Starting from scratch!

[Drav]

Hi guys,

I've read some awesome threads and gleaned some very interesting information.

Having said that, a lot of the info seems to be geared to people who have some kind of points balance/SC balance whatever.

What I couldn't really see is something for a bloke like me who's just starting out. I'm convinced that I will never reach gold/plat/plat 1 and totally fine with that, but silver looks like it might an achievable goal.

So, that being said. What are the AFF recommendations for someone starting out trying to get to silver?

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Put all your spending through your QFF linked Credit Card and the try and use the points for ANY SEAT AWARDS domestically for better value

 

[mella2007]

I was you 5 years ago. I still don't use a credit card linked to anything, however do use the online shopping portals and a lot of flying.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I was you 2 years ago... and currently SG. :shock:

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

I'm hopefully going from Bronze to platinum this year with flights we have booked...currently 30 SC

 

[chris-syd]

It's based on how much flying you do and Status Credits (SC) you get.
If you have enought Frequent Flyer points you can book a ANY SEAT REWARD (ASA) to get more points. Usually we do this in J (Business Class) by paying the same points for a regular frequent flyer point flight and some cash.
Refer to this thread.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....uent-flyer-program/how-do-i-book-j-29610.html

Also sometimes you do a status run which is to take a flight just to get status credits.
Info here.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gram/best-status-run-options-quick-35258.html

 

[Drav]

Thanks for the replies guys!

So really, it seems like the way to get to silver would be amass a bunch of points and then spend those points on this ASA to get the credits??

 

[yankinoz]

You will find a lot of invaluable information on this site to get you to silver quickly. Get a QFF CC and put as much (as practical) spending through it to start earning points.

Also, read through the JASA and ASA information. I took a one day return JASA from ADL to Brisbane and then Townsville in March and earned 240SC's. The cost was about $200 plus points (which I cant remember).

I think what I am trying to say is that there are some great strategies on this website to utilise that will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

 

[Moopere]

I've read some awesome threads and gleaned some very interesting information.

Having said that, a lot of the info seems to be geared to people who have some kind of points balance/SC balance whatever.

Yes, its a steep learning curve. With some enthusiasm and a little time though all the chat that currently probably seems like random "blabber" will start to crystallise and make sense. Certainly the adepts here use a lot of travel/airline speak which confuses and overwhelms new folks (I know, I'm pretty new). Stick with it, suddenly it will make sense and you'll be travelling in classes and to places you never dreamed even a few years ago.

 

[richie9x]

I think the best place to start to make sure you are getting the best out of your existing travel.

Domestically flexi-saver fares are often just a little bit more than red edeal fares, yet they earn twice the status credits.

Taking indirect routings can earn you more (sometimes twice) status credits, yet you still pay about the same as a direct route.

There are some good business class specials available some times, if you can work those into to your travel then you will earn status credits quickly.

 

[eastwest101]

What I couldn't really see is something for a bloke like me who's just starting out. I'm convinced that I will never reach gold/plat/plat 1 and totally fine with that, but silver looks like it might an achievable goal.

Another thing to consider apart from getting the best SC value on your current travelling is to know if your future job/business will be self funded or company funded travel. Also depends on where you are based and what your common destinations will be. Of course if partly company funded and partly self funded flying then you have some but not all control over what and whom you are flying with.

I notice a lot of people have feet in both camps (QFF and Velocity) - some due to status matching but status matching is great but unpredictable as to whether and when or even if, you get status matched.

If your travel is only ever enough to get you to silver with QF or silver with VA then it isn't worth killing yourself or expending huge amounts of $$ to get there as the benefits for silver members on either airline are pretty modest (but better than nothing!), once people hit Gold status and above you really start to see the difference in benefits.

 

[Drav]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I am based in Syd, and sadly the flying will be self funded. My long term work situation doesn't allow for any trips

Being self funded therefore meant taking a long, hard look at what was realistically achievable. For me, Silver is something that seems like I could hit without breaking the bank!

 

[Moopere]

I am based in Syd, and sadly the flying will be self funded. My long term work situation doesn't allow for any trips

Mostly my work is going BFOD and generally Y unless its a _very_ long international flight.

Being self funded therefore meant taking a long, hard look at what was realistically achievable. For me, Silver is something that seems like I could hit without breaking the bank!

Yes, been here, I understand. I agonised over this for far too long. I don't self fund enough travel to easily gain status. If I really put my mind to it yes, I'd achieve gold with someone, but the handcuffs required are just too much to bear. So instead I'm resigned to lounging via Priority Pass or by way of a J class fare which then allows me to choose international flights that make sense, both routing wise and price wise, rather than being chained to my status.

 

[Drav]

Yes, been here, I understand. I agonised over this for far too long. I don't self fund enough travel to easily gain status. If I really put my mind to it yes, I'd achieve gold with someone, but the handcuffs required are just too much to bear. So instead I'm resigned to lounging via Priority Pass or by way of a J class fare which then allows me to choose international flights that make sense, both routing wise and price wise, rather than being chained to my status.

I have to say that the only reason I was able to make this decision quickly was because of AFF, so hopefully that's of some consolation to you

I'm definitely going to sign up to the QP because its a good idea for those of us that don't fly too much, and to be honest after traveling a host of airlines, QF gets a bad rap. I have no problems at all flying with them.

In the future, maybe I can fly enough to get status and if so, I will go hard for it. But hey, if it doesn't happen thats cool, and ill happily sit back and knock back a drink in either the J lounge or the QP when i travel

Still though, any shortcuts are worth dredging up and filing away cos you never know.

 

[Mgjdubs]

I took a one day return JASA from ADL to Brisbane and then Townsville in March and earned 240SC's. The cost was about $200 plus points (which I cant remember).

I booked 2 return runs of these ADL-BNE-TSV plus SYD-ADL and a return LAN J SYD-AKL trip today. Excellent value. About $1400 + 120,000 points for 700SC's, $2 a status credit is pretty good. Especially when you consider that a SYD-HKG JASA can cost you anywhere from 150,000 and up for 240SC's. I agree with you, there are some awesome strategies on this site!