The Velocity Status Run Master thread

[Nathant123]

Thanks for the replies guys. So if someone is red or silver, they could theoretically still book a business rewards seat off the bat with points alone (e.g 108900 points SYD - AUH) with Etihad? Velocity told me otherwise and said even if I have enough points I wouldn't be able to do it and could only use them domestically or for short haul.

 

[bcworld]

So if someone is red or silver, they could theoretically still book a business rewards seat off the bat with points alone (e.g 108900 points SYD - AUH) with Etihad? Velocity told me otherwise and said even if I have enough points I wouldn't be able to do it and could only use them domestically or for short haul.

Of course you could book that, if that's really what Velocity told you it's nonsense! You could book that online right now without speaking to anyone, regardless of Velocity tier.

 

[Nathant123]

Of course you could book that, if that's really what Velocity told you it's nonsense! You could book that online right now without speaking to anyone, regardless of Velocity tier.

Thanks mate. Thats absolutely the response I got from sending them a message via their Facebook page. I understood upgrades to long haul business was restricted to gold and platinum but I was quite surprised when I was told that I wouldn't be able to book a business rewards seat even if I've got the sufficient points for it.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Thanks mate. Thats absolutely the response I got from sending them a message via their Facebook page. I understood upgrades to long haul business was restricted to gold and platinum but I was quite surprised when I was told that I wouldn't be able to book a business rewards seat even if I've got the sufficient points for it.

Velocity Facebook responders know virtually zero in my experience and regularly quote incorrect information.

 

[rowdyrobbieflyer]

Hey guys,

so, I have some time off work (actually, I quit...) from the 20th June. Hooray!

I currently have 140 status points, and need 60 buy August 4 to retain Silver...

Thing is, I wouldn't mind doing my very first status run and trying to get Gold. As I have a load of Velocity points that if I was Gold, I could cash in for a nice upgrade to business class for an LA trip later in the year.

Wondering if anyone could help me on a day-long status run that can net me a load of status credits.

Another option is a fancy trip somewhere with the wife and use family sharing if there's somewhere that can net a lot of points? (She wouldn't be keen on the whole status run thing though and switching planes and such!)

I'm in Sydney.

(I'm not even sure what's a good amount you can score in a day, and for what price? However, being as flexible as I am without a job soon, I thought I could try make the most of it. Thanks heaps guys!)

 

[Eggsbenedict]

As already stated this is absolutely incorrect. Any VFF member can book Reward seats to any destination in any class (Etihad F ect)

 

[deva22]

As already stated this is absolutely incorrect. Any VFF member can book Reward seats to any destination in any class (Etihad F ect)

except he said 'upgrade' to business

 

[scubabe]

I currently have 140 status points, and need 60 buy August 4 to retain Silver...


Thing is, I wouldn't mind doing my very first status run and trying to get Gold.

Congratulations on your impending unemployment


Okay so getting to gold - you need 360 SC. Do you already have 4 sectors up?
If you do family pooling, then you will only need 180SC each if she pools to you, but she can't pool her eligible sectors to you, only her SC. 180 SC each is 90SC each way.
How about SYD-SIN in PE for 90SC each way? That's all of your 360. But remember, only do it this way if you already have 2 of your 4 sectors up.
Or SYD-NAN in J for 80SC each way? That gets you 320 of your 360, then you'd need something small locally to top it up.

EDIT : Hmmmmmm just remembered, SQ don't offer PE around here do they? But basically google a mapping program online, and draw a radius of 3,000 miles around Sydney, and fly somewhere close to that in PE and you're at 90SC according to the earning tables. Don't know where you can fly PE in the 3000-5000 mile range, but that's the sweet spot for the numbers you need.

Depends how much money you have to burn, but for numbers like that I'd either be having a mid-haul holiday with the missus in a higher cabin than Y, or if I wanted to go solo I'd be jumping on a discount economy flight to LAX and then flying first class on Delta in the US for your status run.

 

[rowdyrobbieflyer]

Congratulations on your impending unemployment


Okay so getting to gold - you need 360 SC. Do you already have 4 sectors up?
If you do family pooling, then you will only need 180SC each if she pools to you, but she can't pool her eligible sectors to you, only her SC. 180 SC each is 90SC each way.
How about SYD-SIN in PE for 90SC each way? That's all of your 360. But remember, only do it this way if you already have 2 of your 4 sectors up.
Or SYD-NAN in J for 80SC each way? That gets you 320 of your 360, then you'd need something small locally to top it up.

EDIT : Hmmmmmm just remembered, SQ don't offer PE around here do they? But basically google a mapping program online, and draw a radius of 3,000 miles around Sydney, and fly somewhere close to that in PE and you're at 90SC according to the earning tables. Don't know where you can fly PE in the 3000-5000 mile range, but that's the sweet spot for the numbers you need.

