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

 

[Port Power]

It’s also important to realise that chading status doesn't make a whole lot of sense. What's the point of having QF Gold status if you only fly QF or OneWorld partners once a year? If you go into this expecting to be flying these airlines on a monthly or perhaps even weekly basis, then sure chasing status can make a whole lot of status. Otherwise, at the end of the day all you have is a Gold piece of plastic you barely use! Key things to consider when deciding on status would include whether you will use the perks such as extra baggage allowance, increased award availability or lounge access to name but a few. In some circumstances it can make sense to chase QF status if you've got 1 or 2 long haul flights in economy just for the added baggage allowance (incidentally this was where I was getting 30% of my Premier Gold status when I was an elite with United).


-RooFlyer88

I do rather think that those posting here on AFF are chasing status because they do fly sufficiently to use all the perks. Having lounge access when flying Y is good, although a QP membership is probably cheaper than status runs. I can definitely say that I have used absolutely every WP perk multiple times this year alone, and have a future around the world One World Award to book for later next year. I agree flyers need to balance perks with spending.

And, of course, quick access to the premier line in Hobart!

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I do rather think that those posting here on AFF are chasing status because they do fly sufficiently to use all the perks.

That I'm less certain about. I haven't used the spare checked baggage allowance, and I reckon many folks on this forum who have QF status haven't either. I should also point out that not everyone who is on this forum is necessarily a frequent flyer. Some join because they wants some tips n' tricks to make their travel easier (even if they only travel once a year to visit grandma).

Having lounge access when flying Y is good, although a QP membership is probably cheaper than status runs.

Depends on when your program year ends and how much it costs to retain status. Certainly if you earn status early in your program (i.e. due to a cheap trans-tasman J fare during a DSC promotion), you could end up ahead versus simply getting the membership since you would have roughly two years of QF Club access: your current qualifying year plus the one year after that.

And, of course, quick access to the premier line in Hobart!

Don't forget the world renowned QF Lounge at Hobart!

-RooFlyer88

 

[Port Power]

That I'm less certain about. I haven't used the spare checked baggage allowance, and I reckon many folks on this forum who have QF status haven't either. I should also point out that not everyone who is on this forum is necessarily a frequent flyer. Some join because they wants some tips n' tricks to make their travel easier (even if they only travel once a year to visit grandma).
Don't forget the world renowned QF Lounge at Hobart!

-RooFlyer88

Sorry, I actually was thinking of AFF members who do fly a lot rather than those who fly less but take a keen interest. And although I often fly domestically with only carry on (SO much easier when visiting the J lounge on arrival!), I have need the extra bag allowance on domestic Y when packing for special events.

 

[SYD]

A good sale to NZ with another DSC promo would be nice. You can do even better than 480SC depending where you are based. I got 520SC from MEL-SYD-CHC-BNE-MEL in J on DSC.

Yes, I‘m hoping for a DSC so I can scrape together a few more SCs within my remaining status year window (with no further gratis status keeper as a July anniversary QFF).

I’ve just booked SEA-JFK-SAN on AS F for next year but nothing like the value / SC earn of years past….

 

[exceladdict]

Yes, I‘m hoping for a DSC so I can scrape together a few more SCs within my remaining status year window (with no further gratis status keeper as a July anniversary QFF).

Perhaps naively, but hoping to do the same but with PC functionality

 

[SYD]

Perhaps naively, but hoping to do the same but with PC functionality

Ditto!

 

[sudoer]

I haven't used the spare checked baggage allowance, and I reckon many folks on this forum who have QF status haven't either

My wife usually makes full use of our 2 x OWE baggage entitlements when visiting Japan.

Australian customs has at times questioned whether the boxes of kitchen & laundry products constitute a commercial quantity, but as the boxes contain an assortment of products which are impossible to source locally or 3x the price, they usually waive us through without much hassle. Bringing back a full-size cat tower (with JAL First Class luggage tags ) on one trip got quite a few smiles both departing Japan and arriving in Australia. No country makes toys & accessories for cats quite like Japan does..

 

[Ade]

I haven't used the spare checked baggage allowance, and I reckon many folks on this forum who have QF status haven't either.

