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

 

[zimzim]

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

Hi all,

Im a bit of a lurker, looking to get from lax to NYC maximising SC I have prob 2-3 days I can do it over.

any suggestions ?

also I remember reading something about a special way I needed to book (instant upgrade or something)? sorry I really poor at finding a good way to search for the info I want

thanks so much in advance

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

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

If you were flying from Au with QF and transitting LAX on the way to JFK (NYCity), you could get more QFF points.
BUT you are interested in SC, so your choice, if you do it, would be to fly flexY with AA and pick the cities by using LAX and JFK.
FlexY one way earns 50 QF SC, return 100.
WhY will earn 25 SC one way, Y will also earn 25 SC one way, so you will have to pay a bit more to do the trip in flexY to get 100 SC.
Apart from AA, (((I am no expert, so not sure if other airlines will earn QF SC))), so maybe on this trip, don't scrimp!
Edit: just had a look, Westjet only earns you QFF points, no SC.
Unless LA(N) flies the long way round, and you can get a ticket LAX - SCL - JFK (!), using AA is the only way to earn QF SC I guess.
There is something/some rule indeed that says unless you are a true international traveller, you can't book into a QF flight as a US dom pax, you have to fly a dom US airline.
But wait for a better informed person to say about this.

 

[JessicaTam]

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

Hi all,

Im a bit of a lurker, looking to get from lax to NYC maximising SC I have prob 2-3 days I can do it over.

any suggestions ?

also I remember reading something about a special way I needed to book (instant upgrade or something)? sorry I really poor at finding a good way to search for the info I want

thanks so much in advance

A straight west to east coast will not really generate any great runs. Try searching for (say) LAX-PTY-JFK using Google Flights. Then start putting the interim cities suggested into the multi-city engine and search again. Set AA as the carrier, and Business/First as the class. It may take a bit of work, but hopefully you will find something in the order of 300-500 SC.

Avoid AA in anything other than Business (int) or First (dom).

Any OneWorld carrier will earn SCs.

 

[zimzim]

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

A straight west to east coast will not really generate any great runs. Try searching for (say) LAX-PTY-JFK using Google Flights. Then start putting the interim cities suggested into the multi-city engine and search again. Set AA as the carrier, and Business/First as the class. It may take a bit of work, but hopefully you will find something in the order of 300-500 SC.

Avoid AA in anything other than Business (int) or First (dom).

Any OneWorld carrier will earn SCs.

Do I in fact need to go to PTY, (it came out at $4k !!!!

 

[sostopher]

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

Do I in fact need to go to PTY, (it came out at $4k !!!!

Yes, PTY usually has the lowest fares.

Look for better pricing, obviously that's where the trick lies in getting these good runs. You can't just plug in any old dates.

 

[Tonkatough]

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

Re the bold text - I would usually recommend a break in between flights, if possible, of one departure (ie you take the second flight not the most immediate connection). It depends on the timings, but leaving a reasonable gap rather than the sometimes 35-50 minutes or so gives a bit of leeway in the event of IRROPS.

USA First class is a bit of an acquired taste. You have to set your expectations accordingly - including eating prior to flights if you know they are outside meal times. AA is not too bad overall though. The alcohol and service usually make for a good flight.

Yes, an acquired taste indeed.
I was concerned with the connection time, one of 34 minutes, so I asked the question and was advised on this forum:

If you can book it on the one ticket you are protected. If worst comes to worst AA may re-route you and/or downgrade you if you miss the connection but you can claim original routing credit through QFF for the ticket booked.

i hear what you're saying - some safety buffer and the potential domino effect missing one flight - but though I'd live on the edge with this one as taking later flights stretched things out significantly and time was of my essence..

 

[JessicaTam]

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

Ah the joys of status running. My flight PHL-MIA was late in so I missed my connection to PTY. There had been some mechanical issues with the aircraft earlier so I was due transfers/meals and food which helped. (AA don't give vouchers if the delays are only weather related). I have spent the night at the Element (by Starwood) Airport hotel, which has been rather pleasant.

Pity those who have a short turn-around in PTY when these things happen. Fortunately I have three (now two) nights in PTY which whilst cutting into my tourist time, doesn't upset my travel plans.

Remember folks, the longer your itinerary, the bigger the flow on affect from delays.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Yes, an acquired taste indeed.
I was concerned with the connection time, one of 34 minutes, so I asked the question and was advised on this forum:

34 minutes is tight - if your follow on flights are all carefully scripted you could find yourself in coach with few amenities (not the end of the world, but not somewhere you probably want to spend half a day).

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

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

Hello again to our AAmerican experts. After many hours of playing around I have finally found a run from New York that does not match the LAX value but is still miles better than anything I can get in Oz. My question is: how the hell do I book it? I know you can't from ITA and I've googled and seen a lot of folks recommend Hipmunk. I've tried that and it won't recreate it on there. I've tried the multi-city tool on aa.com and that doesn't work either.

Can anyone offer any tips for getting an OTA to recreate the itinerary?

