TIP: Qantas Club Life Membership.
Discuss TIP: Qantas Club Life Membership, on the Travel Insider Tips forum of FrequentFlyer.com.au, the home of frequent flyers.
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My opinion is that paying for Qantas Club life membership is definitely not worth the expense.
If you're considering paying the $3,500 for the membership you're probably thinking that you'll flying a lot in the next 20 years. But chances are, if you going to travel that much, you'll reach enough status points for at least Gold Membership and hence receive complimentary membership in any case. Do that for enough years and you'll end up with Life Gold.
Just a thought.
Benny
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Depends - some people are willing to pay around $350 per annum for normal QP membership - they don't fly enough to get to Gold, and they like their lounge access (particularly the free HP's).
They might only do enough flying to get to Silver each year, 350 SC's to qualify and 300 to retain.
So, over 10 years, they would accrue around 3050 SC's(probably more, but you get the picture).
Now, this isn't even 25% of the way to Lifetime Gold, so at this rate they would have well over 30 years to get to Lifetime Gold status. Not having QP membership over this time would deprive them of lounge access (and free HP's of course, we need to get our priorities right).
Now, given that Lifetime QP is about the same as 10 annual memberships, it starts to become cheaper (on a per annum basis) after the ten years, so in some cases - those who will never be higher than Silver or Bronze - to take out the annual membership.
Of course, all of those Ansett Golden Wing life members will probably disagree with me, also those who have been killed in car accidents or suffered fatal heart attacks months after taking out their lifetime QP memberships, but you get that.
Member of: Qantas FF, American Airlines AAdv, NW WorldPerks
Posts: 3,762
I agree with thadocta.
From personal experience, in 1997 I looked back on paying for the last 10 years of Flight Deck/QC membership and thought that I had already paid more in fees than the anual membership. At that stage, under the old membership tiers, I was Silver (thus not getting automatic entry on flying, the reason why I bought it like thadocta espoused); which then under the new QFF program became Gold (and all of a sudden, free QC membership).
I rose to Plat in 2002 and now I get F lounge access. Wonderful to be at the top, but enjoy the view while you're there, as there is only one way from her (no, not CL; rather down).
But my time will come when I won't make Plat and (egads) perhaps even Gold (and without expecting that QF will comp me if I'm short - that would be a bonus). But at least I know that when I am flying in the future (assuming the QC is still around, of course), I'll always be able to get into it and the HP's.
Considering that I'm 37, that should be quite a number of years hopefully...more than worth the inital amount expended (which once paid, remains a constant cost and tax deductible to boot).
Now if we are going to get onto the financial side ....that's for another post. Time for me to get some rest as I have a busy flying November ahead of me...
__________________ FF Programs: QFF Gold (OW Sapphire) QC Life, LTSilver & 57.5% to LTG, AAdv (24.35% to LTG), NW. Hotel: PC Plat, Hyatt GP Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG, Marriott Rewards, PriorityGUEST. Car Rental: Avis Pref, Hertz No 1 Cards: Amex Plat, Visa Plat.
Flown 585 sectors totalling 821,765 miles since March 03, 1988 (ba97.com)
Sorry guys, I guess my calculations where based on paying a lot less than $350/year (I'm not giving tips away on this one! and my personal valuation of the Qantas Club.
Oh the other thing I based it on, was the fact that many corporations pay membership for their frequent travellers.... Which significantly changes the equation.
Member of: AA Exec Plat; QF LTG; PC Plat; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,980
Not everyone has simple access to corporate membership rates, and not everyone has their membership paid by their employer. Mine used to pay for it, until we became part of a US-based MNC whose policy was that airline club memberships are only for VP's. Lucky for me I have been at the top status teir with QF every since status tiers were introduced, so my last two-year QC membership has been on hold for many years now.
But if I were in the position of taking early retirement or having the kids off our hands and planning on taking one or two flying vacations each year for the rest of my life, I might well consider the $3500 investment to be worthwhile. In that situation I would not be qualifying for Gold or Plat status each year, but still enjoy the benefits of QC such as business class check-in and lounge access (food, booze, showers, comfort and ODU's for domestic sectors).
But if I were in the position of taking early retirement or having the kids off our hands and planning on taking one or two flying vacations each year for the rest of my life, I might well consider the $3500 investment to be worthwhile. In that situation I would not be qualifying for Gold or Plat status each year, but still enjoy the benefits of QC such as business class check-in and lounge access (food, booze, showers, comfort and ODU's for domestic sectors).
I agree completely.
I wonder if there are corporate rates for QC life membership
Member of: Qantas FF, American Airlines AAdv, NW WorldPerks
Posts: 3,762
Hmmmm, mine was paid out of my own back pocket and for the 1/10th tax deduction each year (from the time I paid for it), I felt it was justified at the time with my moderate level of flying at the time.
When I moved to Gold and then Platinum, then I suppose it's superfluous and the cost irrelevant in the scheme of things.
But there will be a time when I will no doubt drop back to moderate flying levels again and take up the rest of "using" my Lifetime Membership.
__________________ FF Programs: QFF Gold (OW Sapphire) QC Life, LTSilver & 57.5% to LTG, AAdv (24.35% to LTG), NW. Hotel: PC Plat, Hyatt GP Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG, Marriott Rewards, PriorityGUEST. Car Rental: Avis Pref, Hertz No 1 Cards: Amex Plat, Visa Plat.
Flown 585 sectors totalling 821,765 miles since March 03, 1988 (ba97.com)
Member of: AA Exec Plat; QF LTG; PC Plat; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,980
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindsay Wilson
But there will be a time when I will no doubt drop back to moderate flying levels again and take up the rest of "using" my Lifetime Membership.
I am hoping that by the time I am unable to requalify for Plat or Gold FF status, I will have achieved Lifetime Gold and hence have the equiv of Lifetime QC membership. That is, as long as the goalposts are not realligned before then .
I am hoping that by the time I am unable to requalify for Plat or Gold FF status, I will have achieved Lifetime Gold and hence have the equiv of Lifetime QC membership. That is, as long as the goalposts are not realligned before then icon_eek.gif .
At my present rate of accrual I'll be about 99 by the time I reach Lifetime Gold. Might be better to fork out the money (or wait for the goal posts to be realigned and then decide)
At my present rate of accrual I'll be about 99 by the time I reach Lifetime Gold. Might be better to fork out the money (or wait for the goal posts to be realligned and then decide)
Me thinks that the goal posts won't be re-aligned to make it easier...
....that's for another post. Time for me to get some rest as I have a busy flying November ahead of me...
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