Simple and easy question re Status points

[newflyer]

Hi all,

First, thanks for a great site and some very helpful info. It's always a pleasure to read the postings here.

Just a quick question - I'm not the biggest fan of flying (a bugger in my current job, with some 300+ offices around Oz), and spent many months re-scheduling meetings to places within driving distance! However, late last year, I bit the bullet, and started flying again - I've got to say, made easier by the medicinal G&Ts at QC beforehand!

Indeed, have just seen that I need 20 SC points by the end of the month to attain Silver. While I'm sure this is not a huge deal for most of you folks, it's kind of a big (stoopid) thing for me, esp. as most of my existing SCs have come from big discount tickets, and the past year has seen lots of flying.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if someone can tell me what happens if I don't make those 20 SCs by end of the month? I've got a stack more travel in October & November scheduled - well over 20 SCs! - but if I don't meet the end of month deadline, do I have to start from scratch?!

Thanks in advance - what a ramble of a question!

 

[Damien]

Firstly, welcome.

If you were already Silver, you would (likely) be able to keep it. However, judging by your flight history, I'm assuming you're currently bronze, and therefore you'll still be bronze after your anniversary date.

I'd suggest you get those 20 status credits you'll need. A return trip between any two captial cities should achieve this on even the cheapest fares.

 

[newflyer]

Thanks Damien. As I said, it's a silly quest, but Silver will sort of ratify all the flights I've done, and prove to me that the bloody things don't fall out of the sky!

Just to be clear - if I don't make the 20 SCs I need for silver (by month's end), do I fall back to standard Bronze - and losing all the SCs I've earnt over the past year?

 

[albatross710]

They reset the SC that will be used to calculate if you have made it to Silver in the 12 month period. In one month's time, the SC tally will be reset back to the full amount required to achieve Silver. On your FF Account Summary it will read like

Additional Status credits required by 31 Aug 2006 to attain Silver: 350

The SC do still count towards life time recgnition so technically they are not "lost".

Better get on and book the cheapest shorthaul flight you can find!

 

[JohnK]

Indeed, have just seen that I need 20 SC points by the end of the month to attain Silver. While I'm sure this is not a huge deal for most of you folks, it's kind of a big (stoopid) thing for me, esp. as most of my existing SCs have come from big discount tickets, and the past year has seen lots of flying.

There are a lot of young kids around Australia looking up at all those Qantas planes in the sky and wondering when it will be their turn to achieve their life long dream of QFF silver status flying in cattle class.

If it wasn't for us plebs there wouldn't be much for the scums and the w@nkers to complain about.

But then again they could just complain about sky beds, wines, champagne, free upgrades.....................................

 

[NM]

But then again they could just complain about sky beds, wines, champagne, free upgrades.....................................

You forgot the most important one ... the quality of the scotch in the First Class lounges .

 

[serfty]

... If it wasn't for us plebs there wouldn't be much for the scums and the w@nkers to complain about. ...

There are a couple of tangible benefit when PS (that are not really published by Qantas).

One is that that you get access to T class for award flights. Another is that you can alter dates and times of award flights without incurring the 2½k "revalidation" fee. ....EDIT: No access to T bucket for award bookings~

Another one is preallocation access to the "premium" economy seats on international flights; these are normally those in the first several rows of the back cabin that show up on check my trip as all taken.

This is in addition to the published privileges which include: 25% points bonus, One complimentary QP invitation, Check in at Qantas Club / Business counters, Extra 10kg on International flights or one extra piece on USA and Domestic Oz flights, etc. .

If you are not a QP member, some of these may be significant.

 

[QF WP]

Yes, the benefits of having QC Silver is much, much better than having QC Bronze for another year...as serfty pointed out.

 

[Alan in CBR]

One is that that you get access to T class for award flights.

Certainly agree with nearly everything you wrote serfty. But are you sure about this one? I thought T class only opened up for Gold and higher.

For what it's worth, before I discovered AA's FF scheme, I always celebrated requalifying QF Silver. It's not nothing, even though the tangible benefits for me over QP membership were not much.

 

[JohnK]

There are a couple of tangible benefit when PS (that are not really published by Qantas).

One is that that you get access to T class for award flights. Another is that you can alter dates and times of award flights without incurring the 2½k "revalidation" fee.

Another one is preallocation access to the "premium" economy seats on international flights; these are normally those in the first several rows of the back cabin that show up on check my trip as all taken.

This is in addition to the published privileges which include: 25% points bonus, One complimentary QP invitation, Check in at Qantas Club / Business counters, Extra 10kg on International flights or one extra piece on USA and Domestic Oz flights, etc. .

If you are not a QP member, some of these may be significant.

For me most of those are very important.

I always seem to have an aisle seat in the first couple of rows in cattle class on international flights.

By the way I still haven't used my complimentary invitation to the pub. How much do they sell for on e-bay?

 

[jasonja3]

Serfty,

What is T class?(very new at this...) Is there a site that explains the different codes? Search the Qantas site is not helpful......

 

[newflyer]

Thanks very much, everybody.

Unfortunately, I miscalculated the SCs required - it was actually 40, no thanks to those Discount Economy fares the company loves so much - but, following all yer suggestions, I've booked a one-way BUSINESS class flight, Cbr-Syd, which will bring in 40 SCs and do the trick in getting me over the line. Price wasn't thaaaaaat bad, and it'll be an experience to see how the service differs - at the very least, the most expensive Daily Telegraph I've ever bought, I guess.

