Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options

[support]

This thread is for Questions and General discussion regarding the Best Status Run Options for QFF as per this thread:

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

Please keep your questions and queries to this thread and avoid posting in the other.

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You can also get some status run inspiration from this AFF 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

 

[eminere]

re: Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options

Ah yes, the solution to all of life's problems.

 

[Wannabee]

re: Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options

Coming up at just under $780 AUD. A night at the Ibis budget at AKL for $100. Might be a plan with an early F lounge visit and a trip on a 787

Looks like I waited too long. I was looking at a date in 1-4 Jul range and now they have gone up to $1200

 

[serfty]

Yes, many of the 'cheaper' fares have advance purchase requirements - often of 21, 14 or 7 days. This one may have been of the latter.

 

[geordieladinoz]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

So my F fare searching for mid Jan 2016 to fit into our time in the US (thanks to the recent QF cheap Y fares SYD-LAX) has found nothing better than AUD$5.07/SC for LAX-IAD/LGA-xDFW-SFO-LAX. Not the best value but given the current climate (AUD$ v US$), time of year and relative lack of flexibility in needing to visit Washington, New York and San Francisco I think it is acceptable.

My only minor worry is the QF11 arrival time of 0635 and an AA76 departure to IAD at 0910. Given the OW link should I be worried by this? There is not a lot of alternatives, only AS6 to DCA at 1300 or AA52 to DCA at 1350 but I really don't fancy waiting in LAX that length of time. Given an F booking, would AA likely put us onto AA52 (or AS6) if QF11 a late runner? Of course this depends upon capacity. Should I just go for AA52 to be safe or does anyone have any previous experience of connecting between these flights?

Thanks.

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

AA has a policy of protecting *O/*O on separate tickets. ... still I'd prefer another hour or more.

WAS is tough for $/SC ... Have you looked for fares out of BWI?

PHL had been an interesting option but not so much since the USair merger.

Also x means transit ... so if you have a New York stopover then it would be written as IAD-LGA-xDFW-xSFO-LAX ... (transits/transfers at DFW & SFO)

 

[geordieladinoz]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

AA has a policy of protecting *O/*O on separate tickets. ... still I'd prefer another hour or more.

Agreed, but after 14 hours in Y we were looking for a direct 5 hour West-East flight to chill out without having another connection, therefore option is AA76 or AA52 realistically. I have washed my mouth out as that is against the AFF religion.

WAS is tough for $/SC ... Have you looked for fares out of BWI?

I had a look at airports close to Washington but BWI was actually more expensive than IAD and required a connection.

PHL had been an interesting option but not so much since the USair merger.

A bit too far for what I was looking for.

Also x means transit ... so if you have a New York stopover them out would be written as IAD-LGA-xDFW- ... (transit/transfer at DFW)

We are planning on training it between Washington and New York (at the moment, may yet add another 40SC), DFW is transit, I will update.

Thanks for the ideas, will keep looking, not locking it in just yet.

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

AA has a policy of protecting *O/*O on separate tickets. ... still I'd prefer another hour or more.

According to FT the *O reaccomadation policy for AA has been gated.

Available under
"Agency Reference -> Booking and Ticketing -> oneworld Reaccommodation- Separate Tickets"

As for the connection time, it should be fine and if they think you're pushing it people will be at the end of the aerobridge to help you out with bright orange envelops to speed you on your way. Definitely helps if you have nothing to declare and have entered the US before on whilst being on an ESTA. The kiosks are fairly quick to breeze through. I was curbside in about 35mins with bags using the kiosk.

 

[cove]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Having read the flight delays thread you may wish to have a buffer day in Los Angeles.

 

[coriander]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

So my F fare searching .......found nothing better than 5.07SC/AUD$ .

Nearly fell off my chair when I read this as I've never been able to find much better than 0.3SC/$AUD :shock:.

 

[geordieladinoz]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

According to FT the *O reaccomadation policy for AA has been gated.

Available under
"Agency Reference -> Booking and Ticketing -> oneworld Reaccommodation- Separate Tickets"

As for the connection time, it should be fine and if they think you're pushing it people will be at the end of the aerobridge to help you out with bright orange envelops to speed you on your way. Definitely helps if you have nothing to declare and have entered the US before on whilst being on an ESTA. The kiosks are fairly quick to breeze through. I was curbside in about 35mins with bags using the kiosk.

Thanks CaviAck!

That provides a lot more comfort reading that. I have generally always been on one PNR so good reference material.

We are also likely to fly to the US with HLO so that will make any dashing that much easier. Apparently SWMBO has the various outlets lined up and we will purchase suitable luggage to maximise our weight limit coming back, so she thinks!

 

[geordieladinoz]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Having read the flight delays thread you may wish to have a buffer day in Los Angeles.

Haha, you spotted my deliberate mistake!

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

According to FT the *O reaccomadation policy for AA has been gated.

Available under
"Agency Reference -> Booking and Ticketing -> oneworld Reaccommodation- Separate Tickets"

As for the connection time, it should be fine and if they think you're pushing it people will be at the end of the aerobridge to help you out with bright orange envelops to speed you on your way. Definitely helps if you have nothing to declare and have entered the US before on whilst being on an ESTA. The kiosks are fairly quick to breeze through. I was curbside in about 35mins with bags using the kiosk.

True, but it does not mean the oneworld interline agreement is not still operating.

I once booked a 150 minute connection at LAX, QF->UA, separate tickets. QF93 was 90 minutes late ... customs took 20 ... I fell onto the aircraft exhausted ... remember boarding starts 35 minutes before your USA mainline flight.

Never again ...

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Thanks CaviAck!

That provides a lot more comfort reading that. I have generally always been on one PNR so good reference material. ...

Good luck ... as indicated AA have had a policy of protecting in such cases ... i'd rather not go through the hassle.

 

[coriander]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Haha, you spotted my deliberate mistake!

Heh, heh ....... the one replying to wrong message? LOL!

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

True, but it does not mean the oneworld interline agreement is not still operating.

I once booked a 150 minute connection at LAX, QF->UA, separate tickets. QF93 was 90 minutes late ... customs took 20 ... I fell onto the aircraft exhausted ... remember boarding starts 35 minutes before your USA mainline flight.

Never again ...

Yeah I think that's why my parents decided to book the 6 hour transit or something ridiculously long over the 3 hour transit when we did SYD-xLAX-SEA. It was a long long long wait in the AS lounge.

 

[geordieladinoz]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Heh, heh ....... the one replying to wrong message? LOL!

Time for sleep!!

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Yeah I think that's why my parents decided to book the 6 hour transit or something ridiculously long over the 3 hour transit when we did SYD-xLAX-SEA. It was a long long long wait in the AS lounge.

Much rather be spending the time in a lounge with a shower and a light feed / drink than rashing from TBIT to another terminal.

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Much rather soending the time in a lounge with a shower and a light feed / drink than rashing from TBIT to another terminal.

True that.

 

[geordieladinoz]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Thanks folks, will bear this feedback in mind. Transfer is currently TBIT - T4 so a short jog.

 

[coriander]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Is the airside TBIT-T4 connection open yet?