Qantas Platinum Status - is it worth it?

EP129 / SYDNEY: How to earn status credits and attain Platinum as a Qantas Frequent Flyer. My earning tips, plus the benefits of Qantas Platinum, and a look at whether it's worth the time and money.
I travel between Sydney and Melbourne for work a lot, and this year I became Platinum with Qantas. I made this video to help you see what the benefits are, and give you tips on how to earn status credits.
Lounge reviews on my website: www.stef747.com
If you've got tips on earning status credits, or if you're a Platinum Frequent Flyer (One World Emerald), let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Filmes at Sydney Harbour, Sydney Airport, onboard an Airbus A330 and in Melbourne.

[@Sanznachito]

Incredibly informative- very useful, your next overseas trip is going to be extremely good fun and comfortable! As a UK FF I hit 1500 SC but almost lost out on Platinum as I didn’t fly Qantas on my first year, only BA and Iberia but was given Platinum and never made this mistake again. I then flew Qantas for the first time from London to Singapore and when given the warm welcome back onboard, only to tell the Manager that I’d never flown Qantas before (slightly embarrassing) and it was my twin’s first time on a jumbo jet. He absolutely looked after us in the way Qantas is famous for, so 13 years down the line, I’m still Platinum. Couldn’t fly without it... I’ll teach you some Iberia/BA tricks to help you enjoy your Platinum perks if you ever head over to Spain! PS love your underground map in the frame! Nacho 😄👏🍾🛫

[@ScottHekking]

It’s so refreshing to see high quality travel vlogs created in my home city, Sydney! Thank you Stef 🛫✈️

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks for watching Scott, I appreciate the kind words, stef 👍

[@MichaelBrodie68]

Very interesting analysis Steph. Great range of music - trance/dance then a Burt Bacharach vibe, then modern jazz etc!

[@JourneyWithSteven]

Nice Chanel and video! Like how you shoot and the music! Subbed! All the best with your channel growth!

[@HM-wu3gh]

I like the cinematic footage. Look forward to seeing more. Adds a nice balance to a vlog

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Harris, much appreciated, stef 👍

[@duttonfx]

Platinum is great. Lounges (especially SYD/MEL F lounge) and in-flight service is great. Mum has been Platinum four years consecutively now and this is my first year as platinum.

[@AnneMB955]

Deliberately flew return Melbourne to Brisbane just to retain my Gold status. Definitely worth it. Getting into lounges, priority upgrades and joining the priority queues is well worth the effort.

[@callumwood1468]

DEFINITELY WORTH IT!! First class lounge access and great upgrades for the family. The service is much better and the customer service manager usually gives us a personal introduction. Also priority for the bulkhead economy seats. Fortunate to have enjoyed the wonderful perks of my dad’s platinum from a very young age. Great video!!

[@StefanDrury]

Hey Callum, that's good to know thanks. Yes I'm getting to know the awesome staff in the Melbourne lounge, always nice to have a chat with them in the mornings, especially if I'm travelling alone. Thanks for watching, and for leaving that comment, stef 👍

[@HWingsAviation]

Every new episode ups your game, great quality !

[@StefanDrury]

Hey thanks HWings0002, I really appreciate that.

[@jojio4613]

Okay right from the start I was just in awe about the cinematography, I have noticed that the quality of your videos has greatly increased. Amazing Stefan!

[@StefanDrury]

Hey thanks jojicobrien, yeah trying a few new things, I like to keep it varied and interesting so it's great you noticed. Cheers, stef 👍

[@jojio4613]

Stefan Drury No worries Stefan 😃. Just one question: what editing program do you use?

[@OVTraveller]

Hi Stefan, long time without contact ( lots of reasons you will know as a Victorian) Yes, since our last exchange, we have travelled extensively and both sit with platinum bagtags and have booked and paid for the next two international trip ( one on DSC). Yes, oh yes the black tags are so worth it when you can walk into any O W lounge in the world to have a shower, meal and drink in that order. Trust your hands on and lie back flying still exhilarates you, our next thrill is Qatar to Madrid and then some.

