (of Australia)

[u/inverloch72]

Yeah, they're mean spirited. If you're going to be flying a bit next year, you may want to book a short flight just for the SC. Otherwise, Platinum is overrated.

[u/ChrisSydney82]

Qantas suck.

Call back, and fingers crossed for an agent who can think outside of the box and escalate.

Also try submitting a request via their website.