The Velocity Status Run Master thread

[FishFood]

By what date do you need to travel?

I'm not super confident on my Virgin lingo, but my review date is the middle of November so before then

 

[Must...Fly!]

I'm not super confident on my Virgin lingo, but my review date is the middle of November so before then

The very best value would be trying to line up a morning PER-KGI flight for circa $300 in Choice (ZXW75 might take a few $ off) which nets 15SC. There are a smattering of days at this price. Then spend $500 at Coles for the month of October which will get you the last 5SC.

Some days there is J for about $500 (again, use the code).

If on Monday, Friday or Sunday you can get a PM departure on the prospector out of KGI back to Perth for $98. Long day but doable, no accommodation and not spending 18000pts getting back either. I think that's the best "value" albeit perhaps not the most convenient.

 

[FishFood]

The very best value would be trying to line up a morning PER-KGI flight for circa $300 in Choice (ZXW75 might take a few $ off) which nets 15SC. There are a smattering of days at this price. Then spend $500 at Coles for the month of October which will get you the last 5SC.

Some days there is J for about $500 (again, use the code).

If on Monday, Friday or Sunday you can get a PM departure on the prospector out of KGI back to Perth for $98. Long day but doable, no accommodation and not spending 18000pts getting back either. I think that's the best "value" albeit perhaps not the most convenient.

Ended up booking a variation of this, plane up on a Saturday with a $525 J fare then train back on a Sunday. Thanks for the advice!

 

[sudoer]

Admittedly not the best $/SC earn rate, but potentially of interest for anyone looking for a dual Japan/Canada snow trip - by my calcs earns 680 SC if you can find dates which allow routing via SFO.

SYD-YVR Business ANA C$5336 A$6032 - FlyerTalk Forums

Premium Fare Deals - SYD-YVR Business ANA C$5336 A$6032 - Dec some dates in Jan & early Feb 2024 Can route SYD-HND-SFO-YVR https://www.google.com/travel/flight...xIBMA&curr=CAD

www.flyertalk.com

 

[PERLHR]

The very best value would be trying to line up a morning PER-KGI flight for circa $300 in Choice (ZXW75 might take a few $ off) which nets 15SC. There are a smattering of days at this price. Then spend $500 at Coles for the month of October which will get you the last 5SC.

Some days there is J for about $500 (again, use the code).

If on Monday, Friday or Sunday you can get a PM departure on the prospector out of KGI back to Perth for $98. Long day but doable, no accommodation and not spending 18000pts getting back either. I think that's the best "value" albeit perhaps not the most convenient.

I liked the prospector journey. I went from Perth to Kalgoorlie by train then flew back. While op is looking for SCs I think 500 dollars is pretty expensive for a 35 minute flight.... But I guess if it's 300 for choice ...

 

[sudoer]

BCN-SYD in EY J for sub $4.5k - up to 640 SC earn if you can find dates that route via MEL in both directions.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

BCN-SYD in EY J for sub $4.5k - up to 640 SC earn if you can find dates that route via MEL in both directions.

View attachment 356824

Unfortunately it's the best part of $13k+ to do it ex-SYD...

 

[sudoer]

Unfortunately it's the best part of $13k+ to do it ex-SYD...

Reposition over on points and you've got half of your next trip prepaid

Or fly your relatives to Australia and family pool their SC!

 

[PERLHR]

Unfortunately it's the best part of $13k+ to do it ex-SYD...

No surprise there. Total rip off EX AU to anywhere.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Reposition over on points and you've got half of your next trip prepaid

Or fly your relatives to Australia and family pool their SC!

Yerp...unfortunately not a chance for this little Australian-born, bred and parented black duck. :|

No surprise there. Total rip off EX AU to anywhere.

Unfortunately so. Hopefully the return of some of the China-based airlines may help with this over the next 12 months...

 

[joejoeblogs]

Any suggestions on (cheapest) flights between now and February 28, 2024 to earn 225 SC for retention of Gold? Haven’t flown much since covid but it looks like I’ll be flying more this year and would like to hang on to lounge access / priority checkin.

Melbourne based.

Bonus marks for stop in Sydney so I can see the Kandinsky exhibition.