I do indeed feel a bit silly, but as I said before, for someone who couldn't even step onto an aeroplane 18 months ago, it's kinda a big thing. (Only when you have sat next to me in turbulence will you know what I'm talking about!). Besides, will be going OS next twice in '06, so assuming the benefits will be worth it.

Thanks again for all the very quick replies - as Mr Fenech said, I love youse all.

 

[NM]

I do indeed feel a bit silly, but as I said before, for someone who couldn't even step onto an aeroplane 18 months ago, it's kinda a big thing. (Only when you have sat next to me in turbulence will you know what I'm talking about!). Besides, will be going OS next twice in '06, so assuming the benefits will be worth it.

So you are off for your first Status Run! Well done. Now there is no stopping you. Next year you will taking a DONE4 to push you over the line for Platinum status :wink: . Not that I know anyone who has done that .

 

[NM]

Serfty,

What is T class?(very new at this...) Is there a site that explains the different codes? Search the Qantas site is not helpful......

Have a look at Lindsay's Ultimate Qantas Guide found as a sticky post in the Qantas forum. There is a link to a very good explanation of the QF fare codes at this site.

But that does not explain T fare bucket. T is used by AA for its award fares, while QF uses X for its economy class awards. T is used by QF as a discount economy fare bucket (may be only for international, not sure). Elite FF members (Platinum and Gold for sure, Serfty says Silver as well) can redeem economy class awards on flights where T fares are available. Other members can only redeem from the X fare bucket. So that basically means that elite FF members get better access to economy award seats. This does not apply to business class and first class awards.

 

[BlacKnox]

Thanks again for all the very quick replies - as Mr Fenech said, I love youse all.

Saw Jeff Fenech (the boxer) in BKK last month. But I presume you don't mean this Mr. Fenech, or do you :?:

 

[newflyer]

Thanks NM - some encouraging words there!

Do you mean to tell me that the notion of 'Status Runs' are not that unusual? For myself, I couldn't care less about the level, per se - the 'FF Silver' I'll see from now on is just a small confirmation (albeit one that will cost a $277 Biz class fare!) to myself that I have managed to do so many flights!

To be honest, I hadn't noticed a great deal of difference between how someone with 'FF Plat' and 'FF Bronze' is treated, but then again, perhaps I don't see the benefits these levels bring - a secret handshake of sorts? I must admit that I'm one of the few people that reckon Qantas does a bloody terrific job - I've always found their service real friendly, regardless of whether I'm QC or FF or nothing!

 

[NM]

Do you mean to tell me that the notion of 'Status Runs' are not that unusual? For myself, I couldn't care less about the level, per se - the 'FF Silver' I'll see from now on is just a small confirmation (albeit one that will cost a $277 Biz class fare!) to myself that I have managed to do so many flights!

A lot more common that you might think :wink: . In some places its called a Mileage Run (MR), especially in programs where status is based on miles flown (most US programs). But in the land of QF, where status is earned by Status Credits, it tends to be called a Status Run (SR) for obvious reasons.

I have done things like route a RTW trip via some strange places to get the extra SC's needed to retain my status. Or paid the difference between my employer's economy fare and a business class fare for the dual purpose of travelling in more comfort and retaining/achieving status. My last goal was to reach Lifetime Gold, which I hit on my last trip. So not sure what will hook me next year :roll: .

To be honest, I hadn't noticed a great deal of difference between how someone with 'FF Plat' and 'FF Bronze' is treated, but then again, perhaps I don't see the benefits these levels bring - a secret handshake of sorts? I must admit that I'm one of the few people that reckon Qantas does a bloody terrific job - I've always found their service real friendly, regardless of whether I'm QC or FF or nothing!

For me, the benefits of Platinum status are most obvious on international flights. Check-in at the First Class desk usually means no waiting at all. Access to the First Class lounge is generally nicer than the business class lounge, especially at places like SYD, LAX, HKG, and LHR. Priority in the waitlist queue for upgrades etc. The ability to pre-allocate the desirable seats is also handy.

I only doing domestic flying, then there is not much difference between Gold and Platinum, apart from the published benefits. Both get business class check-in, priority baggage and lounge access, which are my biggest benefits.

 

[newflyer]

Well, NM and others, thanks again.

I feel a little better about blowing cash for a biz class ticket, although I guess when the company has shelled out what it has for the travel to date, the cash averages out quite nicely!

Oh well - off to trying to find something to provide a purpose to my trip to Sydney. If anyone's keen for a beer or two...!

 

[JohnK]

Do you mean to tell me that the notion of 'Status Runs' are not that unusual? For myself, I couldn't care less about the level, per se - the 'FF Silver' I'll see from now on is just a small confirmation (albeit one that will cost a $277 Biz class fare!) to myself that I have managed to do so many flights!

Hey that's not bad. 40 SC's for $277 which averages out at ~$6.93/SC. Even better deal than when discount red e-deals SYD-BNE and SYD-MEL are around $75 for 10 SC's at $7.5/SC.

 

[serfty]

... But that does not explain T fare bucket. ... QF uses X for its economy class awards. T is used by QF as a discount economy fare bucket (may be only for international, not sure). Elite FF members (Platinum and Gold for sure, Serfty says Silver as well) can redeem economy class awards on flights where T fares are available. Other members can only redeem from the X fare bucket. So that basically means that elite FF members get better access to economy award seats. This does not apply to business class and first class awards.

Well, my memory failed me this time; T class is not available to PS, only for gold or higher.

Which makes the following point moot, but T class availability can be found on both Domestic and International flights.

Sorry about that ...