[@keithsmith4059]

Melbourne under refurb now. Sydney J in 2019 ... showing its age atm. Great staff including those two lovely at the Lounge entry ! Nice video :)

[@StefanDrury]

I've always found the Qantas staff to be super friendly in the Melb and Sydney lounges, thanks Keith.

[@camerond-x5s]

Great vid as usual, Stef! It's worth noting that the only way you can request an upgrade on the day ("hey, I'm at the airport and I have the points, so let's ask!") is from within the Qantas lounge... which means that if you aren't at least Gold, then Business is generally off-limits. ...but looking forward to hearing what happened at Moorabbin (not that anything that happens there surprises me any more!). :-)

[@StefanDrury]

Ah that's good to know, thanks for the tip Cameron.

[@JaydenWong]

My mum is loving her platinum status which she got last month! But strangely she got the old Q-bag tag (old logo), probably because she's based in HK

[@747Sean]

One World Flyer oh hi

[@AustralianConsultancy]

You can now ask for a replacement (via phone), and they have a special Qantas 100 Year Q Tag only for Platinum Members (RIP Platinum One) so yeah

[@Dreamer10888]

Omg that’s deliberate

[@AmuthanVethanayagam]

Lovely editing and cinematography!

[@lisafren4951]

Nice vid Make more I love these!!

[@StefanDrury]

Roger that Jezz! I love making these videos, glad you're enjoying watching them, thanks, stef 👍

[@jarrodleahy7451]

I've been a Platinum FF since 2012 and I cant imagine going back down levels. I agree with you Stefan I love the airports, lounges, and the planes.

[@1stoptechreviews]

brilliant video. being a fellow one world traveller once you get to a level its definitely worth retaining it.... dropped back down from ba bronze to the basic blue as was using redemption flights all year which at the time i didn't realise for a while that it wasn't collecting me points. like you said its only worth it if you're going to use it

[@StefanDrury]

Cheers Thomas, yeah that's the plan now - to retain platinum. I'll keep you all updated on that. Thanks for watching, stef 👍

[@mvicavanagh]

One great Qantas Platinum FF perk is lounge access on arrival. I love it!

[@christinegarcia9994]

Anyone can get lounge access by simply becoming a member

[@Clove_Parma]

@@christinegarcia9994 you have to pay and only get club not business/first lounge access unless you book a more exxy ticket

[@WikiFM]

Thanks for the Advice! Your the BEST!

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks for watching, glad that was useful 👍

[@lovemusic12374]

Your editing is amazing 🙌🏼

[@ntpryce]

Platinum..? I think my frequent flyer status is plasticine.

[@RodMcNeilTV]

There is a Qantas Club somewhere too...once billed as an upper tier, it is now rarely mentioned, and frequently doesn't even show up at business check-in sites, where it is supposedly welcome.

[@CozmoNz]

FIFO Worker - They gave us gold to switch to qantas.... Mind you we probably drink more than $700 worth of booze a year in the lounges

[@davefrommelbourne1237]

Good insight thanks for sharing

[@an8id62]

congrats n welcome to the club! Lucky you, you have the new qtag! I'm still using the old platinum qtag from years ago which isnt as distinctive as the new one.

[@gnhansen29]

Thanks for the helpful video.

[@gammalite]

You make a story great ! Thank you

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks gammalite, much appreciated 👍

[@pullformore]

BA Gold here; lifetime Qantas Club member (actually, it started out as a Flight Deck membership my father gave me in the late 1980s!). Being UK-based, and going across the Atlantic frequently, being oneworld Emerald is definitely worth it. When I lived in Australia, I really only flew domestically with any frequency, and then usually just SYD > MEL > SYD or SYD > BNE > SYD, and mostly in Economy, so it was hard to get up to higher tiers; over the years I did rack up 15,000 lifetime tier credits, but the highest status I ever earned was Qantas Gold. I moved to the UK in 2004 and transferred to the BA Executive Club; the frequent US trips meant I went from Bronze to Gold (Platinum equivalent) fairly quickly and I have maintained it ever since. The sweetest thing about being oneworld Emerald in my experience is using the American Flagship service when flying on AA. Given how incredibly busy US airports can be, those Flagship check-ins are fantastic. Also, the Qantas First lounges are really, really, amazing, especially the one in LAX. I love the one in MEL, too. Oh how I miss travel. Wretched Covid.

