Qantas Platinum – To Stay Or Go?

by Zac George
screens screenshot of a credit card

This morning I logged onto my Qantas account and noticed my account had reset to 0 status credit. Obviously, this is completely normal as my year of earned status had ended, and now it’s time to requalify or do I?

For a while now I’ve long thought about moving programs as there are quite a few other programs out there that have a heap more value. Now that I’m sitting at 0 status credits and only 1000 points now’s the perfect opportunity to decide what to do.

screens screenshot of a credit card

In this post, I’ll list all the benefits with Qantas Platinum that make me want to stay and some that make me want to move. I’ll also list the programs I’m considering moving to, and I’ll let you the audience decide which is the best to go to.

Qantas Platinum

While I’ve held Platinum, I’ve definitely made use of it and enjoyed the benefits that come with the status. Here are the main thing’s I’ll loose if I move that I value the most.

  • Ability to open up award seats

If I move this will definitely be the thing I will miss most. I’ve used the unpublished benefit a number of times for both international and domestic flights, and it is very valuable to me in certain situations.

  • Emirates benefits 

As Emirates and Qantas have a strong partnership the benefits with Emirates are almost reciprocal with Skywards Platinum, First Class Check-In, Priority Boarding, and First lounge access will be lost – not that I fly Emirates all that often, though.

  • Economy Priority Seating 

Luckily nearly 90% of my upgrades clear but on the odd occasion they don’t, Qantas do Priority Economy seating well ”sometimes”. Whenever I haven’t cleared row 4 is almost always available. However, this isn’t a massive benefit because at soon as the flight is 80 hours from departure, Silver and Gold members can select them anyway.

The main reason for moving is based on the value and redemption rates.

American Airlines AAdvantage (Executive Platinum)

  • Award rates are still quite good

I’ve been a fan of AAdvantage since first using the program in 2014, oh how I wish the program was like that now. Anyway, the award rates are still quite decent and are considerably cheaper than Qantas. The best part is also the ability to buy miles If I have to.

  • Oneworld Emerald

If I drop Qantas and want Oneworld Emerald, Executive Platinum would take care of this for me. I could then keep accessing the Business Domestic lounges as well as the First Class lounges.

As good as Executive Platinum sounds there still are some big drawbacks like the program going revenue based, the minimum spend requirements and the cuts to Qantas earning coming in the next few months.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

I’ve only recently been using Mileage Plan but have absolutely fallen in love with it. I don’t know why I haven’t been using it sooner, but I’ve been using a lot the past few weeks.

  • Award rates are fantastic!

Alaska has some of the best redemption rates out there, such as Cathay Pacific First ClassQantas Business and First Class, Japan Airlines First, the list goes on. Alaska redemptions are half of what Qantas charge for First Class to the U.S., that’s pretty impressive.

  • The earning bonus is generous

As an MVP Gold 75k the earning bonus is 125%, or for Gold, its 100% for both Alaska and partner airline operated flights, that a lot of value and I do love the sound of a bonus like that.

  • The status isn’t too difficult to earn

If I switched to Alaska Mileage Plan, I would aim to get either MVP Gold or MVP Gold 75k. Gold requires 40,000 miles on Alaska or Virgin America or 50,000 miles on partner airlines. 75K requires 75,000 miles on Alaska or Virgin America while if you were to fly partner carriers, it would be 90,000 miles.

Alaska Mileage Plan also sounds fantastic. However, there are a few things that I’m not too excited about. 1. Alaska isn’t in an alliance. Therefore, I would not get oneworld lounge access and benefits. 2. The bonus earning isn’t f0r Qantas flights which is a shame.

Which program would you recommend and why, and is there any other programs I should consider?

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6 comments

Danny March 7, 2017 - 1:26 pm

Interesting points you’ve raised. I’m shooting for MVP 75k this year. I’ve booked some cheap biz fares on AA from North America to Asia using AMEX Travel points so I could earn mileage and credit to AS. My plan is to keep EXP by crediting cheap QR biz flights to AA.

Scott March 7, 2017 - 9:10 pm

BA?

Zac George March 7, 2017 - 10:53 pm

Sadly they have an 18+ rule to use their program.

DC March 7, 2017 - 11:17 pm

For as long as you still live in Australia, QF platinum is probably your best option. For someone travelling as much as you, the alliance benefit is very valuable (ruling AS out). Status is pretty easy to earn and you’ll get access to lounges within the US (something which AA won’t give you). Further, you’ll earn a decent amount of points with QF on all QF fares (where AA will give you peanuts).

Victor March 8, 2017 - 12:16 am

Ditch QF. I live in Australia and have not looked back after I credited to AA. Even if the AA earn is low on SYD to MEL discount economy flights, I simply do not credit to QF out of principle.

Larry March 8, 2017 - 3:09 pm

One thing you don’t get being AA Executive Platinum is lounge access flying within North America, whereas you do as a oneworld Emerald from a partner airline…..

“American Airlines AAdvantage® members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligible for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.”

https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access

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