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

 

[onemore]

The last time I did a status run to Christchurch from Sydney I spent only a couple of days there for the trip. On arrival in Christchurch after too many beverages, I was asked by immigration why I was doing such a short trip, when I responded with I am doing a run I could see him reaching for his handcuffs. Next time I will choose my words more carefully.

Yes, Brisbane Christchurch in J seems to be the go. I reckon after all the searching that trying a domestic status run is just a waste of time searching, I could be wrong of course.

 

[flyingfan]

Based in MEL; spent much of today searching NOU and CHC runs and can't get them at better value than my usual MEL-BNE-DRW (560).
Going to DRW isn't nearly as fun as the F lounge but the NOU run doesn't seem to give as many SCs (510) plus costs more.
The CHC one seems to require overnighting which adds to the cost.

Would appreciate any help. Trying to accrue maximum SCs while avoiding overnighting. Has anyone ever tried a J comfort seat with DSC to get 4x SCs... or is that fight club?

 

[Mattg]

It would help if you said where you're starting from, but my suggestion is BNE-CHC in QF J return. ~$950 and 320 status credits.

(This thread might give you some more ideas: Wiki - Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options)

 

[crumycat]

It would help if you said where you're starting from, but my suggestion is BNE-CHC in QF J return. ~$950 and 320 status credits.

(This thread might give you some more ideas: Wiki - Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options)

Thanks Matt, sorry travelling from Sydney. I’ll look at your suggestion.

 

[buckleyj]

Hi all, long-time lurker first time poster.

I'm coming up to my anniversary date in October, and am thinking of stretching myself for WP with the double SC promo. I'm in SYD and have read that CHC options can be worthwhile. I've come up with SYD-MEL-CHC and CHC-BNE-SYD for $2,759 with 250SC (500 with the promotion). At $5.5/SC, is this reasonable value, or could I do better? The only real constraint is that I'm trying to do this in a weekend.

Also, how do I check that the flights I have are on Qantas metal?

 

[Mattg]

Hi all, long-time lurker first time poster.

I'm coming up to my anniversary date in October, and am thinking of stretching myself for WP with the double SC promo. I'm in SYD and have read that CHC options can be worthwhile. I've come up with SYD-MEL-CHC and CHC-BNE-SYD for $2,759 with 250SC (500 with the promotion). At $5.5/SC, is this reasonable value, or could I do better? The only real constraint is that I'm trying to do this in a weekend.

Also, how do I check that the flights I have are on Qantas metal?

The best deals are on simple BNE-CHC itineraries. You'd be paying ~$950 for 160 SCs with a single round-trip (which becomes 320 using DSCs). That's under $3/SC!

I would suggest:
1) Fly SYD-CHC (QF139) on Friday evening. Then fly CHC-BNE on Saturday morning, BNE-CHC on Sunday morning and CHC-SYD (QF138) on Monday morning. Cost should be around $2,400 and you'll earn 640 SCs (including DSCs).

or

2) Position to MEL on Friday night or Saturday morning. Fly MEL-SYD-PEK on Saturday afternoon. Return to SYD/MEL on Sunday night. Excluding the positioning MEL-SYD flights at the start and end of the trip you'd also earn 640 SCs for $2,500. This requires you to take a day off work unless you do a same-day return at PEK (not advisable).

 

[jetpack]

You can also do SYD-MEL-DPS leaving 3pm on a Saturday, spend 24 hours by the pool at a Bali hotel (there's even one at the airport), do DPS-MEL-SYD on Sunday night and be back in SYD by 10am Monday. $1,955 for 640 SC or $3.05/SC.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

You can also do SYD-MEL-DPS leaving 3pm on a Saturday, spend 24 hours by the pool at a Bali hotel (there's even one at the airport), do DPS-MEL-SYD on Sunday night and be back in SYD by 10am Monday. $1,955 for 640 SC or $3.05/SC.

Is same-day turnaround possible? I've had experiences at DPS where I had boarding passes for the next segment and was allowed to transit. Does anyone have any experience with getting a boarding pass in MEL for the return flight from DPS?

 

[onemore]

Good morning folks, thanks to everyone for the preceding suggestions on how to do the status runs, at the end of the day would it just be simpler to join the Qantas club?

Just saying.

 

[jetpack]

Is same-day turnaround possible? I've had experiences at DPS where I had boarding passes for the next segment and was allowed to transit. Does anyone have any experience with getting a boarding pass in MEL for the return flight from DPS?

First hurdle seems to be how you include the same day return flight in the same booking. It's not showing up as an option in the online booking sites I've tried. I have no idea if a human travel agent can do it.

