Newby - Advice Appreciated :)

[petermac123]

Hi Guys,

Have been trying to do a little research before posting my first question...and I hate to kick off with this, but I'll get straight into it! Appreciate the time and thought Hopefully I can repay the favour...

ATO Payments per year - approx 1.5 million
Mixed business transactions (mostly non-Amex) - 1m

Currently have Westpac Business Choice Rewards MC (0.66 to QFF)
Just waiting on the arrival of Westpac KrisFlyer Plat (1.5 to KF)
Easy transfers of cash to these cards from NAB. Call me lazy, but I can't really be bothered managing spend across cards - especially when the WBC BC Rewards is 'legit' for business purchases Will pay ATO on WBC KF Amex.

Current QFF Standing
Current Status: Gold
Status reassessment will occur: 31 Jan 2013
Status earned from 01 Feb 2011: 780

Additional Status credits required by 31 Jan 2012 to attain Platinum: 620



Travel Before Renewal (31 Jan)
-QF Travel to LAS through a TA and QF 'Group Bookings'? (not sure if the TA or or QF Group Bookings but it has been a very difficult process). Not sure what codes they have me booked into for domestic leg by essentially PER to MEL then PE Booked on QF PER-LAX-LAS (will attempt points upgrade). Then returning LAX-SYD PE then SYD-PER

-PER-HKG It looks like I'll being paying cash for a QF or CX fare in economy... can't see any other way for the mid-late October dates

-PER - SYD - DJ Saver on the way there (I don't know why....), then a JASA on the way back

-Taking a Ski trip to Japan early Feb which unfortunately is just past my assesment date... I could travel up there before my renewal date if i 'had to'...


Next Years Travel;
Domestic perth to east coast 6 times
South America x 1, USA x 1or 2, Asia x 2.

Current Strategy
Phew... That was bit to get out. Once again, appreciate any insight My initial plan at this point is to pay mixed business expenses on WBC BC Rewards, ATO on WBC KF Plat... Maintain minimum SG on QF via JASA domestic (though I read that this isn't the best use of points) and use the KF points for bonus 'leisure' travel

Do I push for WP this renewal period? Don't really see it being possible without a run.. not sure whether the benefits of WP really add up when based in PER....

Easy to get in the game after reading all these posts...but I have to say, a plan that is relatively set and forget with easy travel/booking would work best for me.

Thanks again,

Pete

 

[QF WP]

Hi Guys,

Have been trying to do a little research before posting my first question...and I hate to kick off with this, but I'll get straight into it! Appreciate the time and thought Hopefully I can repay the favour...

ATO Payments per year - approx 1.5 million
Mixed business transactions (mostly non-Amex) - 1m

Currently have Westpac Business Choice Rewards MC (0.66 to QFF)
Just waiting on the arrival of Westpac KrisFlyer Plat (1.5 to KF)
Easy transfers of cash to these cards from NAB. Call me lazy, but I can't really be bothered managing spend across cards - especially when the WBC BC Rewards is 'legit' for business purchases Will pay ATO on WBC KF Amex.

The king of card earning (from my experience) is cove. Read his blogs for some insights there!

Current QFF Standing
Current Status: Gold
Status reassessment will occur: 31 Jan 2013
Status earned from 01 Feb 2011: 780

Additional Status credits required by 31 Jan 2012 to attain Platinum: 620

Nice to already have QF show your status renewal pushed to 2013 - that seems to have happened quickly for you

Travel Before Renewal (31 Jan)
-QF Travel to LAS through a TA and QF 'Group Bookings'? (not sure if the TA or or QF Group Bookings but it has been a very difficult process). Not sure what codes they have me booked into for domestic leg by essentially PER to MEL then PE Booked on QF PER-LAX-LAS (will attempt points upgrade). Then returning LAX-SYD PE then SYD-PER

Check the classes of travel in the booking through your QFF account. You must be part of a group travelling, with all booked through your TA. You should be booked in disc Y on both the domestic legs (PER/MEL & SYD/PER) with PE booked MEL/LAX on QF then it sounds like an QF codeshare on an plAAne (so doesn't that book into Y?). Return LAX/SYD in PE as noted.

