Status Run

[Grooba]

wow - is WP status carry that much KUDOS that someone would spend $1200 to have the luggage tags and the service a little different from GOLD or even plain old QP member?

If its the luggage tags you want, I'll even give you a couple if it will save you $1200 (you can pay p&P tho ) - I don't use them...

Good luck on your quest for the holy grail of frequent flying.... hmmm I would never fork out my own $$$ for WP status...:shock:

Mr!

I have to agree with this statement.

For the record I am a WP PG, however I would never use my own money to gain a status, never ever. Sure it's nice to access the F lounge and have half descent phone support if you need it but that's it - that's all the main benifits over Gold IMHO.

Save your $1200 and out it towards something important!

 

[Soundguy]

It's my understanding that you would earn points, but not SC on the fare.

When I did it (book a 2nd seat on a domestic flight) I earned both points and SC's - otherwise I would not have done it.

 

[Leumas]

Sydney to Hobart $77 each day (under the current sale). The good thing here is the fare is still $77 even with a Melbourne transit. From what I've seen previously, sale fares generally only apply to direct/non-stop flights.

So rather than 10SCs for each leg, now you get 20SCs.

I always want to see Hobart, so this gives me a good opportunity...

 

[oz_mark]

Sydney to Hobart $77 each day (under the current sale). The good thing here is the fare is still $77 even with a Melbourne transit. From what I've seen previously, sale fares generally only apply to direct/non-stop flights.

So rather than 10SCs for each leg, now you get 20SCs.

I always want to see Hobart, so this gives me a good opportunity...

Was looking at some MEL-PER flights, and rather bizarrely it is cheaper to go via ADL, on the days I checked.

 

[Alanslegal]

with the current domestic sales

SYD-xMEL-HBA-xMEL-SYD is like $144 inclusive of taxes & CC surcharges.

That's 4,000ffp and 40 SC.

then 1SC = $3.62

of course its weird early morning flights.


(sorry i didnt read two posts above which had the same info)

 

[medhead]

From what I've seen previously, sale fares generally only apply to direct/non-stop flights.

My theory is that they still offer decent sale fares for routes with limited direct flights. I expect there are limited direct flights SYD to HBA hence the going via MEL is the same or marginally more. This is also the same for ADL- CBA, especially on weekends, with a SYD or MEL transit costing a margin amount more. Whereas a BNE to MEL, or ADL to SYD seem to cost vastly more if transiting via SYD or MEL respectively.

 

[Dave Noble]

My theory is that they still offer decent sale fares for routes with limited direct flights. I expect there are limited direct flights SYD to HBA hence the going via MEL is the same or marginally more. This is also the same for ADL- CBA, especially on weekends, with a SYD or MEL transit costing a margin amount more. Whereas a BNE to MEL, or ADL to SYD seem to cost vastly more if transiting via SYD or MEL respectively.

If you check the routing rules on QF fares, many of the routes (such as SYD-ME) the rule stipulates
TRAVEL MUST BE NONSTOP OR DIRECT.

which means that you cannot go via a 3rd point

On other routes domestically, there are specified valid routings

e.g. for TSV-BNE the rules state a routing of
TSV-BNE/SYD-PER
Dave

 

[Commuter]

I think 8-10 F Lounge visits, a few F lounge transits, priority rebookings and seat allocation, and op up seniority over twelve months is probably worth the trouble.

You might find that op-ups are not that easy to score. It used to be hard enough to gain points upgrade as a WP, never mind op-ups - although it might have changed with the downturn now. Also, op-ups happen to randoms (spouse, parents etc who are NB/non-FF member) more than it happens to me (WP). It's the fact in my case, sadly.

Flounge is nice, but you might like to think about whether each Flounge visit would be worth $120 each time. You can buy a pretty nice bottle of wine for that.
Also if you need to take time off work to do an SR, you'd lose your days off too.

I'm not saying don't do it, but the WP benefits aren't so hugely different from Gold, so have a think as to whether it's really worth your while.

 

[wandering_fred]

Interesting discussion.

