Likelihood of a DSC offer in early 2023?

[justinbrett]

My understanding is DSG is only earned on Domestic and International Qantas operated flights with a 'QF' flight number in all cabins where Status Credits are usually earned

No, it also applies to codeshares operated by other airlines that are marketed as QF flight numbers.

 

[mviy]

No, it also applies to codeshares operated by other airlines that are marketed as QF flight numbers.

That only happens if there is a special exception for that.

In most cases it needs to be both QF operated and marketed to qualify for DSC.

 

[tdimdad]

While we are at it, can I test the following calculation with you, please? The prices are assumptions based on what's available for my desired dates now or with NZ the recent J sales fares. The question is, what's the cost of obtaining WP in a new membership year (without taking into account the SC rollover from this membership year).

SYD-xLHR-HEL, Y saver fare $2,407 (return), earning 95+15 SC one-way, total 410 return with DSC.
SYD-xMEL-CHC, J sale $1,200 (return), earning 120 SC one way, total 480 return with DSC. Two trips to be done.
--> These total 1,370 SC + 100 SC of bonuses, enough to score the WP status. The cost is $4,807 which comes to $3.27/SC.

Does this logic hold? From my anticipated future flying I get to the upper end of the SG band most years so I might as well up it that little bit to keep it at WP. Just need the initial push to hop over the fence.

 

[mviy]

Note that DSC don’t count to the loyalty bonuses at 500 SC, 1000 SC etc.

Also the flights need to be both QF marketed and operated to get DSC. So LHR-HEL would only get standard SC

 

[tdimdad]

Note that DSC don’t count to the loyalty bonuses at 500 SC, 1000 SC etc.

Thanks for the correction. No drama as the other flying will cover that, anyway.

Out of interest, I was looking at how much would it cost to obtain WP by timing the bookings right and if QF maintains their earlier pattern of DSC offers and sales. The cheapest would be three trips from east coast to NZ at about $3,300 - $3,600 in total but I'm aiming at the jump as a byproduct of the planned travel and playing with the timing so that I get to enjoy all the flash benefits earlier (it'd be from the start of month 4 in the next membership year for me, if this plan holds).

Also the flights need to be both QF marketed and operated to get DSC. So LHR-HEL would only get standard SC

Yes, got that. 410SC comes from 2 * 95 doubled = 380 from QF and 2 * 15 on AY/BA.

 

[justinbrett]

That only happens if there is a special exception for that.

In most cases it needs to be both QF operated and marketed to qualify for DSC.

Yes, the ones run since covid have had that requirement. I wasn’t following closely as I didn’t need the SCs.

But I guarantee you could get them on codeshares before that. I got to platinum for the first time by flying LATAM metal (I know because I chose them over Qantas as changing carriers in AKL got me more SCs)

Probably a safe bet though that it will be more restrictive when it comes back.

 

[Seat0B]

As I fly to Dubai as often as I can to see Seat Son, and now can only now get codeshare flights on Emirates, I hope they return to allowing DSC on codeshare flights, @justinbrett

 

[mviy]

If they allowed DSC on codeshare flights I’d consider booking to fly Emirates return to LHR

 

[Hampton Mike]

I think more recently the t&c have said this or similar:

“Are Qantas Flight vouchers eligible for this offer?
Flight Vouchers purchased and redeemed for an eligible flight booking made during the promotion will earn double Status Credits. Flight Vouchers purchased but not redeemed for an eligible flight booking (for flights that are not booked or travelled within the booking or travel period dates), will not earn double Status Credits.”

 

[ozstamps]

My current guess would be early next year on the basis that:

a) forward bookings may start to dip by early next year as more routes and aircraft come back online from both QF & competitors;

b) depressed business travel spend means large numbers of status passengers will be set to drop in the second half of 2023 (ie when the first round of status extensions end)

and QF want to encourage them to push for renewal; and

c) the heat of post-lockdown travel begins to diminish and leisure travel heads back towards pre-COVID levels, especially with inflation biting into discretionary spend.

Exactly.

And Virgin will follow - if not lead the promo.

Let us never forget SC costs an airline ZERO money! All extra bookings are all cream.

 

[Andy72]

It seems to me that the terms and conditions vary, offer by offer. I will most likely make P1 this year for the first time (and probably only time) because of a few cheap business class flights to christchurch and wellington via melbourne booked during the last DSC offer, some travel passes with double status credits, and a couple of paid fares to the UK and US. I do book routes with more sc, sometimes taking a little longer, as I enjoy travel. I have a lot of points and for me personally the WP and P1 will help me use them for non tax deductible leisure travel. I know people have had a lot of issues with Qantas but personally I haven't paid for a domestic flight for me or family since Covid, mostly J, and have done a trips both to the US and Europe. I am holding off booking some trips till March. If you are organised, and book all international travel in a DSC deal, you can make definitely it work for you

 

[mrsterryn]

I am another hoping for DSC soon.
I have a trip to UK to book.
My status is going to drop to gold (I hope not further ) Nov 1st this year. I want to maintain gold as the lowest

 

[AIRwin]

I want to maintain gold as the lowest

How far/near is LTG?

 

[mrsterryn]

How far/near is LTG?

About 4000. I know people think it is daft to stay with Qantas but ..it is just easier and if I could get LTG...then I would go to other carriers

 

[OATEK]

Also being discussed here: Will there be a Feb 2023 double SC promotion?

 

[Ade]

About 4000. I know people think it is daft to stay with Qantas but ..it is just easier and if I could get LTG...then I would go to other carriers

I'm in the similar boat as you are (give or take a few hundy SCs). Would prefer to get to LTG before switching allegiance ...

Just realised that I wanted to say LTS, but typed LTG. This is what happens when someone interrupts you when typing … As it stands, I’m nowhere near LTG. I’m aiming to achieve LTS

My strategy is, if QF does a DSC this year and I know that I may have to go to India at least 3 times this year and the trips are unlikely to begin before April ... so a rightly timed DSC, combined with the 600 SC from status support & an upcoming (not booked yet) DSC to CHC, might take me into LTG LTS by 2025, conservatively.

However, should QF choose not to release a DSC this year, I will still qualify (post by CHC DSC trip) for WP until Dec 2024. In this case, I'd be looking at the brains trust here in AFF, to see if I can take any of the status match to *A (should one be available at the time) and credit to any *A that is easier to retain (from memory, it is either Aegan or LH, not something to think now though)

In any case, fingers crossed.

 

[exceladdict]

Well, I've just booked some flights, so chances are a DSC offer will come soon.