QF Double Status Credits (SC) offer for all :)

[zimocca]

For those that are heading to Australia/Pacific through Central/SE Asia:

I recent booked a fare that would normally provide 280 SCs for approx AUD$1,150 (or approx $4.1 per SC). The DSC yields 480SC on this route (or ~$2.40 per SC). I've booked a one way so far and trying to get a return to price out on any OTA has been extremely challenging (it should price out at around $2,200 return to yield 960 SCs - 800 on QF operated and marketed - or ~$2.30 per SC)

I've only got a return to price successfully yesterday, but didn't book and then couldn't get it to do so today . (this was on h3llow0rld - again sorry to obfuscate the OTA, but I'm being paranoid)

These are only easily found if you know how to use ITA Matrix and the return flights price out easily if you ask correctly - getting them to "translate" to an OTA is the fun part.

this fare has been around before and seems to only price on UL ticket stock via a travel agent(s).

I also couldn't get any of these cheap itineraries to price on US based OTAs - only Australian ones so far.

The fare has been posted both here and on the "other forum" about a year ago - but this time will not price with simple origin/destination. It has to have each leg.

I am hoping this is obvious enough - but will be happy to reveal more once I've done my bookings. I've been waiting and checking for this fare since it disappeared months ago.

Later Edit: I managed to book my one-way on 3xp3dia

OK, so I haven't managed to get my return and with only one day left for the DSC I've decided to share.

So UL Ticket stock Ex-CMB
Route is CMB to New Zealand major ports.
Fare Code: IOWQFLK6

Routes via SIN & SYD open jaw is allowed and I was able to price one return via MEL (but not anymore)

Here are some screengrabs for 14th June (I had a PM about someone considering to position after the HKG lounge run). Availability for one-way is wide open.

Only way to get it to price is to enter each flight segment using multi-city. Stopovers appear to be allowed and pricing OK.

All fares are in J
Screenshots below expire 47 hours from date/time of this post.

Example 1 CMB-CHC $1,145
20160614_CMB_SIN_CHC


Example 2 CMB-AKL $1,150
20160614_CMB_SIN_SYD_AKL.


Example 3 CMB-(stop)SYD-AKL $1270
20160614_CMB_SIN_SYD_STOP

 

[yorgerg]

Can I use a QF gift card to buy a Business Direct flight (10% off business under Aquire Deal)?

 

[geordieladinoz]

But if you need a double SC offer plus need to do a status run to get WP then you probably aren't flying extremely regularly. It will make some difference but for how long? QANTAS may not do another double SC offer for quite some time.

I could sure do with another one that covers June-July next year, but that's highly unlikely.

QANTAS is probably hoping that users that get a taste for the benefits of a higher status tier will increase their flying to maintain that status.

I would have just liked it to be open for another 4 weeks until mid-May 2017 and Qantas would have had $16k ($8k x 2) off us for SYD-LHR J returns. Unfortunately those are the only flights I could really look to lock in at the moment, not sure I have the energy for lots of domestic Y bookings, may do a few as flexible.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Can I use a QF gift card to buy a Business Direct flight (10% off business under Aquire Deal)?

No you can't

 

[mviy]

I would have just liked it to be open for another 4 weeks until mid-May 2017 and Qantas would have had $16k ($8k x 2) off us for SYD-LHR J returns. Unfortunately those are the only flights I could really look to lock in at the moment, not sure I have the energy for lots of domestic Y bookings, may do a few as flexible.

I would have liked it to be open three months longer (to mid-July 2017) than it is so I could book my trip in J to LHR and back. Already booked my trip for this year months ago. I will probably try and use points to book an award booking for next year but double SC probably would have convinced me to buy the tickets using cash.

 

[Pushka]

I think the travel period is extremely generous.

 

[mviy]

I think the travel period is extremely generous.

I agree. However I'd already booked my major travel for this year before the promo started. I could cancel and rebook, but I would probably get a voucher (whereas I would want a refund) and with the cost involved I may as well keep the existing bookings and do a status run.

