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

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I was under the impression Oneworld carriers codesharing on non Oneworld partners would not award points or SC? But otherwise, would be a good opportunity

Just to elaborate on this a bit, if you look at the Qantas partner earn table you will notice that every airline aside from BA, QF and AA and JQ contain this language surrounding point and status credit accrual

Qantas Points are earned on all eligible booking classes, except Airline codeshare flights operated by an airline other than Qantas or a oneworld member airline.

However, when we look at BA, AA, QF or JQ the language changes to:

Qantas Points and Status Credits are earned on all eligible booking classes.

In other words, Qantas is being very explicit here stating that aside from BA, AA, QF and JQ, the flight must be marketed and operated by a OW carrier. It is this loophole which allows you to take that Emirates or Air France flight that has a Qantas flight number knowing full well you'd earn status credits and points just as though you took that flight with Qantas. This is one of the many examples where reading the fine print can pay off. Indeed I would argue some of the best status credit runs can be found by reading the fine print carefully and constructing fares that barely fall within the bounds of the status credit accrual rules.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Danger]

wow not bad. I had been listening to Noel Phillips, and flying via North Africa QATAR Airways can also net interesting deals. Via Cairo, Tunis and is not as glamorous via Terminal 5 LHR. Melbourne in first can be 1800 USD dollars compared to 18K if booked starting in Paris.

Can you elaborate on this? I'm not following, particularly the part about Cairo and Tunis.

 

[SYD]

Can you elaborate on this? I'm not following, particularly the part about Cairo and Tunis.

On another thread there’s a Youtube vid apparently flying QR F CAI-SYD for ~US$1,500 (it’s unclear if that’s return or oneway - but still cheap).

 

[exceladdict]

Just to elaborate on this a bit, if you look at the Qantas partner earn table you will notice that every airline aside from BA, QF and AA and JQ contain this language surrounding point and status credit accrual

However, when we look at BA, AA, QF or JQ the language changes to:


In other words, Qantas is being very explicit here stating that aside from BA, AA, QF and JQ, the flight must be marketed and operated by a OW carrier. It is this loophole which allows you to take that Emirates or Air France flight that has a Qantas flight number knowing full well you'd earn status credits and points just as though you took that flight with Qantas. This is one of the many examples where reading the fine print can pay off. Indeed I would argue some of the best status credit runs can be found by reading the fine print carefully and constructing fares that barely fall within the bounds of the status credit accrual rules.

-RooFlyer88

The Qantas code part makes sense, I don't consider that a loophole but an intentional codeshare. However, I personally wouldn't be rolling the dice on a non Oneworld-operated flight without a QF code on it, and expecting it to earn SCs (such as an Air Tahiti Nui flight with an AA code). If it does, it's a nice bonus id keep quiet, but it doesn't seem like the intent of the t&c's.

 

[sardines69]

The Qantas code part makes sense, I don't consider that a loophole but an intentional codeshare. However, I personally wouldn't be rolling the dice on a non Oneworld-operated flight without a QF code on it, and expecting it to earn SCs (such as an Air Tahiti Nui flight with an AA code). If it does, it's a nice bonus id keep quiet, but it doesn't seem like the intent of the t&c's.

Agree on this!

 

[marki]

Can you elaborate on this? I'm not following, particularly the part about Cairo and Tunis.

Hi Danger, I included the Hack Video link, which is very illuminating. Flyertalk is where Noel also finds interesting deals advertised. I find Aussie FF very Aussie, however.
See below:

 

[willyroo]

Program Year End Date: 31st October 2023
Desired Status: Gold

After the green tier and other flights posting, she was at 675SCs.

Did a BNE-CNS return on 26th- JQ Plus to CNS and QF to BNE = 30SCs. Took 3 days for the JQ flight to credit.

GOLD

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
Posts discussing obtaining the 4 ~ have been moved:

How to get the 4~ eligible QF flights living outside AU

Apologies if this is answered elsewhere – I have recently relocated to the USA. My status renewal is end of Sep and I don't have any plans to visit Australia before then. I should have no problem retaining gold with trips on AA and BA planned in the next year, but my problem will be the 4...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

[/mod hat]

 

[Jacques Vert]

After 248 status credits from status support, 600 from a trip to NZ booked during a DSC offer, 50 from Green Tier, 75 from the "we made a profit" bonus and a number of flights, I found myself in ADL needing 50 SCs to get a loyalty bonus, 169 SCs to get LTG and 222 SCs to get WP. (Of course, the 50 SC loyalty bonus would count towards both LTG & WP.)

While I don't normally do pure status runs, this seemed like an opportunity too good to miss.

