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.

---

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

 

[Quickstatus]

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

Transtasman in EK F to NZ about $10/SC depending of discounts.

Still a lot of $$ to spend for 320 SC

At $10 per SC it could cost you $3200 to get WP. Is it that worth it?.

 

[wafliron]

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

Transtasman in EK F to NZ about $10/SC depending of discounts.

Thanks, will check it out.

Still a lot of $$ to spend for 320 SC

At $10 per SC it could cost you $3200 to get WP. Is it that worth it?.

For $3200 cash, no, definitely not. But if I move quickly it'll be 215 SCs rather than 320, and I have a lot of QF points so I'm willing to (inefficiently) burn some via a points + pay booking, at least to a point.

Hence, scoping out what the cheapest option is, and will then make a decision on whether it's worth it or not.

 

[Quickstatus]

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

AP is sensitive to the looks of border agents.

Whereas I lack imagination since I noticed no looks at all when doing MEL-SIN-BKK-KUL-SIN-KUL-BKK-MEL in 40 hours.

HLO? Was there a stopover?

 

[Quickstatus]

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

Thanks, will check it out.



For $3200 cash, no, definitely not. But if I move quickly it'll be 215 SCs rather than 320, and I have a lot of QF points so I'm willing to (inefficiently) burn some via a points + pay booking, at least to a point.

Hence, scoping out what the cheapest option is, and will then make a decision on whether it's worth it or not.

Can you do the entire 320 during the Aquire 50% period?

If so then a EK J to NZ return will net 240SC

 

[Moindardt]

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

Moindardt, I haven't flown for a while and need to be in London 1st week of April the start of my QF FF year starting from scratch. I plan to fly to LAX and the do a SC run or 2. In ref to your comment A basic LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY is about A$1000 and get 500 SC - I cant seem to get it over 440 SCs which is Biz via JFK but even then I cant find the route via JFK on the AA.com site...Any tips on what I am missing or my process.

If you are QF status running, it is about maximising the number of legs in First, not miles BIS like AA. If you are going LAX-JFK, then you do it via DFW, not direct or LAX-DFW-BOS-DFW-JFK. I put this together without trying to maximise SC or minimise price in 2 mins http://goo.gl/flights/KVXp Keep in mind PTY requires a Saturday night.

I use PTY as an example because it is a standard run for people who don't want to do too much and AA works on miles. If you really want to do it, check further up the list where we have lots of 500SC+ runs in one day. Lot harder on the body but lots of points and cheap in one day. You can do 2-3 days without having to pay for a hotel or meal to get to WP.

 

[Moindardt]

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

Plan Vs Actual...or will I go mad?

I have a run planned SFO-DFW-ORD-DTW-DFW-TPA for 420 SC's.

However the first loeg leaves SFO at 12.25AM and ends in TPA at 8.42pm the same day.

Will my luggage keep up?

Will I be praying for a missed connection and a reroute so i can go direct to TPA instead of DFW for the third time and get an ORC?

Will I be burned out and be unable to repeat the return journey 7 days later?

Will I be like MArge Simpson running up and down the aisle screaming 'LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME OUT"?

We did similar 3 days in a row and it was fine. Just make sure you pack clothes in hand luggage in case it does go astray.

 

[Moindardt]

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

Thanks, will check it out.



For $3200 cash, no, definitely not. But if I move quickly it'll be 215 SCs rather than 320, and I have a lot of QF points so I'm willing to (inefficiently) burn some via a points + pay booking, at least to a point.

Hence, scoping out what the cheapest option is, and will then make a decision on whether it's worth it or not.

Little bit more expensive but you do MEL-SYD-BKK for a weekend for $3500 and 320 SC's.

 

[gizzard]

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

I need 320 SCs, which becomes 215 if I book something today or tomorrow and take advantage of the 50% bonus SC offer through Aquire (I know, I know, leaving it till last minute).

MEL-xBNE-DRW is 140 in J for $1037
The same route in Flex Y is 70 SC for $607

The 2 together are 210 leaving you 5 short so you may have to throw in something else or do a J return.

 

[Captain Halliday]

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

If you are QF status running, it is about maximising the number of legs in First, not miles BIS like AA. If you are going LAX-JFK, then you do it via DFW, not direct or LAX-DFW-BOS-DFW-JFK. I put this together without trying to maximise SC or minimise price in 2 mins http://goo.gl/flights/KVXp Keep in mind PTY requires a Saturday night.

I use PTY as an example because it is a standard run for people who don't want to do too much and AA works on miles. If you really want to do it, check further up the list where we have lots of 500SC+ runs in one day. Lot harder on the body but lots of points and cheap in one day. You can do 2-3 days without having to pay for a hotel or meal to get to WP.

Moindardt are you searching these in ITA first and then reproducing them in Google flights? And if you're searching direct in Google flights are you just putting in known status run cities and then working the dates?

I'm in LA from 27 Mar and need 421 SC by 31 March to qualify for WP and I can't make any of the known runs work for under USD3/SC.

Any tips for how you're turning up runs like that under USD2/SC?

