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

 

[Moindardt]

Re: Suggestions for SC maximisation on US sectors

Another side question. Google flights seems to limit you to 5 sectors in a multi-city booking. What tricks are people using to easily price these complicated flights?

That's 5 designated stops, not how many sectors, ie you will definitely stop at those places. For example, if you have LAX as your first and ORD as your second, it could route you via SFO or PHX/DFW or DFW or LAS or LAS/DFW. More stops doesn't necessarily = more sc. Always compare the SC of the different options. Try moving one of your intermediate stops. Use things like DFW-ORD in the middle (90SC).

Also hit the + and add in local airports. Amazing how often they work.

 

[galah]

Re: Suggestions for SC maximisation on US sectors

I need to travel from Washington DC to New Orleans on 20th October and New Orleans to Boston on 24th October.

<snip>

You could get the Amtrak train to Newark (3 hours) and fly EWR-DFW-MSY which would net you 30 more SCs than flying from DCA. It might be an early start though

You're already hitting one of the sweet spots on the return, which is DFW-BOS. Also consider MSY-ORD-BOS if it's a comparable price - this would net you an extra 20SC.

 

[Rourke]

Re: Suggestions for SC maximisation on US sectors

You could get the Amtrak train to Newark (3 hours) and fly EWR-DFW-MSY which would net you 30 more SCs than flying from DCA

Or even DCA-LGA-DFW-MSY which seems to price well on AA for extra SCs.

 

[Anton2079]

Re: Need 40 SC for Gold by August End

Thanks everyone for the help!

Was lucky enough to have another flight to Melbourne and got a Flexi.

 

[mjtomo]

First Status Run

First Status Run.
About to do a lot of travel for work and I'm keen to get to platinum by March in time for my next anniversary.
Couple of trips to the US coming up and I thought I would try out a run on my first trip over.
Arrive in LAX need to get to SJC, I have 48hrs roughly but ideally don't want to leave it too short.
What I have come up with so far is LAX-DFW-ORD-LAX-SJC which I can achieve in a day for 330 status credits @ $3.6 roughly.
Couple of questions. Is this ok value? If I arrive in from Melb on the qantas flight at 6:30am can I make a domestic flight at 8:30?
Any advice on how to improve or add value?
Thanks for all the advice and tips I have been doing a lot of reading

 

[Danger]

Re: First Status Run

First Status Run.
About to do a lot of travel for work and I'm keen to get to platinum by March in time for my next anniversary.
Couple of trips to the US coming up and I thought I would try out a run on my first trip over.
Arrive in LAX need to get to SJC, I have 48hrs roughly but ideally don't want to leave it too short.
What I have come up with so far is LAX-DFW-ORD-LAX-SJC which I can achieve in a day for 330 status credits @ $3.6 roughly.
Couple of questions. Is this ok value? If I arrive in from Melb on the qantas flight at 6:30am can I make a domestic flight at 8:30?
Any advice on how to improve or add value?
Thanks for all the advice and tips I have been doing a lot of reading

Welcome, mjtomo.

The $3.60 per status credit is reasonable value. Super, super good is under $2 but they are hard to come by so you're close the ballpark.

Look for connections between the cities you already have. For example, try LAX-PHX/LAS-DFW; DFW-CLT/RDU/JFK/LGA-ORD; ORD-PHX/LAS-LAX. If you post the dates you're available others maybe able to offer more appropriate suggestions.

If you're doing your runs in the northern winter, there is a reasonable possibility of disruption due to weather. However, Qantas is very good at giving ORC (original routing credit) should the events be out of your control.

I would suggest a two hour connection at LAX, although legal, is cutting it fine, particularly given the chances QF (who I assume you are flying with into LAX) is not at all likely to tag your bags onto your AA flights.

 

[mjtomo]

Re: First Status Run

Thanks Danger. I'm traveling first week in October and yes it will be Qantas. I'll do some more digging to see if I can give myself more time to get the first flight at LAX.
Might have to go over 2 days and stop somewhere rather than trying to do it all in one day. Def dont want to push it too hard my first time.

 

[Daver6]

Re: First Status Run

Another question regarding connection times. It seems AA will let me book some pretty tight connections. Ie, less than an hour. Is this even practical? Especially given I'm unlikely to be HLO.

 

[defurax]

Re: First Status Run

Another question regarding connection times. It seems AA will let me book some pretty tight connections. Ie, less than an hour. Is this even practical? Especially given I'm unlikely to be HLO.

The main issue with tight connections is that if F is already full on the next scheduled flight you will have to fly in Y or wait until the next flight with F availability (a subscription to EF can help here to suggest flights to the agent...).

