The Velocity Status Run Master thread

[Ade]

When you say "matrix" do you mean ITA Matrix?

Yes, I meant ITA Matrix

With the pricing on the VA website, have you tried using some of the current promo codes?

Yes, I did. I used the PRW59 code

 

[kpc]

Because I already have international flights booked on Sq, i have just realised that I only need another 290 SCs so really only need 145 SCs with the current double SC promo to get to VA platinum. Any cheap suggestions ex Sydney preferably withot an overnight stay? Thanks

 

[Ade]

Because I already have international flights booked on Sq, i have just realised that I only need another 290 SCs so really only need 145 SCs with the current double SC promo to get to VA platinum. Any cheap suggestions ex Sydney preferably withot an overnight stay? Thanks

Assuming you are ex-SYD, I'd suggest SYD-MEL-LST-SYD on business saver would give you 150 SC return with normal earning and 300 with DSC

 

[PeterE]

I want to share a way of earning very cheap VA status credits on Delta domestic flights in the US.

Delta has a three-tier pricing matrix in coach - Basic, Main Cabin and Delta Comfort (W). On flights of 750 miles or less they earn either 10, 20 or 30 SC’s but the up-charge differentials between those classes produces very cheap incremental SC’s. See DELTA AIR LINES Travel with Delta Air Lines and set your Velocity Points flying

These are examples from two forthcoming trips I have booked but updated to current DL prices.

NYC-BWI on 2 October 2019 on DL 5080. Basic fare is US$119 earning 10 SC and W fare is US$163 earning 30 SC. That’s 20 extra credits for US$44 or about A$3.14 each

PHL-BOS on 6 October 2019 on DL 5960. Basic fare is US$138 earning 10 SC and W fare is US$167 earning 30 SC. That’s 20 extra credits for US$29 or about A$2.07 each

YVR-SEA on 5 November 2019 on DL 4826. Basic fare is C$182 earning 10 SC and W fare is C$207 earning 30 SC. That’s 20 extra credits for C$25 or about A$1.25 each

SEA-LAX on 5 November 2019 on DL 1078. Basic fare is US$95 earning 10 SC and W fare is US$149 earning 30 SC. That’s 20 extra credits for US$54 or about A$3.80 each

I am in no hurry to get from YVR to LAX so by going via SEA I also earn 75 SC’s instead of just 45 on the direct 1081-mile flight and it actually cost me only C$249 all up. That’s almost twice as many more SC’s than the LAX-MEL leg on a Getaway or Elevate fare, at 40 SC’s.

ABQ-LAX on 28 January 2020 on DL 5738. Basic fare is US$97 earning 10 SC and W fare is US$137 earning 30 SC. That’s 20 extra credits for US$40 or about A$2.85 each

The differentials will of course vary according to routing but they are very effective ways to accumulate cheap SC’s without doing status runs. If you’re flying Delta domestic legs anyway the
Of course, in addition, you get more leg room and so on to go with it so it’s not money wasted. VA Gold and Platinum also get the complimentary baggage allowances.

I really enjoy the regular posts so thought I should offer a contribution
Cheers, Peter

 

[ajp123]

Status run newbie from Adelaide here. I'm currently Silver and need just under 200 SC to qualify for Gold.

Given that I was considering purchasing Velocity Lounge membership for $300, and given the current DSC offer, I thought it might be worth going on a solo "personal retreat" holiday instead.

Consequently, I'm looking for the cheapest return flights - flying before 20 July - from Adelaide that would ordinarily give me 50 SC each way. If I could spend under $400 on flights, that would be great!

 

[kpc]

Status run newbie from Adelaide here. I'm currently Silver and need just under 200 SC to qualify for Gold.

Given that I was considering purchasing Velocity Lounge membership for $300, and given the current DSC offer, I thought it might be worth going on a solo "personal retreat" holiday instead.

