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

 

[defurax]

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

Might be of interest to some people here. I just booked CMB-DOH-PHL on QR (DOH-PHL on the A350-900) return for AUD2473 (480 SC, AUD 5.15/SC).

 

[Dannyism]

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

Might be of interest to some people here. I just booked CMB-DOH-PHL on QR (DOH-PHL on the A350-900) return for AUD2473 (480 SC, AUD 5.15/SC).

Did you get the 'VISA' discount? I'm scoping good runs ex-BKK. Secretflying is claiming AMS-BKK for 1000Eu but I can't find it in reverse.

If anyone finds good value please do share.

- **UPDATE** Qatar Airways “Travel Festival†sale is back – Economy & Business Class – plus up to 15% off for VISA cardholders

 

[defurax]

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

Did you get the 'VISA' discount? I'm scoping good runs ex-BKK. Secretflying is claiming AMS-BKK for 1000Eu but I can't find it in reverse.

If anyone finds good value please do share.

- **UPDATE** Qatar Airways “Travel Festival†sale is back – Economy & Business Class – plus up to 15% off for VISA cardholders

No, unfortunately I've only learned about the "VISA" discount after booking...but I'm still happy with the price I paid. I also booked a CMB-SIN-MEL one-way in J on UL and QF (QF flight number) for $1050. And I'm positioning to CMB in Y on MH and UL. So overall 715 SC for ~AUD4,000 not too bad.

 

[JaneFlyer]

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

In the process of booking a European holiday at the end of this year - doing a flight with LATAM from Frankfurt to Madrid in J. Cost about $200 per person (!!!) and yields 1,375 points and 60 SC. If you're in the area and want a nice little visit to Spain for a low price and high Pts/SC yield...

 

[whatmeworry]

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

In the process of booking a European holiday at the end of this year - doing a flight with LATAM from Frankfurt to Madrid in J. Cost about $200 per person (!!!) and yields 1,375 points and 60 SC. If you're in the area and want a nice little visit to Spain for a low price and high Pts/SC yield...

I think I might have mentioned this routing a year ago.

Let's say you go from MEL-BKK (80-90 sc return) in Y. Then you can do a side trip (BKK-KUL-MNL return, 240 sc) to Manila in J. Then BKK-HEL-FRA in J return (360 sc). Side trip FRA-MAD in J (120 sc return).

~800 SC if you need to get to Europe and can do some side trips.

 

[TheRealTMA]

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

I think I might have mentioned this routing a year ago.

Let's say you go from MEL-BKK (80-90 sc return) in Y. Then you can do a side trip (BKK-KUL-MNL return, 240 sc) to Manila in J. Then BKK-HEL-FRA in J return (360 sc). Side trip FRA-MAD in J (120 sc return).

~800 SC if you need to get to Europe and can do some side trips.

MLP - SYD - MLP QF on EK metal in F, 820 SCs plus 50% bonus if you are fortunate. ($5K cheaper than SYD - MLP).

 

[Rourke]

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

MLP - SYD - MLP QF on EK metal in F, 820 SCs plus 50% bonus if you are fortunate. ($5K cheaper than SYD - MLP).

Assuming you mean Milan (MXP), this prices at $8,700 in the current "sale" or worse than $10/SC. J at $4,000 nets 560SC. But you're right, the other way is massively more expensive.

 

[TheRealTMA]

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

Assuming you mean Milan (MXP), this prices at $8,700 in the current "sale" or worse than $10/SC. J at $4,000 nets 560SC. But you're right, the other way is massively more expensive.

Bug*er. Yes MXP. Taxes in Europe/ Italy are much better than, for example, LHR. VCE returns are also sometimes cheap. I've seen A$4K J return fares on EK. We now look to book Europe to Australia returns rather than Australia to Europe. Saves heaps. Minor issue with CC TI since that requires return ticked to Australia but that can be resolved.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

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

Hi All

Sorry hope this is in the correct thread, if not feel free to move please.

I am looking for a creative routing from Honolulu to preferably Vancouver in June ( need 410 SC's ) and need your help...I have been on AA website and Google flights but think it is going to cost me $2K or thereabout and as there are 2 of us not sure if its worth the spend to retain Gold...We have a 3.5 week holiday in and out of Honolulu and ideally would like to fly somewhere the same day as we land in HNL and then come back for the last 5 days to rest up so have about 2 weeks or just under to complete the trip. Ideally 1K each for a status run would be good but don't seem to see anything around at the moment Does not have to be Canada but somewhere we could park ourselves for about ten days....Thanks in advance of any ideas.

