QFF questions - for someone with no idea... (SC Costs & SC Runs)

[Misha]

Hey Guys,

A friend of mine last night was asking me many FF related questions about the Qantas programme. Well I haven't flown Qantas in years (lowly bronze) and try to use my DJ Gold benefits by flying with their partners (Etihad for example)...

So, the someone who has no idea is not only my friend but also me. I told them I would speak to some learned colleagues and get back to her

She wanted to know from a point of sitting on practically zero ff points and zero SC, what the cheapest way to get to Gold would be. (I couldn't even tell her how much that would cost).

Also mentioned the NAN run which made me laugh as I have seen it be discussed here a number of times but never really took notice. She is thinking about doing this if it is a good way to get her SC as she wouldn't mind a couple of days in Fiji (In all honesty, I would probably tag along too - for the fun - and I guess the SC woudn't hurt - though she probably has more points than I do - I used the last of mine for an award seat to BKK in August).

I guess any suggesttions, aimed at an outsider with no knowledge of these things as to how she could most economically undertake her endeavour to get to Gold, would be the kinda stuff I'd like to take to her.

Thank you kindly in advance.

Misha

 

[ozmille]

Hi Misha,

You need 700SC's to get to Gold and 600 to retain afterwards. The NAN run will get you 360SC's for +- AUD1300
Second option that is quite good value is LAN from SYD to AKL for around AUD750 and 160SC's

Don't know of any other cheapish options if you don't have a lot of spare miles to do some JASA's (Business class any seat awards that earn SC's and miles) except for flying to HNL on Jet* and doing a YUP fare to the Carribean (can be found looking for YUP/KUP on the forum)

 

[ozmille]

Or if you are happy to jump over to the US you can combine a NAN run with some flights to LA for about AUD3600 and 640SC's. Which leave you with 60SC's to go.

 

[markis10]

Or if you are happy to jump over to the US you can combine a NAN run with some flights to LA for about AUD3600 and 640SC's. Which leave you with 60SC's to go.

Two NAN runs will still be cheaper that going to LOTFAP, unless someone else pays the way. You can get Gold for $2625 all up if you like Dash 8s and QF have a sale.....

 

[hummel]

The could prove a very helpful thread to others... plus myself

What kind of cost would you be looking at to attain silver?... Mainly for Qantas Club access.

I'm aware that there is a AFF Corporate program but if the cost difference is only negligible I would prefer to fly!

 

[jamesatfish]

If you're points rich you can find some good ASA bargains as a quick way to make it to Gold.

I'm doing regular day trips down to ADL from CBR at the moment - a recent CBR-MEL-ADL-SYD-CBR Business ASA cost about 42k points net (48k redeemed less 6k earned) and earns you 180SCs, so about 170k points and 4 days flying can get you to Gold from zero.

To me 170,000 points is worth about $2125 (calculated based upon the ATO's 1.25% fee to use a $1:1QFF Amex to pay tax liabilities).

 

[markis10]

I'm doing regular day trips down to ADL from CBR at the moment - a recent CBR-MEL-ADL-SYD-CBR Business ASA cost about 42k points net (48k redeemed less 6k earned) and earns you 180SCs, so about 170k points and 4 days flying can get you to Gold from zero..

The best ASA that I am aware of is TSV-DRW that earns 140 SCs for 18K + $122 after the earn is deducted, but its only good if you are in TSV and need to go to DRW or vice versa, occasionally you can get DRW-CNS-SYD with the last leg in J for 12K + $300 which after 7K after earn is deducted for 95 SC.

 

[Misha]

Two NAN runs will still be cheaper that going to LOTFAP, unless someone else pays the way. You can get Gold for $2625 all up if you like Dash 8s and QF have a sale.....

Thanks very much - I will pass on the info and no doubt she will be making a couple of runs. I know she plans to go to the US sometime early 2012 so she'll probably work on getting to platinum from there - another addict in the making

I may do one NAN run and if it doesn't kill me with exhaustion I will see if it is something I can be bothered doing again

Thanks very much - I hope other people get something from these posts too...

Misha

 

[equus]

What kind of cost would you be looking at to attain silver?... Mainly for Qantas Club access.

Silver won't get you Qantas Club access - you need Gold for that.