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

 

[goosh]

OK Outbound LAX-PHX-CLT-ORD gets you 80 SC's - 9.44 departure, 21:20 arrival for US$335 in economy (V) - then just about any flight from ORD-LAX will get you the remaining 20 SC's

Wow! That is some research.

Thanks so much for the research.

Another random question - Do you know if my platinum status QF allows for more than 1 checked bag in Economy?

Between the 2 of us, we have 3 bags so hoping to use my status to get away with not having to pay extra baggage.

 

[RSD]

Wow! That is some research.

Thanks so much for the research.

Another random question - Do you know if my platinum status QF allows for more than 1 checked bag in Economy?

Between the 2 of us, we have 3 bags so hoping to use my status to get away with not having to pay extra baggage.

Should do - but AA can be a bit random at times - from the AA Australian website

 

[SYD]

QF WP gets extra luggage (and lounge access) flying AA and AS but just avoid the heavily discounted Economy fares.

Also, booking on the US website for AA is often cheaper and provides better options than the .au website.

 

[goosh]

Thank you all, lots to think about.

Mrs. Goosh is currently flying to Shanghai so would like to run the options by her. She prefers getting to the destination so would want direct, but that costs more, whereas I like the idea of multiple stops as its a travel day and can try earn as many SC.

 

[RSD]

Thank you all, lots to think about.

Mrs. Goosh is currently flying to Shanghai so would like to run the options by her. She prefers getting to the destination so would want direct, but that costs more, whereas I like the idea of multiple stops as its a travel day and can try earn as many SC.

Just thinking about it - you might be better doing the multiple stops / main SC earning leg on the ORD-LAX part of the journey - just due to time zone changes.

 

[RichardMEL]

I would avoid CLT tbh. AA loves to schedule short connections there that can, and do, fail.. plus it's too far east(for LAX-ORD) imo. If you were going to do that might as well route via MIA and aim for one of the widebodies.

To placate the direct preferring wife, I woukd just route simply via PHX or possibly DFW(the champagne in the Flagship lounge may please.)

My 2c.

 

[RSD]

I would avoid CLT tbh. AA loves to schedule short connections there that can, and do, fail.. plus it's too far east(for LAX-ORD) imo. If you were going to do that might as well route via MIA and aim for one of the widebodies.

To placate the direct preferring wife, I woukd just route simply via PHX or possibly DFW(the champagne in the Flagship lounge may please.)

My 2c.

My big AA fail at CLT was when I missed a connection and the rebooking desk told me to "run to gate xx" - I didn't find out until after we had taken off that I was on a flight to a totally different airport about 90 miles from my destination!

 

[WilsonM]

Just went through CLT - and don't really want to again. Minus my original flight being on a rolling delay for 8 hours (luckily I got moved), it's a very average airport, with very average lounges.

 

[goosh]

Having a bit of a play with the ITA website.

Think i may present to the wife:

LAX - ORD | Direct | Economy
ORD - DFW - PHX - LAX | Economy

netting 75SC getting her 1390 with 3 months to spare. A trip to her parents in BNE from Melbourne will then do the trick.

 

[RSD]

Having a bit of a play with the ITA website.

Think i may present to the wife:

LAX - ORD | Direct | Economy
ORD - DFW - PHX - LAX | Economy

netting 75SC getting her 1390 with 3 months to spare. A trip to her parents in BNE from Melbourne will then do the trick.

View attachment 384812

You could do that - but there are better options for the ORD-LAX part - fly non-stop in AA First - credits QF status credits as Business in the calculator so 100 SC's earned for less.

Prices in USD for the 17th July on the AA.com U.S. website -

 

[SYD]

You could do that - but there are better options for the ORD-LAX part - fly non-stop in AA First - credits QF status credits as Business in the calculator so 100 SC's earned for less.

Prices in USD for the 17th July on the AA.com U.S. website -
View attachment 384813

The clanger there is “1 seat left”. But if you can get two seats for similar - all good.

 

[RSD]

The clanger there is “1 seat left”. But if you can get two seats for similar - all good.

