Status Run: SYD-DPS-SYD

[Deleted member]

I’m sure that there will be “some” status run component to at least one trip this membership year to get me to LTG sooner rather than later.

 

[sudoer]

Just curious, is Bali>Singapore>Penang the destinations in that order? If so, what airlines please? sounds like a good idea.

At risk of derailing thread please send me any follow-up questions by PM!

DPS-KUL on MH852
overnight at KL Sentral Hilton .. save a few bucks compared to a night in Singapore and KLIA ekspres makes the transfer easy
KUL-SIN on MH611 (can use in-town check-in at KL Sentral)
few days in Singapore
SIN-PEN on 3K677 - departs at 7:50pm so can maximise time in SIN, and works with F lounge opening hours!
few days in Penang
PEN-xKUL-DPS on MH1137 -> MH715 (A330 on this leg, ex Airberlin on the date I'm flying!)
few more days in DPS before heading home

All the MH flights are bookable (via multi-city tool) for IDR 6168200 ($650) and earn 160SC. Not the most amazing earner, but it's enough for my requal purposes - and MH isn't as lucrative ex DPS these days
The 3K flight gets as low as $50 SGD without bundle, but I'm adding the Max bundle to unlock a loyalty bonus and start my next membership year 50SC ahead

 

[Vic]

I know the A330 is old but surely not Techno old. When they go techno do they pump up the jam...

All the MH flights are bookable (via multi-city tool) for IDR 6168200 ($650) and earn 160SC. Not the most amazing earner, but it's enough for my requal purposes - and MH isn't as lucrative ex DPS these days
The 3K flight gets as low as $50 SGD without bundle, but I'm adding the Max bundle to unlock a loyalty bonus and start my next membership year 50SC ahead

$4 per status credit is pretty good.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Read Skytrax comments about DPS.
Pushka, NZ is my country if choice to visit now over Asia.

 

[sudoer]

Read Skytrax comments about DPS.

Skytrax comments won't change this fact:

There's only one QF A330 flight in and out of Bali each day.

 

[Pushka]

Read Skytrax comments about DPS.
Pushka, NZ is my country if choice to visit now over Asia.

I’m talking specifically about your ongoing concerns re immigration and fast turn arounds with immigration.

 

[motef]

01Feb for me. I'll try to do the same

6th Feb for me

I'll look as well to confirm the data point ;-)

 

[RichardMEL]

I’m talking specifically about your ongoing concerns re immigration and fast turn arounds with immigratio

Seems the pooch was asked some questions by Customs)ie: doing their job) once. oh no!

And anyway with NZ it's a non issue as one does not NEED to enter NZ to do a day turn - as many of us know very well.

 

[rcn]

I've done a turnaround in SIN-DPS-SIN on SQ before (arr DPS 1105 dep 1300). Not the same aircraft. No issues using the transfer desk (but then again I was issued DPS-SIN BP in SIN.

 

[BriarFlyer]

And anyway with NZ it's a non issue as one does not NEED to enter NZ to do a day turn - as many of us know very well.

I did a turnaround run to CHC recently and was unable to check-in online. Emirates staff, at check-in and in lounge, both said that I had to go through immigration and re-check, that I couldn't turn around in transit, that "NZ is very strict on that." I've read reports by AFFers who have done the turnaround, in AKL specifically, but I had plenty of time on my hands and enjoyed the opportunity to get out of the airport.

 

[RichardMEL]

I did a turnaround run to CHC recently and was unable to check-in online. Emirates staff, at check-in and in lounge, both said that I had to go through immigration and re-check, that I couldn't turn around in transit, that "NZ is very strict on that." I've read reports by AFFers who have done the turnaround, in AKL specifically, but I had plenty of time on my hands and enjoyed the opportunity to get out of the airport.

Yes I guess CHC is a difficult one. In AKL it was always easy to go to the EK lounge and they would issue a BP.. but there's no EK lounge or transfer desk iN CHC. I am not sure what the solution there is.

(and I know EK won't issue BP's for return legs from AU as I've tried that one too).

 

[Ade]

I've read reports by AFFers who have done the turnaround, in AKL specifically,

When the international transit is open, yes, I have done a turnaround. Otherwise, I had to go through passport control and re-enter.

From memory the international transit closes around 11PM or when the last flight closes out of AKL.

My latest flights into AKL were well past mid-night, so the international transit and departures is closed and had to camp out on benches before departures re-open at 4:30 am or so

 

[Rangalad]

Yes I guess CHC is a difficult one. In AKL it was always easy to go to the EK lounge and they would issue a BP.. but there's no EK lounge or transfer desk iN CHC. I am not sure what the solution there is.

(and I know EK won't issue BP's for return legs from AU as I've tried that one too).

Good to know thanks.
Got a CHC status run coming up. Might overnight it now.

 

[BriarFlyer]

FWIW it took me <20 minutes from gate to check-in for the return flight. CHC is a delightfully easy place to arrive into.

 

[Rangalad]

FWIW it took me <20 minutes from gate to check-in for the return flight. CHC is a delightfully easy place to arrive into.

Last trip got stuck behind the Crusaders (Super Rugby team) inbound. No dramas, I’m a Crusaders fan. Got talking to the lads.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I’m talking specifically about your ongoing concerns re immigration and fast turn arounds with immigration.

That one (comment) was more so about Bali DPS, than NZ, where they "might" make you go through incomong immi.
Good to know though, that for visits to Indonesia under 30 days, no visa needed for Aussies, (not that I plan to visit), > OT, am scared of being scammed once I get out into the open part of any city in Indonesia.
As for NZ, I know its possible to do the transit, same day return flight, even if going through NZ immi or using the int - int transit facilities, esp AKL.
Ooo, and yes, techno is my term for when a place goes "unserviceable/unusable/un"flyable".
MEL - DPS is a 737, SYD - DPS is a 330.

 

[SpudOz]

Maybe it’s just me, but in spite of completely understanding why we do Status Runs, (let’s face it, I’ve done a few myself in the past) I still reckon tacking on a few days R&R makes more sense than just transiting an airport terminal.

Exactly.

When I did my DPS status run, I stayed for 2 days. Relatively cheap all inclusive hotel with a pool. If you have the time, make a mini holiday.

 

[Vic]

When the international transit is open, yes, I have done a turnaround. Otherwise, I had to go through passport control and re-enter.

From memory the international transit closes around 11PM or when the last flight closes out of AKL.

My latest flights into AKL were well past mid-night, so the international transit and departures is closed and had to camp out on benches before departures re-open at 4:30 am or so

At Auckland you can just go to the transit door and ring the bell. Someone will come down, take you up to security and re-screen you. Then you're free to stay airside.
At least that is what happened the one time I've landed in Auckland after 11 pm.

 

[onemore]

Same here, 3 days in a hotel not far from the airport, then onto Penang via KL, so just waiting for MH to bring on their deals and do it again.
Another good one which earned me a lot of points with my partner, I sent her to Bangkok on a shopping trip, while I did a status run with MH via KL.
Win Win

 

[Ade]

At Auckland you can just go to the transit door and ring the bell. Someone will come down, take you up to security and re-screen you. Then you're free to stay airside.
At least that is what happened the one time I've landed in Auckland after 11 pm.

Wow ... didn't know this. Might try this weekend