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

 

[mviy]

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

H all as first time poster its going to sound a lazy question, however can someone suggest the most economic way from 0-platinum using the current DSC offer. I am not phased about the 3~ as I already have these but only 30SC, I will have lots of travel in next 2 years, however all economy.
happy to go almost anywhere and can spend few days (Ihad quick trawl thru forums but could not see a simple definitive answer

This depends on various factors including your starting airport, how much time you have to take the flights, whether you are willing to take international flights, whether you have any work travel e.g. to the US that you can book now.

If you can visit the US for work and extend your time there a bit doing a status run that would probably be cheapest even though you wouldn't get DSC for AA flights within America (there are a few AA flights to/from the US that qualify for DSC which you can see in the T&Cs).

The cheapest way to get that many SCs would involve taking a number of indirect flights. You can earn a lot more SCs flying indirect routes than taking a direct flight.

 

[zimzim]

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

Happy to go anywhere and starting Melbourne or Syd, im looking to do one "blowout" to get the SC, happy to travel international starting from melbourne or sydney

This depends on various factors including your starting airport, how much time you have to take the flights, whether you are willing to take international flights, whether you have any work travel e.g. to the US that you can book now.

If you can visit the US for work and extend your time there a bit doing a status run that would probably be cheapest even though you wouldn't get DSC for AA flights.

 

[mviy]

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

Happy to go anywhere and starting Melbourne or Syd, im looking to do one "blowout" to get the SC, happy to travel international starting from melbourne or sydney

Well you could probably fly to HNL on QANTAS, book through AA to fly over the US and back to HNL and then fly home, I guess. You would have to compare that to flying somewhere else in the US e.g. LAX to start a run.

Get to the US as cheaply as you can and then do a run booking to fly first through AA. The AA run won't earn double SC as only a select few flights from AU to/from US on AA qualify for DSC (see the T&Cs) but still the flights within the US will be cheaper per SC.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

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

H all as first time poster its going to sound a lazy question, however can someone suggest the most economic way from 0-platinum using the current DSC offer. I am not phased about the 3~ as I already have these but only 30SC, I will have lots of travel in next 2 years, however all economy.
happy to go almost anywhere and can spend few days (Ihad quick trawl thru forums but could not see a simple definitive answer

From Sydney to Europe return in J will do it provided you fly on QF metal to London and then a oneworld carrier (BA, AB, AY or IB) to a European destination.

 

[mviy]

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

From Sydney to Europe return in J will do it provided you fly on QF metal to London and then a oneworld carrier (BA, AB, AY or IB) to a European destination.

That's time effective but I would call it the "most economic way". It depends what you value most, time or $$ spent.

You could do e.g. MEL - BNE - CNS day trips in J three times for a bit under 6.5k all up which would certainly be cheaper than going to LHR in J, but would still be more expensive than going to the US and doing a run there when you are after 1370 SCs.

There are options which would involve overnight stays, going to NZ etc. too.

 

[medhead]

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

Ok so work has ended my need to be in Melbourne, so I am currently looking for 185SC from Canberra. I can bus to Sydney and potentially do a run from there. Any ideas? I know fares out of Canberra are not ideal but there's an additional 6 hours on a weekend wasted getting to/from sydney to consider.

You might be better using CBR as a starting point, look for connections beyond Sydney and Melbourne. Perhaps to Cairns/Townsville/Gold Coast. Anywhere without a direct flight.

 

[zimzim]

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

You might be better using CBR as a starting point, look for connections beyond Sydney and Melbourne. Perhaps to Cairns/Townsville/Gold Coast. Anywhere without a direct flight.

any suggestions for Asia?

 

[Sdtravel]

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

As many as I can get for $2000-$3000!
I still need 1160 this status year so the more the better.
J return PER-SYD-DXB-LHR-CDG would do it with the promotion but I won't be able to put that on the credit card until next month!

So far the best I can come up with is PER-(SYD/MEL/BNE)-AKL return.

Don't know if it would work but isn't there pay $100 now holding fee. Pay the rest later. I don't know if that works. I doubt it will work with the offer.

Another possibility is find a willing travel agent who is willing to take a $3k deposit and ticket the booking now and you pay the rest later. Most though won't ticket without full payment. But if you are on good terms with one it might be possible.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

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

Zimzim, this in J will get you very close.
NOTE: NOT cheap, but will do it.
You can go with flexY for all the below, cheaper, but only half the SC.
Is it you in CBR?
CBR - SYD J 40 (QF)
SYD - AKL J 80 (QF)
AKL - HKG J 140 (CX)
HKG - DXB J 120 (CX)
DXB - SIN J 100 (QF)
SIN - MEL J 120 (QF)
MEL - CBR J 40 (QF)
640 x 2 with DSC = 1280 QF SC.
If you want some flights in Asia, you can go part with flexY on the above itinerary.

 

[eminere]

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

Zimzim, this in J will get you very close.
NOTE: NOT cheap, but will do it.
You can go with flexY for all the below, cheaper, but only half the SC.
Is it you in CBR?
CBR - SYD J 40 (QF)
SYD - AKL J 80 (QF)
AKL - HKG J 140 (CX)
HKG - DXB J 120 (CX)
DXB - SIN J 100 (QF)
SIN - MEL J 120 (QF)
MEL - CBR J 40 (QF)
640 x 2 with DSC = 1280 QF SC.
If you want some flights in Asia, you can go part with flexY on the above itinerary.

Have you read the terms and conditions of this promotion? To qualify for double Status Credits your flight must be both marketed and operated by QF (with the limited exception of the listed AA codeshares). Your CX suggestions above are therefore not eligible for double Status Credits earn.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

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

Ah, yes, as usual, that one I forogt... typical eh... then maybe AKL - to the US with AA is a possibilty.

