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

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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.

They can put you on B-D directly.

Flying Y is not always an option to escape delays. If you're delayed it's likely others may be too. The flight may be full period. So you just wait.

While IRROPS handling in the USA is excellent and staff go out of their way to accommodate delayed pax, that doesn't mean there isn't monumental disruption before things get moving again.

 

[JessicaTam]

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.

Yes. I was due to fly MIA-PHL-BOS but missed the MIA-PHL flight. AA put me on the MIA-BOS flight, and QF gave me the ORCs (when prompted).

 

[DC3]

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

... 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? ...

And even when some intermediate AA flights have been cancelled, QF have always given me ORC, when provided with a copy of the original e-ticket and boarding passes for flights flown. This has happened on several occasions.

 

[Flashback]

Re: First Status Run

Yes. I was due to fly MIA-PHL-BOS but missed the MIA-PHL flight. AA put me on the MIA-BOS flight, and QF gave me the ORCs (when prompted).

Not surprised (assuming you were coming in from PTY) - was at MIA on the weekend and it was an absolute zoo, even using the APC machines.

 

[RichardMEL]

Re: First Status Run

A comment about tight connections, MCT etc...

1. For me, it depends on the airport the connection is at. For example 30min at LAX or PHX could be pretty tight if you have to change a terminal or something like that, but at a smaller station like SNA where they have maybe 2? gates.. 30minutes is more than enough, and probably the same a/c anyway. Some big hubs like ORD and DFW I automatically give extra time even with the MCT just because...

2. the US legacies will sometimes give compensation. Just a month ago I flew UA LAX-xSFO-PDX with SFO being a 36minute connection (which I always knew was dodgy but it was a legal connection they sold and the next lfight was $200 more so I took the chance). Well things being as they are I missed the connection (thank you 40minute sit on the ground waiting for a gate at SFO, but that's a whole other story). Anyway I snuck onto the next flight as the very last standby and was (of course) in Y. UA did compensate me $400 for a) the screwup and b) the reduction in class of service to Y. I thought that was pretty bloody generous. Not saying AA would do similar mind you, but it can happen

 

[VOZ102]

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

Been offered a status challenge from VA to QF - 200 status points on Qantas marketed flights (booked and ticketed on QF flight numbers)
Trying to find the easiest and cheapest way to do this ex BNE in one trip if possible.
Was thinking something like
BNE-SYD-SIN-HND on Flex Y = 130
HND-SYD-BNE on basic Y = 50 = 180SC - probably do another BNESYDBNE within the 90 days.
About $1500 fare return
Love to hear any other ideas ?

 

[NZ_Flyer]

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

Been offered a status challenge from VA to QF - 200 status points on Qantas marketed flights (booked and ticketed on QF flight numbers)
Trying to find the easiest and cheapest way to do this ex BNE in one trip if possible.
Was thinking something like
BNE-SYD-SIN-HND on Flex Y = 130
HND-SYD-BNE on basic Y = 50 = 180SC - probably do another BNESYDBNE within the 90 days.
About $1500 fare return
Love to hear any other ideas ?

If you want to spend some time in Singapore/Tokyo then go for it. If you want something quick then you could do BNE-AKL-BNE in a combination of EK F and EK/QF J for roughly the same price or a bit more (provided a sale is on) which would give you exactly 200SC's.

 

[UP4014]

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

Been offered a status challenge from VA to QF - 200 status points on Qantas marketed flights (booked and ticketed on QF flight numbers)
Trying to find the easiest and cheapest way to do this ex BNE in one trip if possible.
Was thinking something like
BNE-SYD-SIN-HND on Flex Y = 130
HND-SYD-BNE on basic Y = 50 = 180SC - probably do another BNESYDBNE within the 90 days.
About $1500 fare return
Love to hear any other ideas ?

Depending on if you want to do it in one go, I find tourist places like Cairns are a bit cheaper fare wise a couple of trips there might work for you and as day trips no extra costs like hotels.

 

[Captain Halliday]

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

Been offered a status challenge from VA to QF - 200 status points on Qantas marketed flights (booked and ticketed on QF flight numbers)
Trying to find the easiest and cheapest way to do this ex BNE in one trip if possible.
Was thinking something like
BNE-SYD-SIN-HND on Flex Y = 130
HND-SYD-BNE on basic Y = 50 = 180SC - probably do another BNESYDBNE within the 90 days.
About $1500 fare return
Love to hear any other ideas ?

My advice is a triangle with 2x80SC J sectors.

So for example booking BNE-DRW return in J but looking for flight combinations that route via SYD or MEL. This way you'd end up with:
BNE-SYD 40 + SYD-DRW 80 + DRW-BNE 80 = 200SC

DRW might not be the best example as J is rarely on sale - but you get the idea.

 

[austom]

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

A comment about tight connections, MCT etc...

1. For me, it depends on the airport the connection is at. For example 30min at LAX or PHX could be pretty tight if you have to change a terminal or something like that, but at a smaller station like SNA where they have maybe 2? gates.. 30minutes is more than enough, and probably the same a/c anyway. Some big hubs like ORD and DFW I automatically give extra time even with the MCT just because...

2. the US legacies will sometimes give compensation. Just a month ago I flew UA LAX-xSFO-PDX with SFO being a 36minute connection (which I always knew was dodgy but it was a legal connection they sold and the next lfight was $200 more so I took the chance). Well things being as they are I missed the connection (thank you 40minute sit on the ground waiting for a gate at SFO, but that's a whole other story). Anyway I snuck onto the next flight as the very last standby and was (of course) in Y. UA did compensate me $400 for a) the screwup and b) the reduction in class of service to Y. I thought that was pretty bloody generous. Not saying AA would do similar mind you, but it can happen

Out of interest, did you have to request the compensation or did they proactively offer it?

