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.

---

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

 

[Quickstatus]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Thanks. I am about to lose WP under the new rules. So planning for early 2015 trip to NYC and was thinking about a US run so must think in First Class to get the max SC?

Yes a lot of US domestic flights sell first class fares at very discounted prices. If you book via QF website and book a business class fare on say SYD-NYC via DFW, the DFW-NYC leg is actually a first class seat on American airlines but because its a J fare you only get SC for J. If you only booked QF to DFW and then booked AA.com for DFW-NYC you will get first class SC.just check prices to see if compares on value.

On most US flights there are only first class and economy class. No first, business, economy. The first class offering is not as good as QF domestic business offering but you get first class SC.

Example: Ive got an AA flight LAX-DEN in 2015 $320USD for 90 SC first class. There are many examples - search threads about status runs.

Also always look at the "fare basis" code. QF website will tell you which fare code qualifies for firet class for their partner airlines. Usually P or A on AA

 

[madrooster]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Yes a lot of US domestic flights sell first class fares at very discounted prices. If you book via QF website and book a business class fare on say SYD-NYC via DFW, the DFW-NYC leg is actually a first class seat on American airlines but because its a J fare you only get SC for J. If you only booked QF to DFW and then booked AA.com for DFW-NYC you will get first class SC.just check prices to see if compares on value.

No need to book on AA. The QF fare almost always permits you to book on the AA primary flight number instead of the QF codeshare number and that will book into A class. You may need to do this over the phone or using the multi city tool...

 

[Traveller1955]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Could I also get the US flight details as well 520SC for $US1.1K?

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Could I also get the US flight details as well 520SC for $US1.1K?

Just head over to FT's BA TP run thread, a quick google will give you a link and there's a wiki at the top of the page there that lists a plethora of basic options. The exact routing of this run varies depending on travel dates and on one of my routings I'm flying LA to LA. There's really no point in me posting the routing outright, as I believe by finding it yourself you'll understand more about how these things are planned out. Learn to use ITA's Matrix and finding routings will be much much easier.

 

[legroom]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Folks

I need to share the pain ... with someone who can understand my babbling.

My US-based SC run is a fail !

The initial 5 segments were reduced to 4 due to timetable change causing a clash from the incoming flight (not on the run).

Today, I'm sitting in DFW Admiral Club biding my time instead of up in the air doing what I planned (and paid for).

Checked in for DFW DEN followed by 30 min sitting on plane sipping iced water before .... deplaning due to tech issues (door won't close due to a bent latch and there is a frame 'nick' caused by the same dammed latch).

If I continued with the original DFW DEN, DEN DFW turnaround I will end up missing the next segment unless I opt for a red eye.

I can't cope with a red eye as I already started the day at 4:30am so I ended up self canceling the DEN run to keep the next non-red eye segment.

I'm beginning to think that it is not worth the hassle. WP or not !

Rant over !

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Sorry to hear of your plight, legroom.

Unfortunately with multiple flights in a short timeframe, one flight gone bad can screw with the rest of the itinerary. Hopefully the next run will be better.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

It's cases like these where, especially if your margins are tight or you know you are flying in delay-prone conditions, you need to be on the ball. Check your alternates (including alternative ports), keep in mind your itinerary and smooth out your schedule as much as possible. Work with agents and be nice to them. If you help them with their job rather than sound demanding, it will smooth your passage considerably. (In earnest, they already put up with enough. The least anyone can do is not make their job more difficult or feel like a kick in the shins.)

In any case, if I'm not mistaken, ORC (original routing credit) will almost always be there anyway to save the day. So in the end all the matters is that you complete your journey.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Anat0l are you suggesting that legroom will get the full SC even though he didn't fly one or more sectors?

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Anat0l are you suggesting that legroom will get the full SC even though he didn't fly one or more sectors?

Legroom chose to cancel the last leg(s) so no ORCs are possible for them.

 

[legroom]

Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

As I did not fly the rescheduled flights, I doubt if ORC applies.

But I will check !

I did look at EF to know that I could push the last segment out to make it work.... only thing is it would be a red eye.

As for setting up another alternative run, I didn't even try. It is hard enough with a laptop and no pressure let alone only an iPhone at hand.