Good pickup - didn't see that - I suspect that if booking the earlier of the two flights at $591 then the second seat will probably cost $689 - but someone who is more experienced with AA might be able to confirm

 

[SYD]

Good pickup - didn't see that - I suspect that if booking the earlier of the two flights at $591 then the second seat will probably cost $689 - but someone who is more experienced with AA might be able to confirm

Just search for 2x seats!

Funny thing. One trip, we were trying to get to FLL and could only see 1 seat on great fares between LAX-DFW-FLL. Rolled the dice and only one seat LAX-DFW but 2x DFW-FLL ie we were different flights LAX-DFW but the same flight DFW-FLL. Fortunately booking 6mths out we benefited from the inevitable AA schedule change and were able to rebook for free to be on the same flights.

As an aside, it turns out we were trying to hub through DFW during a Super Bowl weekend! But all worked out well - despite the unseasonal snow disrupting flights!

 

[RSD]

Just search for 2x seats!

D'oh! Yep that sorts it out -

Funny thing. One trip, we were trying to get to FLL and could only see 1 seat on great fares between LAX-DFW-FLL. Rolled the dice and only one seat LAX-DFW but 2x DFW-FLL ie we were different flights LAX-DFW but the same flight DFW-FLL. Fortunately booking 6mths out we benefited from the inevitable AA schedule change and were able to rebook for free to be on the same flights.

As an aside, it turns out we were trying to hub through DFW during a Super Bowl weekend! But all worked out well - despite the unseasonal snow disrupting flights!

You did well - I've spent long hours sitting in a lounge at DFW watching very slow moving lines of aircraft get sprayed all sorts of colours... and my flights to CLL all kept getting cancelled...

 

[goosh]

You could do that - but there are better options for the ORD-LAX part - fly non-stop in AA First - credits QF status credits as Business in the calculator so 100 SC's earned for less.

Prices in USD for the 17th July on the AA.com U.S. website -
View attachment 384813

I think the only issue with this price of $689 US is that it is per person, and not for 2.

The prices in my table were for 2 pax.

Redo of the table to compare of the per person cost and total for 2 pax, with varied options.

 

[RSD]

I think the only issue with this price of $689 US is that it is per person, and not for 2.

The prices in my table were for 2 pax.

Redo of the table to compare of the per person cost and total for 2 pax, with varied options.

View attachment 384838

Ah OK - didn't realise that your table prices were for 2 pax.

 

[jbmemories]

Make sure to check the QFF's Oneworld Alliance's codes to make sure they will receive any SC & QFF Points!

For the amount of miles per class of ticket:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/airline-earning-tables/partner-airline-earning-tables.html?int_cam=au%3Aairline-earning-tables%3Aarticle%3Apartner-airline-earning-tables%3Aen%3Ann

Types of Tickets Earned:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/airline-earning-tables/earn-category-tables.html?int_cam=au%3Aairline-earning-tables%3Aarticle%3Afrequent-flyer-earn-categories%3Aen%3Ann

 

[motef]

What are people’s go to accommodation options near AKL when doing a status run?

 

[RichardMEL]

What are people’s go to accommodation options near AKL when doing a status run?

The novotel AKL which is basically at the international terminal is a good place to stay (but can be pricey for obvious reasons). Also works well for QF members via ALL tie in if that floats anyone's boat.

Cheaper, and you access via shuttle (or used to pre pandemic as have not done since) is a Holiday Inn AKL Airport which is only a 5-10min drive away and I found the rooms reasonably priced (a bit of an older property though I think they were doing some renos at some point) and the hotel restautant served delicious lamb (well it's NZ, what am I going to go for? the Lemon Chicken? )

 

[RSD]

The novotel AKL which is basically at the international terminal is a good place to stay (but can be pricey for obvious reasons). Also works well for QF members via ALL tie in if that floats anyone's boat.

Cheaper, and you access via shuttle (or used to pre pandemic as have not done since) is a Holiday Inn AKL Airport which is only a 5-10min drive away and I found the rooms reasonably priced (a bit of an older property though I think they were doing some renos at some point) and the hotel restautant served delicious lamb (well it's NZ, what am I going to go for? the Lemon Chicken? )

Certainly not butter chicken! Status run to India anyone?