 

[serfty]

Re: First Status Run

Thanks Danger. I'm traveling first week in October and yes it will be Qantas. I'll do some more digging to see if I can give myself more time to get the first flight at LAX. ...

Also, there are some TA's around who 1) Fully understand MR's (even doing it themselves), & 2) can book these with reduced +++ by making the booking "in conjunction" with your inbound Qantas ticket. They may charge a fee to do so, however, generally the savings outweigh the fee. Not always, and if not they will advise.

I have such a booking currently and can select seats, meals (if applicable within 30 days) on AA.com.

What I can't do is change the booking before travel without going through the agent; I have to use them.

However, once the first segment has been flown (or is under 'airport' control) changes can be made directly with AA, such as in the case of IRROPS.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: First Status Run

Also, there are some TA's around who 1) Fully understand MR's (even doing it themselves), & 2) can book these with reduced +++ by making the booking "in conjunction" with your inbound Qantas ticket. They may charge a fee to do so, however, generally the savings outweigh the fee. Not always, and if not they will advise.

Serfty, is there a database of such helpful travel agents on AFF, or do the terms of service re:advertising prevent it?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: First Status Run

Also, there are some TA's around who 1) Fully understand MR's (even doing it themselves), & 2) can book these with reduced +++ by making the booking "in conjunction" with your inbound Qantas ticket. They may charge a fee to do so, however, generally the savings outweigh the fee. Not always, and if not they will advise.

I have such a booking currently and can select seats, meals (if applicable within 30 days) on AA.com.

What I can't do is change the booking before travel without going through the agent; I have to use them. However, once the first segment has been flown (or is under 'airport' control) changes can be made directly with AA, such as in the case of IRROPS.

Serfty, is there a database of such helpful travel agents on AFF, or do the terms of service re:advertising prevent it?

I have the same TA as serfty.
Feel free to PM me

 

[serfty]

Re: First Status Run

I have the same TA as serfty.
Feel free to PM me

Or or me, or both.

Note this cannot be done in relation to all carriers, but certainly with AA.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: First Status Run

Or or me, or both.

Note this cannot be done in relation to all carriers, but certainly with AA.

Thanks, PM'd PF.

As I was late to the AFF party, I missed the JASA era, so maximising SCs when I'm in LOTFAP is something I'm keen to do when possible. Thanks to you both for sharing your knowledge (and TA)

 

[Danger]

Re: First Status Run

Another question regarding connection times. It seems AA will let me book some pretty tight connections. Ie, less than an hour. Is this even practical? Especially given I'm unlikely to be HLO.

There are indeed some very low connection times at some airports. Last month I had something like 34 minutes at Washington Reagan AA-AA. If AA allows you to book it, you'll be protected.

 

[Daver6]

Re: First Status Run

The main issue with tight connections is that if F is already full on the next scheduled flight you will have to fly in Y or wait until the next flight with F availability (a subscription to EF can help here to suggest flights to the agent...).

If taking Y, will you still receive F credits? Also, any offer of compensation likely in that scenario?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: First Status Run

If taking Y, will you still receive F credits? Also, any offer of compensation likely in that scenario?

Yes to ORC
No to compensation
Providing you give the AA angels something to work with you will usually end up in F in case of IRROPS

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: First Status Run

Another question regarding connection times. It seems AA will let me book some pretty tight connections. Ie, less than an hour. Is this even practical? Especially given I'm unlikely to be HLO.

There can be some very tight connections. If subsequent flights are full it can really muck up your plans. You might be waiting for hours, or you might have to fly coach. Or both. Winter is bad for snow, spring and autumn are bad for T-storms. Flow on effects can affect the whole system.

You may be protected and you may get your original routing credit, but you have to factor in the stress which is not always a minor consideration. You can either have a relatively stress-free full day of flying with two hours between connections (by no means a guarantee however) or you can try and squeeze flights in an run from flight to flight. Or be left sitting in a departure lounge wondering when you're gonna get out.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: First Status Run

Thanks, PM'd PF.

As I was late to the AFF party, I missed the JASA era, so maximising SCs when I'm in LOTFAP is something I'm keen to do when possible. Thanks to you both for sharing your knowledge (and TA)

Reply in your inbox Captain

 

[Daver6]

Re: First Status Run

Thanks for the quick responses.

Say I'm going A-B-C-D. Lets say due to a delay from A-B I miss the B-C connection. Would they consider just sending me B-D directly then and still give me ORC?

To be honest, I'd happily skip the flights. I'm just after the SCs here. Downgrade to Y while not ideal, is something I'd opt for rather than delays I think.