45 SCs by the end of October to reach SG

[Warks]

With a lot of flying up to March I thought I'd have no problem in graduating from PS to SG this year, thought I'd have it by July but then things went quiet and I find myself 45 SCs short with the end of the month and my membership year flying towards me.

I was tossing up whether to bother spending the money on flights to get it seeing as I already pay for QC membership. However, the latest 'enhancements' have devalued both PS and QC so I think it may be prudent to go for it.

How did I end up with a number ending in 5 for SCs? Anyway I basically need 50 SCs. I have no need to spend more to get any more than that as they all burn up at the end of the month so I won't be doing a LAN flight to AKL.

I'm in SYD and the best I can find is SYD-BNE-TSV return for a minimum of $445. If I am very lucky I may get a client to pay for this one or perhaps only a SYD-BNE return so I would have to make up the remainder.

There's also a chance of a SYD-DRW trip but that will only get me 40 SCs on direct flights - I should go via ADL or BNE I guess if it happens.

Anyway I'd be interested in your ideas.

 

[AdamR]

Any seat awards SYD-ADL-SYD

Sun 24 October

QF739 Red e-deal
QF736 J

Total of 75 SC, 36,000 points + $129.55.

I know that is more points than you need, but the difference in points cost between J and Y is so small, you may as well be comfortable.

If you could work out a way to do the J leg first (60SC), then you would get the SG points earning on the way back.

 

[markis10]

If you do get the chance to go to DRW, have a look at via Cairns, the timings often suit me and the bonus SC's handy.

 

[samh004]

I would go for it if you can find a deal, for the reasons you’ve mentioned relating to QP and PS, and your QP membership will be put on hold anyway, so it’s no big deal there, if you don’t requalify you can always pick it up later

As for SC’s, I’d look into a JASA with possibly a positioning flight somewhere else. Not sure where though. It’s too bad the sale is for next month.

 

[markis10]

As for SC’s, I’d look into a JASA with possibly a positioning flight somewhere else. Not sure where though.

SYD-CBR with a red e deal back = done.

 

[Warks]

Thanks for the pointers. I hadn't considered Any Seat Awards especially in J. I guess the points are there for a purpose -rather than just hoarding them as many of us seem to do.
I'm sure this has been asked before but where is a SC reckoner? I know what most of the main routes are on the cheapo deals I normally fly but have no idea of the J rates and so forth.

 

[arraitch]

Thanks for the pointers. I hadn't considered Any Seat Awards especially in J. I guess the points are there for a purpose -rather than just hoarding them as many of us seem to do.
I'm sure this has been asked before but where is a SC reckoner? I know what most of the main routes are on the cheapo deals I normally fly but have no idea of the J rates and so forth.

SC table at Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Status Credits

 

[samh004]

Thanks for the pointers. I hadn't considered Any Seat Awards especially in J. I guess the points are there for a purpose -rather than just hoarding them as many of us seem to do.
I'm sure this has been asked before but where is a SC reckoner? I know what most of the main routes are on the cheapo deals I normally fly but have no idea of the J rates and so forth.

A new website was recently established, but with the old tools

MileageMonkey 0.95022

 

[markis10]

The earning calculator is the best thing so long as its on QF metal. For only 45 SCs a JASA is not really a good use of points, the CBR-HBA run is less than SYD-MEL but scores 100 SCs but you still need to get back, for 45 SCs I think you would be hard pressed to find better than a run to CBR in J for $365 and a red e deal back, max $500.

 

[serfty]

As a rule of thumb, multiply the SC's earned for Discount Economy by 4 to get that which would be earned for a Business class flight on the same route.

Here's an itinerary available this Saturday for $474 all up in air fares.

