Airline Status runs

[munitalP]

I purposely rib friends who do status runs (not looking at anyone in particular oz_mark or bundybear ) as I travel enough with work (and in the last 12 months personal travel) to keep me at platinum on QF and Gold on VA. This got me thinking about the status run people do and would someday I need to take one to achieve platinum or gold (VA) again? Answer is quite probable. The problem I would face would be finding fares that were a good $ per SC ratio. I actually have NFI where to even start! In actual fact, every JASA I have looked at for short destinations say SYD/DRW would break the bank dollar wise as well as massive numbers of FF points to boot.

I was wondering if our wiser members, those with the YASA and JASA experience, the Yurus and Jurus of the SC run world would like to post some hot tips, even some demonstrations of these elusive YASA and JASA point earners!

I think a good starting point would be 100,000 FF points and what one could get for that.

I look forward to some interesting replies!


munitalP

 

[harvyk]

The big thing is "why fly direct, when you can connect".

Any flight where the points cost to fly direct vs the points cost to fly via a third party city is minimal (or exactly the same) is a good start. For example last year I could fly BNE-CBR direct, or BNE-SYD-MEL-CBR for the same price and points cost, and since I didn't have anything better to do that day, so that's what I did. BNE-CBR = 20SC's ( \ J = 40SC's), BNE-SYD-MEL-CBR = 60SC's (J = 120SC's).

 

[serfty]

The First post in this thread has some good QFF based options:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gram/best-status-run-options-quick-35258.html

Here's a version for DJ:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ty/virgin-status-run-master-thread-30596.html

 

[anat0l]

Learning how to use ITA is invaluable for some cases, e.g. AA YUPP runs. Getting used to plugging in random routes, jotting down options and working out the economics again and again and again will be required (and that takes time and patience).


Finally, don't forget some key things with status runs that you may want to take into account:

• Most of them need repositioning from home. What's the cost of that / how will you do it / will you account for it in your final economics?
• If your run goes for more than one day, will you try to get overnight flights, slum it at an airport or get a hotel?
• Do you need to consider visas (always risky here), auxiliary transport (taxis etc.)...
• What is the value of a point to you? If status means much more than points, and you rake in a lot of the latter, then something like JASAs will appeal nicely, since they are necessarily points intensive but easy on the cash - most are willing to give up those points that could otherwise be put to other, more enjoyable awards or upgrades. Some of us (yours truly) don't have a points income to support that kind of JASA activity so need to look at other options).

 

[yohy?!]

oh, how the mighty have fallen

 

[Shelf]

Yuru and Juru - nice

 

[JohnK]

Status runs? :shock: What are they? :mrgreen:

With very simple planning it is possible to go the long way to your destination and no need for status runs, repositioning costs or extra time....

 

[awilcockson]

I think a good starting point would be 100,000 FF points and what one could get for that.

Interesting timing.

Already posted in the main QF status run thread, but I booked:

Day 1:
BNE-CBR-MEL-AKL
Day 2:
AKL-MEL-BNE-TSV
TSV-BNE

Three bookings total all in J, nett cost (after points earn for JASA) is 103K points and $590 and for a haul of 420 SCs.

edit: this is my first and probably only status run, but it will get me to P1 and lock in an extra year of WP.

 

[samh004]

edit: this is my first and probably only status run, but it will get me to P1 and lock in an extra year of WP.

I beg to differ. What about those 3 day trips to HKG, at least one of which routed via PER!




 

[oz_mark]

Status runs? :shock: What are they? :mrgreen:

With very simple planning it is possible to go the long way to your destination and no need for status runs, repositioning costs or extra time....

I think the definition of a status run varies from person to person. In my case, I got the label as a status runner by munitalP as I booked a plus fare last week rather than doing a Tiger price match. Without the lounge run, I wouldn't have gone at all, but decided since I was, and I need a few more SC to renew gold, I may as well. If I were doing a status run under my definition, it wouldn't have been on that Jetstar flight! Approximately classic priced JASA and YASA are where it's mostly at without going across the pond.

 

[awilcockson]

I beg to differ. What about those 3 day trips to HKG, at least one of which routed via PER!

Shhh The first two weren't really status runs, they were just incredibly cheap ... I guess you could count the third as a status run.

 

[anat0l]

I think the definition of a status run varies from person to person.

Was this a status run? :mrgreen:

 

[Sprucegoose]

I think the definition of a status run varies from person to person. In my case, I got the label as a status runner by munitalP as I booked a plus fare last week rather than doing a Tiger price match. Without the lounge run, I wouldn't have gone at all, but decided since I was, and I need a few more SC to renew gold, I may as well. If I were doing a status run under my definition, it wouldn't have been on that Jetstar flight! Approximately classic priced JASA and YASA are where it's mostly at without going across the pond.

Who in gods name would expect you or anyone else to do a price match with tiger.

Go and wash your mouth out.......

 

[Sprucegoose]

Status runs? :shock: What are they? :mrgreen:

With very simple planning it is possible to go the long way to your destination and no need for status runs, repositioning costs or extra time....

Yep....why go direct when you can stopover.........

 

[oz_mark]

Yep....why go direct when you can stopover.........

or bounce between Taiwan and the Philippines a couple of times....