Quickest status run totalling 830SCs in <24 hours

[vladiclav]

Hi guys,

Tell me if you think I am crazy but I have booked the following itinerary in an attempt to retain QFF Platinum status earning 830SCs in this period booking through the latest DSC promotion. I understand the time from arriving in AKL at 15:05 to departing at 16:30 is extremely thin but given AKL is a small airport where arriving downstairs to departing upstairs is just the next level up, could this be possible providing clearing customs is quick? Travelling with no luggage and an Australian passport where all check in can be done online with no counter requirement.

Route Time SCs
(MEL- SYD) 06:00 - 07:25 250
(SYD- AKL) 10:10 - 15:05
(AKL - BNE) 16:30 - 17:25 290
(BNE - MEL) 20:20 - 23:40
Extra Seat 290
Let me know your thoughts please.
Cheers

 

[Cloud9]

Long as nothing holds you up, you should be fine.
I'd be far more concerned about one of the domestic legs being cancelled or delayed than I would the flights to / from AKL.

 

[RealtimeY]

And is it all on one booking?

I think it's doable but probably stressful.

You're probably better off going through international transit instead of clearing customs/immigration twice.

 

[vladiclav]

And is it all on one booking?

I think it's doable but probably stressful.

You're probably better off going through international transit instead of clearing customs/immigration twice.

Post automatically merged: Nov 1, 2024

On two bookings as all I needed was an EXST on the return and in order to action that they needed to create two separate bookings.

International transit - yes I hadn't thought of that. Thank you

 

[Cloud9]

Post automatically merged: Nov 1, 2024

On two bookings as all I needed was an EXST on the return and in order to action that they needed to create two separate bookings.

International transit - yes I hadn't thought of that. Thank you

Hmmm... Alright, that'd make me a LITTLE pensive.
More because if you get delayed on the way out, you could be stung for costs of getting back home again...

 

[Kerrodt]

Looks a good run. Is the cost attractive?

 

[vladiclav]

Hmmm... Alright, that'd make me a LITTLE pensive.
More because if you get delayed on the way out, you could be stung for costs of getting back home again...

If that were to be the case with a delay in getting in and I did need to change the flight getting out, wouldn't it just attract the $125 change fee given it was booked as a business class saver fare?

 

[RealtimeY]

the change fee plus fare difference which, if you did this close to the date, would mean the saver fare would be long gone.

Personally, I wouldn't have booked a 1h 25m unprotected transfer like this. As said above, if you are delayed a bit you could be on the hook for a lot, financially and in terms of SC. I would be considering delaying the return a day while the fares are still low...

 

[Mattg]

Does anyone know for sure if you get DSCs on the extra seat?

 

[vladiclav]

Long as nothing holds you up, you should be fine.
I'd be far more concerned about one of the domestic legs being cancelled or delayed than I would the flights to / from AKL.

Looks a good run. Is the cost attractive?

Came in at ~$3.6/SC

 

[SeatBackForward]

Does anyone know for sure if you get DSCs on the extra seat?

From: https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnec...ing/extra-seat-exst-for-personal-comfort.html

Important Information

• Your customer will need to be aware the armrests on all aircraft, with the exception of the B737, will not fully raise to be flat against the seat back.
• All seat allocations are subject to change due to operational or aircraft changes.
• A seat belt extension can be requested from cabin crew when boarding the flight and cannot be requested in advance.
• There is no checked baggage allowance applicable for any additional seats purchased.
• Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn Qantas Points and status credits for each seat purchased.

So I assume if all other DSC conditions are met then they should apply?

 

[CaptJCool]

Wild !

Anyone tried booking a row of seats on QF?
Or is it just an

“R Nw Zlnd thng”?

 

[elanshin]

Does anyone know for sure if you get DSCs on the extra seat?

Confirmed before in one of the old DSC threads but yes for EXST

 

[babs13]

Done this exact schedule couple of time in the past. The good part is wide body to and from Auckland so no Dom J and can be done in a day. In J you will be first off and transit security will take all of 5 minutes. You can OLCI for all the legs, so even if you are a little delayed out of Sydney, you will have still have time to look wishfully at the emirates lounge being closed and try the one flavour of ice cream in the lounge. (assume carry on only)

 

[randompunter]

.. and try the one flavour of ice cream in the lounge. (assume carry on only)

Haha yes so disappointing, particularly when visiting with a toddler! Why just the one flavour??

 

[aus_flyer]

If this is a Business Saver fare (I class) then the SC earn will be 780 (by my calculations)

 

[LadyC]

Definitely doable so long as no delays. I have done both MEL-SYD-AKL and MEL-BNE-AKL returns same day for SC runs.

 

[Mwenenzi]

And is it all on one booking?
I think it's doable but probably stressful.
You're probably better off going through international transit instead of clearing customs/immigration twice.

If not checked in before, at AKL checkin will close X minutes before departure (X=20??). Far better going transit than land side.
AKL security times Anticipated peak times at security screening | aviation.govt.nz

 

[SYD]

Haha yes so disappointing, particularly when visiting with a toddler! Why just the one flavour??

The QF F broom cupboard had 2x flavours on Thu. Rocky Road and Salted caramel.

If not checked in before, at AKL checkin will close X minutes before departure (X=20??). Far better going transit than land side.
AKL security times Anticipated peak times at security screening | aviation.govt.nz

If going landslide, AKL have implemented a rather odd customs processing (FastTrack) form “Nothing to declare”.

As you descend the escalators to baggage claim, there are two signs pointing left AND right to Baggage Claim. Left takes you direct to baggage carousels. BUT right takes you to Customs desks where they give you a Fastract sticker. Proceed to baggage claim and straight out the express customs lane (or collect bag next) and then out the Express lane.

From what I could see the other day, the Red lanes were a zoo, there are also “Nothing to Declare” lanes (for those who skipped Step 1) and they look pretty busy also.

So even HLO, probably a good idea to get the “Express” pass.

 

[cambriamarsh]

If not checked in before, at AKL checkin will close X minutes before departure (X=20??). Far better going transit than land side.
AKL security times Anticipated peak times at security screening | aviation.govt.nz

AKL QF international checkin is not 20 minutes. I've done 40 many times but not for a couple of years and wouldn't go below that. Anything less than 60 minutes is asking for trouble.