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

 

[Sumnerned]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Looking for some advice. I plan to go to Costa Rica (SJO) sometime in my next membership year, Nov to Oct. It wouldn't be a pure status run as I will stay in SJO for a week or so. Starting points could be LAX, JFK, MIA, AKL or somewhere in Europe. (I will be visiting family in UK in April.) Have played around a bit with ITA Matrix, but can never get a good price out of the multi-city feature.
Any suggestions?
Many thanks

 

[Flashback]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Looking for some advice. I plan to go to Costa Rica (SJO) sometime in my next membership year, Nov to Oct. It wouldn't be a pure status run as I will stay in SJO for a week or so. Starting points could be LAX, JFK, MIA, AKL or somewhere in Europe. (I will be visiting family in UK in April.) Have played around a bit with ITA Matrix, but can never get a good price out of the multi-city feature.
Any suggestions?
Many thanks

What a shame! You just missed a really good fare starting in BCN (via LON) to SJO! Of the starting points mentioned, LAX would be your best bet and you could use routings similar to the PTY runs.

 

[Sumnerned]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

What a shame! You just missed a really good fare starting in BCN (via LON) to SJO! Of the starting points mentioned, LAX would be your best bet and you could use routings similar to the PTY runs.

Ah well, I won't be making a final decision for some weeks. Still recovering from a 22 sector RTW (mostly award) trip! That said, for me there is no such thing as too much time in BCN so I will keep it on the radar. Thanks, Ned.

 

[upupandaway]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Looking for some advice. I plan to go to Costa Rica (SJO) sometime in my next membership year, Nov to Oct. It wouldn't be a pure status run as I will stay in SJO for a week or so. Starting points could be LAX, JFK, MIA, AKL or somewhere in Europe. (I will be visiting family in UK in April.) Have played around a bit with ITA Matrix, but can never get a good price out of the multi-city feature.
Any suggestions?
Many thanks

Summerned you are in luck. I see heaps of runs to sjo, again ex yvr.
About aud 900 should earn at least 700 SC's. Availability in november

 

[upupandaway]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Yvr-phx-las-lax-clt-mco-mia-sjo/sjo-mia-bos-dfw-yvr is 740 sc. AUD 894. Just an example. Requires overnight in BOS.

there are probably marginally better runs out there using yvr and sjo as start and turnaround ports. Good luck.

 

[choppa]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Relative new-comer to the thread / forums. I was wondering if anyone could assist me in my quest to obtain 460SC to keep gold at the lowest cost possible, between August 3rd and August 31st.

I just had a 50% SC bonus offer today and have almost all of August to effectively earn those SC's and visit new places while doing so (I guess I'd only need 310 SC's to qualify if I get 1.5x on each flight). My starting point is Melbourne, I have around 120k QFF points that I can use - I don't need to return by August 31 however I need to earn all points by August 31 as that is the anniversary date.

I wouldn't mind checking out some part of the Americas (north/south/central) as I've never been (I have a friend in Houston and one in San Francisco that I could visit), I have family in Europe that I'm keen to visit, or places in Asia/Africa I wouldn't mind going. One issue I have with is cost - I can't spend too much because I'm not in a position to do so right now.

Appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Sumnerned]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Yvr-phx-las-lax-clt-mco-mia-sjo/sjo-mia-bos-dfw-yvr is 740 sc. AUD 894. Just an example. Requires overnight in BOS.

there are probably marginally better runs out there using yvr and sjo as start and turnaround ports. Good luck.

Thanks a lot. Even starting from LAX, in Nov the SC/$ price is looking attractive.

 

[Sumnerned]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Relative new-comer to the thread / forums. I was wondering if anyone could assist me in my quest to obtain 460SC to keep gold at the lowest cost possible, between August 3rd and August 31st.

I just had a 50% SC bonus offer today and have almost all of August to effectively earn those SC's and visit new places while doing so (I guess I'd only need 310 SC's to qualify if I get 1.5x on each flight). My starting point is Melbourne, I have around 120k QFF points that I can use - I don't need to return by August 31 however I need to earn all points by August 31 as that is the anniversary date.

I wouldn't mind checking out some part of the Americas (north/south/central) as I've never been (I have a friend in Houston and one in San Francisco that I could visit), I have family in Europe that I'm keen to visit, or places in Asia/Africa I wouldn't mind going. One issue I have with is cost - I can't spend too much because I'm not in a position to do so right now.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Two possible approaches that come to mind. 1.Get to HNL either cheaply on Jet* or QF if they fly there to get the bomus SC's. Then AA in F to Houston or Central America. 2. There may be some semi-flex seats on QF to London, which would net 360 with the bonus, and the a couple of BA business flights.

You may struggle because of the Northern Hemisphere high season, especially HNL. Maybe try LAX or SFO as your US entry port.

 

[mrtupperware]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Hey guys,

Will be in the US (NYC) and need to get to LAX. Any suggestions about how to maximise QF Status credits through flying AA? Or what is the best way to search for fares? Ideally I need about 570 SC to reach gold, or 120 to keep my silver.

 

[Mark3000]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Yvr-phx-las-lax-clt-mco-mia-sjo/sjo-mia-bos-dfw-yvr is 740 sc. AUD 894. Just an example. Requires overnight in BOS.

there are probably marginally better runs out there using yvr and sjo as start and turnaround ports. Good luck.

