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

 

[Mattg]

Nice Graph Sudoer! I only wish we were in a position to enjoy an MH sale fare version

LST-MEL-CBR-SYD-LST GETS 383.33 @ 1156mi

Getting a tight CBR-SYD connection can be problematic as current schedules dont have many 717s on that route after the earliest possible flight from MEL arrives but it is doable on some days.

Can you get LST-MEL-CBR-SYD-LST on a one-way award ticket? I would've thought that would be a return trip (i.e. costing more points) because you start and end the trip in the same place.

LST-MEL-SYD-OOL works and is just under 1,200 miles also. You can even do that whole trip in J to earn 16 SC per flight (575 points/SC) or in Y it earns at 571 points/SC, although that's not under 400 points/SC. (The taxes would be lower, though.)

A few others that I've come across include CNJ-ISA-BNE-HVB (1,186 miles; 480 points/SC) and PQQ-SYD-OAG-SYD-CBR (594 miles; 286 points/SC) - both only possible in Y.

 

[muppet]

Can you get LST-MEL-CBR-SYD-LST on a one-way award ticket? I would've thought that would be a return trip (i.e. costing more points) because you start and end the trip in the same place.

LST-MEL-SYD-OOL works and is just under 1,200 miles also. You can even do that whole trip in J to earn 16 SC per flight (575 points/SC) or in Y it earns at 571 points/SC, although that's not under 400 points/SC. (The taxes would be lower, though.)

A few others that I've come across include CNJ-ISA-BNE-HVB (1,186 miles; 480 points/SC) and PQQ-SYD-OAG-SYD-CBR (594 miles; 286 points/SC) - both only possible in Y.

I managed to get 471 point/SC in Business Class (which is essential for me for status runs).

CBR-SYD-MEL-SYD-BNE-CNS for 41,500 + $195 which gets 88 SCs ......

but then I realised.... who could be bothered with all that for 88 SCs. Especially with status locked in until 2022.

 

[Hoatzin]

Can you get LST-MEL-CBR-SYD-LST on a one-way award ticket? I would've thought that would be a return trip (i.e. costing more points) because you start and end the trip in the same place.

LST-MEL-SYD-OOL works and is just under 1,200 miles also. You can even do that whole trip in J to earn 16 SC per flight (575 points/SC) or in Y it earns at 571 points/SC, although that's not under 400 points/SC. (The taxes would be lower, though.)

A few others that I've come across include CNJ-ISA-BNE-HVB (1,186 miles; 480 points/SC) and PQQ-SYD-OAG-SYD-CBR (594 miles; 286 points/SC) - both only possible in Y.

Whoops!

That second LST was meant to be OOL. Getting LST-,...,LST on a one way fare would be quite a feat!

 

[sudoer]

Best I've found is MEL-xBNE-CNS-xBNE-ADL which scrapes in 12 miles under the 3600mi award bracket and delivers 112 SC* for 57k points + $124 tax. Would be a long day, or two if doing them back to back.

Another option is CNS-xBNE-SYD-xMEL-PER - 102 SC* for 57k points + $142 tax

BNE-MEL and BNE-CNS are good legs to incorporate as they're not too much over the 750mi dropping them into the "medium domestic flight" bracket.

* IYKYK

 

[Nimo]

HI I am QF fast track Gold status - all I need 100SC to get Gold Status
Wondering if there is any cheap option to get 100SC - as CC status card doesn't count toward that run- I preferably would flight from Mel - would appreciate if some one has any suggestions - Thanks in advance

 

[sudoer]

HI I am QF fast track Gold status - all I need 100SC to get Gold Status

Do you hold Points Club? and what makes you think SC from credit cards doesn't count? Everything on the Qantas Fast Track page suggests that they do count.

Qantas Status Fast Track | Qantas Frequent Flyer

For a limited time, we're offering eligible members the chance to move their airline frequent flyer status to Qantas to help them fast track to Qantas Gold.

www.qantas.com

From time to time, there may also be opportunities to earn bonus Status Credits on the ground with our extensive range of non-flying coalition partners. Keep an eye out for these offers in the future, as these bonus Status Credits will also count towards the Qantas Status Fast Track.

Are there any types of Status Credits that won’t count towards my goal?
Most types of Status Credits earned within the 90 day period will contribute to the Qantas Status Fast Track, including those earned in the air and on the ground. However, Status Credits earned from Loyalty Bonus, rollover Status Credits and any gifted Status Credits will not count toward your 100 Status Credit goal.

I’m not flying a lot at the moment, are there any other ways I can earn the 100 eligible Status Credits I need to complete the Qantas Status Fast Track?
We realise that you may not be flying as often as you may have previously. So to help you reach your 100 Status Credits goal, we’ve launched a series of offers with our program partners that let you earn the Status Credits you need, on the ground. Find out more.

 

[sudoer]

Back on the classic award status run discussion - I think these are encroaching the most SC you can earn in a one-way trip.


138 SC for 68k points + $230 tax (492 points + $1.66 per SC)


168 SC for 82k points + $195 tax (488 points + $1.16/SC)

 

[Nimo]

Do you hold Points Club? and what makes you think SC from credit cards doesn't count? Everything on the Qantas Fast Track page suggests that they do count.

