Double SC's promotion

[JohnK]

Last year QFF had a promotion running from Nov 15 - Feb 15? of double SC's on all flights. I was lucky enough to be selected but I understand that not everyone was selected.

I had a few extra flights last time around and think that it is a good idea in getting people to travel. I know on the other hand that genuine regular travellers don't like these promotions because it gives people, that would not otherwise have reached a higher status, a chance to reach a higher status.

Has anyone heard of anything similar in the pipeline for the near future?

 

[aus_flyer]

At the risk of sounding nasty, I hope they don't have it - although it would make the "loyalty bonus" come around quicker!

 

[oz_mark]

They run these on and off for various reasons. I was on a promotion back when Tesna were supposed to be up and flying.

They may do something like this if Virgin Blue ever get a FF plan up and running, to try and keep people from defecting.

 

[aus_flyer]

I know this is getting off track a bit, but I don't think a Virgin FF program would be particularly successful.

The main reasons people like FF programs is:
- awards
- recognition of status

Virgin's awards will be pretty basic - no RTW first class tickets on offer! And they have no way of recognising FFs. For the most part, I doubt if anyone will be interested.

Thats my two cents worth!

 

[oz_mark]

I know this is getting off track a bit, but I don't think a Virgin FF program would be particularly successful.

The main reasons people like FF programs is:
- awards
- recognition of status

Virgin's awards will be pretty basic - no RTW first class tickets on offer! And they have no way of recognising FFs. For the most part, I doubt if anyone will be interested.

Thats my two cents worth!

Without having seen the details of Virgin Blues program, I am not sure that these won't be there. They could always partner with other airlines.

 

[danielh]

I hope they do it as I've only got 4 more weeks of planned flights and I need 9 more to make Plat.

Regards
Daniel

 

[oz_mark]

I hope they do it as I've only got 4 more weeks of planned flights and I need 9 more to make Plat.

Awkward postition to be in. No manipulation of flights or anything possible?

 

[JohnK]

I know this is getting off track a bit, but I don't think a Virgin FF program would be particularly successful.

The main reasons people like FF programs is:
- awards
- recognition of status

Virgin's awards will be pretty basic - no RTW first class tickets on offer! And they have no way of recognising FFs. For the most part, I doubt if anyone will be interested.

Thats my two cents worth!

I think that is more relevant in the "virgin blue ffp" thread.

I like to have better status as well but don't fly as much as others and double SC's help me get there quicker. Then there is lifetime silver and gold to consider as well.

 

[QF WP]

Last year QFF had a promotion running from Nov 15 - Feb 15? of double SC's on all flights. I was lucky enough to be selected but I understand that not everyone was selected.

Yes, it was targeted to mainly Bronze and Silver members. Mrs LW was one. We used this offer for Mrs QF WP's flights and helped her reach Silver again.

danielh, I think it's time for either upgrading your bookings to K class (might be hard as they are probably paid by your employer who might not share your understanding) or doing a SC run. The difference between Gold and Platinum are enormous (particularly if you think you'll do similar amounts of flying next year).

 

[danielh]

danielh, I think it's time for either upgrading your bookings to K class (might be hard as they are probably paid by your employer who might not share your understanding) or doing a SC run. The difference between Gold and Platinum are enormous (particularly if you think you'll do similar amounts of flying next year).

Very much agree with that.

Worst case scenario I will have a total of 1200 Status credits with 200 more to hit by 28th Feb 2006. Currently have no interstate work in the pipeline but I do have 4 AA flights in the USA which I _think_ will get me 10 SC per trip.

I was thinking of trying to do a dodgey and change return flight itinnery to be SYD-HOB-MEL for the next few weeks but not sure what the price differential would be. If it is small enough (and worth it) I might pay the difference.

I gotta go and check Steve's Status checker later today and thing a few things through.

I might have to look into taking the wife to NZ just for the points.

Regards
Daniel

 

[NM]

I was thinking of trying to do a dodgey and change return flight itinnery to be SYD-HOB-MEL for the next few weeks but not sure what the price differential would be. If it is small enough (and worth it) I might pay the difference.

What class of fare do you have now? If not K, H, B or Y, it may be economical to just pay the difference to "upgrade" to K. Or if already "full economy", you may like to look for some of the cheap D fares that have been on sale. May be a better way to spend the money than going via Hobart or some other point.

 

[robertz]

Worst case scenario I will have a total of 1200 Status credits with 200 more to hit by 28th Feb 2006. Currently have no interstate work in the pipeline but I do have 4 AA flights in the USA which I _think_ will get me 10 SC per trip.

If you want SC's and going on AA, get into the YUP fares. Instant happiness.

Most of the time the fares are double Dis Econ $$ . BUT double the price, 6x the SC's.

Rob
(AA YUP lover)

 

[JohnK]

Worst case scenario I will have a total of 1200 Status credits with 200 more to hit by 28th Feb 2006. Currently have no interstate work in the pipeline but I do have 4 AA flights in the USA which I _think_ will get me 10 SC per trip.

I was thinking of trying to do a dodgey and change return flight itinnery to be SYD-HOB-MEL for the next few weeks but not sure what the price differential would be. If it is small enough (and worth it) I might pay the difference.

I gotta go and check Steve's Status checker later today and thing a few things through.

I might have to look into taking the wife to NZ just for the points.

Regards
Daniel

Have not checked recently but apparently the status chaser calculator has not been updated for a while. I have been doing some analysis on status runs in aus and so far it does not look good flying out of melbourne.

Business class give good earning rates but that is more expensive. A good bet would be brisbane. Between 17/12/05 and 31/01/05 there are some nice specials for short flights to and from brisbane. You could probably achieve this in one day.

MEL-BNE $154, BNE-GLT(Gladstone) $79, GLT-ROK(Rockhampton) $73, ROK-MKY(Mackay) $79, MKY-ROK $79, ROK-GLT $74, GLT-BNE $77, BNE-MEL $155 giving a total of 90 SC's for $770 @ ~8.5/SC.

MEL-SYD $99, SYD-CBR(Business class) $279, CBR-SYD(Business class) $277, MEL-SYD $96 giving a total of 100 SC's for $751 @ ~$7.5/SC.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[JohnK]

If you want SC's and going on AA, get into the YUP fares. Instant happiness.

Most of the time the fares are double Dis Econ $$ . BUT double the price, 6x the SC's.

Rob
(AA YUP lover)

I am confused Rob. :?

Full economy gives twice the SC's of discount economy, business class gives 4X the SC's of discount economy.

Is YUP a higher class than business class to give 6X the SC's? :?

 

[NM]

I am confused Rob. :?

Full economy gives twice the SC's of discount economy, business class gives 4X the SC's of discount economy.

Is YUP a higher class than business class to give 6X the SC's? :?

AA's YUP fares are an economy fare class as Y, but are entitled to be booked into A inventory if available at the time of booking. That means they post to QF as if they were a paid A class ticket and hence earn First Class points and SCs.

If A inventory is not available at the time of booking, you are booked into Y and have no call for a move to A later if it becomes available, except by cancelling and rebooking so long as the fare remains available.

Its an anomaly of way AA books the the Y fare into A inventory that has the QF system believing its a paid discount First Class fare (which it is not).

 

[JohnK]

If A inventory is not available at the time of booking, you are booked into Y and have no call for a move to A later if it becomes available, except by cancelling and rebooking so long as the fare remains available.

Its an anomaly of way AA books the the Y fare into A inventory that has the QF system believing its a paid discount First Class fare (which it is not).

You are telling me that there is a loophole in the qff system that gives you first class SC's for full economy.

Shame it doesn't happen in aus.

 

[NM]

You are telling me that there is a loophole in the qff system that gives you first class SC's for full economy.

Not quite. YUP is not even a full economy fare, and sometimes is a reasonable discount off the full Y fare. And you only get the First Class SCs and points if there is A class available at the time of booking and you you are booked into that class.

So its an anomaly that gets you F SCs and points for a specific discount economy fare type (YUP).

Now, things are changing as of Sept 29th. AA is adding a new fare type of YUPP, with the booking class for these fares being P. So now they may be YUP (booked in A) and YUPP (booked in P) on the same flight for different fare prices. YUPP is often cheaper than YUP.

This is at the same time as changing their booking class for 3-class trans-continental services from P to F. P used to be used for the Flagship First Class domestic trans-con services (LAX-JFK and SFO-JFK).

I assume YUPP fares will have the same anomaly with QF's FF system for earning First Class SCs and points.

 

[StevePER]

Have not checked recently but apparently the status chaser calculator has not been updated for a while.

True, I haven't updated it in ages. I'll do it tonight if I get a chance.

Steve

 

[JohnK]

You are telling me that there is a loophole in the qff system that gives you first class SC's for full economy.

Not quite. YUP is not even a full economy fare, and sometimes is a reasonable discount off the full Y fare. And you only get the First Class SCs and points if there is A class available at the time of booking and you you are booked into that class.

So its an anomaly that gets you F SCs and points for a specific discount economy fare type (YUP).

Now, things are changing as of Sept 29th. AA is adding a new fare type of YUPP, with the booking class for these fares being P. So now they may be YUP (booked in A) and YUPP (booked in P) on the same flight for different fare prices. YUPP is often cheaper than YUP.

This is at the same time as changing their booking class for 3-class trans-continental services from P to F. P used to be used for the Flagship First Class domestic trans-con services (LAX-JFK and SFO-JFK).

I assume YUPP fares will have the same anomaly with QF's FF system for earning First Class SCs and points.

Understand much better now, thanks NM. It is only a real benefit if you live in the US or travel quite regularly to US and belong to qff.

For us paupers here in aus we still need to contemplate status/mileage runs mainly in discount economy. Half the fun in trying.

I can just see the expression on people's faces. :shock: :?

• Where have been John? Oh, I went to MEL, LST, MEL, ADL, CBR....
  And how long were you away John? One day.....
  How did you manage to see all those places in one day John? Oh, I didn't bother to leave the airport just kept getting on and off the plane.....
  Really John!!!! :roll: :shock: :?

Certifiable may have been used at some point in the conversation.

 

[NM]

Certifiable may have been used at some point in the conversation.

Yes, but how many trips to the bar at the Qantas Club? Not so certifiable in that case .