Record for most SCs in a year

[nlagalle]

I could not recall all my stats like you can. Do you use some type of software to keep track?

There are a couple of sites you can log your flights - I use flightmemory, but there is also openflights and flightdiary too. They will give you a breakdown of the year stats (I know flightmemory does)

 

[wandersen]

When living in London I worked on a deal that took me from LHR-JFK rtn 30 times in a year in F. I think I cracked just over 10K service credits that year with other flights.

 

[Jobu]

Out of interest - do you mind sharing why so many airlines are in the mix?

Was it because OW doesn't cater to your destination needs? Maintaining status in *A as well? Or just curiosity?

It's driven by schedule. My assistant will pick an airline based generally on the following:

1. Safety (based on a list of fly/no fly airlines)
2. Schedule (does it get me there in time, leaving no earlier than I have to)
3. Price
4. Comfort

3 and 4 are linked and interchangeable, especially for long haul. There are some airlines I won't fly even if they do satisfy 1 and 2. I do have "status" with other programs but maintaining them is not the priority at all. But they have come in quite handy on a number of occassions (mostly for priority waitlisting).

Whilst the amount of flying you do is very impressive......... I'm even more impressed by the fact you have all those details!!

I am in HKG now on my way to LHR with my son for New Years and I can tell you that this is my 13th trip to LHR in 2011. All in F and all self funded.

I could not recall all my stats like you can. Do you use some type of software to keep track?

I am ALSO going to fly EK a bit more in 2012. Especially once we have an A380 ex MEL. EK's F hard product is IMHO superior to that of Qantas.

Someone has shown me some software that apparently takes itineraries from your email automatically and puts the details into some kind of diary, although I must admit I am spoilt in this department (I change itineraries so often I'm not sure if the software would cope). In truth I have a great assistant who keeps track of all of this info (and she gets detailed reports with most of this data from my TA). She did it for someone previously, apparently for his tax domicile requirements (although I think it was probably so he could reconcile his points).

I like EK's hard product, especially on the A380. The shower is kind-of cool (better use of space than the lounge on QF) and when I travel frequently with EK they can be generous with upgrades to F. I generally prefer the service on QF (and definitely on CX), but with EK the small things can add up e.g. the amenities kit is actually useful and heck you even get a mattress in J. Their network is impressive without needing to rely on partner airlines, their schedule often offers better flexibility, and with 2-3 flights a day to Dubai from most major Aus cities, lots of options. BUT it does feel like almost everyone in Dubai is Gold level, which won't get you any special treatment when you need assistance, flights are delayed, and wont get you into the F lounge (not a problem if you fly F) and the J lounge in Dubai is average and often crowded (queue for a shower anyone?). I do know people who swear by them though (they have unpublished levels/benefits).

 

[nlagalle]

Someone has shown me some software that apparently takes itineraries from your email automatically and puts the details into some kind of diary, although I must admit I am spoilt in this department (I change itineraries so often I'm not sure if the software would cope). In truth I have a great assistant who keeps track of all of this info (and she gets detailed reports with most of this data from my TA). She did it for someone previously, apparently for his tax domicile requirements (although I think it was probably so he could reconcile his points).

Tripit can do it, but yes it can get caught out on itinerary changes.

 

[BensAdventures]

Tripit can do it, but yes it can get caught out on itinerary changes.

Worldmate is the same, and when you need to make itinerary changes, it struggles, you need to delete a trip, then re-add it. I do love it though, I just forward my car rental, accomm and flight confirmations and they are on my phone and ipad. It could not work out my DONE4 though... I had a couple of positioning flights and it got quite confused.

 

[serfty]

Worldmate is the same, and when you need to make itinerary changes, it struggles, you need to delete a trip, then re-add it. I do love it though, I just forward my car rental, accomm and flight confirmations and they are on my phone and ipad. It could not work out my DONE4 though... I had a couple of positioning flights and it got quite confused.

I have my tripit setting so that everything I send goes directly to the "Unfiled Items".

From there I can copy/move/edit bookings to the actual trips.

e.g. I have an ex USA to Oz booking departing in April and returning in June. These are basically positioning segments for two trips.

I emailed the itinerary then logged into my tripit account after receiving the acknowledgement email.

I went to the unfiled items list and copied the recently emailed booking to my (already defined) "April trip", deleting the June segments of the new booking from the copy in the process. I then went back to "Unfiled Items" and moved the new booking to my June trip, deleting the April segments.