• $332.50 - JQ35 SYD to MEL departing 15:15¹, arriving 16:45 Starclass
• $140.70² - QF490 MEL to SYD departing 20:00³, arriving 21:30

Total: $473.20. That will earn 50 SC's and 2680 QFF points. (assumes paying by CC)

¹ Check opens a little after 12:15pm, you can use the *Class queue
² QF458 at 18:00 is also available for this price, however I'd be nervous about a 75 minutes connection time with separate bookings.
³ The cheapest MEL-SYD fare is $108.70, however due to Caulfield Cup there none at that that evening.

 

[Warks]

All good info but it seems that SYD-BNE-TSV 26 OCT return (a few options) for $404 (or $411.70) gets me 50 SCs at the lowest price without using QFF points.
That's probably the way I'll go but I'll turn it into a work trip anyway so if I can't get a client to pay for it then it will be tax deductible as I chase up some prospects up there.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice.

 

[dough11]

I am in a similar boat here but am 60 points away...

Any recommendations on how to find the cheapest way of getting there by the end of November?

Cheers.

 

[markis10]

I am in a similar boat here but am 60 points away...

Any recommendations on how to find the cheapest way of getting there by the end of November?

Cheers.

Welcome to AFF, where are you located, do you have any upcoming trips planned/booked and is using points an option?

 

[dough11]

Hey.

I'm in Sydney.

No travel planned at the moment, but could do a trip or two to Brisbane if it helps.

Points I could use (100k currently), but I generally prefer to use them for upgrades as I've found that to be the best value for me. But if it makes more sense to use them for this then I guess I would.

Thanks!

 

[markis10]

Hey.

I'm in Sydney.

No travel planned at the moment, but could do a trip or two to Brisbane if it helps.

Points I could use (100k currently), but I generally prefer to use them for upgrades as I've found that to be the best value for me. But if it makes more sense to use them for this then I guess I would.

Thanks!

For 60SCs you have a couple of options, you have the Canberra-Sydney-Hobart Business class anyseat award, you need to factor in getting to Canberra and getting home from Hobart which is doable as one trip in a day for around 16000 points and $450, you will get quite a few points for that back.

One nice option that has a few benefits is to take advantage of the Qantas Business Class Special ex BNE to NAN, specifically book it so you go BNE-MEL-SYD before your anniversary and leave the SYD-NAN part until when you want to really go to Fiji as a stopover, for around $750 including the positioning flight you will get 110 SCs in time and also have a flight to Fiji and an 80 SCs for next year, mind you it should be mentioned you will need to come home at an additional cost!

 

[serfty]

You could do a Multi booking SYD-MEL-CBR-SYD with CBR-SYD in business class, the others in Discount economy.

e.g. $539.41 for 60 SC's on Nov 13th.

(Note this is using "Today's" sale which has fares at $89 rather than $101)

 

[dough11]

How do I work these bookings out?

I dont understand how to do the NAN one? Do I do it via a travel agent?

I'd probably rather just a 1 day run somewhere. When I tried to do SYD-MEL-CBR-SYD it said I could only do 2 flights on the same day?

 

[markis10]

How do I work these bookings out?

I dont understand how to do the NAN one? Do I do it via a travel agent?

I'd probably rather just a 1 day run somewhere. When I tried to do SYD-MEL-CBR-SYD it said I could only do 2 flights on the same day?

The BNE-NAN is now agent only, it was possible to do it online, for three flights in one day put in the two and then the last one the next day, when you get the flight options for that day change the date back.

 

[serfty]

...
I'd probably rather just a 1 day run somewhere. When I tried to do SYD-MEL-CBR-SYD it said I could only do 2 flights on the same day?

Select "Flexible with Dates" with the first two flights on the 13th and the flight CBR to SYD on Nov 14th.

Select your SYD-MEL and MEL-CBR flights for the 13th then when the CBR-SYD flight options pop up you can click the "Tab" for the 13th and continue.

The 7pm CBR-SYD flight has plenty of D class (Discount Business) availability.

 

[dough11]

Am I being less efficient if I just do a same day return to Cairns for 40SC at $338 and then a trip to Brisbane (normal) for 20SC?

How do you guys work out these different permutations? Is there a trick I am missing?