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

 

[Chesty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

First time poster in this thread. Even though I've been a frequent flyer for many years, I've never ever done status runs before. However, it looks like I may possibly be falling short for requalifying for WP this year by 120SC. I'm based in Sydney and won't have the opportunity to do status runs in the US. Any general advice about status runs from Sydney (obviously keeping costs to a minimum as well)? Thanks in advance.

I am in the same boat except I am gunning for WP for the first time and need 115SC.

A return flight to CNS via BNE on a Flex Y ticket will get you 100SC for around $650.

 

[MH_fan]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

I am in the same boat except I am gunning for WP for the first time and need 115SC.

A return flight to CNS via BNE on a Flex Y ticket will get you 100SC for around $650.

That sounds good. That'll get me close enough to the 120SC I need at a little over half the price compared to the J ticket to AKL except my searches are quoting over $700.

 

[turnip666]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

What I'm trying to do is not really a status run, in that I am trying to maximize SC's in getting to places I want to go.

I will be in SFO April 1st and then want a stop in TPA- PHL (or New York) and back to SFO and leaving on 14th. Picking the routes that offer the best SC's are:

SFO-ORD-TPA for $595/ 210SC's

TPA-ORD-PHL- $310 / 130SC's

Pricing it as multi cities come is the same as one way and while they are far better than QF earn rates, it comes in at about A$3.90.

I could go return the same way to double SC's and price? Can anyone suggest some alternatives or ways to improve my earn?

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Question for the brains trust: for those who have taken AAdvantage of some of the US domestic runs, presuming OLCI has been completed, how late can one turn up to the airport to take their flight?

I have an SEA-PHX-ORD-PHX-SEA booked, with the first flight departure at 05:00. I am staying in downtown Seattle and was planning on getting a taxi at 04:00, getting me to SEA around 04:20-04:30. Does this give me enough time? Hand luggage only and will have OLCI/Mobile BP in hand.

 

[defurax]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Question for the brains trust: for those who have taken AAdvantage of some of the US domestic runs, presuming OLCI has been completed, how late can one turn up to the airport to take their flight?

I have an SEA-PHX-ORD-PHX-SEA booked, with the first flight departure at 05:00. I am staying in downtown Seattle and was planning on getting a taxi at 04:00, getting me to SEA around 04:20-04:30. Does this give me enough time? Hand luggage only and will have OLCI/Mobile BP in hand.

AA often starts boarding 45 minutes before scheduled departure, so I would be at the gate at 4:15AM.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

AA often starts boarding 45 minutes before scheduled departure, so I would be at the gate at 4:15AM.

Thanks for the tip, guess it will be a very very early morning for me :-/

Will look at leaving hotel around 03:30 then.

 

[defurax]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Thanks for the tip, guess it will be a very very early morning for me :-/

Will look at leaving hotel around 03:30 then.

AA says 15 minutes before departure...https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInfor...n=DirectURL&title=arrivaltimes#minimumcheckin

But I think sometimes the main door is already closed at that time...

 

[DC3]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

If you miss the 5.00am flight , how much will it impact on the rest of the flights?

I'm always very cautious regarding arrival for the first flight. I have SEA-PHX-DFW-ORD-BOS on the same day, in a few months time, and I will be at the airport 2+ hours before the 8.30am flight is due to depart SEA.

SEA will be pretty quiet for your 5.00am departure but I wouldn't plan on getting there less than 60-75 minutes prior, unless you are familiar with the airport. And, yes, boarding may start early.

 

[Flyingdr]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Having just achieved the elusive QFF gold(2 return business flights "points+pay" SYD-CAN got me over the line), I'm now keen to keep it! Am wondering about suggestions to maximise SC's on a return London to Rome flight July /Aug this year? I'm looking at BA, but open to suggestions. There seem to be quite variable prices/earning options depending on whether you fly out of LHR or Gatwick...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

BA will be minimum QF SC earn, but could be the only way.
Check and see if the 2 cities are covered by an EK metal but QF flight number, this would be the best way to earn max QF SC.
If not, then the BA will be one of the only ways, all the OW airlines will put your SC to your QF account, but the earn rate is low.
Edit: the city airport code for Canberra is not CAN, thats Canton in China I believe. Unless of course that is where you mean to go/write about!
Canberra is CBR.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

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

I suspect EK are not flying the London to Rome route at this time.... unless going via Dubai.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

AA says 15 minutes before departure...https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInfor...n=DirectURL&title=arrivaltimes#minimumcheckin

But I think sometimes the main door is already closed at that time...

If you miss the 5.00am flight , how much will it impact on the rest of the flights?

