How did you become a Qantas Frequent Flyer

[tocal]

As an absolute newbie who has no real chance to collect SC through flying each year, I was curious to learn how each of you have reached the levels you have. Obviously there's the 'how to earn points' thread, but I'd be interested to know how long you've been getting points, whether the majority of points come from flights, if the flights are business or personal, any major points windfalls, etc.

You all started in bronze - how did you get to where you are now?

Edit: Sorry about the title; I was writing it from my sickbed and somehow autocorrect mixed up my words. It should read How did you become a QFF?

 

[Must...Fly!]

As an absolute newbie who has no real chance to collect SC through flying each year, I was curious to learn how each of you have reached the levels you have. Obviously there's the 'how to earn points' thread, but I'd be interested to know how long you've been getting points, whether the majority of points come from flights, if the flights are business or personal, any major points windfalls, etc.

You all started in bronze - how did you get to where you are now?

I joined this site 2 and a half years ago, thinking exactly the same as you. I (still) only get points from flying and the occasional few hundred from a partner like buying QBE travel insurance.

I'm now a silver FF!

You'll get there

 

[straitman]

As an absolute newbie who has no real chance to collect SC through flying each year, I was curious to learn how each of you have reached the levels you have. Obviously there's the 'how to earn points' thread, but I'd be interested to know how long you've been getting points, whether the majority of points come from flights, if the flights are business or personal, any major points windfalls, etc.

You all started in bronze - how did you get to where you are now?

I reluctantly migrated to QF after NZ killed off Ansett :!:

My flying in those days was limited business which was paid by my employer.

These days almost all my flying is personally funded so I am very conscious of getting the best value for my $$ and taking the opportunities that present themselves.

 

[munitalP]

The easiest way / hardest way depending on who you talk to is bum in seats. My work has always included travel. I collected my QF only stats from beginning of November 2004. The graph is to OCT31 2011. I need to update it further.

 

[tocal]

The easiest way / hardest way depending on who you talk to is bum in seats. My work has always included travel. I collected my QF only stats from beginning of November 2004. The graph is to OCT31 2011. I need to update it further.

Wow. For us, no business travel, but a quick look at the site shows that for a return trip to Sydney with Jetstar in Economy (which could be as low as $100 return, up to $200 return), I'd get a minimum of 2,000 points (the 1,000 minimum points guarantee one-way). I have a friend in Sydney who I plan to visit in a few months, and the same for my grandmother in Hobart; on top of that, another 200 points by using my Woolies EDR card. That's 2,200 for $200 spend - an 11-to-1 ratio (much better than anywhere else!).

 

[straitman]

Wow. For us, no business travel, but a quick look at the site shows that for a return trip to Sydney with Jetstar in Economy (which could be as low as $100 return, up to $200 return), I'd get a minimum of 2,000 points (the 1,000 minimum points guarantee one-way). I have a friend in Sydney who I plan to visit in a few months, and the same for my grandmother in Hobart; on top of that, another 200 points by using my Woolies EDR card. That's 2,200 for $200 spend - an 11-to-1 ratio (much better than anywhere else!).

Remember with JQ you have to pay extra to get the SCs and points.

 

[tocal]

Remember with JQ you have to pay extra to get the SCs and points.

Just went and checked that out; I didn't realise. Still, I suppose at only $20 a flight it's still not too bad - most fares are under $100, so my estimate of $220 return would still hold for most days. But good to know - I would have been bummed out to fly and not realise I couldn't get points!

 

[munitalP]

Just went and checked that out; I didn't realise. Still, I suppose at only $20 a flight it's still not too bad - most fares are under $100, so my estimate of $220 return would still hold for most days. But good to know - I would have been bummed out to fly and not realise I couldn't get points!

If you REALLY want to get HOOKED, fly up to SYD on a Saturday morning and join in on a JQ35 run back to MEL. JQ35 will price match with Tiger usually between 45-95 dollars (my lowest price match is $9) and joining in with the AFF mobsters, you will enjoy the SYD F Lounge. If that alone is not motivation to become a SCF (status collecting freak) nothing else is!

Keep an eye out for JQ35 runs now you know what they are

 

[oz_mark]

If you REALLY want to get HOOKED, fly up to SYD on a Saturday morning and join in on a JQ35 run back to MEL. JQ35 will price match with Tiger usually between 45-95 dollars (my lowest price match is $9) and joining in with the AFF mobsters, you will enjoy the SYD F Lounge. If that alone is not motivation to become a SCF (status collecting freak) nothing else is!

Keep an eye out for JQ35 runs now you know what they are

Who in earth would do such a thing?

Sent from my HTC Legend using AustFreqFly

 

[Stephen65]

You can only collect QF SCs from flying. Ordinarily I only fly enough for work and travel to be SG but this year the double SC offer pushed me to WP.

