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

 

[Ade]

During a sale approx. $2400 per pax return

Thank you Motef

 

[jrobin]

Periodically I need to do a status run as my flying is less since retirement without work trips. I am based near YYZ but can also fly out of DTW or BUF.

Other years I have done business runs: Sep 2017 was to PTY (YYZ-DFW-MIA-PTY(overnight)-MIA-MCO-DFW-YYZ) 380SC's for CA$1108 (less than CA$3/SC). For Sep 2018 I found flights to BNA same day return (YYZ-MIA-BNA-MIA-YYZ) 240SC's for CAD585, even fewer CA$per SC.

This year I expect to be short again (currently by 315SC's), and had some time in the first week or two of May to take a day or two for a run to get at least part-way there. If the value is good, I am happy to get more than 600SC's in a year as I am getting within striking distance of Lifetime Gold.

However, I have not found especially good value runs in early May.

1. Does anyone have any suggestions for a May status run from YYZ (or DTW or BUF)?

2. Am I missing something or is September a much better month for status runs?
(My QF year end is September 30, which is why I have usually done runs in September.)

 

[Hvr]

1. Does anyone have any suggestions for a May status run from YYZ (or DFW or BUF)?

Have you had a look at DFW-PHX-GEG return? Not sure if it is still doable in a day but Spokane (GEG) is a wonderful place to spend a night.

 

[jrobin]

Have you had a look at DFW-PHX-GEG return? Not sure if it is still doable in a day but Spokane (GEG) is a wonderful place to spend a night.

Thanks Hvr.

I looked at YYZ-DFW-GEG-PHX-DFW-YYZ return at 300 SC's for about CA$1300 and YYZ-CLT-DFW-PHX-SEA return at 400 SC's for less than CA$1700. All seem to be around $4/SC. There is some appeal to staying in one country. I was hoping for something less than CA$3/SC as I had found other years.

I have reason to spend a couple weekdays in SJO, but have not found bargain business fares there either.

 

[jase05]

Anyone know how often the MH bargains from CGK come up?
Got a couple of days to kill there in mid May and was looking for a few options

 

[sudoer]

Got a couple of days to kill there in mid May and was looking for a few options

Here are your options at the moment. Do you have an SC target?

 

[sudoer]

CGK-xCMB-DXB on UL is also a good earner.

320 SC for under $1000 - but you need to find availability in I which might be tough.

 

[jase05]

Here are your options at the moment. Do you have an SC target?

View attachment 159201

No target as mine has just been reset and I’m starting from scratch. Just after a good earner so thanks for the above info.

 

[pandaflyer]

I thought I posted this but cant find it. I had a slow year and long attained 20qf status (I was on Platinum) QF offered to let me keep for 120K points which to be much cheaper than status runs, wondering if anyone knows what they will do next year, will I be able to just blow another 120 points or will they force me to get the flights in if I want it

 

[sudoer]

wondering if anyone knows what they will do next year, will I be able to just blow another 120 points or will they force me to get the flights in if I want it

No one can tell you with certainty what Qantas will offer, but this thread may connect you with some people who have first hand experiences to share.

 

[Ade]

Here are your options at the moment. Do you have an SC target?

View attachment 159201

Wow, simply Wow, @sbor90 .The table you presented in simple amazing. How did you create this ? I'm sure it would be helpful for those planning to do status runs.

 

[onemore]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!



110,000 is the full points price so would be 72,000 at the minimum level to be comparable to the 48,000 of TSV DRW run. Purely on the points per SC basis they are very close.
The all points price BNE KTA run is 109,548/400 is 273.8 points per SC. While TSV DRW run is 276.9 points per SC. So BNE KTA is slightly better value.

While at the minimum points level BNE KTA is 72000/400 is 180 points per SC. While TSV DRW run is 48000/280 which is 171 points per SC. So TSV DRW is slightly better value when minimum points is used.

They are so close it really comes down to other factors such positioning flights and accommodation. As well as how many FF points you have and how many SCs you need. Certainly if based in Brisbane then the KTA run has the benefit that you don't need a positioning flight or to pay for accommodation.