I think you had misunderstood me about the need for courtesy with agents.

I saw no need and did not need to raise my voice even, only grumbling here with fellow runners about the vagaries of fate.

That is materially different from what you had imagined I had done (my guess).

About margin, I'd learned to allow 60 min between flights - clearly, this tech issue was beyond that margin. As for allowing for tech margin, I wonder if that is even possible.

It's cases like these where, especially if your margins are tight or you know you are flying in delay-prone conditions, you need to be on the ball. Check your alternates (including alternative ports), keep in mind your itinerary and smooth out your schedule as much as possible. Work with agents and be nice to them. If you help them with their job rather than sound demanding, it will smooth your passage considerably. (In earnest, they already put up with enough. The least anyone can do is not make their job more difficult or feel like a kick in the shins.)

In any case, if I'm not mistaken, ORC (original routing credit) will almost always be there anyway to save the day. So in the end all the matters is that you complete your journey.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Legroom chose to cancel the last leg(s) so no ORCs are possible for them.

That could be a real problem.

This is why I said it is important to complete the journey. For example, a status run may involve the travel between, say, LAS and SJU, with many stops in the way. The journey in the end is to get you to SJU. If your itinerary gets stuffed up along the way, you need to make sure you get to the original journey point, which was SJU. You could then (from what I could guess) viably argue that since you got interrupted along the way, you still made the journey but you missed out on your original routing. Thus, you want to claim the original credit.

When you cancel or don't fly legs that change the journey, it's as good as a change you would have made any time before departure.

That all said and done, when things go to custard sometimes ORC is still arguable. I have little experience in this so maybe someone else can chip in some advice.

 

[legroom]

Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

I think you had not understood my 'rant'.

The DFW DEN, DEN DFW legs were before my last leg (to BOS) which I kept unchanged (because I did not like the alternative red eye).

I just cancelled the intervening legs.

Attached is the QF A380 parked next to my DFW BOS plane.

That could be a real problem.

This is why I said it is important to complete the journey. For example, a status run may involve the travel between, say, LAS and SJU, with many stops in the way. The journey in the end is to get you to SJU. If your itinerary gets stuffed up along the way, you need to make sure you get to the original journey point, which was SJU..

 

[anat0l]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

First, I did not (or, at least I hope I did not, with reading text and interpretation being two different things and all) imply that you were being difficult or belligerent. Sorry if you felt slighted as such.

I always say the same thing about dealing with agents and especially agents in the USA, mainly because it's easy to forget when you're stressed. Besides, there's nothing worse than a USA agent who is annoyed at you, because you really will not get anywhere and could even be blackballed (not literally, but it isn't a good position to be in at all).

Apart from that, I'm probably misunderstanding how you constructed your run and how you connected to it. But if you kept the endpoint the same and the legs in between were changed, then I don't see why ORC would be an issue in a way because you are claiming an involuntary (it is in the end, you didn't want this to happen) change in itinerary due to misconnect / incident.

Hope you're back on the rails pretty soon and the credits work out some way or another. But I'm hoping someone else here can make a comment about ORC.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Does anyone know if it's possible to book a multi-segment YUPP/KUPP including an I class on the A321 and upgrade that sector using miles and cash to F? Chart looks like it would be 15K and $175. If so would it credit as F or J? (That would be a bonus to be honest but the upgrade would be nice for those without SWU's)

 

[Sdtravel]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Planning on booking a status run this weekend. Need 40 SC's to be silver. Wanted to get any advise from you guys.

Want to take only a day and has to be ex SYD.

So far I was thinking of going to BNE, CBR or MEL.
Given I wanted to get it done in a day I think I need to get the semi flex tickets to get more SCs. I can to red e deals with stopovers but it takes longer and sometimes costs more.
So obviously trying to keep it cheep as possible.

I guess the only other real requirements are they have to be reasonable flights. Ie I looked at Tasmania but the flights were at 6am.
I also am a QC member so somewhere with a lounge would be nice.

Anyway got any better ideas or status run options? Is this a good idea to go, friends tell me im crazy? Going to HKG on QF in DEC and then DBX with EK so wanted to be up a status before these trips.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Planning on booking a status run this weekend. Need 40 SC's to be silver. Wanted to get any advise from you guys.