-PER-HKG It looks like I'll being paying cash for a QF or CX fare in economy... can't see any other way for the mid-late October dates

I presume you are coming back to PER as well

-PER - SYD - DJ Saver on the way there (I don't know why....), then a JASA on the way back

You need to examine why but well done on the JASA (speaking from experience, it's the only way!)

-Taking a Ski trip to Japan early Feb which unfortunately is just past my assesment date... I could travel up there before my renewal date if i 'had to'...

No, push it into next years travel and it adds to the list below.

Next Years Travel;
Domestic perth to east coast 6 times
South America x 1, USA x 1or 2, Asia x 2.

Current Strategy
Phew... That was bit to get out. Once again, appreciate any insight My initial plan at this point is to pay mixed business expenses on WBC BC Rewards, ATO on WBC KF Plat... Maintain minimum SG on QF via JASA domestic (though I read that this isn't the best use of points) and use the KF points for bonus 'leisure' travel

Do I push for WP this renewal period? Don't really see it being possible without a run.. not sure whether the benefits of WP really add up when based in PER....

Do you push for WP...hell yes, given your NEXT YEARS flights. Well, I would, but others will differ.

Easy to get in the game after reading all these posts...but I have to say, a plan that is relatively set and forget with easy travel/booking would work best for me.

No FF planning is ever set and forget. Well, none that I have ever had. Be prepared to research and make changes, some times the est things are never easy...but can be minimised through the community backing you here (as many will have experienced what you are about to go through).

Welcome to the gam that is FF earning - one from which you'll never recover (and many don't want to either)

 

[Alanslegal]

Pushing $2.5m p.a through credit cards will easily get you enough points to fly in J domestically and J/F internationally so status shouldn't really be a big consideration, given most of the status benefits will be already included when booking on J/F tickets eg. lounge access, priority check in etc.

IMO there really isn't any point in pushing for WP if you are going to be flying internationally with SQ KF, and also when you fly domestically with a J ticket you get access to the J Lounge anyway. Sure its a bonus for QF lifetime status calculations but not really much of a gain when there's little benefit domestically and even less internationally if you choose to fly non-One World carriers.

 

[petermac123]

No FF planning is ever set and forget. Well, none that I have ever had. Be prepared to research and make changes, some times the est things are never easy...but can be minimised through the community backing you here (as many will have experienced what you are about to go through).

Welcome to the gam that is FF earning - one from which you'll never recover (and many don't want to either)

Thanks Lindsay - it is starting to become rather addictive... I think the better half is sick of my points talk already - though I am sure she won't mind when she starts flying J or higher

Pushing $2.5m p.a through credit cards will easily get you enough points to fly in J domestically and J/F internationally so status shouldn't really be a big consideration, given most of the status benefits will be already included when booking on J/F tickets eg. lounge access, priority check in etc.

Yes - that had crossed my mind.... I guess I am always concerned that for whatever reason I can't get a J flight, and, :horror: I may not have lounge access...


Cheers

Pete

 

[QF WP]

Thanks Lindsay - it is starting to become rather addictive... I think the better half is sick of my points talk already - though I am sure she won't mind when she starts flying J or higher

Speaking from experience, yes, probably and she definitely won't at that point - but she'll also expect it [Given I have a wife and daughter who has flown plenty of J and now F - what was I thinking :shock:)

Yes - that had crossed my mind.... I guess I am always concerned that for whatever reason I can't get a J flight, and, :horror: I may not have lounge access...

What is great is that there were different views from Alanslegal (in his 2nd para) and me, regarding WP status attainment. That is also good for your purposes to see the ddfferent reasonings.