QF WP here and I ALWAYS exceed the baggage allowance. touch wood all of those times I exceeded, I somehow managed NOT to pay anything for the excess. The items that I usually use/buy for myself fit in a HL. But the things I'm asked to purchase for (& promptly reimbursed) by mates make up the lot. Most of my mates keep checking on me as to when my next trip to India is and there is an open tab where my mates add items they need, and I buy it for them. So, the baggage allowance is helping in this way

 

[Spacetravel]

So this is the first time I intend on doing a pure "status run", usually just bumping up the fare class of a couple planned bookings is enough if its getting close, unfortunately that isn't the case this time. I need 147 SC by 31st Jan 23 to upgrade to platinum status. I've been holding out as fares are super expensive right now over this period but as time is running out I think I need to just bite the bullet and pay.

Hoping can help finding the following:
How many: 147 SC
Departing: Sydney
By when: Jan 31 23
Budget: Ideally under $1500 but absolute max is $2000

I don't want to waste money on accomo so either something that can be completed in a day or have an overnight flight.

I've looked into CHC as it comes up a lot but over this period it appears to be very expensive, hoping for some sweet spots I haven't thought about. Willing to be creative.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

So this is the first time I intend on doing a pure "status run", usually just bumping up the fare class of a couple planned bookings is enough if its getting close, unfortunately that isn't the case this time. I need 147 SC by 31st Jan 23 to upgrade to platinum status. I've been holding out as fares are super expensive right now over this period but as time is running out I think I need to just bite the bullet and pay.

Hoping can help finding the following:
How many: 147 SC
Departing: Sydney
By when: Jan 31 23
Budget: Ideally under $1500 but absolute max is $2000

I don't want to waste money on accomo so either something that can be completed in a day or have an overnight flight.

I've looked into CHC as it comes up a lot but over this period it appears to be very expensive, hoping for some sweet spots I haven't thought about. Willing to be creative.

Have you qualified for Qantas Green Tier this year? It's like 5 simple activities you have to do and you get 50 status credits just from that. Also how many of those status credits were from Qantas/JetStar operated flights? The reason I ask is that you earn a loyalty bonus of 50 status credits every 500 status base (i.e. not bonus) status credits earned flying with them. Supposing you haven't done Qantas Green tier and hypothetically flew entirely QF/JQ flights this year but haven't redeemed the loyalty bonuses, you could in theory have up to 150 status credits available right there.

In terms of economical routings to earn said points, here is one I found that will generated 160 status credits ex-MEL:


Then either book a cheapo JQ fare to/from MEL or alternatively a QF award to position you for said flight. No doubt the sages on AFF will find far better deals than this, but thought I'd put something on the table that ticks some of the boxes here.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Spacetravel]

Have you qualified for Qantas Green Tier this year? It's like 5 simple activities you have to do and you get 50 status credits just from that. Also how many of those status credits were from Qantas/JetStar operated flights? The reason I ask is that you earn a loyalty bonus of 50 status credits every 500 status base (i.e. not bonus) status credits earned flying with them. Supposing you haven't done Qantas Green tier and hypothetically flew entirely QF/JQ flights this year but haven't redeemed the loyalty bonuses, you could in theory have up to 150 status credits available right there.

In terms of economical routings to earn said points, here is one I found that will generated 160 status credits ex-MEL:
View attachment 309168

Then either book a cheapo JQ fare to/from MEL or alternatively a QF award to position you for said flight. No doubt the sages on AFF will find far better deals than this, but thought I'd put something on the table that ticks some of the boxes here.

-RooFlyer88

Thanks for the quick response and help. Yes I have factored in green tier sc (I actually need 197 sc) but I totally forgot about the loyalty bonus, I need 63SC to trigger loyalty bonus. So your advice already saved me 50SC. So I actually now only need 100 SC, which return J to almost anywhere should net me that.

Still open to suggestions on how to get 100sc economically.

 

[ChrisMars]

Thanks for the quick response and help. Yes I have factored in green tier sc (I actually need 197 sc) but I totally forgot about the loyalty bonus, I need 63SC to trigger loyalty bonus. So your advice already saved me 50SC. So I actually now only need 100 SC, which return J to almost anywhere should net me that.