FF points are another matter. The vast majority I earn are from CC use not actual flying.

 

[tocal]

You can only collect QF SCs from flying. Ordinarily I only fly enough for work and travel to be SG but this year the double SC offer pushed me to WP.

FF points are another matter. The vast majority I earn are from CC use not actual flying.

Yes, the title was changed (I realised it wasn't my original one) to imply I was just talking about SC; I meant points mainly, as obviously the only way to get SCs is by flying But your last sentence did answer my question

 

[tocal]

If you REALLY want to get HOOKED, fly up to SYD on a Saturday morning and join in on a JQ35 run back to MEL. JQ35 will price match with Tiger usually between 45-95 dollars (my lowest price match is $9) and joining in with the AFF mobsters, you will enjoy the SYD F Lounge. If that alone is not motivation to become a SCF (status collecting freak) nothing else is!

Keep an eye out for JQ35 runs now you know what they are

Oooh, that sounds awesome. But Bronze members can't use lounges, can they?

 

[straitman]

Oooh, that sounds awesome. But Bronze members can't use lounges, can they?

Only if they purchase Qantas Club membership.

 

[ShaneN]

Wow. For us, no business travel, but a quick look at the site shows that for a return trip to Sydney with Jetstar in Economy (which could be as low as $100 return, up to $200 return), I'd get a minimum of 2,000 points (the 1,000 minimum points guarantee one-way). I have a friend in Sydney who I plan to visit in a few months, and the same for my grandmother in Hobart; on top of that, another 200 points by using my Woolies EDR card. That's 2,200 for $200 spend - an 11-to-1 ratio (much better than anywhere else!).

You need to be clear about the difference between points and status credits (SCs). Your status is determined by the number of status credits earned in a year - 300 for silver, 700 for gold and 1400 for platinum. Status credits can only be earned by flying, not from credit cards, shopping at Woolworths, etc. For further information see Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Status Credits. Your discount economy return flight MEL-SYD or BNE-SYD will earn 20 SCs. You would need to make a5 such flights in a year to reach silve, and 70 to reach platinum.

Frequent flyer points, which can be earned from flying, shopping, hotel stays, credit cards, car rental etc, are not directly relevant to frequent flyer status. However they can be used to purchase any seat awards, which earn status credits and can be a good way to earn a large number of SCs.

As for me, I earned 1475 SCs in my last Frequent Flyer year, which ended on 31 August, to reach platinum for the first time. This was from a total of 39 flight segments, all self funded personal travel. Most were discount economy domestic flights, but I also traveled international discount economy to DFW and HKG. Big SC earners were some first class domestic flights in the USA and some business class any seat award (JASA) flights in Australia, while I was helped over the line by a double SC off by Qantas.

Good luck.

 

[Fantic125]

or be guested in by a WP.

 

[bodog]

Oooh, that sounds awesome. But Bronze members can't use lounges, can they?

I think the intention is that if you join them they will guest you into a First Class Lounge (will will really get you motivated to gain some status )

ie "and joining in with the AFF mobsters, you will enjoy the SYD F Lounge"

 

[tocal]

You need to be clear about the difference between points and status credits (SCs).

I did realise that, I just don't think it was very clear in the way I worded my posts! I know a lot of you guys fly and as such get SCs, and I was interested to learn about that, even though I rarely fly so my chances of getting past bronze anytime in ... well, anytime, are pretty slim!

 

[tocal]

I think the intention is that if you join them they will guest you into a First Class Lounge (will will really get you motivated to gain some status )

ie "and joining in with the AFF mobsters, you will enjoy the SYD F Lounge"

Oh dear, my poor husband. I've been very excited about finding as many ways as possible to boost our points (possibly earn SCs too depending on circumstances ...) without really increasing our normal expenditure. After only a few days (he works from home ATM and I've been bedridden with illness) he's cried "no more FF talk! not until we actually, you know, have the points! do what you like, just don't tell me!". Poor man. Maybe I can drag him along to Sydney with me, although he's got long hair/tattoos and is a bit of a metalhead, so fanciness isn't always his thing. He can scrub up nicely, he just looks inherently *messy*. But that's why I adore him!

 

[JohnK]

I started flying again in 2003 and had work related travel for ~2 years incuding 7 international trips. It was enough to get me to Silver for those 2 years.

I have since attained Gold for 1 year and Platinum for the past 5+ years.

I have been commuting SYD-BNE for 4+ years which helps with the SCs balance and when I go overseas I like to maximise the SCs earned by not flying directly to my destination.

 

[Major]

I reluctantly migrated to QF after NZ killed off Ansett :!:

My flying in those days was limited business which was paid by my employer.

These days almost all my flying is personally funded so I am very conscious of getting the best value for my $$ and taking the opportunities that present themselves.

This is exactly the same as me