4 Qantas Flights - US Resident

[kempvet]

What is the cheapest way for a US resident residing in the US to obtain the 4 Qantas Flights to qualify for any status level?

 

[Mal]

Limited options.
NYC-LAX-<insert Australian Gateway and return>
Somewhere else (QF codeshare - eg SFO - LAX on AA) -LAX - Australian gateway and vv.
Fly to HNL, HNL-SYD, Domestic flight + return.

While against the T&C's, I do believe some people have "mules" that fly on their behalf for the 4 sectors (2 returns SYD-MEL for example). Not suggesting it, just know it goes on.

 

[ReLoad]

Limited options.
NYC-LAX-<insert Australian Gateway and return>
Somewhere else (QF codeshare - eg SFO - LAX on AA) -LAX - Australian gateway and vv.
Fly to HNL, HNL-SYD, Domestic flight + return.

While against the T&C's, I do believe some people have "mules" that fly on their behalf for the 4 sectors (2 returns SYD-MEL for example). Not suggesting it, just know it goes on.

^^^^ What he said.

 

[samh004]

I’d go for the mules, as Mal puts it. Never even thought about it, but certainly seems easiest.

 

[kempvet]

online check in and person of the same sex does the flying?

 

[kempvet]

2400 SCs and complimentary gold, would this be another way? or still need the 4 qantas flights

 

[richie9x]

Limited options.
NYC-LAX-<insert Australian Gateway and return>
Somewhere else (QF codeshare - eg SFO - LAX on AA) -LAX - Australian gateway and vv.
Fly to HNL, HNL-SYD, Domestic flight + return.

Also Qantas fly LAX-AKL so where Mal suggested 'Australian Gateway' you could also go to Auckland instead, which is typically a bit cheaper as it is shorter distance. You could do a Jetstar domestic flight in NZ as they could towards the four minimum as long as it is a starter plus fare or better.

 

[Mal]

Also Qantas fly LAX-AKL so where Mal suggested 'Australian Gateway' you could also go to Auckland instead, which is typically a bit cheaper as it is shorter distance. You could do a Jetstar domestic flight in NZ as they could towards the four minimum as long as it is a starter plus fare or better.

Aaah, Yes! Forgot about the NZ connection.

As for flying within Australia, as ID checks are not regularly done (apart from checking in luggage in most cases or using a human to check-in) then a person of the same sex could fly. As indicated above though, this is completely against the T&Cs and could lead to termination of your FF account if discovered.

 

[Fantic125]

Qantas does do a number of codeshare flights in the US, so what's the problem with booking them? Cost will be higher, but you only need 4.

 

[Mal]

Qantas does do a number of codeshare flights in the US, so what's the problem with booking them? Cost will be higher, but you only need 4.

I don't believe any are bookable without an international sector to Australia/New Zealand. QF used to have their Ski run flights (SFO-YYV?) which US residents did use for a while, but the flights disappeared.

 

[yohy?!]

Qantas does do a number of codeshare flights in the US, so what's the problem with booking them? Cost will be higher, but you only need 4.

Im not sure you can book a QF codeshare without the connecting flight on QF metal to AU/NZ

 

[ermen]

Got another suggestion - not sure if its cheaper to fly to Asia from the US where you are - but you could go to a city where 3K flies. Then book el-cheapos on 3K with the "Plus Bundle" that earns QF points. e.g. SIN to KUL could be like S$58 (S$28 + S$30 bundle fee) and you could easily do four in a day (whether you want to do it is another matter!).

Or do something like HKG - SIN - KUL - SIN - HKG or a combination thereof... and maybe get a holiday somewhere. You get my drift...

 

[arraitch]

It appears to be possible to get to NAN from a US port on QF codeshares. On the QF US site, I was able to summon forth MSY-ORD-LAX-NAN and vv with QF #s all the way!

 

[kempvet]

It appears to be possible to get to NAN from a US port on QF codeshares. On the QF US site, I was able to summon forth MSY-ORD-LAX-NAN and vv with QF #s all the way!

yes, I can see SAN-LAX-NAN-LAX-SAN on the US Qantas booking engine for about $1550, all QF codes, probably not a bad outcome

Was speaking to the Australian booking desk the other day, and was asking about SCs on AA, she offered to help me with any domestic bookings in the US, just wonder if calling the Qantas desk, would mean that these domestic flights will have a QF number, which may not be possible booking online

 

[kempvet]

Got another suggestion - not sure if its cheaper to fly to Asia from the US where you are - but you could go to a city where 3K flies. Then book el-cheapos on 3K with the "Plus Bundle" that earns QF points. e.g. SIN to KUL could be like S$58 (S$28 + S$30 bundle fee) and you could easily do four in a day (whether you want to do it is another matter!).

Or do something like HKG - SIN - KUL - SIN - HKG or a combination thereof... and maybe get a holiday somewhere. You get my drift...

not a bad idea, we are thinking of going to Asia about every couple of years, guess she could stay platium for most of the time with this method, good idea.

 

[Mal]

just wonder if calling the Qantas desk, would mean that these domestic flights will have a QF number, which may not be possible booking online

Cabotage laws (basically restrictions on what airlines can fly where) would restrict this. I doubt you get domestic "QF" flight numbers unless exiting the US.
(BTW, the NAN find above is pretty cool. Didn't know that existed).

 

[kempvet]

yes, I can see SAN-LAX-NAN-LAX-SAN on the US Qantas booking engine for about $1550, all QF codes, probably not a bad outcome

I think 90 SCs for this flight.

Couple this with SFO-BWI-SAL-BWI-SAN, then rest for a couple of days in SAN and then SAN-LAX-NAN-LAX-SAN (little rest in Nadi) I worked about about $2300 AU and as her SCs have just expired, gives her nearly 2 years as Gold FF. Not bad with all the lounge access that she can get when flying economy on OW flights, doesn't even have to come to AU or NZ to make gold.