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

 

[Danp]

Sydney-Melbourne-Gold Coast-Sydney.

Jetstar with Max bundles earns 70SC. You could probably do this for around $600 and in one day.

Hey Aikman, are there SC earn tables for the max bundles anywhere? I have looked up the earn tables and the max bundles talk about "Business to the max" on the jetstar site but are these earning SCs at flexible economy rates? When you select the bundles on the site, no SC related info comes up either...

 

[aikman]

Hey Aikman, are there SC earn tables for the max bundles anywhere? I have looked up the earn tables and the max bundles talk about "Business to the max" on the jetstar site but are these earning SCs at flexible economy rates? When you select the bundles on the site, no SC related info comes up either...

Plus bundle earns at the Economy rate.
Max bundle earns at the Flexible Economy rate.

 

[aikman]

There is a business class sale to New Caledonia and Samoa at the moment providing cheaper SCs than to NZ. Based on a departure from Melbourne.

 

[Ade]

I have already re-qual WP for 2024 ... however, I have at least 3x o/s trips to India coming up. Looking at some ideas for a status run ... was looking at some MEL/OOL/SYD/BLR/MAA runs ... but it's getting a bit boring .. same old transit points .. anyone's got any ideas?

Will be doing some NZ runs in the new anniversary year, which isn't for another 6 or so months ... so not worried about NZ runs for now ...

If you've already requalified, what's the aim of the runs? Are you going for LTG? P1?

LTS at this point ... but LTG is sort of the long term ... And these trips I have to do them, regardless of price ...

Thought I'd update on this - finally, I booked a Flex Y CBR-SYD-MEL-SIN-CMB-SIN-MEL-SYD-CBR. This trip will net me approx 480 SC (after DSC) for $2460 (approx, after the QBR Level 1 discount). CMB-MAA-CMB called QF to see if I can get a CR Y seat released - unfortunately, the dates I was after UL125/UL126 were either cancelled or were cutting it too fine to join the CMB-onwards leg on the return, so I'm doing in AI. Paid over $200 for the CMB-MAA-CMB leg.

I originally wanted the trip all the way to MAA on QF, but the prices in/out of IND were so exorbitant, I cut my QF ticket short at CMB. This actually saved me over $1000

 

[SYD-YYZ]

Hi, need some advice for best way to get 300 status credit before end of Oct. Ex Sydney

Program Year End Date: 30th October 2023
Desired Status: Platinum
Current Status Credit Balance: 900
Remaining Status Credits Booked: 0
Status Credits Needed: 300
Status Credits Taken with JetStar/Qantas Group: 755
Points required for 50 status credit Loyalty Bonus: 245
Monetary Budget: up to $2.5k
Time Budget: Short/Long Weekend
Qantas Green Tier Status Attained (Yes/No): No. Has not done any of the sustainable activities
Geographic Flexibility: Australia / New Zealand/Asia/pacific region

 

[SYD]

Hi, need some advice for best way to get 300 status credit before end of Oct. Ex Sydney

Program Year End Date: 30th October 2023
Desired Status: Platinum
Current Status Credit Balance: 900
Remaining Status Credits Booked: 0
Status Credits Needed: 300
Status Credits Taken with JetStar/Qantas Group: 755
Points required for 50 status credit Loyalty Bonus: 245
Monetary Budget: up to $2.5k
Time Budget: Short/Long Weekend
Qantas Green Tier Status Attained (Yes/No): No. Has not done any of the sustainable activities
Geographic Flexibility: Australia / New Zealand/Asia/pacific region

Green Tier is a cheap easy 50 SCs. If you can book something like SY-MEL return on QF and pay cash for the carbon offset (about $2) then the other 4 of 5 leaves are easy and can be done for a few more dollars and a couple of thousand points. Takes about 48 hrs to attain.

SYD-NOU J is on sale for $1k return (best you’ll see). 60 SCs each way. More if you can get something like MEL-SYD-NOU etc (closer to 100 SC each way). Bookend that SYD-MEL QF whY flight to get the GT leaf!

The QF codeshare on SB are nice but cost a little more. Downside is NOU is expensive but ok for a weekend away.

So that’s potentially 270 SCs?

 

[SYD-YYZ]

Green Tier is a cheap easy 50 SCs. If you can book something like SY-MEL return on QF and pay cash for the carbon offset (about $2) then the other 4 of 5 leaves are easy and can be done for a few more dollars and a couple of thousand points. Takes about 48 hrs to attain.

SYD-NOU J is on sale for $1k return (best you’ll see). 60 SCs each way. More if you can get something like MEL-SYD-NOU etc (closer to 100 SC each way). Bookend that SYD-MEL QF whY flight to get the GT leaf!

The QF codeshare on SB are nice but cost a little more. Downside is NOU is expensive but ok for a weekend away.

