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

 

[FrustratedQP]

Unless processes has changed recently the transit area is closed from about midnight till 5am. There is a phone to call someone if you have a delayed connection however in my eperience they don't come down and manually process pax on flights from about 6am onwards.

Thanks for that, On that basis I may as well enter NZ. I was just looking for somewhere slightly more comfortable to wait while waiting for the Qantas lounge to open. I don’t see value in staying at the Novotel for only a few hours.

 

[snabbu]

Thanks for that, On that basis I may as well enter NZ. I was just looking for somewhere slightly more comfortable to wait while waiting for the Qantas lounge to open. I don’t see value in staying at the Novotel for only a few hours.

I've flown the exact same routing you describe a few times and on the last run I said to myself I won't be doing this again as there are limited options once you enter NZ then head back upstairs to wait for immigration to open. If you can't find a seat, sitting on the cold floor for 4 hours is not fun.

My next trip over I've decided on the earlier 153 arrival at 18:55 then wandering up to the Ibis for the night, a cheap room and a proper sleep. Then the civilised 09:50 departure on 154 the next morning, my body will thank me I'm sure.

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks for that, On that basis I may as well enter NZ. I was just looking for somewhere slightly more comfortable to wait while waiting for the Qantas lounge to open. I don’t see value in staying at the Novotel for only a few hours.

This may help: Auckland Airport Guide

 

[DejaBrew]

Thanks for that, On that basis I may as well enter NZ. I was just looking for somewhere slightly more comfortable to wait while waiting for the Qantas lounge to open. I don’t see value in staying at the Novotel for only a few hours.

Having done this trip recently, I'd say there aren't many "comfortable" places to wait it out, however there are certainly plenty of seats available and it's not hard to find a spot for recharging devices etc.

I grabbed a seat near Maccas where I could kill some time charging my devices, browsing the web (or watching Netflix etc) and grabbing a drink (from said Maccas). Depending on where you sit, it's actually possible to connect to the QF Lounge wifi. Once everything was charged, I went for a wander around the airport (and just outside the check-in area) to stretch my legs, get my step count up and enjoy some fresh air. I then returned to the seating area near security to kill a bit more time before security officially opens.

Basically, whilst there's not a lot to actually do whilst you're waiting around, it's not really hard to kill time before heading back through security. For me, the most problematic element was NZ Customs' interpretation of "security opens at 04:00". Hint: Security opens whenever NZ Customs feels like opening it. Open at 04:15 with no priority queue and funnel multiple plane-loads of pax through a single baggage scanner? Choice, bro! Open up sometime after 04:30 with double the number of people trying to get through security? No worries, cuz!

If you're trying to hit the QF Lounge prior to your 06:10/06:15 flight, pray you've got Priority Lane access. Then if you do have it, pray they've bothered to open the Priority Lane so that it can actually be used!

 

[sap1l]

I will be 90 SC short for SG next membership year (Oct 2023-Sept 2024). I need to get from KUL to DPS in November this year. Since MH SC earning has been reduced, the most realistic option for SCs I've found is the following on 3K (with a Max bundle):

- KUL-SIN 20SC
- SIN-DPS 30SC
- DPS-SIN 30SC
- SIN-KUL 20SC

This is ~$500 more than the cheapest option (D7 KUL-DPS direct), so around $5/SC. The total cost will come to $750, but considering that I need to fly to DPS anyway, I think it's a fairer calculation to deduct the cost of alternative options.

MH is not an option for me, as it costs the same as 3K Max and has a lot less SC earn (it'll be 30SC total if I'm not mistaken).

It also requires a 6h layover in SIN both ways (now that 3K flies from T4, I'd also burn at least an hour travelling to T1 for the QF lounge), but I'm willing to cop that.

Do you guys reckon it's worth to take the 3K flights? Some form of SYD-NZ in J is still more efficient (around $4/SC) but it costs more in absolute terms.

 

[sudoer]

I will be 90 SC short for SG next membership year

Have you already factored in green tier, and how close are you to the QFF loyalty bonus?

 

[sap1l]

Have you already factored in green tier, and how close are you to the QFF loyalty bonus?

Yep, I'm 90 SCs short after accounting for 100SC from Green Tier and the 500SC loyalty bonus

 

[aikman]

Do you guys reckon it's worth to take the 3K flights?

You will also earn some points which might help with your cost/benefit analysis.

 

[sap1l]

You will also earn some points which might help with your cost/benefit analysis.

That's a great point. I would earn 6250 points, which at 2c/point would equate to $125. This brings the 3K flights down to $375 more, so $3.75/SC.

I think that definitely makes this look like a valuable option for SC earn.

Thanks for the reminder to account for points!

 

[sudoer]

Yep, I'm 90 SCs short after accounting for 100SC from Green Tier and the 500SC loyalty bonus

Okay, and rolling over green tier & loyalty bonus from your current membership year isn't an option as you have already claimed those this year?

I don't hate the idea of paying for Starter Max in this instance but would also suggest comparing Max bundle with the Starter Plus bundle, and then looking for the resumption of SC "on the ground" offers in the next 15 months, which seems likely given the status extensions ceasing this month.

Do you hold either Points Club / Points Club Plus ?

 

[sap1l]

Okay, and rolling over green tier & loyalty bonus from your current membership year isn't an option as you have already claimed those this year?

I hit a loyalty bonus on the 1st of July. 90 days after that is the 29th of September which is a day short of my membership year! You're right about green tier - I haven't claimed that yet but I'm probably taking another flight this membership year that will give me enough SCs without green tier, so I could roll that forwards.

I don't hate the idea of paying for Starter Max in this instance but would also suggest comparing Max bundle with the Starter Plus bundle, and then looking for the resumption of SC "on the ground" offers in the next 15 months, which seems likely given the status extensions ceasing this month.

That's a good point. The Plus bundle is 50 SCs less and costs $275 less, but I could make up that missing 50SCs if I can roll over green tier.

Do you hold either Points Club / Points Club Plus ?

Yes, I have PC. Are you thinking a rewards flight for SCs may be a better option?

 

[sudoer]

Yes, I have PC. Are you thinking a rewards flight for SCs may be a better option?

Yes, and also wondering how far off Points Club Plus you are? Would another churn get you there and is that achievable for your circumstances?

That would roll over 100SC from your current year into next year.

 

[sap1l]

Yes, and also wondering how far off Points Club Plus you are? Would another churn get you there and is that achievable for your circumstances?

That would roll over 100SC from your current year into next year.

I think PC+ is a bit unachievable for me this year. Accounting for my regular monthly point earners, I'd be at least 150k points away from PC+. I'm at 160k now, and realistically would earn at most 40k more PC-eligible points for the rest of this membership year.

I don't think I'd be approved for a card with a high enough bonus to fill in that extra 150k at this stage.

On the other hand, I think a rewards flight is a good option. ATM I'm saving 300k for a OW RTW, but that has to happen in my 2024-2025 membership year. I'm ok with spending some points next year to hit the extra 50 SCs.

 

[Fausaken]

Having missed out on DSC, what are some options to get 165 SC before November? I've been looking into J SYD to NZ but it seems quite expensive at around $1700 return. I also have around $600 in jetstar vouchers I'd like to use but unsure of how much a max bundle for the same flights would earn in SC. Apologies if dumb question but I'm new here and still trying to understand how this all works

 

[mviy]

What is the purpose of the 165SC? Which status will it help you attain or retain?

 

[aikman]

Having missed out on DSC, what are some options to get 165 SC before November? I've been looking into J SYD to NZ but it seems quite expensive at around $1700 return. I also have around $600 in jetstar vouchers I'd like to use but unsure of how much a max bundle for the same flights would earn in SC. Apologies if dumb question but I'm new here and still trying to understand how this all works

A Jetstar Plus bundle costs $58 and earns 25 SC. A Max bundle costs $127 and earns 40 SC.

 

[Fausaken]

What is the purpose of the 165SC? Which status will it help you attain or retain?

Aiming for first time silver. Will be in points club by around August so would be nice to earn status my next membership year (beginning November) when I redeem some reward flights.

A Jetstar Plus bundle costs $58 and earns 25 SC. A Max bundle costs $127 and earns 40 SC.

This is good to know, how about the earn rates on Business Max? Is that another way to earn good value SC?

 

[mviy]

I guess it depends what value you put on status.

As someone with Lifetime Silver, I consider silver to not be worth very much. It does have some marginal benefits and is nice to have, but Gold is the sweet spot.

 

[sudoer]

Aiming for first time silver

Don't bother - save your money and go directly for Gold or Points Club Plus (Qantas Club) next year - especially when you're still more than half way off the 300 required to attain Silver.

Or just buy Qantas Club membership outright - take a look at the AFF supporter discount if it's still around. The ANZ Black FF card also gives a QC signup discount.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Just thought I'd start this thread as a discussion for those whose program year is coming to a close soon but need additional status credits to attain/maintain their desired status level in the hopes that we as a community could help each other out in finding interesting routes/solutions to this problem.

If you're looking for help please post with the following details (I'll reply to provide an example for myself):

Program Year End Date:
Desired Status:
Current Status Credit Balance:
Remaining Status Credits Booked:
Status Credits Needed:
Status Credits Taken with JetStar/Qantas Group:
Monetary Budget:
Time Budget:
Qantas Green Tier Status Attained (Yes/No):
Geographic Flexibility (Australia, Oceania, Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Worldwide)