OTOH the 8 eVIPs gained with top AA status make the issue of status runs in that program rather different. And the increase in QF mileage charges for award flights is why a number of years ago I essentially chose to ignore accumulating miles with the QF program. And (at least from my mal-adjusted prespective) I considered a (considerable) mileage run to be useful and worthwhile to get those eVIPs for 2009.

But QF Gold would be far simpler to achieve if lounge access was the main goal. QF Platinum - well how many times will you transit SYD or HKG to enjoy the superior lounges? And are QF operations getting so bad that OW Emerald status is regularly useful in the recovery process? The latter question applies to AA if transiting DFW in the summer and/or ORD in the winter.

As normal I perhaps have wandered too far

Fred

 

[Commuter]

And are QF operations getting so bad that OW Emerald status is regularly useful in the recovery process?

That's an interesting question. I was 'rescued' by QF from a potential problem stemming from QF operational issues twice last year, but so were non-status people - in varying classes of travel.

There was no separate queues for WP on one occasion (it was overseas and boarding pass issue was handled by non-QF people).
The other was dealt with at the international lounge entrance - Gold would have had the same opportunity to have the situation fixed.

So I don't think being a WP hugely advantaged me over and above being a Gold.

 

[munitalP]

Interesting discussion.

OTOH the 8 eVIPs gained with top AA status make the issue of status runs in that program rather different. And the increase in QF mileage charges for award flights is why a number of years ago I essentially chose to ignore accumulating miles with the QF program. And (at least from my mal-adjusted prespective) I considered a (considerable) mileage run to be useful and worthwhile to get those eVIPs for 2009.

But QF Gold would be far simpler to achieve if lounge access was the main goal. QF Platinum - well how many times will you transit SYD or HKG to enjoy the superior lounges? And are QF operations getting so bad that OW Emerald status is regularly useful in the recovery process? The latter question applies to AA if transiting DFW in the summer and/or ORD in the winter.

As normal I perhaps have wandered too far

Fred

Don't forget MEL FLounge!!

Mr!

 

[simongr]

But QF Gold would be far simpler to achieve if lounge access was the main goal. QF Platinum - well how many times will you transit SYD or HKG to enjoy the superior lounges?

Fred

One consideration for me on my Status run was the J lounge access domestically with a significant increase in domestic travel...

 

[Dave Noble]

One consideration for me on my Status run was the J lounge access domestically with a significant increase in domestic travel...

The Blounge and the Qantas Club don't seem that greatly different to me

Dave

 

[medhead]

If you check the routing rules on QF fares, many of the routes (such as SYD-ME) the rule stipulates
TRAVEL MUST BE NONSTOP OR DIRECT.

Dave

thanks Dave. I would never have thought to look at that

There was a period that pricing seemed to rule out the alternative routes, but it looks like things are changing now. ADL-xMEL-BNE can also be had for the same as ADL-BNE.

 

[oz_mark]

The Blounge and the Qantas Club don't seem that greatly different to me

Dave

Having been in both, I agree with this.

 

[Commuter]

Having been in both, I agree with this.

Same here.

 

[Flashback]

Same here.

What he said!

 

[wandering_fred]

What he said!

I wonder if there are any QF company lurkers who would be disappointed that the new(er) QF lounges are not being received with enthusiasm.....

Or am I wandering again

Fred

 

[rwatts]

I wonder if there are any QF company lurkers who would be disappointed that the new(er) QF lounges are not being received with enthusiasm.....

Or am I wandering again

Fred

I cant see how anyone in their right mind (even QF lurkers) could think there was anything special about most of the J lounges.

Actually the MEL lounge wasnt too bad on my only visit there. BNE on the other hand I thought was abysmal. The partitioning from the pleb lounge may as well been a hospital bed curtain - I had to endure multiple conversations from the other side. Eventually I even managed to find the toilets.

Richard.

 

[medhead]

. Eventually I even managed to find the toilets.

Richard.

What the toilets aren't out in the pleb lounge at BNE.

My one experience of the J lounge at BNE, involved going out for toilets.