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

 

[etops1]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Sorry lads, yep do need to be back in SJC, ideally for dinner on the 10th but that's negotiable.
And only need the 410SC for first qual to WP.

NAS might be ok but I can't find a close airport hotel like in SJU and the extra hump may not be worth it. My original plan was r/t sjc-dfw-ord.

Time for a think before deciding.

Very much appreciate your effort. Will shout you beers even if I don't book it (I'm also in MEL)

 

[legroom]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

SJU can get you 540SC for USD1075.

NAS r/t can earn an easy 460 for USD900.

SC run gurus,

As a general statement only, could you say that US-based run cost less than a similar SC run in Oz ?

Say, for a certain amount of SCs (200, 300...), would you be able to say that Oz runs will cost more in $ (& points) ?

I plan to have a run later in the year but remains uncertain whether I should plan for a DOM or an US run (I will be there in Nov)?

Seeing the figures here made me think US runs are better value, am I correct ?

 

[alieninperth]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

I would certainly think so.

 

[gogo419]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

SC run gurus,

As a general statement only, could you say that US-based run cost less than a similar SC run in Oz ?

Say, for a certain amount of SCs (200, 300...), would you be able to say that Oz runs will cost more in $ (& points) ?

I plan to have a run later in the year but remains uncertain whether I should plan for a DOM or an US run (I will be there in Nov)?

Seeing the figures here made me think US runs are better value, am I correct ?

yes! USA is much cheaper! There is a 600sc run for $838 but need to add a night in the hotel as an extra cost.. Where will you be based in USA?

 

[legroom]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

yes! USA is much cheaper! There is a 600sc run for $838 but need to add a night in the hotel as an extra cost.. Where will you be based in USA?

I won't be there until Nov so I will get in touch with the gurus here sometime in July-Aug or so.

Too early now, is it not ?

I will be in Los Angeles (36 hrs) and Washington (5 days).

Or should I plan for a run this early out ?

I am all ears to suggestions.

 

[gogo419]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

I won't be there until Nov so I will get in touch with the gurus here sometime in July-Aug or so.

Too early now, is it not ?

I will be in Los Angeles (36 hrs) and Washington (5 days).

Or should I plan for a run this early out ?

I am all ears to suggestions.

Doesnt hurt to start now.. How many sc are you looking for? From my research I haven't found anything cheap out of LAX (I wouldn't say I'm an expert! However..) have you booked a flight between Washington and LA?

 

[legroom]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Doesnt hurt to start now.. How many sc are you looking for? From my research I haven't found anything cheap out of LAX (I wouldn't say I'm an expert! However..) have you booked a flight between Washington and LA?

OK

Let's have a dry run

SYD-LAX-IAD / DCA - LAX - SYD: already booked in PE

Looking for 600 SCs or so.

I have 5 days in Washington that I can peel off for the run.

Alternatively, I will in LA 36 hrs before departing for SYD on QF12.

Thanks to all the gurus here.

 

[gogo419]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

OK

Let's have a dry run

SYD-LAX-IAD / DCA - LAX - SYD: already booked in PE

Looking for 600 SCs or so.

I have 5 days in Washington that I can peel off for the run.

Alternatively, I will in LA 36 hrs before departing for SYD on QF12.

Thanks to all the gurus here.

pm me your email if you don't mind? And I'll send through some screenshots of what I have!

cheers gogo

 

[sparoz]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Epiqure is a pretty quick points builder at 3000 points for $180 spend if your partial to grape juice slightly refined!

Is this because of the 2000 points bonus per dozen?

 

[puppysparkes]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Yes thats the one, minimum 72,000 points + $440.
I would recommend BNE-MEL-PER-KTA and KTA-PER-MEL-BNE routing as you get slightly more FF points than routing through ADL (and same SC earn) although the scheduling might require an overnight in KTA which looked expensive ($260-280/night at a basic motor inn)
Forgot to mention: once I checked-in to the first segment from BNE (online via Qantas website) all 6 boarding passes were issued to me straight away so I had everything ready to go upfront.
Happy hunting & happy flying.
I have my Gold status now, mission accomplished

Currently on the BNE-MEL-PER-KTA and KTA-PER-BNE routing. After speaking with the lounge angel and today's experience, I would suggest avoiding Thursday's and Fridays (high traffic days). Packing them in like sardines would be an inadequate statement for this regional lounge. Apologies if this has been mentioned previously. Today's routing allowed me to get back to PER, rather than overnight in KTA. Obviously accommodation options are greater in PER. I am again amazed at how many people feel entitled to load their bags with items from the lounge.

