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

 

[gluewell14]

Hi all, long time lurker, first post.

New job this year has allowed for some travel so been finally able to get some status - currently on 525 (need 40 more for the Loyalty Bonus).

Membership year ends end of Feb, and really want to get Gold before then. Next work trip to US will be in March, which is unfortunate, so between now and then I'm trying to get the 125SC. Any ideas departing ADL?

Thanks

 

[jase05]

Hi all, long time lurker, first post.

New job this year has allowed for some travel so been finally able to get some status - currently on 525 (need 40 more for the Loyalty Bonus).

Membership year ends end of Feb, and really want to get Gold before then. Next work trip to US will be in March, which is unfortunate, so between now and then I'm trying to get the 125SC. Any ideas departing ADL?

Thanks

Do you want to do it in a day or do a few cheaper runs?
From ADL I find going to OOL via MEL as pretty decent value if you want to stay domestically. Can easily do it in a day and one way in J for about $800-900 will net you 100SC’s. Tack on a return in Y for about $220 and 25SC’s and you have your 125SC’s in one hit for about $1000.
Otherwise if you have time to spare you can position yourself to DPS and take up MH’s very good value SC’s

 

[sudoer]

currently on 525 (need 40 more for the Loyalty Bonus).

Membership year ends end of Feb, and really want to get Gold before then. Next work trip to US will be in March, which is unfortunate, so between now and then I'm trying to get the 125SC. Any ideas departing ADL?

125 SC sits in a weird spot - it's too many SC for a Red e-Deal domestic run, and an international run will yield more SC than you need.

IMO your best bet is:

• JQ127 ADL-DPS with Plus bundle - ~$300 for 40SC, unlocks loyalty bonus (but don't claim it!)
• ex DPS MH J run. Any destination past KUL will yield 160 SC or more. Budget ~$400.
• DPS-ADL return flight - either use points or take the cheapest JQ fare with no bundle.
• Claim 50SC loyalty bonus after your membership anniversary for a head start on renewing Gold next year.

 

[sudoer]

ex DPS MH J run

On this, here are your best options at the moment:



Personally, I'd suggest holding off booking with MH until 17 Dec to see what their next sale brings. These prices aren't great and they will almost certainly come down between now and next February.

 

[gluewell14]

Do you want to do it in a day or do a few cheaper runs?

Would rather a few cheaper runs - make it into 3-5 day getaway while I'm at it I suppose.

IMO your best bet is:

• JQ127 ADL-DPS with Plus bundle - ~$300 for 40SC, unlocks loyalty bonus (but don't claim it!)
• ex DPS MH J run. Any destination past KUL will yield 160 SC or more. Budget ~$400.
• DPS-ADL return flight - either use points or take the cheapest JQ fare with no bundle.
• Claim 50SC loyalty bonus after your membership anniversary for a head start on renewing Gold next year.

This sounds like a plan! Thanks for the tip on the loyalty bonus too, I wouldn't have realised. I'll give it a couple of weeks and check out the next MH sale, hopefully something will line up with the cheaper JQ flights to Bali as well. Cheers!

 

[tdimdad]

A bit of advance planning here: needing extra 160 SC by end of May.
ex-SYD, weekend days only (Sat late morning to Sunday late afternoon) and can have an overnight flight. A DSC gift voucher is available to be used for this. First priority would be the cost, secondary the time this run consumes.
Alternatively, if we miss the 160 in one go but get close to it, a creative routing for BNE - SYD (most likely for a Sunday afternoon / evening) can cover the shortfall.

What would be the status run experts' ideas, please?

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

Has anyone done an immediate turnaround at LGK? I have been through the airport before and it seems straight forward. My only worry is getting the ticket before take off and getting past the ticket checker at security.

 

[Tropic]

Hi all - looking at MAS points run from early February ex DPS - flexible on dates and destinations but done LGK, BKI and MNL so looking CMB or HKG but having trouble finding good priced flights - grateful any suggestions. Cheers.

 

[jase05]

Has anyone done an immediate turnaround at LGK? I have been through the airport before and it seems straight forward. My only worry is getting the ticket before take off and getting past the ticket checker at security.

Haven’t done an immediate turn around but have been through LGK a stack and it’s always been hassle free and quick

 

[BriarFlyer]

I'm investigating a possible mini status run (my first!) while in the US later this year. I have to cross from west coast to east coast, I have a couple of spare days up my sleeve, I just need to work out the ROI vs the possible inconvenience of misconnections and such. It could push me up to SG but I need to ensure I'm doing my calculations correctly.

My question: how do I identify which AA flights are 2 class and hence F = J SCs? Alternatively, how to I identify the flights where F = F SC's?

 

[jase05]

Hi all - looking at MAS points run from early February ex DPS - flexible on dates and destinations but done LGK, BKI and MNL so looking CMB or HKG but having trouble finding good priced flights - grateful any suggestions. Cheers.

Take a cheap Y flight to CGK, should be $100-150 Return tops. CGK-KUL-CMB in J on MH return will be around $1100 and net you 240SC’s.
Alternatively have you been to KCH?
I have found it quite pleasant for a few days and for $635 on MH in J you could do DPS-KUL-MYY-KCH and then KCH-KUL-DPS which would net you 240SC’s.

 

[Tropic]

Thanks Jase. Will have a look at both options. Having probs finding promo Z seats atm.

 

[sudoer]

Unfortunately ex DPS options are quite poor at the moment. The Z seats exist but the Z fares do not.

 

[Tropic]

Thanks sbor90. Not sure if MH will open some promo fares in Feb, load based I guess, so may have to go with >$3/sc options...or a dom/trans Tasman?

 

[sudoer]

If the aim is to get to CMB or HKG you could book DPS-xKUL-LGK and embed KUL-HKG/CMB into it? $1250ish for 360 SC.

 

[Tropic]

Thanks again Sbor90. Yes CMB or HKG embed would work. Just need to balance flights and associated hotel nights required to optimise SC earn. Using Google flights isn't the most efficient or effective means of finding the best fares . Cheers

 

[Danger]

I'm investigating a possible mini status run (my first!) while in the US later this year. I have to cross from west coast to east coast, I have a couple of spare days up my sleeve, I just need to work out the ROI vs the possible inconvenience of misconnections and such. It could push me up to SG but I need to ensure I'm doing my calculations correctly.

My question: how do I identify which AA flights are 2 class and hence F = J SCs? Alternatively, how to I identify the flights where F = F SC's?

Other than JFK-SFO/LAX and vice versa and maybe the odd 777, there are very few three class flights within North America. And I think you'll be hard-pressed to find a decent run that involves a three class flight.

ExpertFlyer is a good tool. Plug the flights you are looking at into that and if there are First buckets (A and F) then First will earn at First.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Thanks, Danger. I've been playing with various routes and have come up with a few options that will do the job of getting me from A to B with an enhanced SC haul without, I hope, destroying my love of flying.

 

[Flashback]

Other than JFK-SFO/LAX and vice versa and maybe the odd 777, there are very few three class flights within North America. And I think you'll be hard-pressed to find a decent run that involves a three class flight.

ExpertFlyer is a good tool. Plug the flights you are looking at into that and if there are First buckets (A and F) then First will earn at First.

You can add BOS to that list too.

MIA has the 777 every now and then but it's a bit sporadic.

Note also that normally fares that book into premium will book into C/D/I/J on the transcon flights, not A/F. If wanting them to book into A/F expect the fare to rise considerably.

 

[Captain Halliday]

How many SCs do you get on QF9 MELxPER-LHR in J.

The QF SC calculator returns two possible answers: