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

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Could a member of the AFF brains trust save me trawling the T&Cs by answering this question please: if one was to book a trans-con in the US, are SC calculated for the start finish destination as though it were a single sector, or do you get the SC for each sector?

Each sector where there is a different flight number on it.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Each sector where there is a different flight number on it.

Great thanks. Now I see why you're having fun on the AA site.

 

[dodgeyhack]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Having done the search recently for US SC runs, $2.32/SC (AUD) was the best I could find.
I was only searching from limited start points and very limited dates though.
My suggestion is to use ita matrix, plug in your desired start and end points and put "AA AA AA AA" as the routing code and see what you get.

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Or "AA+" ...

 

[anat0l]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Or "AA+" ...

That gives different options because it reports options with 1 or more connections (i.e. non-stop flights and better).

The option given by dodgeyhack forces routes with 4 flights. Of course, that is not necessarily optimal either for the purposes of the aim.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

That gives different options because it reports options with 1 or more connections (i.e. non-stop flights and better).

The option given by dodgeyhack forces routes with 4 flights. Of course, that is not necessarily optimal either for the purposes of the aim.

That is very true. I am finding with the new simpler and fairer changes that splitting a sector into two doesn't always result in greater SC earn

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

I'm assuming I'm the only person who didn't know this feature of ITA .

It certainly explains why ~$5/SC was the best I could find. But like all the other hints, tips and tricks on here... I just hope it doesn't get made "fairer" or "simpler" as a result of you sharing.

Thanks very much dodgeyhack, serfty & anat0l

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

AA+ is to start - then look at the more cost effective options, with a mind in regard to the critical 90 SC mark.

AA+ X will give one connection, AA+ X X two; AA+ STL X will show connections via STL at the first with one other ... all on AA ...

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

AA+ is to start - then look at the more cost effective options, with a mind in regard to the critical 90 SC mark.

AA+ X will give one connection, AA+ X X two; AA+ STL X will show connections via STL at the first with one other ... all on AA ...

ATL may be intersting in the next few months ...

https://www.google.com/flights/#search;f=LAS;t=ATL;d=2014-11-14;r=2014-11-18;tt=o;sc=b;a=AA

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

ATL may be intersting in the next few months ...

https://www.google.com/flights/#search;f=LAS;t=ATL;d=2014-11-14;r=2014-11-18;tt=o;sc=b;a=AA

Still sitting at $3.32/SC though...

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Still sitting at $3.32/SC though...

That's via DFW; A MIA connection for US$472 comes up - that's getting better at $2.95/SC ...

... in any case, I expect the route to become more interesting as competition hots up with AA's recently announced LAX-ATL direct flights.

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

That's via DFW; A MIA connection for US$472 comes up - that's getting better at $2.95/SC ...

... in any case, I expect the route to become more interesting as competition hots up with AA's recently announced LAX-ATL direct flights.

Ah, for some reason I didn't see the MIA connection.

 

[power71]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

You're right, I went straight to MileageMonkey and didn't bother with the calculator. All other mapping tools place that flight at over 750 miles as you have stated. Seems QF customises their own geographic distances to suit partner earn tables grrrr. The second leg is indeed 100 SCs, my mistake. So perhaps only 280 SCs, but still a worthwhile if you can make it work. It may not be available now, but I bet it returns at some time in the future.

BTW, if you want an easy AA SR here's one for ya - LAX-ORD-MIA-ATL and vv. 250 SCs (120+90+40) for $465 USD = $1.85/SC. Easy for Oz flights arriving into LAX and each direction can be done in a day.

How do you book an AA SR and in what class?

 

[Gold Member]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

An American Airlines (AA) Status Run (SR) is bookable at aa.com. Look for instant upgrade cabins that book into First class (booking codes A and P) and try to maximize the segments for SC earn and minimse the $$$. Plenty of info available throughout this thread and others.

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

An American Airlines (AA) Status Run (SR) is bookable at aa.com. Look for instant upgrade cabins that book into First class (booking codes A and P) and try to maximize the segments for SC earn and minimse the $$$. Plenty of info available throughout this thread and others.

If booking onto US Airways make sure it's not a P bucket fare. They don't earn at First rates, only F and A earn at First class rates, with A being the discount First code.

Also booking directly with the airline isn't always necessary. However this is probably desirable in the event of IRROPS or schedule changes.

 

[Gold Member]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Despite being more of a LCC, US Air does at least offer first class cabins into The Caribbean and Central America, whereas AA doesn't (biz earning only). Can work in your favour depending on the routing.

 

[serfty]

How do you book an AA SR and in what class?

There's some (dated) information here - but note that while some things (such as as SC earning) changed significantly this year, much is still valid:
cvb

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....am/research-book-aa-non-refundable-42433.html

 

[power71]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

I posted this question earlier, but anyone else having trouble with the new QFF Calculator to work out the SC's for partner airlines and QF flights?

https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/do/dyns/initialPointsEarned

There's some (dated) information here - but note that while some things (such as as SC earning) changed significantly this year, much is still valid:
cvb

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....am/research-book-aa-non-refundable-42433.html

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

I posted this question earlier, but anyone else having trouble with the new QFF Calculator to work out the SC's for partner airlines and QF flights?

https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/do/dyns/initialPointsEarned

Nope it's been pretty good for me so far.
Although that being said, the best way to check (especially for those flights that are borderline between two zones) is probably to use the burn calculator and to see how many points it costs to redeem the flight in question and cross reference with the partner award chart and then cross reference with the earn charts.

 

[TimB]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

If booking onto US Airways make sure it's not a P bucket fare. They don't earn at First rates, only F and A earn at First class rates, with A being the discount First code.

Oh, that was a scare. I just checked my US bookings for my upcoming trip, and they're all in A, not P. Whew!