That's awesome. What website do you use to search and book these?
Just aa.com one segment at a time ? or is there an easier way?
Thanks

 

[Moindardt]

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

Use google flight or ita matrix with the airline add on. Far easier than search on aa.com

 

[Moindardt]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Relative new-comer to the thread / forums. I was wondering if anyone could assist me in my quest to obtain 460SC to keep gold at the lowest cost possible, between August 3rd and August 31st.

I just had a 50% SC bonus offer today and have almost all of August to effectively earn those SC's and visit new places while doing so (I guess I'd only need 310 SC's to qualify if I get 1.5x on each flight). My starting point is Melbourne, I have around 120k QFF points that I can use - I don't need to return by August 31 however I need to earn all points by August 31 as that is the anniversary date.

I wouldn't mind checking out some part of the Americas (north/south/central) as I've never been (I have a friend in Houston and one in San Francisco that I could visit), I have family in Europe that I'm keen to visit, or places in Asia/Africa I wouldn't mind going. One issue I have with is cost - I can't spend too much because I'm not in a position to do so right now.

Appreciate any suggestions.

The biggest issue is getting out of Australia. Once you are out there is all sorts of wonderful trips. There are constant EU to Carribean specials going on. The standards like LAX/HNL/YVR to Central America are generally the cheapest with most SC or the visit all sorts of wonderful places in Asia.

Do points or cheap Y to HNL or LAX and then do an F run out of there. 460 is not hard with a one or two day multicity even if you use points to get there. Btw SFO is always more expensive than LAX.

Another is a cheap flight to HKG, BKuK, SIN or KUL and then the many cheap J flights around Asia.

If you are going to go down the path of going to the U.S. it might be almost as cheap to shoot for WP as it is to go for gold by doing a multi day with stopovers to see your friends and having a nice look around PTY or SJC or BOG. Keep in mind stopovers usually mean hotels so unless you have a friend, avoid them. AA F food is not the greatest but if you check the meals on the flights to make sure you are getting the right meals and not snacks, you should be able to avoid paying for any meals. As you are already Gold, make sure you have your QF card to access the admirals lounges, most of them have showers. Probably the most important is HLO or have somewhere you can drop your luggage at the start, it will never keep up with you.

Don't forget you can use your points for P&P which means you still earn points and SC on them. Not the most efficient use but helps the pocket.

 

[njba]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

The SC from my morning flight stubbornly refuse to post before my afternoon flight.

 

[njba]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Regardless of the SCs not posting, the CSM gave me a lovely bottle of red to celebrate this



Thanks, AFF!

 

[Cain]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Hi Looking to do a decent status run in mid sept

Going from ADL - LAX ~ 12th Sept - Blockout dates are 15-18th where i need to be in Bowling Green

Then leaving from LAX - ADL ~ 26th of Sept.

Cheers

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Hi Looking to do a decent status run in mid sept

Going from ADL - LAX ~ 12th Sept - Blockout dates are 15-18th where i need to be in Bowling Green

Then leaving from LAX - ADL ~ 26th of Sept.

Cheers

Good luck.

 

[j30max]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Regardless of the SCs not posting, the CSM gave me a lovely bottle of red to celebrate this

View attachment 75024

Thanks, AFF!

congrats mate, something for me to look forward to...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

For Cain, if doing it cheap, you could buy a Comfort Seat package, where you get the seat next to you all the way.
You have to phone QF telephone sales up, you effectively buy 2 seats, ie, one for yourself and the other for your "friend", friend pays no taxes.
You will earn SC for you and the friend. I have earnt double SC by doing this on one of my trips to NZ.
Going premY from SYD to the US will earn a bit more extra SC.
Of course, the more expensive way is to go J.
You could go ADL - SYD - AKL - US, ADL to AKL via SYD with QF and QF's Jetconnect, the AKL to the US with AA. Does take a bit longer, but you will earn a bit more SC going via NZ, (yes, I do realise that there are disadvantages to this long way around trip).
Try to get as many flights wtih QF as you, ie, with a QF flight number, or at the least with a OW airline.
From AKL you could go LA(N) to South America, and then up to the US.
In whY you won't earn plenty of SC though, higher classes/more stops, you earn more SC.
QF have a SC calcuator on their website.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

For Cain, if doing it cheap, you could buy a Comfort Seat package, where you get the seat next to you all the way.
You have to phone QF telephone sales up, you effectively buy 2 seats, ie, one for yourself and the other for your "friend", friend pays no taxes.
You will earn SC for you and the friend. I have earnt double SC by doing this on one of my trips to NZ.
Going premY from SYD to the US will earn a bit more extra SC.
Of course, the more expensive way is to go J.
You could go ADL - SYD - AKL - US, ADL to AKL via SYD with QF and QF's Jetconnect, the AKL to the US with AA. Does take a bit longer, but you will earn a bit more SC going via NZ, (yes, I do realise that there are disadvantages to this long way around trip).
Try to get as many flights wtih QF as you, ie, with a QF flight number, or at the least with a OW airline.
From AKL you could go LA(N) to South America, and then up to the US.
In whY you won't earn plenty of SC though, higher classes/more stops, you earn more SC.
QF have a SC calcuator on their website.

Comfort seats are not for a second person, but solely for the comfort of one pax.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview! [not the discussion thread]

Comfort seats are not for a second person, but solely for the comfort of one pax.

You must have missed the reference to "friend"!