Overview of Best Qantas Status Run Options [not the discussion thread]

[Danger]

I flew SOF-LHR in J recently for an incredible non-sale price of AUD265. If I'd credited to Qantas, I would have earned 1375 points or 3.3% of the points needed for an Australian J transcon (41.5K). I instead credited to Alaska where I earned 3175 or 15.8% of the cost for the same award (20K).

Yes, for this thread, very true.

 

[AFF Editor]

There's a list of some status run ideas on QF metal that are available during the current Double Status Credits offer here:

Make the Most of Qantas' New Double Status Credits Offer

Register between 23-28 March 2023 to earn double Qantas status credits or double points on an unlimited number of eligible Qantas flights.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

The best one seems to be OOL-MEL-AKL-MEL-OOL in J.

 

[GrahamBRI]

I think a lot of us are undertaking their status run for next year, not this year (unless you have just lucked out and your anniversary was in Feb). This year will be a bit late for the super great SC rates for a lot. Still seeing at $4 a SC in Feb.

 

[GeorgeD]

I think a lot of us are undertaking their status run for next year, not this year (unless you have just lucked out and your anniversary was in Feb). This year will be a bit late for the super great SC rates for a lot. Still seeing at $4 a SC in Feb.
View attachment 321236

Ahhh, I see. My usual problem of having a December anniversary, combined with my desire to book for last minute getaways. Thank you, that makes a lot of sense

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
A friendly reminder that this is not the discussion thread. This thread is just for listing worthwhile status runs.
[/mod hat]

 

[hugamuga]

Just booked a decent Status Run on Jetstar, using the current return for free sale which has some pretty great deals with SC earn rates in the range of 4-5$/SC

Booked PER-DPS-SYD-PER for $239 base fare +$385 for the Max Bundles.

For a total of $624 for 150SC

Obviously a lot of cons around potential delays, cancellations, and booking it 9 months in advance. There are probably some even better ones available though.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Just booked a decent Status Run on Jetstar, using the current return for free sale which has some pretty great deals with SC earn rates in the range of 4-5$/SC

Booked PER-DPS-SYD-PER for $239 base fare +$385 for the Max Bundles.

For a total of $624 for 150SC

Obviously a lot of cons around potential delays, cancellations, and booking it 9 months in advance. There are probably some even better ones available though.

Excellent, status run and a bit of a holiday🏖

 

[exceladdict]

Excellent, status run and a bit of a holiday🏖

That's like the good old days of Perth to denpasar prices!

 

[JessicaTam]

[mod hat]
This is not the discussion thread. Please post questions here: Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options
[/mod hat]

 

[elanshin]

NZ has reasonable J tickets again for~$1600 return on a route like OOL <> MEL <> AKL. Works out to be around $6 per SC for anyone that's looking at going to NZ. Lots of dates when I was looking around last night. In fact I could've flown even today at that price booked immediately.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I thought I'd bring up one potentially exceptional value for earning status credits if you are state-side (USA) - Alaska Airlines. In particular, there are a number of routes they operate on the west coast that have relatively inexpensive business class but have routings that result in abnormally high status credit accrual. One example that I booked recently was Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon for $569 AUD return. The routing for this is LA > Portland > Seattle > LA. Most notably this is a same day turn meaning no need to worry about hotels of the logistics behind all that. In terms of status credit accrual, well LA > Portland is 60, Portland > Seattle is 40, and Seattle to LA is 60 so 160 status credits total. Also lastly, so far as I can tell, just about every Alaska flight will attract status credits, even Saver (X) fares. I'm unsure if the same holds true for AAs basic economy flights. Speaking of West Coast, Seattle to Chicago could be another winner on account of it attracting 100 status credits each way.

So far we've discussed the West Coast of the US, but what deals can be found on the East Coast for status credits? One loophole that was around for a while was the so called NEA (North East Alliance) between American Airlines and JetBlue which allowed you to book JetBlue flights under a AA codeshare. Consequently this would allow you to earn QF status credits and benefits despite flying on JetBlue metal. Sometimes JetBlue had the better fare too meaning there could be substantial savings. Unfortunately, effective July 21, 2023 that partnership ended due to the DOJ bringing suit against this cartel. So why do I bother posting this tidbit? Because AA wasn't satisfied with the ruling and is appealing it. So watch out, there may be some good SC earning opportunities on the east coast in down the road.

-RooFlyer88

 

[exceladdict]

I thought I'd bring up one potentially exceptional value for earning status credits if you are state-side (USA) - Alaska Airlines. In particular, there are a number of routes they operate on the west coast that have relatively inexpensive business class but have routings that result in abnormally high status credit accrual. One example that I booked recently was Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon for $569 AUD return. The routing for this is LA > Portland > Seattle > LA. Most notably this is a same day turn meaning no need to worry about hotels of the logistics behind all that. In terms of status credit accrual, well LA > Portland is 60, Portland > Seattle is 40, and Seattle to LA is 60 so 160 status credits total. Also lastly, so far as I can tell, just about every Alaska flight will attract status credits, even Saver (X) fares. I'm unsure if the same holds true for AAs basic economy flights. Speaking of West Coast, Seattle to Chicago could be another winner on account of it attracting 100 status credits each way.