[@rndmkiwiguy]

Great video Stefan, how long until you get to share your Lifetime Silver/Gold with us?

[@JerryLaw]

when flying on partner airline there are a few things to look out for, even in the same class different fare bracket will have different points and SC earining. its a fun game to play i must say

[@OVTraveller]

Hi Stefan. Planning to book a RTW trip with Qantas early next year ( April/May), but my FF year ends at the end of April. Hope to get sufficient status points to move into gold ( been there, lost it etc etc) hangs our plans or simply wear the loss? Cheers

[@kenji7174]

Aviation lovers: ‘grinding out those points in 2019, to get that sweet sweet platinum status in 2020’ Covid 19: ‘Im about to end this mans whole carreer’

[@shaunobrien6641]

not sure if you mentioned it but you definitly get treated better on the plane regardless of class travelling as well. I regularly get asked my meal preference early so they can save me my choice for example

[@juiceybro]

Best thing about qantas platinum for me is using the other lounges!! Malaysia airlines, Cathay first etc. They really are a step ahead of qantas. 3 years with platinum now, wouldn't go backwards.

[@TREVORDAWSONTHD]

Ha ha ha! I love the cat in that suitcase.

[@StefanDrury]

Our crazy cat. She does that EVERY time I get the case out Trevor!

[@sagarjina]

hope u have it checked else i still remember what Australia did to Johnny Depp

[@rivvur]

holy shit your cinematic was amazing

[@TheclassicKidsXJB12]

Love the video very interesting

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks TCL, much appreciated 👍

[@jasoncannell4003]

I’ve booked business class overseas with qantas and Cathay but will always stay on bronze

[@jonathonwestly8211]

Amazing video

[@JoshSmith-vs7eh]

Hey Stefan, I don’t know if this question has been asked /answered yet but I’m off to America soon and my girlfriend’s dad ( whom I’m going with )is a qantas frequent flyer and has access to the qantas business lounge. I was just wondering if you know if your permitted any guest passes for people your traveling with ? Cheers✈️

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

Stefan, please have your wife start a blog,blog what ever it's called and talk about what to wear while traveling, best shoes walking,coats, ect. Would be great! Thanks

[@StefanDrury]

I’ve passed that on to her. She does copywriting professionally as it happens, so a travel focussed blog isn’t out of the question. Cheers mate.

[@angusaikman3085]

Thoughts on Tyabb airfield? Might get lessons there as it's a bit cheaper and less congested than Moorabbin (even though Moorabbin is closer). Thanks!

[@StefanDrury]

Tyabb is a great, friendly airfield. I don't have experience of any of the flight schools down there though, but I would imagine it's less utilised than Moorabbin. Good luck with your flight training, stef 👍

[@DrewC]

Am I seeing the old Qantas lounges??

[@sagarjina]

I am currently Silver with Emirates just got promoted this year (2018) I got a double tier mile promotion with them so I am aiming for gold currently. Hoping to reach gold by Dec 31st after flying to Barcelona from Sydney in Economy flex for Christmas

[@Ozboyz60]

Hi Stefan...love your vids...do you live in Melbourne? Anywhere near Moorabbin?

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Ozboyz60, yep I'm in Melbourne. Fly out of Moorabbin but live closer to the city. Cheers mate, stef 👍

[@spiro5327]

I suppose to make it worthwhile you would have to be a frequent traveler. Its been a while since iv'e been to Circular Quay, must go there soon.. How do you like the Qantas coffee ??

[@janinebell763]

This is very interesting.