I'm always very cautious regarding arrival for the first flight. I have SEA-PHX-DFW-ORD-BOS on the same day, in a few months time, and I will be at the airport 2+ hours before the 8.30am flight is due to depart SEA.

SEA will be pretty quiet for your 5.00am departure but I wouldn't plan on getting there less than 60-75 minutes prior, unless you are familiar with the airport. And, yes, boarding may start early.

Thanks for the info. I'll aim for 4am at the terminal but won't be going earlier than that.

Surely business travellers in the US aren't going to be turning up an hour before their flight in F, but as I don't know the airport, perhaps sage advice.

If the first sector is missed, the remaining connections are near impossible.

I plan to do mobile check in, so it's straight through security and to the gate. I think there's a lounge with Alaskan you can get into but not sure I will be bothered. Will need some serious coffee that day and am kinda dreading the prospect. Leaving hotel at 03:30, back at hotel around midnight, all going to plan. Some holiday!

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Having just achieved the elusive QFF gold(2 return business flights "points+pay" SYD-CAN got me over the line), I'm now keen to keep it! Am wondering about suggestions to maximise SC's on a return London to Rome flight July /Aug this year? I'm looking at BA, but open to suggestions. There seem to be quite variable prices/earning options depending on whether you fly out of LHR or Gatwick...

If you book economy on BA you will most likely be offered a £99 upgrade which can be good value. Just be careful though as QF credits you as 0 SCs if BA put you in U class, which the website does from time to time. Call up instead and you should end up in a revenue class.

Other options are a long way around like LHR-HEL-FCO etc. So may not be worth it

 

[Flashback]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

If you book economy on BA you will most likely be offered a £99 upgrade which can be good value. Just be careful though as QF credits you as 0 SCs if BA put you in U class, which the website does from time to time. Call up instead and you should end up in a revenue class.

Other options are a long way around like LHR-HEL-FCO etc. So may not be worth it

The days of cheap POUG offers from BA are long gone: Pro-active Online Upgrade (POUG) tracking and discussion | 2016 thread - Page 2 - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[medhead]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Somewhat conflicted:

1. Want to tell you about my recent booking for Australasian flights under 24 hours out of the house, @$4.26/SC, but
2. it involves 737s only, and
3. no good lounges, and
4. uses 50% bonus SC.

 

[snabbu]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Question for the brains trust: for those who have taken AAdvantage of some of the US domestic runs, presuming OLCI has been completed, how late can one turn up to the airport to take their flight?

I have an SEA-PHX-ORD-PHX-SEA booked, with the first flight departure at 05:00. I am staying in downtown Seattle and was planning on getting a taxi at 04:00, getting me to SEA around 04:20-04:30. Does this give me enough time? Hand luggage only and will have OLCI/Mobile BP in hand.

I'd ensure I was arriving at the airport at or before 0415 to be at the gate by 0430.

 

[Hvr]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Question for the brains trust: for those who have taken AAdvantage of some of the US domestic runs, presuming OLCI has been completed, how late can one turn up to the airport to take their flight?

I have an SEA-PHX-ORD-PHX-SEA booked, with the first flight departure at 05:00. I am staying in downtown Seattle and was planning on getting a taxi at 04:00, getting me to SEA around 04:20-04:30. Does this give me enough time? Hand luggage only and will have OLCI/Mobile BP in hand.

I think that's way too late. I've seen planes boarded and doors closing 15 minutes prior to the actual door closing time. Especially on the first flight of the day when the plane would most likely have spent the night at the airport and getting away on time is paramount so as to avoid delays throughout the rest of the day.

If there is the slightest problem then your waiting times can blow out very quickly. The TSA wait times are in this link. You're also assuming the taxi will turn up on time and not have any traffic issues.

Do you know the layout of SEATAC? If not you may well spend a few minutes walking around trying to find your gate.

For me personally I would plan to be air side at least an 90 minutes before boarding is due to start.

Other than that it sounds like a great run and one to check out later in the year.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Somewhat conflicted:

1. Want to tell you about my recent booking for Australasian flights under 24 hours out of the house, @$4.26/SC, but
2. it involves 737s only, and
3. no good lounges, and
4. uses 50% bonus SC.

That's what PMs are for isn't it?... Go on... You know you want to share.

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

... Alternatively, if you use Google flights there is a direct link to book the itinerary on AA.com (doesn't always work...).

Sometimes hard to get more than two or three segments on google flight.

I have booked and flown two MR's on AA through Orbitz using this:

ITA-Purchase Fares on Orbitz/Delta/United Userscript - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Thanks for the info. I'll aim for 4am at the terminal but won't be going earlier than that.
...

That's exactly what I would done (and have done). Use OLCI as well as use the AA App - screencopy the App BP's.