US Status Run, time limited

[CargoClass]

Hi All

I'm in the US for the next 6 months and noticed that my assessment day is in the middle of all these flights. From August I would like to attain Gold QF. I begin August with 15 SCs, so 685 are needed. I'm a total rookie when it comes to organising these sort of things so I turn to AFF's capable hands

Due to my visa conditions I cannot leave the US however I may be able to change this at a later date.

I have some time from August 4-20 that would be perfect but flights may end up being expensive due to how soon it is. After that point weekends are the only option.

Summary:

Requirements

• Need 685 QF SCs
• Must stay inside USA
• Depart and return AUS Austin Texas

Optimisation Priority

1. Cost - Cost is driving factor; I really don't want to be paying near $1500 and I'm sure you guys can work on this.
2. Time - Minimise the total time away from home;
3. Disruption - Go as red and bleary eyed as possible.

I have 12k QF points if that is of any assistance.

I'd be willing to put off the run for some time into October to lower costs. It can even end up being split over a few weekends for half-and-half or something like that.

Hope you can help me out!

Cheers

 

[samh004]

Without leaving the US you can't fly Qantas, and you're going to need 4 squiggly lines (4 QF/JQ 'earning' flights) so get to Gold even if you have 685SC's from AA. That's the issue.

Getting the SC's with AA is probably very easy and even cheap.




 

[CargoClass]

Without leaving the US you can't fly Qantas, and you're going to need 4 squiggly lines (4 QF/JQ 'earning' flights) so get to Gold even if you have 685SC's from AA. That's the issue.

Good point, hadn't considered that!

I'm returning to Aus in January on AA766-QF8-QF953 for 70SC in discount Y, so I could get the SCs in the US and then pick up another 2 QFs when I return to AUS? In that case I'd only need

700 (Gold) - 15(Already booked) - 70(return) - 20(2xQF disc Y upon return) = 505

And the up will have to wait for January... oh well

 

[serfty]

What month does your QFF year end?

 

[CargoClass]

What month does your QFF year end?

July.

I have a flight to Austin on August 2nd so I effectively start the new year with that flight (15sc).

 

[serfty]

San Juan is "in" the USA and no immigration is required.

AUS-xDFW-xMIA-SJU for USD371 earns 210 SC's with P/P/I (First/First/Business) class all the way.

 

[CargoClass]

AUS-xDFW-xMIA-SJU for USD371 earns 220 SC's with P/P/I (First/First/Business) class all the way.

What date/ month was this? also MIA-SJU I'm seeing business only, does it go through as first fare somehow?

 

[serfty]

What date/ month was this? also MIA-SJU I'm seeing business only, does it go through as first fare somehow?

An example is AUgust 12th.

P class is First, I class is business.

Domestic AA 2 class flights have First and Economy, same plane flying to Caribbean has Business and Economy.

So the domestic segments can book into First class and earn First Class SC's on "Instant Upgrade" fares.

 

[drivatruk]

What date/ month was this? also MIA-SJU I'm seeing business only, does it go through as first fare somehow?

i get 210 sc for that run where am i going wrong with my calculations?

 

[CargoClass]

i get 210 sc for that run where am i going wrong with my calculations?

Yeah that's what I see too.

I'm looking at leaving Sat Aug 11 from AUS, on AA1164 (6:25AM) or AA 564 (7:50am) with DFW-MIA-SJU to follow, how do i go about the return trip, can I book the same day or just start again the next morning.

is the booking process simple through aa.com, only attaching your QF FF# when asked?

I'm only going to be getting 420 SCs for return, I'll need to pick up 85 at some point unless there's a better solution.

 

[opusman]

Without leaving the US you can't fly Qantas

There's QF107/8 ?

 

[serfty]

There's QF107/8 ?

With cabotage rules flying QF107/QF108 between LAX and JFK needs to be part of an 'international' itinerary.

Qantas further restrict this to being inbound/outbound on QF "Transpacific Flights".

 

[opusman]

Ah ok, didn't realise that.

 

[CargoClass]

Is there another connection for 45+ SCs one-way, or should i try another flight. I'd rather pick up SCs in the US than back home.

 

[oliverd]

Hi Pandawelch, just curious as to the "why", if I may be as bold as to ask...
As in, I can see the value of a status run if you're a bit short of SG/WP, but spending ~$1000 and earning 700 SCs on fully self-funded flying to get status seems v hard work... If it's lounge access, there must be other options.

 

[Kerrodt]

Will be a tough task to get the status wholly in the US, but with your trip back to Aus you can schedule a few long dated SC runs in Aus with QF/JQ to get the 4 squiggly lines.

 

[CargoClass]

Hi Pandawelch, just curious as to the "why", if I may be as bold as to ask...
As in, I can see the value of a status run if you're a bit short of SG/WP, but spending ~$1000 and earning 700 SCs on fully self-funded flying to get status seems v hard work... If it's lounge access, there must be other options.

Good point oliverd. I have been thinking about what you said for a few days as the last few stops have not had wifi;

A $1k spend for status is a bit extreme. I'll just pick up an AA 30-day for my return and be happy with my hard earned cash in the bank!

Thanks for the help serfty and others, I won't be following through this time.

 

[support]

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