So, I've used an Amex $450 voucher to fly in Y ADL-BNE-CHC giving 35 SCs. (Currently in BNE lounge waiting for QF135 to CHC.)

Then returning in J booked with points (as a points club member). CHC-MEL-SYD-BNE-SYD-MEL-SYD-OOL.

If all goes to plan, all 3 boxes ticked by Monday night.

 

[SydneySwan]

After 248 status credits from status support, 600 from a trip to NZ booked during a DSC offer, 50 from Green Tier, 75 from the "we made a profit" bonus and a number of flights, I found myself in ADL needing 50 SCs to get a loyalty bonus, 169 SCs to get LTG and 222 SCs to get WP. (Of course, the 50 SC loyalty bonus would count towards both LTG & WP.)

While I don't normally do pure status runs, this seemed like an opportunity too good to miss.

So, I've used an Amex $450 voucher to fly in Y ADL-BNE-CHC giving 35 SCs. (Currently in BNE lounge waiting for QF135 to CHC.)

Then returning in J booked with points (as a points club member). CHC-MEL-SYD-BNE-SYD-MEL-SYD-OOL.

If all goes to plan, all 3 boxes ticked by Monday night.

Where is the jealous emoji?

 

[SYD]

Where is the jealous emoji?

Or the footy player hug and pat on the bum after a goal emoji

 

[Jacques Vert]

After 248 status credits from status support, 600 from a trip to NZ booked during a DSC offer, 50 from Green Tier, 75 from the "we made a profit" bonus and a number of flights, I found myself in ADL needing 50 SCs to get a loyalty bonus, 169 SCs to get LTG and 222 SCs to get WP. (Of course, the 50 SC loyalty bonus would count towards both LTG & WP.)

While I don't normally do pure status runs, this seemed like an opportunity too good to miss.

So, I've used an Amex $450 voucher to fly in Y ADL-BNE-CHC giving 35 SCs. (Currently in BNE lounge waiting for QF135 to CHC.)

Then returning in J booked with points (as a points club member). CHC-MEL-SYD-BNE-SYD-MEL-SYD-OOL.





If all goes to plan, all 3 boxes ticked by Mondanight.

Arrived CHC at 2330, due to depart at 0610. I had decided there was no point booking a hotel for just a couple of hours and was prepared to just hang around outside the terminal until 0300 when the departures section opens.

No need however as the arrivals section has remained open (including rental car and mobile SIM agents) awaiting the arrival of QF139 from SYD (currently running 3 hours late).

 

[SYD]

Then returning in J booked with points (as a points club member). CHC-MEL-SYD-BNE-SYD-MEL-SYD-OOL.

Out of curiosity, how many CR bookings is that?

 

[Jacques Vert]

Out of curiosity, how many CR bookings is that?

All on one booking: 68,400 points + NZD306.92

 

[SYD]

All on one booking: 68,400 points + NZD306.92

Oh, I'm surprised it allows the back tracking through SYD and MEL multiple times!

 

[sudoer]

Oh, I'm surprised it allows the back tracking through SYD and MEL multiple times!

The multi city tool will throw errors if searching for every leg individually, I'm guessing it was searched as CHC-BNE, BNE-MEL, MEL-OOL, then indirect options selected.

 

[Danger]

All on one booking: 68,400 points + NZD306.92

And what was the status credit earn?

 

[SYD]

And what was the status credit earn?

By my calcs: 140 SCs on the return bits (as CR with PC).

32 + 6x 18 SCs?

Obviously not nearly as many as full revenue but for the points / dollars, at lot cheaper. Double also if you can book it during a DSC and reward seat prices are the same (if available) regardless.

 

[Jacques Vert]

The multi city tool will throw errors if searching for every leg individually, I'm guessing it was searched as CHC-BNE, BNE-MEL, MEL-OOL, then indirect options selected.

Correct; in fact you can add in a couple more transits if you need more SCs provided you don't go back to your port of origin.

And it is important to keep it all on the one PNR otherwise the cost in points will skyrocket.

BTW, thanks to @Mattg & @WilsonM for their suggestions during the early stages of planning this run.

 

[SYD]

Correct; in fact you can add in a couple more transits if you need more SCs provided you don't go back to your port of origin.

Hence the ability to backtrack - of course!

And it is important to keep it all on the one PNR otherwise the cost in points will skyrocket.

Also, I've found the QF system can have a conniption if you have multiple nested trips via the same port on the same day but on separate bookings (in case someone was looking to mix and match CR and revenue for a similar SR). It's possible to do but you might get a phone call from QF wanting to check it's correct.