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

 

[samh004]

Is anyone willing to share their experience in doing an immediate turnaround at Noumea?

@samh004 might be able to assist with that one.

Doing this in late March, the word on the FFA facebook page is that you should be able to just go through the transit lane then ask for the boarding pass at the gate but would like to hear of anyone's experience also.

Apologies for not replying sooner, and now outside of the promotion window.

Last year I did the (presumably first) immediate turnaround. Qantas was not able to help me before I left Sydney, but once airborne (in fact as I boarded) I explained to the CSM what I would be doing and they were able to talk to the flight crew who in turn liaised with the ground crew at Noumea.

I was met at the door of the plane, but they didn't really understand what to do and I watched most pax from economy walk past me before they suggested they could escort me or I could go on my own. There was a Business line at immigration, and the officer smirked at my turnaround. Customs also had a laugh, but I was probably first one out into the arrival hall, across a foyer and the check-in desk was still open waiting for me. This was probably the most important bit, as they may have been closed otherwise. Picked up my BP, whisked through security (they have a premium line but no one was around at that stage), back through immigration and enough time to down some real champagne in the lounge before re-boarding.

My advice would be to inform the crew so the check-in desk remains open, but beyond that, just head to immigration on your own as the alternative is they will guide you through it, but on island time

It's a fun day*... I ended up flying OOL-MEL-xPER-BNE-MEL-xSYD-NOU-SYD-MEL-xBNE-PER-MEL-OOL.

 

[Isolar]

Hi samh004,

I'm curious how you ticketed this booking. I tried doing so via the QF website but it wouldn't allow it.

Oh well, there are worse places to spend a weekend, lol.

 

[JessicaTam]

Hi samh004,

I'm curious how you ticketed this booking. I tried doing so via the QF website but it wouldn't allow it.

Oh well, there are worse places to spend a weekend, lol.

I believe a travel agent was involved.

 

[eminere]

QF announced MEL-DPS flights today, and I've noticed that SYD-xMEL-DPS is now a valid routing

320SC return for $1755 comes to a respectable $5.48/SC, or if someone's recently gifted you $50 of magical QF credit, $2.74/SC!!!

I wonder how long the MEL-DPS sale fares will last.

 

[Quickstatus]

The airline does not seem to suggest MEL-DPS to be a seasonal.
Additionally JQ has increased MEL-DPS to twice a day as well.

 

[QF WP]

No suggestion in the Press Room release about MEL/DPS being seasonal: QANTAS ANNOUNCES DAILY MELBOURNE – BALI SERVICE

 

[Quickstatus]

Though the airline has not loaded fares MEL-DPS nonstop past 27Oct18

 

[clod]

What dates are the $1755 SYD xMEL DPS J flights? My matrix-fu is poor today.

 

[Hirsty]

I'm curious how you ticketed this booking.

Had the exact same question after reading the post. Thanks @samh004 for the info, very handy!

 

[Buzzard]

I think the NOU staff will very soon get used to quick turnarounds.

 

[Quickstatus]

Apologies for not replying sooner, and now outside of the promotion window.

Last year I did the (presumably first) immediate turnaround. Qantas was not able to help me before I left Sydney, but once airborne (in fact as I boarded) I explained to the CSM what I would be doing and they were able to talk to the flight crew who in turn liaised with the ground crew at Noumea.

I was met at the door of the plane, but they didn't really understand what to do and I watched most pax from economy walk past me before they suggested they could escort me or I could go on my own. There was a Business line at immigration, and the officer smirked at my turnaround. Customs also had a laugh, but I was probably first one out into the arrival hall, across a foyer and the check-in desk was still open waiting for me. This was probably the most important bit, as they may have been closed otherwise. Picked up my BP, whisked through security (they have a premium line but no one was around at that stage), back through immigration and enough time to down some real champagne in the lounge before re-boarding.

My advice would be to inform the crew so the check-in desk remains open, but beyond that, just head to immigration on your own as the alternative is they will guide you through it, but on island time

It's a fun day*... I ended up flying OOL-MEL-xPER-BNE-MEL-xSYD-NOU-SYD-MEL-xBNE-PER-MEL-OOL.

Could not QF in OZ issue you with the return boarding pass NOU-SYD and then you could have stayed airside in NOU?

 

[Hirsty]

I think the NOU staff will very soon get used to quick turnarounds.

HAHA yes!!

 

[ADLhighflyer]

QF showing flights MEL-xSYD-HTI for approx $300 return and 50SC's. Fare ends in 3 days

 

[vlocity160]

Could not QF in OZ issue you with the return boarding pass NOU-SYD and then you could have stayed airside in NOU?

Is that even possible? Sorry for the ignorance.

 

[Quickstatus]

Is that even possible? Sorry for the ignorance.

Don’t know hopefully someone knows.
Theoretically if checkin is also open for the return flight I can’t see why not

 

[serfty]

Once I had a weekender in HKG from MEL via SYD both way.

Checked in at airport and all four BPs printed out!

So it can be possible, but may not be policy.

 

[Quickstatus]

I’ve had similar when EK was operating into AKL. SYD-AKL-SYD turnaround on same aircraft. However I always believe a BP is only worth the paper it’s printed on. The airline was change things at anytime up until take off.

 

[samh004]

Hi samh004,

I'm curious how you ticketed this booking. I tried doing so via the QF website but it wouldn't allow it.

Oh well, there are worse places to spend a weekend, lol.

It can be quite expensive I'm told, and as a purely SC-run, any extra costs that you need to factor in dilute the value.

I believe a travel agent was involved.

Correct, and thus if you bought vouchers recently, whether they work or not, a TA will not be able to use them towards this routing. You will have to line up a TA for the next offer.

Had the exact same question after reading the post. Thanks @samh004 for the info, very handy!

As above.

Could not QF in OZ issue you with the return boarding pass NOU-SYD and then you could have stayed airside in NOU?

Is that even possible? Sorry for the ignorance.

I asked at both check-in and at the lounge but they couldn't help me. While anything is possible, the dash through the airport and stamp in my passport for a 5 minute stay was pretty cool.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Getting boarding passes for the return flight is dependent on the airport permitting remote check-in, and it being open sufficiently early (i.e. at the time you are checking in for the outbound flight.

I've had QF issue boarding passes for NZ to London return (including the final leg Australia to NZ).

 

[Cappuccino99]

I'd like to take advantage of the DSC offer but I have no firm travel plans so would like to do a mileage run to get me to Gold asap. I need 195 SCs so what do you suggest would be my best/cheapest domestic run over a weekend? Starting from Mel.

Thanks to the advice on here, I have booked a same day return, indirect flight to OOL via SYD and will get enough points to move up to Gold.

In hindsight, I wish I had thought about booking indirect flights when I was booking my own work flights but I always wanted to get somewhere quickly. Now I don't book my own work flights :-(