Qantas Status Fast Track | Qantas Frequent Flyer

For a limited time, we're offering eligible members the chance to move their airline frequent flyer status to Qantas to help them fast track to Qantas Gold.

www.qantas.com

Thanks Sudor - I do have points club but I still have over 30K points to earn before I enjoy benefits -thats the reason I was hoping there is any cheap status run I can do to earn 100 status credit

 

[sudoer]

I do have points club but I still have over 30K points to earn before I enjoy benefits -thats the reason I was hoping there is any cheap status run I can do to earn 100 status credit

Best case scenario you'd be looking at $800+ to earn 100 SC through cash fares.

Cheapest option is to open a Qantas Premier Platinum card ($199) to collect 100k and 75 SC. You will obviously need to hit the minimum spend and receive the points before the end of your Fast Track qualification period.

The 100k points will get you across the line for Points Club, which means you can earn the remaining 25 SC needed for Fast Track through classic awards.

MEL-BNE-xSYD-MEL is 24k points + $110 taxes for 25 SC.

Total cost $309 and you come out ahead +76k points, hold QF Gold, receive two QP passes, and have Points Club for the remainder of your current membership year and the following 12 months.

 

[Mattg]

I'm not sure if there are really any great SC runs at the moment on QF using cash fares. Most of the QF flights I've seen recently are very expensive, including on routes that used to make good SC runs.

Out of MEL, you could earn 80 SCs by flying MEL-DRW-MEL on JQ with Max bundles purchased for around $574 return (fares seem to start at $202 each way for the base fare, plus $85 each way for a Max bundle). Then do a quick MEL-MQL-MEL or MEL-LST-MEL or something with QF for the other 20 SCs.

But I do think that, if you don't yet have Points Club membership, it's worth looking into the QF Premier Platinum credit card offer to earn 75 SCs that way.

 

[mviy]

My main reason to do a status run would be to get benefits available when flying internationally (first lounge access, better seats, priority boarding, priority check-in etc.). Seeing I can't travel internationally at the moment and QF will extend my current SG status for another year there's little incentive to look at status runs. Especially when state borders can close at any time rendering a trip being cancelled or leading to getting stuck interstate.

My favourite domestic run is MEL-BNE-CNS return in J on a DSC promo.

 

[flyingfan]

My favourite domestic run is MEL-BNE-CNS return in J on a DSC promo.

Mine (when it was around) was BNE-DRW in J with DSC in an A330. Good times...

 

[serfty]

Why would anyone bother doing status runs at the moment,

Not so much a Status run, but up to 400 SC I earn as a QF WP through end October count towards Status requalification in 2022 for 2023.

 

[nightelves]

Why would anyone bother doing status runs at the moment, most people would have their status extended in the first QF announcement early 2020 and then around late Nov QF made it even simpler as you only need to take one flight to keep status to whenever your year ends in 2022.

I’m doing it because I applied for a status match hence requires 100SC.

 

[Flashback]

I was on a rather good trajectory to hit BA Gold for Life (35,000 SC); I've lost (or will lose) 2 years worth of that now. It's interesting how this has all changed my mind, I'm not going to be going out of my way to hit if now and if/when I do hit it..... "yay", or something. As with any lifetime status it's good for the life of the program/airline rather than your life. I still have my QP lifetime membership sitting there collecting dust.

 

[Matt_01]

That's very true, although some of the status credits earned in this membership year will be rolled over to next year. So they aren't entirely a waste of time (and the SCs could still be useful if you're close to lifetime silver or gold).

Not so much a Status run, but up to 400 SC I earn as a QF WP through end October count towards Status requalification in 2022 for 2023.

Ok points taken, I did not think of LTG or LTS. I know I will not maintain P1 through to Aug 22 and will drop back to WP to see me through to 2023 and already have LTG. Time to get back in my box

 

[mviy]

and the SCs could still be useful if you're close to lifetime silver or gold

Close to LTS but as I currently have SG there's currently no immediate rush to get there. I'll probably make a run for it when I next go overseas.

 

[serfty]

Ok points taken, I did not think of LTG or LTS. I know I will not maintain P1 through to Aug 22 and will drop back to WP to see me through to 2023 and already have LTG. Time to get back in my box

No need to get into any box - the reality is your post has made me think ... about SCs and in fact flying Jetstar.

I have one Qantas booking currently, it may be all the SC I get this year before November on top of the 600 statuskeeper.

We all have different perspectives and it is good to to see things from orher viewpoints.

 

[Matt_01]

No need to get into any box - the reality is your post has made me think ... about SCs and in fact flying Jetstar.

I have one Qantas booking currently, it may be all the SC I get this year on top of the 600 statuskeeper before November.

We all have different perspectives and it is good to to see things from orher viewpoints.

I just realised I will have P1 through to Aug 22 thanks to the Nov 20 extension as I have already booked and taken 1 qualifying flight and have nothing booked until September 21 (at this stage). Even when the status keeper kicks in I cannot see me earning another 1800 SC to retain P1, I may have to accept no more R4 at the time of booking, easy access to reward seats and longer wait times when calling QF. It was going to end at some point.

 

[sudoer]

SYD-MEL-HTI probably my fave, especially when they move you onto the direct SYD-HTI flight and you save a few hours but get all the SC through ORC