Still open to suggestions on how to get 100sc economically.

Are you Qantas Point member? Award itinerary with a few connections could get you there without spending too much cash, since award flight s point member gives you some SC (not full).

 

[gaz0303]

Hoping to make WP this year will have 400sc without flying (+250rollover, +50 green, +50 loyalty, +50 points club). J fare booked in March to Madrid. All segments on EK metal show reduced SC earn despite booking QF flight numbers. QF status calculator shows MEL-DXB on QF as 180sc in discount J. 'Your Booking' tool on QF only shows 45sc for this segment. Which one is correct?

 

[sudoer]

Hoping to make WP this year will have 400sc without flying (+250rollover, +50 green, +50 loyalty, +50 points club). J fare booked in March to Madrid. All segments on EK metal show reduced SC earn despite booking QF flight numbers. QF status calculator shows MEL-DXB on QF as 180sc in discount J. 'Your Booking' tool on QF only shows 45sc for this segment. Which one is correct?

Can you take a screenshot of the itinerary from Manage My Booking showing the exact class for each leg? e.g. "Business (C)"

Feel free to block out dates or other identifying info.

+50 points club

FYI the Points Club Plus rollover is 100 SC. Points Club (non-Plus) does not come with any rollover.

 

[gaz0303]

Can you take a screenshot of the itinerary from Manage My Booking showing the exact class for each leg? e.g. "Business (C)"

Feel free to block out dates or other identifying info.



FYI the Points Club Plus rollover is 100 SC. Points Club (non-Plus) does not come with any rollover.

All international legs are in I class. The QF2 flight SIN-SYD is showing correctly.

 

[ChrisMars]

All international legs are in I class. The QF2 flight SIN-SYD is showing correctly.

Strange that Qantas indicate you will earn a reduced amout of sc and points for your MEL DBX. Looks like the correct earn for sales Y.

 

[Spacetravel]

Are you Qantas Point member? Award itinerary with a few connections could get you there without spending too much cash, since award flight s point member gives you some SC (not full).

Yeah I’m points club plus.

Thanks guys, I managed to book return syd > bne economy classic award and return syd > ool business full fare. Carbon offset the flight to hopefully get my leaf (which didn’t work last time) will get me + 50, loyalty bonus + 50 = 194 sc total where I require 192.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Did anyone ever have issues in getting SYD - AKL (today); AKL - MEL (tomorrow morning) - SYD boarding passes issued here in SYD. I was told by the checking agent here in SYD that my Australian APIS failed, she then called the ABF (who told her something which she could not pass on to me) and said, that she can’t issue my AKL - MEL boarding pass and that I have to go to the counter in AKL tomorrow morning.

Key questions:

1) What could the issue be given that heaps of you have done this route this year;
2) How is it any different to get my boarding pass tomorrow in AKL vs today in SYD?

I am travelling on a non-Australian passport with a valid visa (in case that may trigger a difference)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Did anyone ever have issues in getting SYD - AKL (today); AKL - MEL (tomorrow morning) - SYD boarding passes issued here in SYD. I was told by the checking agent here in SYD that my Australian APIS failed, she then called the ABF (who told her something which she could not pass on to me) and said, that she can’t issue my AKL - MEL boarding pass and that I have to go to the counter in AKL tomorrow morning.

Key questions:

1) What could the issue be given that heaps of you have done this route this year;
2) How is it any different to get my boarding pass tomorrow in AKL vs today in SYD?

I am travelling on a non-Australian passport with a valid visa (in case that may trigger a difference)

My guess is this is cabotage related. In Canada you would get a lot of dirty looks by immigration authorities flying United domestically in Canada (via the US).

-RooFlyer88

 

[exLXCXFF]

My guess is this is cabotage related. In Canada you would get a lot of dirty looks by immigration authorities flying United domestically in Canada (via the US).

-RooFlyer88

Ah - the cabotage part being going from Sydney to Melbourne via AKL with an Australian carrier? But I thought that there were quite a few reports where people have obtained their return boarding passes in SYD (maybe by mistake then)?