Want to take only a day and has to be ex SYD.

So far I was thinking of going to BNE, CBR or MEL.
Given I wanted to get it done in a day I think I need to get the semi flex tickets to get more SCs. I can to red e deals with stopovers but it takes longer and sometimes costs more.
So obviously trying to keep it cheep as possible.

I guess the only other real requirements are they have to be reasonable flights. Ie I looked at Tasmania but the flights were at 6am.
I also am a QC member so somewhere with a lounge would be nice.

Anyway got any better ideas or status run options? Is this a good idea to go, friends tell me im crazy? Going to HKG on QF in DEC and then DBX with EK so wanted to be up a status before these trips.

ADL via MEL return would be easy enough to do in a day and earn 40SC. Not sure about the prices this close to travel, though. Flexi to MEL might be cheaper.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

Planning on booking a status run this weekend. Need 40 SC's to be silver. Wanted to get any advise from you guys.

Want to take only a day and has to be ex SYD.

So far I was thinking of going to BNE, CBR or MEL.
Given I wanted to get it done in a day I think I need to get the semi flex tickets to get more SCs. I can to red e deals with stopovers but it takes longer and sometimes costs more.
So obviously trying to keep it cheep as possible.

I guess the only other real requirements are they have to be reasonable flights. Ie I looked at Tasmania but the flights were at 6am.
I also am a QC member so somewhere with a lounge would be nice.

Anyway got any better ideas or status run options? Is this a good idea to go, friends tell me im crazy? Going to HKG on QF in DEC and then DBX with EK so wanted to be up a status before these trips.

SYD to anywhere return on Flex will get you the 40 you need. But it's worth keeping in mind sale fares. You'd need to travel further but if you're not worried about time then this might be a cheaper option. SYD to any NZ, DRW or PER return on a Red-E will get you the SCs you need too. Now you just need to check the prices.

One other thought: you said your objective was to reach silver before two os trips but that you're also a QC member. What is it the silver will give you for these trips that QC won't and how much is it worth to you? The status run might not deliver real value. Just something to consider.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

SYD to anywhere return on Flex will get you the 40 you need. But it's worth keeping in mind sale fares. You'd need to travel further but if you're not worried about time then this might be a cheaper option. SYD to any NZ, DRW or PER return on a Red-E will get you the SCs you need too. Now you just need to check the prices.

One other thought: you said your objective was to reach silver before two os trips but that you're also a QC member. What is it the silver will give you for these trips that QC won't and how much is it worth to you? The status run might not deliver real value. Just something to consider.

The OP wanted to travel this weekend, so maybe their requal is approaching.

 

[Sdtravel]

Re: Best Status Run Options - Questions and General Discussion

EK dont recognise QC member benefits. So you need to have status to get anything. Although you still dont get lounge access so its just really extra luggage and priority checkin on EK.


One benefit for QF would be better seating and possibility of upgrades. I know the upgrade lottery give me no shot but from my understanding its
WP1
WP
SG
PS QC
PS
NB QC
NB

I thought its better to have some status on international flights rather than come back and get status and be ages before i go somewhere again.

 

[serfty]

Re: Best Status Run Options - A quick overview!

Does anyone know if it's possible to book a multi-segment YUPP/KUPP including an I class on the A321 and upgrade that sector using miles and cash to F? Chart looks like it would be 15K and $175. If so would it credit as F or J? (That would be a bonus to be honest but the upgrade would be nice for those without SWU's)

I is upgradable - with points you need A class availability.

In theory travel with such should post as Business (using the original I fare) - however over the years I have had these post as Discount Economy, Economy (full), Business and, indeed, First. The issue seems to be the A fare bucket being used for bothe revenue fares and award (upgrade). YMMV.

Note the upgrade on point covers up to three segments in the booking. e.g. On a LONE4's I have upgraded BOS-(L ►A)-MIA, MIA-(L ►A)-xDFW-(L ►A)-SEA using the one "upgrade"; also done with LAX-(L ►A)-xORD-(L ►C)-FCO.