For next year I expect my major travel will be after April so the DSC offer is of limited benefit for that.

 

[medhead]

Can I use a QF gift card to buy a Business Direct flight (10% off business under Aquire Deal)?

No you can't

There have been some reports that if you call and ask very nicely, and the moon is in the ascension of jupiter, they might do it. Personally, I try to avoid calling at all cost (so have no first hand experience) and just suck up the credit card fee for Business Direct bookings - sure it eats into the discount but the price is still less than buying the fare with a gift voucher.

 

[Pushka]

I agree. However I'd already booked my major travel for this year before the promo started. I could cancel and rebook, but I would probably get a voucher (whereas I would want a refund) and with the cost involved I may as well keep the existing bookings and do a status run.

For next year I expect my major travel will be after April so the DSC offer is of limited benefit for that.

I did exactly that and wore the costs. I have received the refund.

 

[mviy]

I did exactly that and wore the costs. I have received the refund.

Well my flight out is next month so the cost of the flights now is much higher than when I bought them. So it could well cost me more (or about the same) to cancel and rebook than to do a status run. Plus status might come in handy for my upgrade chances for some earlier flights.

If you cancel flights then rebook the same ones would you get the same booking number?

 

[marki]

Well my flight out is next month so the cost of the flights now is much higher than when I bought them. So it could well cost me more (or about the same) to cancel and rebook than to do a status run. Plus status might come in handy for my upgrade chances for some earlier flights.

If you cancel flights then rebook the same ones would you get the same booking number?

What good is status when your sale fare is ineligible for classic upgrade rewards effectively meaning you cannot upgrade on these tickets!

 

[coriander]

Airfares are up and down like a bride's nightie !

Monday 2xJ return to LOTFAP for March 2017 was $17,700. TA rang yesterday evening and said flash sale suddenly appeared and price now $11,700. She went to ticket this morning and price is now $12,100 (could this overnight jump be AU->US drop by 2c?).

Anyway, all booked now (880 SCs in the bag, easy to get another 320SC on little SR in the US = Platinum to 10/18).

 

[Sdtravel]

I think the travel period is extremely generous.

They are
Except the end date
Anyone notice that it ends in the middle of Easter. Anyone going away for the weekend gets Double on the way out and normal on the way back.

 

[coriander]

They are
Except the end date.

I guess as the promotion started on 28-April-2016 and you can only book 12 months in advance, hence the cut-off date is 28-April-2017.

 

[Sdtravel]

I guess as the promotion started on 28-April-2016 and you can only book 12 months in advance, hence the cut-off date is 28-April-2017.

Cut off date is 16 April 2017
Easter is 14 April to Apr 17th

 

[medhead]

I guess as the promotion started on 28-April-2016 and you can only book 12 months in advance, hence the cut-off date is 28-April-2017.

The cut off is 16 April 2017

 

[coriander]

Cut off date is 16 April 2017
Easter is 14 April to Apr 17th

Oops! My bad

 

[kermatu]

Which is 353 days from date of commencement. From memory and previous threads 353 is the furthest in advance you can book on QF - so makes sense.

I agree it is a very generous window. Working pretty well for me, have booked quite a few flights and will do some more trans-Tasman today (SQ's WLG-CBR will have to wait!). Easy WP requal. And with pretty much zero incentive to chase P1 I can more freely book best fares. Good deal for me and good for QF too.

 

[RichardMEL]

Correct it's a technical limitation to the promo period, not anything to do with easter - that's a little too cynical IMHO. I'm sure QF is happy that it's a co-incidence, but if they really wanted to avoid Easter they'd make it end 31 Mar, or 31 Dec or some other date. the 16 April date makes it clear to me this is the technical limitation, not a sales one.

my 2 cents (doubled to 4)

 

[kermatu]

But putting my cynical hat on, 353 days from 4 May 2016 would encompass Easter returns...