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Janine, glad you enjoyed that one, stef 👍

[@MrSCRIBR]

Double status today! Going for platinum!

[@StefanDrury]

Yeah, the double SC offer is a great time to boost your totals. Happy booking!

[@StefanDrury]

Yeah it's a good offer, get in there quick, good luck!

[@deemad2180]

How did you make your money?

[@kaimalcolm]

Yes! That brings me to 40 internet points! 20 from your channel and 20 from MelAvGeeks. He's only got a few videos but I would love it if you two could do a collaboration. Also, you've got a really cute cat. 😻

[@StefanDrury]

I have passed that on to our cat. She says thanks. Keep collecting those internet points, I think that puts you top of the leaderboard so far 😄🏆

[@chrisace1670]

Hey Stefan Your cat is the spitting image of ours. Is it a Manx (long hair with tail version)?

[@StefanDrury]

Hey Chris, cat parents unite! We think ours is a Norwegian Forest Cat, she was a rescue cat so we're not 100% sure but she looks like one of those. Either way, she's a very stubborn independent slightly silly cat, no wonder we get along.

[@chrisace1670]

Stefan Drury. Funny exactly like ours too. We got ours from a breeder from NSW. It is a Manx but a specific variation that has a tail, because my wife couldn't handle no tail. Regards Chris

[@OVTraveller]

Hi Stefan, my wife and I are both sitting on a silver status with a business class trip from Melb. to Sydney in September . Then flying to Memphis, via SanDiego and return to Melb in November 2018.. Will be going RTW on one world in April 2019 and probably face the loss of my status points ( again, 250 down the gurgler)) as my membership ends on April 30. With a commitment to travel twice a year to Memphis, how can I protect my status points?

[@StefanDrury]

Hey Otto, thanks for the question and for raising a key point with status credits. It's always better to try and retain a tier than letting it lapse and trying to "re-earn" it, as retention is usually at a lower thereshold. However yes you do need to stay on top of it. If I'm in need of status credits I start to hop on the airline websites looking for offers. Eg Qantas currently have a 50% bonus SC offer for flights in Australia, and about one a year they do a double SCs offer. So sign up to their newsletters and look for those. Also look at partner airline (eg other One World airlines) and see if there are any sales on business or first class fares. Those are a great way to earn big SCs quickly. Eg I've flown JFK - LAS 'first class' (which is basically domestic business) but you get great SCs for that leg but you can find the price for around 2-3 times the economy fare. But in a nutshell, look for ways to earn higher than usual SCs and see if you can do a couple of "status credit run" flights. Hope that helps. Good luck! Stef

[@farrie82]

Be careful what class your booked with in partner airlines. I just flew Qatar Airlines SYD-AMM return and got 0 status credits and 0 frequent flyer points. Because it was a sale and booked discount economy I was not eligible! 😢😢

[@JourneyWithSteven]

I understand that pain. When I checked out of partner airline bookings, I'll check the fare class I'm on and cross ref to Qantas earning table and the calculator to see how much I can earn. Hope this trick helps with your future bookings. It's a pain to cross ref but if it's all about the status, it is worth it!

[@user-kq4dk1bo4n]

The answer is almost always no, unless you're flying for work where travel is more a chore and you, there is little reason to "invest" your money into flying enough to get these benefits. it's different if you already fly a lot for leisure and it makes sense to maintain more loyalty towards the airline to ultimately gain these benefits. people that do giant status runs when they're not even flying enough to hit 70% of their needed SC.. dumb.

[@aussieragdoll4840]

But if you have Silver and above Status Credit, you get MORE status credits than a Bronze person for the same flight. Silver gets 50% more, Gold gets 75% more and Platinum gets 100%. So a Bronze 10 Status Credits is worth 15 in Silver, 17.5 in Gold and 20 in Platinum. That would mean you need less flights in order to maintain your status tier.

[@Big_Rig35]

What about the bonuses in points? Like emirates they do a 75% bonus in points for the platinum members. Do these bonuses make that much of a difference?