 

[medhead]

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

any suggestions for Asia?

If you want to get to Asia you're kind of stuck with Qantas flights as Australia to Asia has poor earning on Oneworld partners. Meaning NRT/HND (basically Tokyo), SIN, HKG. Reading between the lines on AFF it seems AKL to asia might be a good option, try Srilankan airlines (Oneworld partner) first. There are some advantages with Srilankan airlines that should become obvious if you do a search.

Flying within Asia, about all I know about is to look for flights starting in BKK with MH. Say BKK to MNL, HKG or perhaps Colombo. All routes that have been mentioned on AFF anyway. Apparently there are also some other tag flights by Royal Jordanian and perhaps CX that might be cheap and can earn well. Sure intra asia isn't going to earn double but there can be price advantages.

Sorry if I'm not giving outright answers, I only know the theory. Others will chime in with better details I'm sure.

 

[zimzim]

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

If you want to get to Asia you're kind of stuck with Qantas flights as Australia to Asia has poor earning on Oneworld partners. Meaning NRT/HND (basically Tokyo), SIN, HKG. Reading between the lines on AFF it seems AKL to asia might be a good option, try Srilankan airlines (Oneworld partner) first. There are some advantages with Srilankan airlines that should become obvious if you do a search.

Flying within Asia, about all I know about is to look for flights starting in BKK with MH. Say BKK to MNL, HKG or perhaps Colombo. All routes that have been mentioned on AFF anyway. Apparently there are also some other tag flights by Royal Jordanian and perhaps CX that might be cheap and can earn well. Sure intra asia isn't going to earn double but there can be price advantages.

Sorry if I'm not giving outright answers, I only know the theory. Others will chime in with better details I'm sure.

So Just done calcs and Auk looks like the best value per sc ? any I am missing or someone got a spreadsheet they might share

[TABLE="width: 512"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 64"]from[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"][/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]where[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]ow/ret[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]points[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]dsc[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]$[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]Per SC[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]j[/TD]
[TD]Auk[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]80[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]160[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]659[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4.11875[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]j[/TD]
[TD]sing[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]120[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]240[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1549[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6.454167[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]j[/TD]
[TD="class: xl63, width: 64"]Taipei[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]160[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]320[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2000[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6.25[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]j[/TD]
[TD]holoallul[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]140[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]280[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2410[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8.607143[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]economy[/TD]
[TD]hk[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]60[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]120[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]749.5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6.245833[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[greenfish]

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

So Just done calcs and Auk looks like the best value per sc ? any I am missing or someone got a spreadsheet they might share

[TABLE="width: 512"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 64"]from[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"][/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]where[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]ow/ret[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]points[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]dsc[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]$[/TD]
[TD="width: 64"]Per SC[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]j[/TD]
[TD]Auk[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]80[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]160[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]659[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4.11875[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]j[/TD]
[TD]sing[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]120[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]240[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1549[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6.454167[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]j[/TD]
[TD="class: xl63, width: 64"]Taipei[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]160[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]320[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2000[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6.25[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]j[/TD]
[TD]holoallul[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]140[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]280[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2410[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8.607143[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]mel[/TD]
[TD]economy[/TD]
[TD]hk[/TD]
[TD]ow[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]60[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]120[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]749.5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6.245833[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Try MEL-SYD-WLG o/w $887 for 240 DSC costing about $3.70 per SC over, (40+80 SCs, doubled)
WLG-SYD-MEL o/w NZD829 - AUD765 costing about 3.19 per SC home (80+40 SCs, doubled)

 

[serfty]

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

H all as first time poster its going to sound a lazy question, however can someone suggest the most economic way from 0-platinum using the current DSC offer. I am not phased about the 3~ as I already have these but only 30SC, I will have lots of travel in next 2 years, however all economy.
happy to go almost anywhere and can spend few days (Ihad quick trawl thru forums but could not see a simple definitive answer

Fly to the USA on QF in economy for perhaps $1k. That's at least 180 SC's return with double SC's.

Then earn another 1220 SC's for about $2½K flying AA First/Business.

 

[zimzim]

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

Fly to the USA on QF in economy for perhaps $1k. That's at least 180 SC's return with double SC's.

Then earn another 1220 SC's for about $2½K flying AA First/Business.

You mean 1k ?

any suggestions which will mean not spending weeks flying about ? im happy spending 3-3500 in US, if it means less time

 

[Aussie_flyer]

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

You mean 1k ?

any suggestions which will mean not spending weeks flying about ? im happy spending 3-3500 in US, if it means less time

Theres 338 pages of suggestions in this thread...there is nothing that hasn't been covered

 

[serfty]

You mean 1k ?

any suggestions which will mean not spending weeks flying about ? im happy spending 3-3500 in US, if it means less time

Yeah, you can easily do it in a week - I suggest you look at my more recent posts in this thread for clues ...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

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

I was corrected on this here in the past.
Auckland NZ is coded AKL if you use ICAO 3 alphabet code.
Adelaide for eg is ADL and not ADE.
There is also a 4 alphabet airport code, not sure who owns that one.

 

[RichardMEL]

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

I was corrected on this here in the past.
Auckland NZ is coded AKL if you use ICAO 3 alphabet code.
Adelaide for eg is ADL and not ADE.
There is also a 4 alphabet airport code, not sure who owns that one.

not too sure how this is relevant to the thread?

Anyway the 4 letter codes, eg: YMML for Melbourne, YSSY=SYD, EGLL=London Heathrow, etc are used for air navigation, among other things.