 

[NZ_Flyer]

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

Hello again to our AAmerican experts. After many hours of playing around I have finally found a run from New York that does not match the LAX value but is still miles better than anything I can get in Oz. My question is: how the hell do I book it? I know you can't from ITA and I've googled and seen a lot of folks recommend Hipmunk. I've tried that and it won't recreate it on there. I've tried the multi-city tool on aa.com and that doesn't work either.

Can anyone offer any tips for getting an OTA to recreate the itinerary?

There is a link somewhere on this thread to a thread on Flyertalk which has instructions on how to add on a user script to Chrome/Firefox which adds booking links from ITA. Once you install the script (easy) then you do a usual search on matrix and on the final itinerary page you'll see a link to AA for booking.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Hello again to our AAmerican experts. After many hours of playing around I have finally found a run from New York that does not match the LAX value but is still miles better than anything I can get in Oz. My question is: how the hell do I book it? I know you can't from ITA and I've googled and seen a lot of folks recommend Hipmunk. I've tried that and it won't recreate it on there. I've tried the multi-city tool on aa.com and that doesn't work either.

Can anyone offer any tips for getting an OTA to recreate the itinerary?

generally you should be able to use the AA USA website. Go to 'multi city' and enter the main city pairs as individual segments. Options should then present themselves not only for non-stop on the main city pair, but with connections. For example LGA-DFW will come up non-stop, but also with various routings via other USA cities. With multi city you can put together several of those multi-segment tickets to price out overall.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

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

Hmmmm that didn't work at all thanks MEL_Traveller. I managed to get Hipmunk to produce one of the ITA options. Unfortunately it was the one with a 6:15am start rather than my much preferred 8am start. Anyway after getting frustrated I've just booked it. What's a couple of hours less sleep!

For anyone interested - $794 AUD will net 290 status credits routing LGA-CLT-DFW-MSY-DCA-BOS.

Ironically this ends me where I need to go so an added bonus!

 

[Flashback]

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

There is a link somewhere on this thread to a thread on Flyertalk which has instructions on how to add on a user script to Chrome/Firefox which adds booking links from ITA. Once you install the script (easy) then you do a usual search on matrix and on the final itinerary page you'll see a link to AA for booking.

This one?
FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Premium Fare deals (J and F)

 

[sostopher]

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

There is a link somewhere on this thread to a thread on Flyertalk which has instructions on how to add on a user script to Chrome/Firefox which adds booking links from ITA. Once you install the script (easy) then you do a usual search on matrix and on the final itinerary page you'll see a link to AA for booking.

This is better and updated pretty regularly: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tra...ipt-orbitz-dl-ua-aa-ba-cz-ib-la-lh-lx-tk.html

 

[waz22]

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

Hi all,
Thanks to everyone's advise a few weeks back, on Thursday I depart on my first domestic status run MEL-SYD-OOL-SYD-MEL to achieve Gold Status for the first time.
We are moving to London later this month and will be obviously traveling through Europe alot, is there any advise on destinations and methods to maximize status credits to ensure Gold is retained (will fly back to Oz with QF to ensure minimum flight no's are achieved).
Thanks again,
Waz

 

[RichardMEL]

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

Hi all,
Thanks to everyone's advise a few weeks back, on Thursday I depart on my first domestic status run MEL-SYD-OOL-SYD-MEL to achieve Gold Status for the first time.
We are moving to London later this month and will be obviously traveling through Europe alot, is there any advise on destinations and methods to maximize status credits to ensure Gold is retained (will fly back to Oz with QF to ensure minimum flight no's are achieved).
Thanks again,
Waz

Obviously you'd want to fly on Oneworld airlines within europe - be it BA, IB, AB, AY and S7 which come to mind. You'd probably want to look at the earnings tables as some may pay better than others, you may also consider connections, depending on pricing, say on AY via HEL - long winded, but could help with those SC's

really though if you're moving to London - permanently? for a few years work related? you may want to consider, post next membership year, looking at a european program, such as BA Exec Club, to join and use, since your QF flights home can also qualify for status in that program but you'd need to do the sums on which would work out better for you in the short/medium/long term

IMHO.

Congrats on heading to Gold It will make a difference

 

[gbetox]

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

Hello all,

Any good runs out of Washington DC?

Is this any good:

IAD/CLT/ORD/DFW/LAX/PHX/SEA = 400 SC, USD 984

Cheers

 

[thomasfedb]

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

I'm flying PER-CBR on July 15 and returning July 17, planning a Points+Pay booking with 125,000 QFF points to use.

Trying to work on my SC balance, currently I'd get 60 SC for the return journey. Any tips for getting a better outcome? Happy to go via MEL or SYD.

The alternative of course is a J award booking, which is quite tempting.

 

[sostopher]

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

Welcome to AFF!

Any tips for getting a better outcome?

Paying for your flights with money so you get SC's may help as booking flights with points doesn't earn you SC's.

 

[thomasfedb]

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

Paying for your flights with money so you get SC's may help as booking flights with points doesn't earn you SC's.

According to the QF website, Points+Pay earns SCs:

All available seats on Qantas or Jetstar flights can be booked using a combination of Qantas Points plus cash† when you login to Your Account. ... Plus, you'll also earn Qantas Points and Status Credits on eligible flights* as you would with a cash fare.