Consequently, I'm looking for the cheapest return flights - flying before 20 July - from Adelaide that would ordinarily give me 50 SC each way. If I could spend under $400 on flights, that would be great!

A return Freedom economy fare on the closest destination that Va flies from Adl will do the trick....eg ADL-Mel rtn

 

[ajp123]

Freedom fares to Melbourne et al. only ordinarily give 25 SC each way, don't they?

 

[kpc]

Freedom fares to Melbourne et al. only ordinarily give 25 SC each way, don't they?

Sorry my bad as I thought you needed a total of 100 not 200 SCs....you are correct...so it will have to be Adl to Mel to Cbr/Hba/Lst/Syd etc rtn in Freedom.

 

[ajp123]

Sorry my bad as I thought he needed a total of 100 not 200 SCs....you are correct...so it will have to be Adl to Mel to Cbr/Hba/Lst/Syd rtn in Freedom.

All good! Do you have any tips on finding cheap connecting Freedom fares? It looks like they're all over $400 each way...

 

[Ade]

All good! Do you have any tips on finding cheap connecting Freedom fares? It looks like they're all over $400 each way...

Hey @ajp123, ITA Matrix would be my first port of call to find fares. You may access ITA Matrix by clicking here

I was able to find some round-trip fares ex-ADL to SYD/MEL/CBR/HBA/LST on booking class L (which according to this link is a Freedom fare) for $769, which have a tight connection time of 35 mins. However, I was able to find ADL-MEL-LST-SYD-ADL for $839.

It's a bit expensive as you'd need Freedom fares to get the SC's.

Alternatively, have you thought of flying return to NZ on J would net you 160 SC on normal rate and 320 SC on the current DSC ? You might have to spend a night in NZ in this case.

Update : Did a quick search on ITA Matrix Multi city booking : ADL-SYD/MEL/BNE-AKL/WLG/CHC one way on J with a domestic stopover gives 130 SC normal rate, 260 DSC rate for only AU$778

 

[Kandy]

Hey guys
Relatively new to the status run business, I am currently gold, in the last qualification period mainly international travel.

I would love some help figuring out the best option Ex-Adl:
- retain gold, would need 4 eligible sectors by 25/10 (And 83 SC but I will have a SA flight that should help with that in early Oct)
- upgrade to plat, need 275 SC by 17/7 (eligible sectors met, can also fly with a family pooling member)

Another hurdle, I drained my spending accounts overseas last month and as many of the flights on Any Reward seat under 100k points would be fantastic, hahaha, I've done a bit of a search and it looks pretty high ask!

The double status promotions ALWAYS come at the worst time for me!

 

[Ade]

Hey guys
Relatively new to the status run business, I am currently gold, in the last qualification period mainly international travel.

I would love some help figuring out the best option Ex-Adl:
- retain gold, would need 4 eligible sectors by 25/10 (And 83 SC but I will have a SA flight that should help with that in early Oct)
- upgrade to plat, need 275 SC by 17/7 (eligible sectors met, can also fly with a family pooling member)

Another hurdle, I drained my spending accounts overseas last month and as many of the flights on Any Reward seat under 100k points would be fantastic, hahaha, I've done a bit of a search and it looks pretty high ask!

The double status promotions ALWAYS come at the worst time for me!

Will the below help ?

I was able to find some round-trip fares ex-ADL to SYD/MEL/CBR/HBA/LST on booking class L (which according to this link is a Freedom fare) for $769, which have a tight connection time of 35 mins. However, I was able to find ADL-MEL-LST-SYD-ADL for $839.

It's a bit expensive as you'd need Freedom fares to get the SC's.

Alternatively, have you thought of flying return to NZ on J would net you 160 SC on normal rate and 320 SC on the current DSC ? You might have to spend a night in NZ in this case.

Update : Did a quick search on ITA Matrix Multi city booking : ADL-SYD/MEL/BNE-AKL/WLG/CHC one way on J with a domestic stopover gives 130 SC normal rate, 260 DSC rate for only AU$778

 

[Kandy]

Will the below help ?

