Just returned from Fiji Status Run

[Durin's Bane]

Hi guys,

I just got back last night from a Fiji status run. My flights were:

PER-BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN-SYD-MEL-BNE-PER

This was my second status run to Fiji, my first was last year in June when I got the double status credits promotion. This time I completed it to get the 300 SC to get my wife to Partner Gold. Breaking down the flights:

• PER-BNE was a Red-E deal (~$300) but I was given an op-up to J. This was a red-eye.
• BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN-SYD-MEL-BNE was the J ticket routing everyone knows about, but this time cost me $1700 against the $1300 last year.
• BNE-PER was a JASA, which was a great deal (cost 40K points + ~$100, but earned 5K points and 80 SC).

This time I stayed at the Novotel (~$100), last time I stayed at the Tanoa which was cheaper and better (room, restaurant) in my opinion.

Some observations:

• I earned 460 SC for my outlay of $2200 (and 40K points) equating to 4.8$/SC, which isn't too bad.
• Qantas service was mixed, I received very good service on some legs (both MEL-SYD and SYD -MEL), but above average on most of the others. Food was very good though. Plus I used the J lounges in SYD, MEL and BNE to full effect (showers, food, etc)
  
• Air Pacific service was great, but a shame the aircraft were old (747-300s I think). Food was good too (not Qantas quality, but certainly the curries were tasty!)
• After eight flights in 48 hours I was more exhausted than last year, partly because I had already flown to and from Sydney earlier in the week (!!). Plus the PER-BNE legs are real energy drainers, in some old 767/737s. At least they were in J.
  
• All flights were early or on time, which was great. Plus all transfers at Sydney airport were quick and smooth.
• I was repeatedly queried about why I was staying/stayed in Nadi only one night, by immigration and customs in Fiji. I had to produce my hotel bookings (internet print out), and then my Frequent Flyer card when I said it was a Frequent Flyer status Run. This didn't occur to me last year.
• The F Lounge in SYD was great as always, however no time to enjoy a meal. Nice and empty too for a Sunday... I've been in the lounge before on Sundays and it's been full of people, so this was a nice change.
• Customs in Sydney was a bit of a mess yesterday morning - the officers were waving numerous people through who stated they did not have any items to declare, including those with large suitcases and lots of luggage. Who knows what items were brought into the country!! :!: As a consequence the time taken from walking off the plane to catching the transfer bus was a very short 15 minutes!
  

I'm not sure if I'll do this status run again if the prices don't come down... I will be looking in Asia for good CX and JL deals, plus have never done any KUPPs in the USA, so may try those out. Just glad I had the long weekend to do this to allow me some time to recuperate!

Regards,
DB.

 

[ozmille]

$1700 against the $1300 last year.[/SIZE][/FONT]

You can still get it at around AUD1300 if you book it as 2 one ways. I am currently overnighting in MEL on my NAN run Very popular route

 

[elbarto]

I've just looked this up on QF.com and can you book BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN sectors to happen on one day? the multi-city option tells me that I can't fly more than two sectors on a single day?

 

[Austman]

• Air Pacific service was great, but a shame the aircraft were old (747-300s I think). Food was good too (not Qantas quality, but certainly the curries were tasty!)

They are old ex SQ 747-400s. But in J, the seat and service is pretty good value!

 

[thewinchester]

• The F Lounge in SYD was great as always, however no time to enjoy a meal....

I'm sorry - you didn't plan enough time in the F Lounge? I think a whole ton of WP's just fell out of their chairs and gasped in horror.

 

[anat0l]

I'm sorry - you didn't plan enough time in the F Lounge? I think a whole ton of WP's just fell out of their chairs and gasped in horror.

No choice; if you book the run as done by Durin's Bane and many others - including yours truly - it's not possible to build in a good amount of time in the F Lounge. It doesn't help that boarding for the FJ flight SYD-NAN starts at midday, which is exactly when the lounge changes menus from breakfast to all-day.

 

[samh004]

I'm sorry - you didn't plan enough time in the F Lounge? I think a whole ton of WP's just fell out of their chairs and gasped in horror.

I know I did.

I was also grilled when arriving for just a couple nights.

 

[DC3]

I've just looked this up on QF.com and can you book BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN sectors to happen on one day? the multi-city option tells me that I can't fly more than two sectors on a single day?

Someone posted along the following lines a while back (can't find the original post, but it pretty much said this):

Do a multicity J booking (with 2 legs):

-BNE-MEL, and
-MELxSYDxNAN (ie, MEL-NAN, routing via SYD)

and then the reverse for the return.