 

[RichardMEL]

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

For the VOZ102 200SC challenge... (and others)

there's a QF/EK sale on ex-NZ (AUG26-AUG29) for travel Sep 5-June 30, 2017. F fares on QF code/EK metal are NZD899. That earns 120 SC.

You could maybe find a combo of BNE-SYD-AKL fares to get you to 200.

just a thought. EK F AKL-BNE is 3ish hours and not too shabby compared to a Y run to Tokyo

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

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

QF SYD F lounge is bliss.
Fly separate tix in whY night prior then F SYD - AKL then J back AKL - BNE.
210 QF SC all up.
EK AKL F combo J lounge is nice but QF SYD F lounge is the best.
Pricier but nicer.
5 hrs in F, 3 plus 2 hrs time difference, mmmmmmmm.

 

[marks]

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

So I had an opportunity to fit in a status run from LAS for a few days after a conference.

I had been looking for a few months and couldn’t find the right price or the schedule to get me back to LAS in time for the flights home. Needed to also store luggage in LAS so had to factor time for that as well.
Found something and only booked on 14 Aug 16 for this fare.

I’m sitting in the PTY airport as I write this with a few hours to spare.
The WiFi is intermittent but strong when it works in the landside cafe.

My itinerary is LAS/PHX/MIA/PTY/MIA/CLT/DFW/PHX/LAS
$790 USD with an overnight in CLT
I’ve calculated around 550 status credits for the trip.
There was cheaper options but they got me into LAS too late for the flight home.

I wouldn’t found this without google flights multicity tool. So much easier that the aa.com page and now that aa.com has updated the page so many of the multi-stop options aren't there anymore.
It helps finding the flights but also makes it easy to make a slight change in the stops and recalc your routing and fares.
Then click on the links at the bottom to be taken to the aa.com website with all your selections already listed, ready for payment and passenger details.
I just wish it had more than five legs in the tool.

PTY immigration was looking at me quite strangely when presented with someone spending 3hrs in the country. I mentioned I had a spare day and I’ve come to look at the panama canal. Needed to show the return ticket and while there was more strange looks, the passport was stamped and I was ushered through.

I have a tight 30 min layover in PHX on the way back which is my main risk point but we’ll see how we go.

Cheers.

 

[CaptJCool]

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

My advice is a triangle with 2x80SC J sectors.

So for example booking BNE-DRW return in J but looking for flight combinations that route via SYD or MEL. This way you'd end up with:
BNE-SYD 40 + SYD-DRW 80 + DRW-BNE 80 = 200SC

DRW might not be the best example as J is rarely on sale - but you get the idea.

the Gold Coast has some interesting fare pricing and is a dog leg kinda hub. So Gold Coast Melbourne Adelaide return Business is 200SC and $1498

 

[RichardMEL]

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

Out of interest, did you have to request the compensation or did they proactively offer it?

I didn't request compo per se. I did write a note to them to say what had happened. I gave both positive (some gate agents were amazing) and negative (being stuck at SFO off the terminal for 45 minutes and the horrendous treatment by a CS agent at SFO who seemed to not believe I'd been stuck on a connecting flight but somehow missed my flight because I'd been stuffing around in the terminal or something, and was totally disinterested in help, and I had to beg to be put on standby for the flight I wound up getting on - there was no proactive action from them). UA came back with the voucher of their own accord which was appreciated.

 

[Viridianne]

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

I've got a question re Qantas xNZ sale. The F classes are operated by Emirates - will I earn SC? When I check the Qantas calculator it shows up as 0 SC :S

 

[eminere]

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

I've got a question re Qantas xNZ sale. The F classes are operated by Emirates - will I earn SC? When I check the Qantas calculator it shows up as 0 SC :S

You will if you book the flight with the QF code, nil if booked under EK code.

 

[iRobbo]

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

Just completed a run: LAX-LAS-DFW-ORD-MIA-PTY. Stayed 2 nights in Panama then PTY-MIA-ORD-LAX. This had approx 4 hrs overnight in ORD (slept for a couple of hours on a seat, quite a few people sleeping. There is a 24 hrs Maccas and quite a few cleaning and airline staff around). There was also 1 night in MIA, my choice, just to break it up a bit. Highlight was the B787 on the ORD-LAX leg, very nice. 630 SC's, 19,488 points (SG), cost was around $810 US. Can't really recommend the few hrs sleeping in a terminal, I would look for other alternatives first but would do it again if needed. Had a lot of fun.

 

[madrooster]

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

As soon as I selected Australia as the billing country, prior to entering the postcode, I was diverted to the Australian site and the fares were no longer available.

My trips to and from the US are point redemptions, AA points on QF to the US (MEL-SYD-DFW); and QF points on QF coming home (SFO-SYD-MEL) not sure it they would be eligible to remove the taxes but it's done now.

It doesn't matter if it's a redemption ticket or not. As long as it's international then you can have the taxes exempted. The fares available on the US site are available worldwide to all agents so you can get the same fare AND exempt the taxes.

It seems AA has changed their site since I last used it a few months ago. It previously did not redirect you to the AU site. I wonder why they made that change.

 

[serfty]

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

... It previously did not redirect you to the AU site. I wonder why they made that change.

"Australia Tax"