I was able to find some round-trip fares ex-ADL to SYD/MEL/CBR/HBA/LST on booking class L (which according to this link is a Freedom fare) for $769, which have a tight connection time of 35 mins. However, I was able to find ADL-MEL-LST-SYD-ADL for $839.

It's a bit expensive as you'd need Freedom fares to get the SC's.

Alternatively, have you thought of flying return to NZ on J would net you 160 SC on normal rate and 320 SC on the current DSC ? You might have to spend a night in NZ in this case.

Update : Did a quick search on ITA Matrix Multi city booking : ADL-SYD/MEL/BNE-AKL/WLG/CHC one way on J with a domestic stopover gives 130 SC normal rate, 260 DSC rate for only AU$778

Thank you, and I have never seen this search site before. That's great!!!

 

[ja1]

Just posted in the DSC thread as well but may as well post here too.

SYD-BNE-AKL-RAR-AKL-MEL-SYD can be had for $1540 (inc fees) using PRW59 promo code.

920 SC or $1.67 per SC

That's a pretty awesome deal - I booked this for about $1740 back in Feb (to take advantage of the last DSC offer) so to get it for $200 less is pretty nice!

Some things to be aware of though:

1) Though the whole trip is in J, it's a 737 so.. think of it as domestic J and not really international (no lie flat beds or anything..)

2) It's a odd trip trip timing wise.. so factor that in too

3) You don't have lounge access in a number of places - RAR and probably in AKL on the way back as you arrive at 1:30 AM (and the lounge closes at 1am..)

None of this bothers me.. as it was a status run.. but you do want to think about it..

 

[Ade]

Thank you, and I have never seen this search site before. That's great!!!

You’re a welcome, @Kandy. I’m happy I could help.

I’ve learnt/taken a lot from this community and I’m glad I could give little back

I would request to you to update this thread on how you went on with your status run. That way someone could benefit from your itinerary.

 

[sudoer]

Some things to be aware of though:
1) Though the whole trip is in J, it's a 737 so.. think of it as domestic J and not really international (no lie flat beds or anything..)
2) It's a odd trip trip timing wise.. so factor that in too
3) You don't have lounge access in a number of places - RAR and probably in AKL on the way back as you arrive at 1:30 AM (and the lounge closes at 1am..)

Thanks for the tips!

#1 Was expecting this - doesn't bother me too much as no leg is much over 4 hours
#2 is the reason I'm stopping in AKL on the return trip We arrive at 1am and have about 36 hours to explore the city (and a proper bed to sleep in) before leaving the following evening.
#3 I wasn't aware of the RAR lounge situation so good to know. The stop in AKL with a mid afternoon departure means the Strata Lounge should be open

 

[howardpw]

I'll make 493 SC this week once my latest flights are credited, with 117 SC expiring about a week later.

So I'll be 7 SC short of Gold. Do I need to get exactly 500 SC for Gold upgrade?

 

[lilkid28]

I'll make 493 SC this week once my latest flights are credited, with 117 SC expiring about a week later.

So I'll be 7 SC short of Gold. Do I need to get exactly 500 SC for Gold upgrade?

Pretty sure yes.

 

[hydrabyss]

I'll make 493 SC this week once my latest flights are credited, with 117 SC expiring about a week later.

So I'll be 7 SC short of Gold. Do I need to get exactly 500 SC for Gold upgrade?

They are known to upgrade when 5-10 short and you will know within a day or so when the last status credits post. If they don't and you want Gold just make sure to take a flight no later than the day before your status credits expire and give them a call to manually do the upgrade.

 

[howardpw]

They are known to upgrade when 5-10 short and you will know within a day or so when the last status credits post

FYI looks like they have upgraded me to Gold as soon as my latest flights were credited, i.e. I was 7 SC short. So all good!