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

 

[Bindibuys]

I am old… tired from lack of sleep…. Which is correct?
410 sc divided by $1841 = 2.22
$4.49 x 410sc. = $1841

 

[Tropic]

It's the money divided by sc = per sc value

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I suppose a key question not discussed thus far is what would be a good country to start these status credit runs from given there aren't particularly amazing deals out of Australia? I see some deals in New Zealand but perhaps there are better deals ex-Asia or ex-Americas.

 

[elanshin]

I suppose a key question not discussed thus far is what would be a good country to start these status credit runs from given there aren't particularly amazing deals out of Australia? I see some deals in New Zealand but perhaps there are better deals ex-Asia or ex-Americas.

For the most part its not worth the time to even look beyond NZ. You can do intra asia / US but those won't be on DSC. Anything that uses QF metal from those places will come to Aus and aren't cheap atm and thus make for bad status per $ even with DSC. Would only consider those if you're already going to those destinations.

 

[justinbrett]

Honestly if you are trying to earn more than 500SCs in a status run, for a trip you wouldn't normally take, you should probably ask yourself the question if the status is worth it.

I wouldn't be doing a run for more than about 20% of the requirement, and ideally I'd be making a holiday out of it or using for a trip you were going to take anyway.

Talk of going somewhere overseas to START a status run is getting a bit extreme, IMO.

 

[Foreigner]

Honestly if you are trying to earn more than 500SCs in a status run, for a trip you wouldn't normally take, you should probably ask yourself the question if the status is worth it.

I wouldn't be doing a run for more than about 20% of the requirement, and ideally I'd be making a holiday out of it or using for a trip you were going to take anyway.

Talk of going somewhere overseas to START a status run is getting a bit extreme, IMO.

each to his own

 

[Quickstatus]

410 sc divided by $1841 = 2.22
$4.49 x 410sc. = $1841

You want know "how many $ does each SC cost"
This means SC is the denominator

The correct equation is:
Total cost divided by total number of SC
$1841 divided by 410 = $4.49 per SC

Alternatively you want to know "how much does 410 SC cost"
This is a multiplication
Total number of SC multiplied by cost of each SC

The correct equation is:
410 Sc x $4.49 per SC = $1841.

ideally I'd be making a holiday out of it or using for a trip you were going to take anyway.

Ideally making the tax deductibility portion as close to 100% as possible while at the same time.....

 

[justinbrett]

each to his own

Absolutely, but if you're spending 500SCs, minimum $1500 at the moment, meaning your normal travel pattern is only getting 200SC for SG (definitely not worth it) or 700SCs for WP (the Flounge is nice, but it's not $1500 nice). If you're going for P1 maybe, but even then I'd question it.

But you're right, not trying to stop anyone, but I think a lot of people get caught in the bright lights of status. I'm not sure any status upgrade is worth $1500.

 

[elanshin]

Absolutely, but if you're spending 500SCs, minimum $1500 at the moment, meaning your normal travel pattern is only getting 200SC for SG (definitely not worth it) or 700SCs for WP (the Flounge is nice, but it's not $1500 nice). If you're going for P1 maybe, but even then I'd question it.

But you're right, not trying to stop anyone, but I think a lot of people get caught in the bright lights of status. I'm not sure any status upgrade is worth $1500.

It depends on the flying patterns. You could actually fly an ok amount regularly but only be SG due to flying discount Y a lot or even JQi. That would make a bit worthwhile.

Also im in the situation where im considering it. I think naturally this year ill end up about 800-900 SC but my overseas and domestic travels is increasing more and more each year for work. Retaining 1200 would be easier than 1400.

 

[Quickstatus]

each to his own

Lots of different reasons for a Status runs.
Ive done a Status run to JFK to get to a professional conference. Added in, Mrs QS came along. She went shopping in NYC for handbags and accessories. I also got 2 years supply of chainsaw chains, and did some work related observing of a US expert in my field.

How many birds is that:
conference =1
Mrs QS brownie points = 1
My chainsaw chains = 1
professional learning at a workplace = 1
DSC run which in one trip retain plat from an near zero SC balance = 1
Tax deductibility = 1

6 birds with one stone
How to value that?
Reminds me of "There are some things money can't buy. For everything else there is a DSC run"

 

[PineappleSkip]

Lots of different reasons for a Status runs.

Because they're THERE!

 

[justinbrett]

Lots of different reasons for a Status runs.
Ive done a Status run to JFK to get to a professional conference. Added in, Mrs QS came along. She went shopping in NYC for handbags and accessories. I also got 2 years supply of chainsaw chains, and did some work related observing of a US expert in my field.

