Overview of Best Qantas Status Run Options [not the discussion thread]

[support]

**The list in this post was last updated in June 2015. For more recent status run options, see some of the more recent posts towards the end of this thread or have a look at the following article:**​

The Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Status Runs

Haven't earned enough status credits in your Qantas membership year? Here is a selection of the best Qantas Frequent Flyer status runs.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Often we see posts from members looking for a good way of getting Status Credits quickly, so below is a summary of some options using a variety of methods in terms of payment with cash or points for your consideration!

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This thread is an overview regarding the Best Status Run Options for QFF.

Please avoid posting here by keeping specific advice requests, questions, queries, responses and any answers to the following thread:

Wiki - Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options

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1. USA - (LOTFAP)

UPDATE July 2015: Be aware of changes to Qantas SC earning on intra-USA flights. Flights in F over 750 miles continue to earn the same generous status credits, however flights under 750 miles now earn just 40 SCs.

If you are travelling there options vary and are considered by many to be the cheapest way of earning SCs, of course you have to get there first!

Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC's

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-advantage/good-sc-earning-value-ex-8840.html

The great SC chase

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ines-advantage/best-way-book-aa-ex-29112.html

2. J Any Seat Awards

UPDATE June 2015: J Any Seat Awards at classic level prices are no longer available. They were phased out as part of the Qantas “Simpler and Fairer” enhancements in 2014. Any Seat Awards can still be purchased by using Points + Pay, however they do not represent anywhere near the good value they used to.

( Now gone) "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.

[-]- Often available at less than or classic award level costs, and the best domestic ones according to Gizzard who has updated the options as of Jan 2013 in this post:

The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community

Adelaide
ADL-xBNE-TSV = 120 SC for 38706 points or 323 points/SC (day return not possible in this direction but TSV-xBNE-ADL outbound is possible)
ADL-xSYD-CBR = 100SC for 36014 points or 360 points/SC (day return possible) (Thx - ferni)
ADL-xSYD-OOL = 100SC for 38179 points or 382 points/SC (day return possible)


Brisbane
BNE-MEL-PER-KTA = 200 SC for 54775 pts or 274 points/SC (very limited days availability - Markis10) (13/01/2013 - couldn't find any flights to get latest figures)
BNE-ADL-PER-KTA = 200 SC for 58503 pts or 293 points/SC (overnight in KTA required)


Canberra
CBR-xSYD-HBA = 100 SC for 30433 points or 304 points/SC
CBR-xMEL-xPER-KTA = 180 SC for 58513 points or 325 points/SC (overnight in KTA required)


Darwin
DRW-xBNE-TSV = 140 SC for 40092 points or 286 points/SC (return – overnight required but not TSV-xBNE-DRW)


Gold Coast
OOL-xSYD-xMEL-HBA = 120 SC for 40865 points or 341 points/SC (return - overnight required)
OOL-xSYD-ADL = 100 SC for 37957 points or 380 points/SC (return – overnight required but not ADL-xSYD-OOL)
OOL-xSYD-CBR = 80 SC for 30531 points or 382 points/SC (return – overnight required but not CBR-xSYD-OOL)


Hobart
HBA-xSYD-CBR = 100 SC for 30433 points or 304 points/SC (day return possible)
HBA-xMEL-xPER-KTA = 180 SC for 56773 points or 315 points/SC (red-eye back possible for a few points more)
HBA-xMEL-xSYD-OOL = 120 SC for 40865 points or 341 points/SC (return - overnight required)
HBA-xSYD-xBNE-TSV = 160 SC for 55901 points or 349 points/SC (return - overnight required)


Melbourne
MEL-xSYD-ASP = 120 SC for 39466 points or 329 points/SC (day return possible) (Thx - Awesom Andy)
MEL-xPER-KTA = 140 SC for 53408 points or 381 points/SC (day return possible)
MEL-xPER-BME = 140 SC for 53797 points or 384 points/SC (day return possible)
MEL-xPER-ZNE = 140 SC for 54431 points or 389 points/SC (day return possible)TSV- DRW or VV for 24000 points + circa $100


Perth
PER-xSYD-CNS = 160 SC for 53577 points or 335 points/SC (day return not possible but can return via CNS-xBNE-PER)

Sydney
SYD-xBNE-TSV = 100 SCfor 37819 points or 378 points/SC (day return possible)
SYD-xPER-KTA = 140 SC for 53539 points or 382 points/SC (red-eye back possible)
SYD-xBNE-ISA = 100 SC for 39843 points or 398 points/SC (day return possible)

Update - another one for ex Syd

markis10: can you please add SYD-xPER-BME to your wonderful summary on the first page of JASAs. Day return is possible, with 53,814 points and 140SC at 384 points/SC. It gives the Sydneysiders one more option

I've found two more new ones to the above ex-SYD in my own "guess and check" type method with the award booking tool

1) SYD-xPER-PHE = 140 SC for 54,653 points or 390 points/SC
2) SYD-xPER-ZNE: 140 SC for 54,448 points or 389 points/SC

While the best international one according to richie9x is AKL-TSV at 200SC for 36000 point + $200 NZD[/-]


3. The infamous NAN run

EDIT - this is no longer available.