[@StefanDrury]

The status bonuses on top of the FF points you would otherwise get is a great reason to move up a tier if you're flying a lot in that year. So yes, I do benefit from the 100% extra points for every flight being Platinum for example. If you're wanting to collect points, and can get yourself up a tier for a year, it's a good way to earn extra points for the same amount of flying.

[@Big_Rig35]

@@StefanDrury I'll have to look into becoming a member and leveling up my tiers!

[@kylebazza5370]

Hey I love your videos I’m 15 and I want to become a qantas pilot when I can I love watching our videos because I love to fly but I very rarely get to. My dad flys 4 times a week from Melbourne to Karratha in 2 weeks he does fly in fly out. he is a platinum and I love flying business and he flys us for free like we went Hong Kong from Melbourne and we went business class I was so good on the red eye flight. Love your vids keep up the good work by the way can you make a vid on were it start as a pilot because I want to start soon thanks.

[@StefanDrury]

Wow that's a lot of flying for your Dad, how awesome he takes you you guys on flights as well. Sharing travel and aviation is a really cool thing to do. Glad you're enjoying the videos, thanks for that. And thanks for the video idea, I'll think about that one for sure. Cheers, stef

[@hanj31]

Just get elite status with one airline from each of the 3 alliances.

[@andrewneufeld6119]

Your in Sydney Australia

[@RockyScience]

To be honest, Sydney’s international business lounge is pretty basic. Much prefer the Singapore one.

[@jezza5276]

TheRunningOrange that was the domestic lounge ;)

[@GeneralKenobi-mz9ig]

I love how in love you and your wife are!

[@StefanDrury]

Ha, love this comment. Yeah she's my favourite person in the world to travel with. We have a lot of fun, thanks General Kenobi.

[@GeneralKenobi-mz9ig]

Stefan Drury Stef! I forgot to say, if you’re flying this Saturday, you should come into the Moorabbin flying school. Between (12-2) I think. It’s the open day, might be good for a vlog.

[@shaunpattinson1621]

Why is a Malbannite doing a video from Sydney? Oh yeah, they don’t have a harbour….

[@tazzie165]

Bring back Flying Friends everyone push for this to happen

[@Chicken_3475]

and what happened to seatguru

[@StefanDrury]

I use SeatGuru quite a lot, especially on carriers I've not flown with before. Great site.

[@tazzie165]

I love stefans cinematography and your totally in Beijing or you could be in Shanghai Hahaha nah Sydney (Sydney's dominated by chinese never go to Hurstville. we where walking down a road one day a guy was texting and driving went into an electricity pole. Also who was that taking a picture of the Qantas sign the wife couldn't tell she looks like the lead singer of EchoSmith

[@StefanDrury]

Yeah that's my wife taking photos (as usual!). I don't think she's in a band, but I'll ask just in case... 😀

[@tazzie165]

Stefan Drury Hahahaha life over in india gets tough

[@MradventurEPL]

You can skip first minute of this video it's nothing there

[@Chicken_3475]

this is how i found it: EP129 / SYDNEY

[@StefanDrury]

Ah yes... well you still get the points +10 🏆

[@Chicken_3475]

do i get double?

[@brosnan]

.....next stop, gold for life

[@StefanDrury]

Lifetime Gold is actually a good one to try and attain as it will give you complimentary lounge access for life. Take a lot of flying to get there, but if you can organise things to make it happen it's definitely got benefits.

[@brosnan]

My boss is about 50% of the way there. I just got to silver with in 4 months, so have some catching up to do!

[@TheAirtrans]

No

[@aaronmcgrath438]

yssy

[@Chicken_3475]

sydney

[@StefanDrury]

Congrats! +10 🏆

[@catherinewoodbine2500]

Sney

[@gabrielsleiman5552]

Sydeny

[@Cingearth]

qatar airways is the best airlines in the world !

[@theairstig9164]

TLDR; after tonight the answer is clearly NO. Thanks for nothing QANTAS