So far we've discussed the West Coast of the US, but what deals can be found on the East Coast for status credits? One loophole that was around for a while was the so called NEA (North East Alliance) between American Airlines and JetBlue which allowed you to book JetBlue flights under a AA codeshare. Consequently this would allow you to earn QF status credits and benefits despite flying on JetBlue metal. Sometimes JetBlue had the better fare too meaning there could be substantial savings. Unfortunately, effective July 21, 2023 that partnership ended due to the DOJ bringing suit against this cartel. So why do I bother posting this tidbit? Because AA wasn't satisfied with the ruling and is appealing it. So watch out, there may be some good SC earning opportunities on the east coast in down the road.

-RooFlyer88

I was under the impression Oneworld carriers codesharing on non Oneworld partners would not award points or SC? But otherwise, would be a good opportunity

 

[sudoer]

I was under the impression Oneworld carriers codesharing on non Oneworld partners would not award points or SC? But otherwise, would be a good opportunity

It's not supposed to.

 

[aus_flyer]

It's not supposed to.

AA and BA are exceptions

 

[kangarooflyer88]

One other point I thought of which I use somewhat regularly is simply getting Qantas/airlines to give you status credits for free. The easiest way to achieve this is to book whatever is the cheapest flight on OneWorld (typically it's nonstop if we're travelling domestically in Australia) then wait for the airline to cancel the flight or change schedule. When that happens you are generally entitled to select a new flight for free and in which case you can select a connecting flight (if non-stop) or some other routing that will earn you more status credits.

To give a concrete example of this in action, yesterday I realized I would be 10 status credits short of my loyalty bonus. Obviously I could purchase another flight with QF or JQ but that would mean more travel (when I've got so much travel already booked) and most importantly more expense. To my delight, Qantas changed the departure time of one of my flights, Adelaide to Sydney by just 40 minutes. I called up Qantas and requested to be put on Adelaide to Sydney via Canberra which after a couple minutes they did. This will now earn me 20 status credits as a connecting itinerary instead of 10.

Where this can really be put into practice are on airlines notorious for flight changes and cancellations, namely JetStar. In these instances you want to book a MAX fare (to earn the most status credits) then wait for them to cancel/change on you. In one instance, I was flying Darwin to Sydney on JetStar. Ordinarily that would earn me just 40 status credits. However, since that flight was cancelled I ended up choosing a connecting flight (via ADL) which earned me 60 status credits. What's key here and to reiterate I did not pay a dime to make these changes.

AA and BA are exceptions

Correct and the AA exception is a big one if you happen to find a codeshare you like.

 

[tdimdad]

One other point I thought of which I use somewhat regularly is simply getting Qantas/airlines to give you status credits for free. The easiest way to achieve this is to book whatever is the cheapest flight on OneWorld (typically it's nonstop if we're travelling domestically in Australia) then wait for the airline to cancel the flight or change schedule.

This, of course, is most useful with two conditions attached: you are going to fly that route, anyway, and you are happy fly the original booking. If it happens that you have an involuntary change, it can result in this positive side effect to your benefit. But that's just an added bonus, presuming you want to spend more time in air to gain that.

 

[Mattg]

BA Club Europe sale on again from various airports in Germany/Austria (not FRA or MUC) to the UK. Book by 26 September and travel between 1 November 2023 and 31 March 2024. These are round-trip fares and you have to stay at least one Saturday night at the destination.

E.g. NUE-LHR-NUE for $386 (return). Should earn 80 SCs on most routes from Germany to London.




VIE-LHR-VIE is from $480 (round trip) and earns 120 SCs.

 

[Mattg]

This may be of interest to some here. I've just booked VNO-HEL-AMS as a Business Light fare for €210.68. The VNO-HEL leg is on a Nordic Regional Airlines ATR72 with Y-only seating, so books into Flex Economy. HEL-AMS is in J, and as it happens, this particular flight is on an A350 with the new AirLounge seating. Earns 80 SC in total

 

[clifford]

BA Club Europe sale on again from various airports in Germany/Austria (not FRA or MUC) to the UK. Book by 26 September and travel between 1 November 2023 and 31 March 2024. These are round-trip fares and you have to stay at least one Saturday night at the destination.

E.g. NUE-LHR-NUE for $386 (return). Should earn 80 SCs on most routes from Germany to London.

VIE-LHR-VIE is from $480 (round trip) and earns 120 SCs.

I found and booked what I thought was a pretty good earner on BA.

LGW-DLM in J for GBP123 gets 80 SC as it's 1738 miles. Available now till next month at least.

I don't really want to go to DLM (although it's quite nice), but am going to AYT, and I couldn't pass up this fare, which includes sensible flight times and a decent spell in the LGW FCL (which is better than that at LHR IMO).

I'm on-flying to AYT via IST the next day on TK. A bit silly, but there you are...

 

[serfty]

[mod hat]
A friendly reminder that this is not the discussion thread. This thread is just for listing worthwhile status runs.
[/mod hat]