 

[cove]

Gee Serfty your IT ability just zoomed right over my head.
i just go click once or twice and that is as good as it gets.
WP in a few days so I notice we have folks doing so much more to help our ailing airlines.

 

[serfty]

Well, your trips are probably more straight forward.

For April I have 4 separate bookings and am deciding on a 5th:

Booked are:

• 
  [*=1]MEL-LAX on QF in First (PASA). (270SC's)
  [*=1]LAX-xPHX-LAS on US in Economy. (30 SP's AirNZ), LAS-xPHX-xPHL-SJU on US in First (A). (250 SP's)
  [*=1]SJU-xMIA-xORD-xLAX-LAS on AA in (mainly) First (A/P/I). (330 SC's)
  [*=1]LAX-xAKL-MEL on NZ in Business (R) - part booking, return to LAX in June. (85 SP's)

TripIt finds it hard to automatically deal with such in a manner I prefer, so I use the previosly posted method.

My main choice now is to book LAS-LAX, but I am awaiting the availability of a $55 flight at a reasonable time (0 SC's). Although if it takes too long I may book LAS-xLAX-xSEA-xSFO-xLAX for $900 and earn another 300 SC's)

 

[Grooba]

My main choice now is to book LAS-LAX, but I am awaiting the availability of a $55 flight at a reasonable time (0 SC's). Although if it takes too long I may book LAS-xLAX-xSEA-xSFO-xLAX for $900 and earn another 300 SC's)

As if you'll book anything other than option 2.

 

[Jobu]

For completeness, finished with 11,550 status credits for the year.

Cheers

 

[pauly7]

For completeness, finished with 11,550 status credits for the year.

Cheers

Feeling sick in the stomach just thinking of that amount of flying :/

 

[Simo]

That is a huge amount of flying regardless of the class that you travel in.

 

[SeatBackForward]

For completeness, finished with 11,550 status credits for the year.

Cheers

Wow, if you don't mind me asking, what is the purpose for all that flying?

 

[cove]

Now that SC number is impressive!
Do you get twitchy when you stop in one spot for a couple of weeks??

 

[Kangol]

For completeness, finished with 11,550 status credits for the year.

Cheers

!!!!

Was that mainly international J/F flying?
I can't imagine doing 1,155 MEL-SYD trips in discount Y

 

[Jobu]

Feeling sick in the stomach just thinking of that amount of flying :/

I can confirm that it is not glamorous!

That is a huge amount of flying regardless of the class that you travel in.

I agree. Over 130 flights, almost 1000 hours in the air!

Wow, if you don't mind me asking, what is the purpose for all that flying?

Mostly to get somewhere i need to be. (and occasionally running an international business.)

Now that SC number is impressive!
Do you get twitchy when you stop in one spot for a couple of weeks??

Not when I'm home, I feel great at home. Flying feels a bit like groundhog day.

!!!!

Was that mainly international J/F flying?
I can't imagine doing 1,155 MEL-SYD trips in discount Y

J long haul with some Y for short haul, and the occasional points upgrade.

 

[moa999]

Jobu... Crazy.
I assume the First lounge staff know you very well.

Any idea on your lifetime total SCs

 

[TonyHancock]

I can confirm that it is not glamorous!



I agree. Over 130 flights, almost 1000 hours in the air!

How do you retain your sanity? 1000 hours in the air is just extraordinary.

 

[pshepvic]

This year I will hit 1800 SCs with Virgin and 2075 with Qantas. I have also pooled around 600 Virgin SCs to my partner. So all up I have earned 4475, with majority of Virgin SCs for work through MEL-SYD returns on Virgin flexis or J, plus a couple of Delta F flights in the US. Most Qantas SCs were from personal flights - a couple of I class companion fares to the US, a few YUPPs in the US, and zero QF domestic flights!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2

 

[ChrisGibbs]

10,880 SC's last year across QF, BA, AA, JL, RJ, JQ, CX, KA and LA. Other airlines used include EI, 9W, FJ, DL, B6, UA, AI, SQ. 2 months into this year and currently sitting at 2,160 SC's. Averaging a little over 1,000 SC's per month. At a stretch may get to P1 after 3 months. Estimating 12,000+ SC's for the upcoming year. Domestic, Trans Tasman and International travel less than 8hrs is in Y. Anything greater than 8hrs is in J. Achieved LTG 8 years ago. Looking for QF to introduce LifeTime Platinum or LifeTime P1.