 

[Kefci2000]

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

This is a $6100 BNE-SIN-NRT-LAX r/t http://goo.gl/flights/UuBw 25k Miles 720 SC
This is a $7200 BNE-SIN-NRT-LAX-JFK-NRT-HKG-BNE http://goo.gl/flights/rGgc 780 SC
This is a $7900 BNE-SIN-NRT-LAX-JFK-LAX-NRT-HKG-BNE worked on ITA but too many for google link 840 SC

Honestly, I would do the first one and add a standard mileage run that has a stopover in NYC for more SC and less dollars. A basic LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY is about A$1000 and get 500 SC, so for $7100 you get your platinum renewal.

Working on maximising this flight I posted in the Cheap International fares. Turns out it is a cost-effective way of flying J to LOFTAM with good SC. http://www.australianfrequentflyer....es/bne-hkg-nrt-lax-jfk-74242.html#post1402789

If you are going to spend this kind of coin you are better off doing a DONE4 out of JNB for about $6.5k and use points for positioning flights.

Depending on how many stops you fit in you can do 1000-1200 SC

 

[serfty]

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

For the first time in a long time I need to do a status run to retain WP, so looking for some advice please.
...

Get yourself to the USA - you have some points.

Once there (LAX/DFW/SFO) 320 SC's can be had for about AUD800 easily.

When do you need to get this done by and how much time do you have in doing it?

 

[Captain Halliday]

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

Get yourself to the USA - you have some points.

Once there (LAX/DFW/SFO) 320 SC's can be had for about AUD800 easily.

When do you need to get this done by and how much time do you have in doing it?

Isn't that run rtn 360SC Serfty or has it been enhanced?

 

[Moindardt]

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

Moindardt are you searching these in ITA first and then reproducing them in Google flights? And if you're searching direct in Google flights are you just putting in known status run cities and then working the dates?

I'm in LA from 27 Mar and need 421 SC by 31 March to qualify for WP and I can't make any of the known runs work for under USD3/SC.

Any tips for how you're turning up runs like that under USD2/SC?

That was just me going to google flights, plugging in some cities and dates and moving the dates a few times to see if prices dropped, then picking the most bounced around flights. There was a lot further up the list where we went into detail. These are just some that almost fit (in AUD). BTW, 421? seriously? that eliminates all the 420 SC runs

$1787 460SC $3.88 http://goo.gl/flights/N0oR
$1709 480SC $3.56 http://goo.gl/flights/N0oR $2.50 US

There was quite a few that came up at 420 for less than $1500. Shame to miss out on WP by 1SC. As I said, just plugging in some cities and dates. If it was me I would be using ITA matrix because I can do 6 stops, I just wanted to give you something to work towards.

 

[turnip666]

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

Interested to see how you go. Is the itinerary robust enough to cover potential delays cancellations?

Have you thought about UPS your luggage to final destination?

Whats your estimated $$ per SC?

My original routing was SFO-ORD-DFW-TPA but when offered I chose flights with the best connection SC wise if there wasn't much of a cost penalty. I also have TPA-PHL a few days later for a total of 510SC for $1222 , so about $A3.40 per SC.

There is only 38 minutes between ORD-DTW-DFW, and my concern is always with luggage keeping up with all the connections. If as someone suggested I might have to recheck I'll be stuck in Detroit.

However if there are any issues with delays, wouldn't there be the likelihood of being re-routed on a more direct flight through to TPA?

 

[Captain Halliday]

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

That was just me going to google flights, plugging in some cities and dates and moving the dates a few times to see if prices dropped, then picking the most bounced around flights. There was a lot further up the list where we went into detail. These are just some that almost fit (in AUD). BTW, 421? seriously? that eliminates all the 420 SC runs

$1787 460SC $3.88 http://goo.gl/flights/N0oR
$1709 480SC $3.56 http://goo.gl/flights/N0oR $2.50 US

There was quite a few that came up at 420 for less than $1500. Shame to miss out on WP by 1SC. As I said, just plugging in some cities and dates. If it was me I would be using ITA matrix because I can do 6 stops, I just wanted to give you something to work towards.

The 421 is driving me crazy. It came about as a result of a 50% bonus SC offer. I flew SYD-LAX in Y earning 45 then LAX-BNE for another 45. Despite the well established principle to round 22.5 up to 23, QF credited only 22 bonus SC for each sector. I'm tempted to call and challenge them but it was 9 months ago so I suspect it'll be pointless.

Anyhow I've been using ITA so I'll keep tinkering. I hadn't thrown BOS in so I'll add that to the mix. Thanks for your help!

 

[serfty]

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

Isn't that run rtn 360SC Serfty or has it been enhanced?

I was thinking of travel to one airport then a well known MR to another then back to West coast USA.

Farthest East port being DFW.

 

[Captain Halliday]

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

I was thinking of travel to one airport then a well known MR to another then back to West coast USA.

Farthest East port being DFW.

Right. I'm with you now.

 

[Claudius]

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

How are people getting so many SCs for AA flights? I plugged in a SJC-***-***-SJU flight and this nets 55 SCs on the Qantas points calculator. Is the calculator wrong or am I missing something?

 

[turnip666]

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

How are people getting so many SCs for AA flights? I plugged in a SJC-***-***-SJU flight and this nets 55 SCs on the Qantas points calculator. Is the calculator wrong or am I missing something?

Are you using F class?

 

[Moindardt]

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

Just a reminder to people using ITA Matrix to switch on the cents per mile functionality as well. Can be very helpful to sort by that as better runs might be on page 16 and you will never see them.