So that’s potentially 270 SCs?

Thank you.

The other thought is to do Syd to Auckland via Brisbane which will give me 250SC return then I should be able to get the 50 bonus SC to tie me over 300SC. What do you guys think?

 

[jpp42]

The other thought is to do Syd to Auckland via Brisbane which will give me 250SC return then I should be able to get the 50 bonus SC to tie me over 300SC. What do you guys think?

NZ trips in J are certainly extremely popular for this kind of status run, if you can find a suitable fare. I can't find much under $2200 (via MEL rather than BNE), which would be $8.80 per SC which is definitely on the high side, but it does meet your budget and would get you the loyalty bonus.

 

[SYD-YYZ]

I ended up paying just under 2k with the sale on last week via MLB.

 

[Flashback]

I ended up paying just under 2k with the sale on last week via MLB.

Orlando?

 

[DC3]

I ended up paying just under 2k with the sale on last week via MLB.

Certainly travelling the long way, via Florida.

 

[jpp42]

I ended up paying just under 2k with the sale on last week via MLB.

That's a great deal for a return to the US, I assume economy, is that via AA or QF for the transpacific leg?

 

[SYD-YYZ]

Orlando?

Haha I meant MEL - wish it was via the US

 

[jbmemories]

I’ve looked through a couple of the previous posts and am currently trying to figure out the best option to retain my status before it expires next year. Based in WA, so I might have to make internal trips to the East Coast to maximise the $/SC as well:

Program Year End Date: 29th February 2024
Desired Retaining Status: Gold
Current Status Credit Balance: 140
Remaining Status Credits Booked: 0
Status Credits Needed: 460 (aiming just to retain status for this coming year)
Status Credits Taken with QF/JQ Group: 140
Points required for 50 status credit Loyalty Bonus: 85
Monetary Budget: up to $10k
Time Budget: Short/Long Weekend
Qantas Green Tier Status Attained (Yes/No): No. Has not done any of the sustainable activities
Geographic Flexibility: Australia (from PER desired) / New Zealand/USA West Coast

 

[jpp42]

Current Status Credit Balance: 140
Remaining Status Credits Booked: 0
Status Credits Needed: 460 (aiming just to retain status for this coming year)

This is a pretty big gap, are you really sure that retaining Gold is worth it? Even if you could find flights for $5/SC (difficult without DSC), you'll be paying at least $2300 to retain Gold (disregarding bonuses)- what benefits does it provide that you need that much? If QF lounge access is the main thing, consider a QC membership at $360 to cover domestic lounge access, and for International flying there are paid lounges that may suit your itinerary if not flying QF/JQ.

 

[levelnine]

If QF lounge access is the main thing, consider a QC membership at $360 to cover domestic lounge access, and for International flying there are paid lounges that may suit your itinerary if not flying QF/JQ.

Or earn 350K QFF points on the ground and get free Qantas Club with PCP.

 

[jbmemories]

This is a pretty big gap, are you really sure that retaining Gold is worth it? Even if you could find flights for $5/SC (difficult without DSC), you'll be paying at least $2300 to retain Gold (disregarding bonuses)- what benefits does it provide that you need that much? If QF lounge access is the main thing, consider a QC membership at $360 to cover domestic lounge access, and for International flying there are paid lounges that may suit your itinerary if not flying QF/JQ.

Usually, I would manage to retain Gold or get plat thanks to some domestic & international flights work would pay for; however, that hasn't happened this year due to some budget cuts and fewer travel requirements. Although there are 'some' upcoming flights planned for 2024, if I do go back down to Silver, it doesn't have enough to go back up to Gold again (unless I manage to time flight requests when the DSC offer is up).

The lounge is nice but not a priori; I have PP that I can use internationally to bring guests (if I am travelling with +1).

But you guys are right; I will evaluate to see if there is an actual 'need' to get back up to Gold (at least for 2024 anyway) and see where it goes.

 

[Danger]

Or earn 350K QFF points on the ground and get free Qantas Club with PCP.

Three hundred and thirty thousand on the ground is sufficient (the balance can come from air or ground earning), but what's 20K between frequent flyers?

 

[SYD]

Three hundred and thirty thousand on the ground is sufficient (the balance can come from air or ground earning), but what's 20K between frequent flyers?

That 330k is tough if you don’t churn or don’t have a lot of business expenses to run through your CCs! I came the closest I ever have this year (ending July). I’ll still be ~60k short but I guess I could buy lots of bonus points with free wine from QF Wine!

But for me, the only benefit is 100 SC rollover.

 

[jaymcc]

Or earn 350K QFF points on the ground and get free Qantas Club with PCP.

Do you earn Points Club points when you transfer points from Amex Platinum to QF?