If you book the NAN-SYD-MEL-BNE flights via the Qantas Fiji site, you'll save $$$.

 

[kpc]

• BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN-SYD-MEL-BNE was the J ticket routing everyone knows about, but this time cost me $1700 against the $1300 last year.

You can still get it at around AUD1300 if you book it as 2 one ways. I am currently overnighting in MEL on my NAN run Very popular route

Someone posted along the following lines a while back (can't find the original post, but it pretty much said this):

Do a multicity J booking (with 2 legs):

-BNE-MEL, and
-MELxSYDxNAN (ie, MEL-NAN, routing via SYD)

and then the reverse for the return.

If you book the NAN-SYD-MEL-BNE flights via the Qantas Fiji site, you'll save $$$.

That's the key to saving $2-300. Book as 2 one ways! You don't have to show your credit card in Fiji! All done online.

They are old ex SQ 747-400s. But in J, the seat and service is pretty good value!

samh004 pointed out to me the (old) SQ logo on the cabinet drawer in the toilets!

I know I did.

I was also grilled when arriving for just a couple nights.

All I was asked was why was I staying so short (2 night stay)!Just said that I was here for a short holiday....I guess easier with +1 in tow.

If I did the run again, I would probably break the itinerary up a bit; starting from Syd my home port I would do:
Leg 1: Syd-Bne-Mel-Syd
Several weeks gap
Leg 2: Syd-Nan-Syd
Several weeks gap
Leg 3: Syd-Mel-Bne-Syd

Once you have done the bookings online, you can ring QF up to make changes to your itinerary

When I returned from Nan, I did Nan-Syd-Mel-Bne-Syd in one hit which was exhausting, not to mention that I nearly missed the last Bne-Syd flight home!

 

[markis10]

They are old ex SQ 747-400s. But in J, the seat and service is pretty good value!

They are actually ex Ansett who leased them before FJ after they served 10 years for SQ.

 

[moa999]

how do you book a multi-city ex-Fiji - I can't find a screen. Best I can get is a NZ only multi-city graphical map

 

[markis10]

Ex Fiji you don't use multi city, the three leg options show.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

When I returned from Nan, I did Nan-Syd-Mel-Bne-Syd in one hit which was exhausting, not to mention that I nearly missed the last Bne-Syd flight home!

I hear ya.
I did SYD-BNE for positioning.
BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN (Day 1)
NAN-SYD-MEL-BNE-SYD (Day 2)

I was literally exhausted from sitting in J. LOL

 

[tuppaware]

Ex Fiji you don't use multi city, the three leg options show.

Bugger I wish I knew this last year when I did the run.
Thinking of doing one of these runs later this year... well I dont have a choice. The problem when you get your partner infected with the Travel Bug!

 

[Durin's Bane]

You can still get it at around AUD1300 if you book it as 2 one ways. I am currently overnighting in MEL on my NAN run Very popular route

I'm still kicking myself that I didn't do this!

 

[kpc]

I'm still kicking myself that I didn't do this!

never mind...you'll know what to do next time

 

[Durin's Bane]

If I did the run again, I would probably break the itinerary up a bit; starting from Syd my home port I would do:
Leg 1: Syd-Bne-Mel-Syd
Several weeks gap
Leg 2: Syd-Nan-Syd
Several weeks gap
Leg 3: Syd-Mel-Bne-Syd

That's a good way to do it for those living in NSW, but difficult for me now that I reside in Perth.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

$926 FJD is about $486AUD

This SC run comes in at $1250 (CC fees need to be added)

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[kpc]

This SC run comes in at $1250 (CC fees need to be added)

The ex Australia leg has gone up about $100 cf to when I booked mine in Dec 10; the ex Fiji leg has stayed the same in FJD but has dropped around $30 due to the rise in the AUD. No cc fees if you Bpay the ex Aus leg, and pay the ex Fiji leg with the the 28 degrees MC

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I've just looked this up on QF.com and can you book BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN sectors to happen on one day? the multi-city option tells me that I can't fly more than two sectors on a single day?

I'm sure at the latest BNE Drinks a couple of weeks ago Mal said to get around the multi city Australia tool not allowing more than 2 sectors is to book two sectors on the one day then pick another date for availability for the 3rd sector but before booking it use the back button or select the original date you want & book it from there.

Not sure what sectors Mal had booked this way - I'm assuming it was a wholly domestic itinerary within Australia.