Showing my ignorance here but what the hell, what does KTA stand for please?

 

[Flashback]

Showing my ignorance here but what the hell, what does KTA stand for please?

Karratha airport.

 

[sudoer]

How did you create this ?

There's a large json file which powers MH's "Deals" section - I pull that into Google Sheets using IMPORTJSON, and copy the values across to a template which calculates SC, pulls live forex rates and spits out a $/SC rate.

It's far from elegant with quite a few issues:

• Doesn't calculate SC for Y or F correctly
• Doesn't calculate SC for one-way fares correctly (could be done but RT is usually better value so I haven't bothered)
• Calculating SC to/from Australia, NZ and Europe is a bit flaky but usually correct
• Calculating SC assumes all fares have a connection in KUL (most do, but there are some exceptions e.g. BKI-TPE, BKI-NRT)
• Google Sheets can get quite sluggish when dealing with 100k+ cells and pulling live forex info etc

I might try to tidy it up a bit over Easter, and write a guide on how to use it yourself... will see how I go.

If you are planning some runs I'm still happy to pull the output and share. Just let me know which origins/destinations or target SC.

 

[Kinchy]

Hi All,
Long time stalker first time poster here.

I have booked an international classic reward flight SYD-HKG for the 9th of May, and at the moment I'm 85 credits away from Gold for the first time.

My questions are, what's the best value for money status run to get me across the line? At the moment I've been looking at Jetstar Max bundles to OOL & LST, happy to check any other ideas out. (I also have a targeted double status promotion for international flights only)

Secondly, if my qualifying flight is QF MEL-SYD on the 9th am, will I be able to use Gold benefits that evening in Sydney? or am I better off qualifying further away from that date?

I'm based in Melbourne.

Thank you all!

 

[sudoer]

Long time stalker first time poster here.

Welcome!

I have booked an international classic reward flight SYD-HKG for the 9th of May, and at the moment I'm 85 credits away from Gold for the first time.

Is that classic reward in J or Y, and how much were the taxes? If the booking was in Y (I assume it is given you've asked about using Gold benefits below) would you consider cancelling the reward (taxes and points minus 6k refunded) and booking a cash fare with your current DSC promo?

My questions are, what's the best value for money status run to get me across the line? At the moment I've been looking at Jetstar Max bundles to OOL & LST, happy to check any other ideas out.

I'd be looking at either MEL-xSYD-DPS or MEL-xSYD-AKL return to take advantage of the DSC offer. Keep in mind you need to book a Saver or Flex fare (Sale fares are ineligible) but either of those will get you to the 85 SC required.

Secondly, if my qualifying flight is QF MEL-SYD on the 9th am, will I be able to use Gold benefits that evening in Sydney? or am I better off qualifying further away from that date?

It will really depend on how quickly the SC post. Lately I've found SC often have posted before the flight lands, but they can take weeks. If they post in time, you can use the benefits immediately.

 

[Hvr]

Welcome aboard @Kinchy 2nd question first. Domestic usually flights credit quickly and you should get lounge access that evening. However, you will probably need to not check in until you check that it has ticked over.

Noting you're in HKG have you got time to do a quick HKG-KUL return in MH J? 80SCs can often be very cheap.

 

[wandering_fred]

...
Noting you're in HKG have you got time to do a quick HKG-KUL return in MH J? 80SCs can often be very cheap.

And that's one way in business. Add a relatively cheap return even in Y will result in more than your needed 90.
Round trip on a MAX fare with 3K to SIN would also yield 80.

Happy wandering
Fred

 

[Kinchy]

Hi all, thanks for your quick replies.

I am flying Y to HKG, would prefer to qualify prior to that flight. It was a family booking so rebooking with cash is not really an option.

I think the cost / benefit on the DSC offer is lost due to the short notice and fare restrictions.

I'm thinking a multi leg domestic flight in JQ max might be the way to go towards the end of this month.

 

[sudoer]

I think the cost / benefit on the DSC offer is lost due to the short notice and fare restrictions.

See how you go with the JQ Max options, but jetting over to AKL for lunch on Sunday is a real possibility. With the current promo it would net 100SC.