 

[Danger]

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

Hi All

Sorry hope this is in the correct thread, if not feel free to move please.

I am looking for a creative routing from Honolulu to preferably Vancouver in June ( need 410 SC's ) and need your help...I have been on AA website and Google flights but think it is going to cost me $2K or thereabout and as there are 2 of us not sure if its worth the spend to retain Gold...We have a 3.5 week holiday in and out of Honolulu and ideally would like to fly somewhere the same day as we land in HNL and then come back for the last 5 days to rest up so have about 2 weeks or just under to complete the trip. Ideally 1K each for a status run would be good but don't seem to see anything around at the moment Does not have to be Canada but somewhere we could park ourselves for about ten days....Thanks in advance of any ideas.

Once upon a time runs ex-HNL were good value. I haven't looked in some time but I suspect they may still be, although you will need to take into account the changes to AA domestic First now earning as Business.

Look for runs to the Caribbean such as SJU which has regularly offered good value. Something like HNL-LAX-DFW-MIA-SJU. Play around with that and see how you go.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

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

Once upon a time runs ex-HNL were good value. I haven't looked in some time but I suspect they may still be, although you will need to take into account the changes to AA domestic First now earning as Business.

Look for runs to the Caribbean such as SJU which has regularly offered good value. Something like HNL-LAX-DFW-MIA-SJU. Play around with that and see how you go.

Hi Danger

Yes looked at a few routes yesterday to the Caribbean an also coming in around $1.5K (US) few years ago did one for much cheaper. I then wondered would I earn SC's on say Japan Airlines to Tokyo or similar for a week from HNL so will start looking at that too

 

[Reds2011]

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

No, unfortunately I've only learned about the "VISA" discount after booking...but I'm still happy with the price I paid. I also booked a CMB-SIN-MEL one-way in J on UL and QF (QF flight number) for $1050. And I'm positioning to CMB in Y on MH and UL. So overall 715 SC for ~AUD4,000 not too bad.

@defurax : I'm looking at a similar routing (CMB-SIN-SYD) but can't seem to get it onto a QF flight number. Only offering UL flight numbers - how did you get it to book onto a QF flight number?

 

[onemore]

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

Please Sir, what is this Visa discount you are talking about?

 

[defurax]

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

@defurax : I'm looking at a similar routing (CMB-SIN-SYD) but can't seem to get it onto a QF flight number. Only offering UL flight numbers - how did you get it to book onto a QF flight number?

It is a UL published fare, but you can't book it on UL or QF website. I used Expedia, but I'm sure it can be purchased on other OTA.

Here's a screenshot from Expedia:

 

[defurax]

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

Please Sir, what is this Visa discount you are talking about?

You can enter "VISA" as a promotion code on QR website. It usually removes 15% from the fare, but some people have reported increased fare!

 

[onemore]

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

Thanks, appreciate it.

 

[Reds2011]

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

Please Sir, what is this Visa discount you are talking about?

In the box on the QR website where it asks for Promo Code you need to type VISA

Good for 15% off although the offer is about to expire I think.

 

[Moindardt]

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

Or you do CMB-BKK-SYD with QF codeshare on EK A380. Not too much more to get the F upgrade for a taste of the EK showers. We scored the UL a330 instead of the 738 as well. Boarding the A380 in a couple of hours.

 

[NZflygirl]

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

Bug*er. Yes MXP. Taxes in Europe/ Italy are much better than, for example, LHR. VCE returns are also sometimes cheap. I've seen A$4K J return fares on EK. We now look to book Europe to Australia returns rather than Australia to Europe. Saves heaps. Minor issue with CC TI since that requires return ticked to Australia but that can be resolved.

Where do you book your departures from in Europe? LHR? or elsewhere? I've wondered about doing this but just wondering about change fees eg dates and then fare difference and if it is cheaper overall.

 

[TheRealTMA]

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

Where do you book your departures from in Europe? LHR? or elsewhere? I've wondered about doing this but just wondering about change fees eg dates and then fare difference and if it is cheaper overall.

With F/J fares, LHR/GTW are always a few thousand more expensive and include higher airport taxes, especially LHR which is one the most expensive for taxes. Spain is roughly a thousand more. Usually Italy is the cheapest with either Milan or Rome depending on the best price. Easy to check with Skyscanner or even WotIf. It's relatively easy to change the flight dates if you need although you are up for change fee (usually some $200 ish) and potentially the fare difference.