4. Asian Options

UPDATE June 2015: These Cathay fares are still available, however Qantas status credit earn on Cathay Pacific has been reduced, particularly on flights from Asia to Australia.

QF pricing ex TPE in J has been very competitive for 15 years or so (even after they stopped flying there with their own metal) and as a result CX have also kept up the battle, so there are some good options ex TPE for daily runs, these need to be booked at the 2-3 month mark and are restricted business classs fares, these need to be booked on the CX TPE site:

TPE-HKG-MNL and return for 160 SC

If you intend to visit TPE at least every 6 months, look at having a J ticket ex TPE for each trip at 200 SC round trip!

There is also some very good value to be found ex CMB. For example, UL J from CMB-SIN earns 160 SCs per round trip and is possible for just under $750.


It is also worth checking J fares to a range of Asian destinations ex CMB via KUL on MH, or via HKG on CX respectively.



5. Plain old domestic value!

QF link often have sales where the SCs on offer for Red e Deals are OK:




Booking Flex fares on routes where one or more connections are required can also offer good value. A popular example is MEL-xSYD-OOL return which earns 80 SCs and costs around $500 for a Flex fare. Another option is HBA-xMEL-xBNE-CNS and back, which earns 160 SCs and costs about $1,100 for Flex.


6. A quick weekend in NZ for Sydney folks worth 80 SC

LAN offers a good J deal for those wanting to make a quick run to NZ, just watch out on the OMG departure ex AKL and book on the NZ website if its cheaper!


7. Cheap Jetstar Value

Provided a bundle is purchased, Jetstar fares earn Qantas points and status credits. This can provide some good value opportunities close to home, particularly when purchasing a sale fare. Domestic routes like SYD-OOL, MEL-LST, SYD-AVV, OOL-NTL, OOL-MKY and SYD-BNK are regularly on sale for under $40. Add on a plus bundle, and you have yourself 10 SCs for under $60.

There are a few other sweet spots with Jetstar. International economy flights earn at the “Economy” rate, which is higher than the lower “Discount Economy” level reserved for Qantas’ own sale fares. JQ fares across the Tasman earn 25 SCs each way (50 SC round-trip) and are available from time to time for under $200 round-trip. On top of this, the plus bundle add-on usually costs $35 each way.

Flying Jetstar domestically while you’re in NZ can also be excellent value, with 10 SCs for under $50 possible.

Jetstar Business Max bundles offer full business class status credits, making Jetstar business a potentially attractive option. However be aware that no status credits are earned unless a Max bundle is purchased and – here’s the catch – Max bundles are often excluded from sales.


8. Japan Airlines Domestic "Class J"

JAL has some surprisingly cheap “Class J” fares on domestic routes that earn business class status credits. To book Class J, search for “Economy & Class J” on the JAL website. You will then be shown a list of flights at economy prices, and given an option to upgrade to business. Some of the upgrades cost as little as ¥1,000 (about $10). As long as the route is over 250 miles, 40 SC per sector are earned for Class J flights.

 

[Awesom Andy]

That's a very good list.

If I'm allowed to make a small addition, you can also use KA's website for ex-KHH flights, if the city in the south of Taiwan suits you better. Prices are similar (although usually a little bit more expensive than ex-TPE).

 

[Princess Fiona]

Very informative post.
Thankyou

 

[richie9x]

Good to have a summary all in one place. Also you could add the discounted J LAN SYD-AKL run.

 

[markis10]

Good to have a summary all in one place. Also you could add the discounted J LAN SYD-AKL run.

Done - thanks!

 

[Verde]

Hi.

A great list.

Can I also suggest the variation on the NAN run - which is to fly from Perth. It came in at $1015 rather than $771, but a few hundred dollars to fly from Perth in business class is a pretty good deal (or for a bit more you can do PER-BNE and then the usual BNE-NAN run as illustrated below). 260 SC by my calculations and a dirt cheap flight from Perth in J (so you could use it for two separate holidays).

 

[markis10]

Not wanting to complain, but if you add the SC gained from each run it'd make things a bit simpler for readers too.