Obviously changing days may alter the value of the run. In all honesty if you can't handle a tight regional lounge then you have major FWP. That said, we had a barking dog in the hold which was amusing for the journey!

 

[FxTrader]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Hi Guys,

AFF newbie here.

Going to HNL on business but have a week or so to play with.
Would like to plan a SC run BUT with the AA changes in the states, are the AA status runs still viable?

FX

 

[travellerqff]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

BUT with the AA changes in the states, are the AA status runs still viable?

Short answer, yes. Are you thinking of using points or buying the Instant Upgrade fare?

 

[FxTrader]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Thanks, will start mapping out my run.
From memory, as a lurker, HNL was a good start with a SA county as the turnaround.
Have a friend in Sally, so may pay him a visit.
Will be booking IUs to get the First SCs )

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Welcome to AFF

Yep, many HNL-<Caribbean or Central/South American> routes can give quite good bang for your buck in the SC earn stakes.

 

[DeKa]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

I'm also looking for a HNL route... popular place! If I just look at return to PTY in business and higher with restrictions I get a USD$1700 fare, with 720SC. I'm struggling to get routing via LAS and ORD or DFW. If I force it in multi city booking the whole thing fails. I've read as many threads as I can, but can someone give me ideas? First weeks of May.
Thanks.

 

[Grooba]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

With a quick multi city search of HNL-ORD, ORD-PTY, PTY-HNL on 2nd May returning 5th May the first option is HNL-LAX-ORD-MIA-PTY-MIA-LAX-HNL which nets 780SC for $USD1450.00.

That's the default routing returned, with a bit of a play around I'm sure you could get a much better $/SC ratio.

 

[Limewood]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

What would be the best HNL run to get 350 SC's?

 

[Grooba]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

What would be the best HNL run to get 350 SC's?

HNL-LAX vv would leave you short 50SC so something like HNL-xLAX-LAS vv would net 420SC.

 

[Chris82]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Hi All,

Another long time lurker and only occassional poster.

Currently Silver QFF, and sitting at 425 SC's, with a renewal date of 31 March 2013. I'm looking to crack Gold for the first time and I received my first Double SC offer just the other day, so it seemed like the right time to try for my first ever status run. I only have 225SC to get. I have enough points to do a JASA, and I'm really trying to keep my money spend to as little as possible (under $150 if it's doable). I'm based in BNE (very awkward place to do status runs out of it seems)

So far the options I have looked at are (date used for all of these is Saturday February 16th 2013):

Option 1:
Positioning from BNE-CBR: Red-edeal ~$150 for the ticket, 10SC
CBR-SYD-ADL: 37k points for 100SC
ADL-BNE Red Edeal ~$175 ticket, 15SC
TOTAL: 37k points, ~$300+, 125SC (250SC with Double SC)

Option 2:
Position to SYD: Red edeal ~100, 10SC
SYD-BNE-TSV: 37k points, 100SC
TSV-BNE: Red edeal ~$150, 15SC
TOTAL: 37k points, ~$250, 125SC (250SC with DSC)

Option 3:
BNE-MEL-HBA: 37k points, 100SC
HBA-MEL-BNE: red edeal ~$240, 25SC
TOTAL: 37k points, ~$240, 125SC (250SC with DSC)

All these options would get me over the line, and don't require a overnight anywhere (which would stuff up my aim to spend as little $ as possible). Option 3 looks the best for me at the moment, but I'm not sure if it is the optimum route, and it would take most of the day to do. Is this the best route for me to take to reach my 700SC goal or is there possibly something better out there? You guys are wizards when you come to find some of these great routes, so I was hoping I might get some help.

Cheers,
Chris

So just to update, I ended up going with option 3, except in reverse.

So I paid for a red e-deal BNE-MEL-HBA (which will get me 50SC with DSC) and then booked a JASA for the return HBA-MEL-BNE. It's coming up soon and this will be my first ever status run, so it does feel a little strange for me at this point to make a flight for no reason other than to gain additional SC's, but I'll see how I go. I hope I don't get addicted to it, because I could easily see myself making it a all to regular event if I like it. By the end of the run, I will have achieved Gold for the first time as well...which was obviously the whole point of this endeavour in the first place.

 

[simongr]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Nice work. Well next year it will be easier to requalify with only 600SCs required!

I wouldn't look on it as flying for no reason - I would see it as an opportunity to catch up on some reading or a movie in peace and quiet. My first real SC run was LHR-DXB-LHR as part of a DONE4 - I read the final Harry Potter book on the trip in a lot more comfort than the skan_y chairs in the hotel where I would have been reading it.