How many birds is that:
conference =1
Mrs QS brownie points = 1
My chainsaw chains = 1
professional learning at a workplace = 1
DSC run which in one trip retain plat from an near zero SC balance = 1
Tax deductibility = 1

6 birds with one stone
How to value that?
Reminds me of "There are some things money can't buy. For everything else there is a DSC run"

Lots of definitions too.

I personally wouldn't consider a trip that is a holiday or used as a business trip, a status run. For me, a status run is a there and back, max 24 hour stay in the destination before returning.

Anything else is taking advantage of the DSC promotion, but not necessarily a status run.

Obviously we are all free to use whatever definitions we like.

 

[Quickstatus]

definitions

Status runs have a habit of starting as one where the goal is only SC (and where if not for the SC there is no requirement of travel), but then it morphs when other opportunities subsequently rise. Which in this case it did: Depart Syd Friday morning arrive SYD Tuesday morning.

And the other benefit. No jetlag when you cram everything in to a weekend

 

[Foreigner]

Absolutely, but if you're spending 500SCs, minimum $1500 at the moment, meaning your normal travel pattern is only getting 200SC for SG (definitely not worth it) or 700SCs for WP (the Flounge is nice, but it's not $1500 nice). If you're going for P1 maybe, but even then I'd question it.

But you're right, not trying to stop anyone, but I think a lot of people get caught in the bright lights of status. I'm not sure any status upgrade is worth $1500.

To digress, reminds me of some folks very keen to get Centurion card from Amex

 

[http_x92]

That's SCs earned while using points as a Points Club (Plus) member travelling J?
Isn't it 18 (ADL-SYD) + 38 (ADL-DRW) = 56
return and doubled = 224 SC?

Apologies, you are correct so its 224 SCs in total and Alliance Airlines flights on QF codes count for DSC.

I was looking at MEL-ADL-DRW, will DSC apply to QF coded Alliance Aiirlines ADL-DRW leg? Aware it is QF metal for international but domestic?
Also any thoughts on Embraer 190 business?

Got bumped down to Economy but called the QFF Service Centre and they allowed me to earn the Biz Classic rewards status credits, so it does work. So even if booked as a reward you will get SCs on Alliance Airline flights marketed as QF.

 

[justinbrett]

Got bumped down to Economy but called the QFF Service Centre and they allowed me to earn the Biz Classic rewards status credits, so it does work. So even if booked as a reward you will get SCs on Alliance Airline flights marketed as QF.

Not strictly correct.

The Alliance contract is effectively operated by QF (but contracted under a wet lease), they are not operated by QQ from a GDS perspective. The proper QQ flights are not eligible. So "SCs on Alliance Airlines flights marketed as QF" is not correct - it's Alliance Airlines flights operated for Qantas as QF flights.

These QF contracted alliance flights actually use the callsign "Qantas", not "Unity" which is the normal Alliance callsign.

Curious what you mean by "allowed me to earn the Biz Classic rewards status credits". The E190s have business class, if seated there you will get QF business SCs. If seated in Y I can't see why they'd "allow" you to earn business SCs, even if connecting to a J mainline flight.

Also any thoughts on Embraer 190 business?

I think Alliance for QF Business is great, solo seats on the left, couple seats on the right - service is really good. Possibly not as polished as mainline but they try, and all things being equal should be similar to mainline, if not better.

 

[http_x92]

Curious what you mean by "allowed me to earn the Biz Classic rewards status credits". The E190s have business class, if seated there you will get QF business SCs. If seated in Y I can't see why they'd "allow" you to earn business SCs, even if connecting to a J mainline flight.

It was a last minute bump 1 day out from the flight due to a Qantas staff member taking those seats. So got the ORC where I booked SYD-ADL-DRW entirely in J.

 

[elanshin]

It was a last minute bump 1 day out from the flight due to a Qantas staff member taking those seats. So got the ORC where I booked the SYD-ADL-DRW entirely in J.

I assume they also refunded you the difference in the fares while letting you keep ORC?

 

[http_x92]

I assume they also refunded you the difference in the fares while letting you keep ORC?

Yep I got a small refund in the form of points as it was a reward booking. It was only the ADL-DRW part that was in Y. I flew SYD-ADL in J.

 

[nancypants]

My rationale is that I’m having a lean year because there are no nurses/doctors anywhere so leave is being refused left right and centre. But I will be pissed off next year when I start travelling again proper to be in the stupid 4 hour hold queue for phone service etc