Can I also suggest the variation on the NAN run - which is to fly from Perth. It came in at $1015 rather than $771, but a few hundred dollars to fly from Perth in business class is a pretty good deal (or for a bit more you can do PER-BNE and then the usual BNE-NAN run as illustrated below). 260 SC by my calculations and a dirt cheap flight from Perth in J (so you could use it for two separate holidays).

The SCs are listed for each run, and your PER example is a good one!

 

[Gold Member]

Awesome summary Markis, thanks.

Now if only we could ban QF lurkers being able to read this thread :-|

 

[Verde]

The SCs are listed for each run, and your PER example is a good one!

I spotted that after I'd posted , but didn't get to change my post in time before you'd noticed (but I did my change while you must have been replying).

A semi-decent option is to look at NZ for JASAs which might be beneficial if you don't want to take the LAN OMG flight. Flights starting from Adelaide/Canberra/Hobart to AKL/WLG can be done for about 50,000 points (or 36,000 and cash) and earn 140 SC. Not such a great deal as the others, but good for people thinking of flying there anyway (or who might want to hit duty free / first lounge).

It is also a little lower on the point cost flying out of NZ (47,000 for AKL-MEL-BNE) which I guess is tied to the usual cheaper flights back from NZ situation.

 

[Kendall Roy]

Any chance we could move this to a members' only area?

Don't want the whole world knowing our secrets

 

[zig]

Thanks for the summary Markis10, it will be very valuable for many members.

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the summary Markis10, it will be very valuable for many members.

And those looking to become members and trying to gain an idea of what is on offer as far as tips at AFF!

 

[Gold Member]

To improve on the LAN AKL run, if you originated in AKL and booked via the LAN.com NZ site, it comes in at $600 return.

Another one you might consider which offers reasonable SC value (though not as good as most others here) is NAN-LAX-NAN. 280 status credits for $3,550 FJD or $1,935 AUD. Another one is NAN-HKG-NAN - 280 status credits for $2020 AUD.

These are much the same as Jetstar sale fares on Business Max which ofers status credits and points.

 

[richie9x]

A semi-decent option is to look at NZ for JASAs which might be beneficial if you don't want to take the LAN OMG flight. Flights starting from Adelaide/Canberra/Hobart to AKL/WLG can be done for about 50,000 points (or 36,000 and cash) and earn 140 SC. Not such a great deal as the others, but good for people thinking of flying there anyway (or who might want to hit duty free / first lounge).

If you start or finish in Townsville you can do even better than that transtasman. AKL-xMEL-xBNE-TSV costing 50,279 points but earning 200 SCs.

 

[markis10]

If you start or finish in Townsville you can do even better than that transtasman. AKL-xMEL-xBNE-TSV costing 50,279 points but earning 200 SCs.

Pretty rare but valid, I have included it with due credit!

 

[anat0l]

JASA CBR-ADL isn't as good as the TSV ones - earning only 100 SC one way for 24000 and ~$60 (w/o credit card fee) - however given that you can situate yourself in CBR (or ADL), the positioning might be both easier (cheaper? Use your credit card flight...) and suitable for those that only want to burn one day and one day only including positioning (saving you the need to crash at a friend/family/hotel).

For CBR-ADL to work well, you must pick options that go via SYD, not MEL (even though they are the same price). The SYD ones are difficult to find dates that will easily fit a run all on the same day if you are planning to do this sector vv. Searching ex-ADL seems more difficult, although ADL has better overnighting options than CBR.

For F Lounge types, it is possible to find ex-CBR options on select days that use QF81 SYD-ADL, however the engine will nominally select a short transfer time, which will probably make you just lucky to pick up a glass of champagne before you have to go board. However, the ADL-CBR options after QF81 will not give you enough time to get back out of CBR after you return (you'll need to overnight in CBR).


Props to markis10 for setting up this thread. Hopefully our "secrets" won't be destroyed....

 

[Timba-Jet]

Props to markis10 for setting up this thread. Hopefully our "secrets" won't be destroyed....

+1

Much appreciated, great summary.

 

[sarvowinner]

Thanks Markis10, lots of food ffor thought.

 

[travellerqff]

Hi.

A great list.

Can I also suggest the variation on the NAN run - which is to fly from Perth. It came in at $1015 rather than $771, but a few hundred dollars to fly from Perth in business class is a pretty good deal (or for a bit more you can do PER-BNE and then the usual BNE-NAN run as illustrated below). 260 SC by my calculations and a dirt cheap flight from Perth in J (so you could use it for two separate holidays).

View attachment 5047

this is true! I have done PER-ADL-MEL-BNE-NAN-SYD-MEL-ADL-PER for $1988 which is 520 SC's I believe. THE BEST VALUE if you are willing to spend about 30 hours travelling each way!

 

[dwwarlow]

Top list. And all in one place. Thanks