Depends how much money you have to burn, but for numbers like that I'd either be having a mid-haul holiday with the missus in a higher cabin than Y, or if I wanted to go solo I'd be jumping on a discount economy flight to LAX and then flying first class on Delta in the US for your status run.

Thank you mate!

Some really good options there.

I'll have a look at the costs... what's a good $ per SC?

Also, is it better value to upgrade a fare with points, than to buy the fare outright with points?

 

[Marty_]

Are you meaning to purchase your status run with points? If so, it won't work.

You can only earn SC's on the fare class of the original booking, which has to have been paid for. If you bought the fare with points, you get zero. If you upgraded the fare with points, you get SC's awarded based on the non-upgraded fare class.

To get that many SC's in short order you really need to do a mid-haul international holiday as suggested, or a few business class flights. But they have to be paid for.

 

[Nathant123]

I'm flying out in a couple days and ended up putting in a bid for an upgrade to business from SYD to AUH as that will be my longest flight and it would be nice to experience something a little more comfortable than what I'm used to. Flying with Etihad and the bid was for the least amount possible. They have sent me an email confirming the approval and will be emailing me a new eticket shortly. I'll be collecting points from these flights (6 all up over the next 5 weeks) and from my understanding I would not be gaining any additional points for the upgrade. Would I get the equivalent business status credits though or would it still remain as the economy entitlement? Either way I'm not too fussed and this will be my first flight ever on an A380 and first business international flight as well.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm flying out in a couple days and ended up putting in a bid for an upgrade to business from SYD to AUH as that will be my longest flight and it would be nice to experience something a little more comfortable than what I'm used to. Flying with Etihad and the bid was for the least amount possible. They have sent me an email confirming the approval and will be emailing me a new eticket shortly. I'll be collecting points from these flights (6 all up over the next 5 weeks) and from my understanding I would not be gaining any additional points for the upgrade. Would I get the equivalent business status credits though or would it still remain as the economy entitlement? Either way I'm not too fussed and this will be my first flight ever on an A380 and first business international flight as well.

Points and SCs remain as per the fare booked. Would you mind if I asked what that minimum upgrade cost?

 

[Nathant123]

Points and SCs remain as per the fare booked. Would you mind if I asked what that minimum upgrade cost?

Yep thats pretty much what I expected. Oh well, its better than nothing. Originally booked through a travel agent who is a good mate so I was pleased with the rate. Upgrade to business was ~$1800. Probably a lot but I don't really care. I'm looking forward to the experience.

 

[kezzakawasaki]

Are you meaning to purchase your status run with points? If so, it won't work.

You can only earn SC's on the fare class of the original booking, which has to have been paid for. If you bought the fare with points, you get zero. If you upgraded the fare with points, you get SC's awarded based on the non-upgraded fare class.

To get that many SC's in short order you really need to do a mid-haul international holiday as suggested, or a few business class flights. But they have to be paid for.

Marty - your information is actually incorrect. You can redeem points for an award ticket in a certain fare class and earn points. "If you bought the fare with points, you get zero" is not an accurate statement....

 

[Marty_]

I am talking about earning SC's, not points.

I have never earned SC's on a reward flight that I purchased with points. Nor have I ever earned SC's commensurate with the higher class where I've upgraded with points. If I'm doing it wrong, do tell!

 

[hossein_au]

I am talking about earning SC's, not points.

I have never earned SC's on a reward flight that I purchased with points. Nor have I ever earned SC's commensurate with the higher class where I've upgraded with points. If I'm doing it wrong, do tell!

I think kezzakawasaki is referring not to reward flights but using points to pay for a revenue ticket. One does receive points and SCs for revenue flights regardless of the form of payment.

 

[Marty_]

I think kezzakawasaki is referring not to reward flights but using points to pay for a revenue ticket. One does receive points and SCs for revenue flights regardless of the form of payment.

Yes, of course. Understand this also. Probably could have included it as a caveat.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

except he said 'upgrade' to business

I should have added the quote in my reply. I was replying to this post

"Thanks for the replies guys. So if someone is red or silver, they could theoretically still book a business rewards seat off the bat with points alone (e.g 108900 points SYD - AUH) with Etihad? "

 

[hossein_au]

I should have added the quote in my reply. I was replying to this post

"Thanks for the replies guys. So if someone is red or silver, they could theoretically still book a business rewards seat off the bat with points alone (e.g 108900 points SYD - AUH) with Etihad? "

Yep, but don't forget the newly-minted carrier-imposed fee of US$205 per sector per passenger in addition to any applicable taxes and charges.

 

[deva22]

160SC for $849 anyone?

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/255909#comment-3829053