PhD student in Sydney

[Deleted member 43447]

Hi all, I'm living in Sydney and flying home to Perth around 2-3 times a year. Small scholarship, looking to get best value for money and work towards getting lounge access so I can work better at the terminal, since I have a mortal fear of missing flights and always arrive too early.

 

[moa999]

Welcome mixtrak...

Best 'value' is generally the cheapest fare on offer.
Presume you are generally travelling at fixed times and thus booking in advance and likely to be purchasing "Discount Economy" fares which generally only earn half status credits.
(eg. 20 SCs for QF SYD-PER which is not going to get you to Gold very quickly).

If however you can get to a conference in the US, there are some better options.

 

[RWJ777]

Hi all, I'm living in Sydney and flying home to Perth around 2-3 times a year. Small scholarship, looking to get best value for money and work towards getting lounge access so I can work better at the terminal, since I have a mortal fear of missing flights and always arrive too early.

A thing to remember is that even if you do make Gold to earn complimentary ongoing lounge access, there is usually little room at the Perth Qantas lounge -- as reported extensively here -- so the opportunity to work at a lounge might be quite curtailed. Notwithstanding, a couple of options to consider: (1) I think Gold membership here provides lower cost Qantas Club membership (but you would need to check that as I have never need to avail myself of the offer); or (2) your university might provide a corporate rate for Qantas Club membership. You MIGHT be able to pay for it out of your research account (if indeed you have one).

 

[Andyc]

It may be worth taking at look at the current offers from AA to buy miles and then redeem them on Qantas. It won't help with attaining status, but maysave you enough to buy a Qantas Club membership or even one of the American Airlines memberships that works in Qantas lounges.

If going down the paid membership route, you should take RWJ777's advice and sign-up through this forum. You'll make a substantial saving.

 

[Deleted member 43447]

Thanks all - what a nice surprise to have people help out so quickly =) Yep I certainly won't accrue enough status points for gold for a long time. Paid access is an option, though on my limited scholarship I doubt the marginal productivity boon is worth what I seem to remember is a ~$500 investment (with forum Gold member discount), especially if the Perth club is as crowded as I have read. Something to look into further.

 

[wingspan]

I managed to get to Platinum with QF while on an APA for my PhD so it's definitely doable. Make sure to always connect rather than fly direct where possible. I would also always book whenever a sale was on and organise supervision meetings and data collection around those rebooked flights.

 

[Deleted member 43447]

OK, thanks! I'll keep my eyes peeled =) There's certainly a lot of work going on in my research area (groundwater) in Perth so I'm sure I can find some excuses for more than just social visits

 

[Jousams]

OK, thanks! I'll keep my eyes peeled =) There's certainly a lot of work going on in my research area (groundwater) in Perth so I'm sure I can find some excuses for more than just social visits

If you don't fly enough to get gold status with QF, Consider VA silver. Which provides lounge access for $300. And provides a less crowded lounge in Perth.

* I have no knowledge about funding & travel contracts for phd students.

 

[RWJ777]

If you don't fly enough to get gold status with QF, Consider VA silver. Which provides lounge access for $300. And provides a less crowded lounge in Perth.

* I have no knowledge about funding & travel contracts for phd students.

How much though would QC be with the AFF Gold discount? It would be around the same wouldn't it?

 

[Jousams]

How much though would QC be with the AFF Gold discount? It would be around the same wouldn't it?

For an existing member, with the AFF discount QC would be $400.

So VA is still $100 cheaper.
Are the QC's in SYD & PER $100 better than the VA lounges?
At the moment, yes. In 6 months time, maybe not.

 

[straitman]

For an existing member, with the AFF discount QC would be $400.

So VA is still $100 cheaper.
Are the QC's in SYD & PER $100 better than the VA lounges?
At the moment, yes. In 6 months time, maybe not.

If not already a QC member there is a $230 joining fee.

IMHO they are not worth the $100 extra let alone the joining fee as well.

 

[Jousams]

IMHO they are not worth the $100 extra let alone the joining fee as well.

I don't usually say this as I'm sure it conflicts with many people's opinions on this site.
But I DETEST the QC, nearly every time I have been in them I struggle to find a seat (maybe I've been at busy times) . In my mind Anyone who pays >$800 for membership is either a fool or has too much money.
The business lounges are very nice though.


And I never have not found a seat in the VA lounge

 

[Blinky]

Welcome mixtrak. All I can say is that I also have a morbid fear of being late for a flight, and typically arrive 90-120 minutes earlier. Fortunately, I'm nearly on first name terms with most Virgin Lounge staff.

Enjoy the forum. I've found it tremendously helpful. I used to think I was a frequent flyer until I ran into these guys...

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF mixtrak!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Mistrax welcome, check the monthly travel thread there will be someone, invariably, who could guest you into a lounge.. People update this monthly.

if not just ask the question, there are a few lurkers as well

 

[medhead]

I'm generally departing from Sydney on a thursday evening every week. More than happy to guest you into a lounge if it suits.