 

[Oz_Danny]

You can also do SYD-MEL-DPS leaving 3pm on a Saturday, spend 24 hours by the pool at a Bali hotel (there's even one at the airport), do DPS-MEL-SYD on Sunday night and be back in SYD by 10am Monday. $1,955 for 640 SC or $3.05/SC.

Thanks for this, just booked this itinerary but staying for a week (Sat-Sat) with missus.

Both of us will smash through platinum by a couple of hundred SC's.

 

[astrosly]

Good morning folks, thanks to everyone for the preceding suggestions on how to do the status runs, at the end of the day would it just be simpler to join the Qantas club?

Just saying.

Depends on your situation and need. Qantas Club is most effective for lounge access if you're mainly flying domestic, U.S. or some SE Asian ports (on a QF flight #) and increased luggage allowance on QF operated flights. If, like me, you regularly travel to other places in the world then the benefits of alliance status is far greater than what Qantas Club can provide.

 

[justin23]

I just booked CBR-MEL-SYD-WLG-SYD-MEL-CBR in J for $2170 and 660 SC's (inc. DSC). I'm also spending a week in NZ as opposed to just a status run. 2 years ago I did a similar run to CHC from CBR. I think it was CBR-MEL-SYD-CHC-BNE-CBR.

 

[onemore]

Depends on your situation and need. Qantas Club is most effective for lounge access if you're mainly flying domestic, U.S. or some SE Asian ports (on a QF flight #) and increased luggage allowance on QF operated flights. If, like me, you regularly travel to other places in the world then the benefits of alliance status is far greater than what Qantas Club can provide.

Astrossly,

Thanks for the heads up on my query, and yes it makes a lot of sense.

 

[justin23]

Good morning folks, thanks to everyone for the preceding suggestions on how to do the status runs, at the end of the day would it just be simpler to join the Qantas club?

I'm not one for status runs myself, but combined with double SC's I can do a bit of a status run to take a 1 week holiday. As I fly mostly for leisure and overseas, the $2k for a NZ trip which almost gives me gold works out better value than paying for QC as Gold also get higher priority on upgrades also. I'll plan for a Europe of South America trip (mostly in Y) while on gold next year. Then the year after I'll do a NZ status run in J for a week holiday. I usually do an Asian trip also in the years I do a NZ trip.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

First hurdle seems to be how you include the same day return flight in the same booking. It's not showing up as an option in the online booking sites I've tried. I have no idea if a human travel agent can do it.

Priceline seems to be able to price it out. Do flights have to be booked via the Qantas website in order to be eligible for DSC? I couldn't find anywhere in the T&Cs regarding it.

Do DSC count towards lifetime?

Did some research!

 

[Durin's Bane]

Just booked PER-SYD-CHC-SYD-PER over a weekend in Feb 2019. Cost $2,300 for 640 SC (includes double SC promotion), $3.60 per SC which is pretty good! Will guarantee WP for next year now...

 

[jrobin]

MH at it again with ex-BKK deals, book by month end for travel anytime in the next year (small surcharge for mid-late Dec)

Slightly more expensive than usual but there is an upside: no minimum stay requirement.

BKK-HKG is obviously the stand out with A330 with lie flat possible on all legs and an excellent selection of lounges in HKG.

Enjoy, and don't forget any discussion goes in the discussion thread!

View attachment 132666

No minimum stay requirement is great, but leads to another question, which could be noted on the table:

1. Which airports allow return on the same plane, making SC runs more efficient?
I understand that SIN (arriving passengers need not go through immigration) and LGK are two.
Are there others?
I appreciate that each may require a prepared customer (printed itinerary, checked in already, perhaps printed boarding passes).

2. Also, what are the differences between Business Promo fare and Business Flex when used with a QFF number?
Can I assume SC's are the same?

Thanks

 

[sudoer]

No minimum stay requirement is great, but leads to another question, which could be noted on the table:

1. Which airports allow return on the same plane, making SC runs more efficient?

More than happy to share an editable version of the table if you'd like to find and collate that info!

2. Also, what are the differences between Business Promo fare and Business Flex when used with a QFF number?
Can I assume SC's are the same?

QFF SCs are the same for all MH intra-asia business fare classes. The differences are in fare flexibility.

 

[TomCC]

Looking at going to Japan next year, option is to coming back business by JAL (QA4018) then on to Perth QF78. Qantas website on booking is showing this will earn 100 SC. However it looks like this is only taking into account the PER-SIN leg, with the HND-SIN leg being a QF flight shouldn't you earn further SC on top? I asked another and heard the HND-SIN leg as a QF ticket should earn a further 100SC (ie. 200 for whole trip). Anyone done this or can clarify before I book?

Cheers!