 

[simmomelb]

Any suggestions on (cheapest) flights between now and February 28, 2024 to earn 225 SC for retention of Gold? Haven’t flown much since covid but it looks like I’ll be flying more this year and would like to hang on to lounge access / priority checkin.

Melbourne based.

Bonus marks for stop in Sydney so I can see the Kandinsky exhibition.

Bus from MEL to OOL via SYD, 80 each way (for a low price if you are flex with dates) which isn't all you need, but a big help.
Or for all you need, Cairns via BNE in bus both directions. Running out of time for cheap seats though if you need them by Feb 28.
Good luck

 

[Human]

Bus from MEL to OOL via SYD, 80 each way (for a low price if you are flex with dates) which isn't all you need, but a big help.
Or for all you need, Cairns via BNE in bus both directions. Running out of time for cheap seats though if you need them by Feb 28.
Good luck

Actually Business from MEL to OOL is 80 SC each way direct (160 return) but 110 each way if you fly via SYD or CBR (220 return).

 

[simmomelb]

Actually Business from MEL to OOL is 80 SC each way direct (160 return) but 110 each way if you fly via SYD or CBR (220 return).

You are correct, thanks for picking up on that
I'm so used to doing the direct route and had my Christmas brain in gear

 

[joejoeblogs]

Thanks @Human and @simmomelb . Much appreciated.
JJ

 

[IrishPete]

I'm about to break into Silver status - I'm excited, even if you're not - I just need 14 status credits and two flight sectors (yeah, I don't fly much, and all the flying I have done has been with points).

Nearest airport is Canberra. I could drive or get a train to Sydney to fly somewhere from there, but the amount of the time that would take would rule out a day-trip to anywhere.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

 

[Human]

I'm about to break into Silver status - I'm excited, even if you're not - I just need 14 status credits and two flight sectors (yeah, I don't fly much, and all the flying I have done has been with points).

Nearest airport is Canberra. I could drive or get a train to Sydney to fly somewhere from there, but the amount of the time that would take would rule out a day-trip to anywhere.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

I understand your excitement – it really is exciting to reach a status tier for the first time and I still remember my excitement when I reached Silver For the first time!

If you need the two flight sectors, the 14 SC’s will look after themselves, especially since for the sectors to count they need to be Choice fares or above (minimum 15 SC’s per sector). If you’re not doing this already, monitor the Thursday “Happy Hour” sales and other sales, and as soon as you see a fare for a good price to an acceptable destination, go for it.

From Canberra, my preference would be Melbourne, Sydney or the Gold Coast.

 

[henrus]

I'm about to break into Silver status - I'm excited, even if you're not - I just need 14 status credits and two flight sectors (yeah, I don't fly much, and all the flying I have done has been with points).

Ok I'll be that person. If done in Jan/Feb, a status run from Canberra will cost (at least) around $240 (return CBR-MEL-CBR) and if done from Sydney $140 (return SYD-BNK-SYD - can be done same day as same aircraft).

VA Silver status gets you the following:
- 2x single use lounge passes for use at VA domestic lounges only (worth $65 each as that's how much they sell them for at the door)
- 50% Bonus points when flying VA (but you've noted you don't fly a lot anyway)
- 1x extra check bag on fares that include a check bag when flying VA or an extra 10kg when flying with Etihad.
- Priority check in prior to international flights operated by Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic or Qatar Airways.

My question is are any of these benefits useful enough to spend $ to chase silver?

It's worth noting that Silver used to get slightly better seat selection from Rows 11 however this is no longer the case.

 

[IrishPete]

Ok I'll be that person. If done in Jan/Feb, a status run from Canberra will cost (at least) around $240 (return CBR-MEL-CBR) and if done from Sydney $140 (return SYD-BNK-SYD - can be done same day as same aircraft).

VA Silver status gets you the following:
- 2x single use lounge passes for use at VA domestic lounges only (worth $65 each as that's how much they sell them for at the door)
- 50% Bonus points when flying VA (but you've noted you don't fly a lot anyway)
- 1x extra check bag on fares that include a check bag when flying VA or an extra 10kg when flying with Etihad.
- Priority check in prior to international flights operated by Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic or Qatar Airways.

My question is are any of these benefits useful enough to spend $ to chase silver?

It's worth noting that Silver used to get slightly better seat selection from Rows 11 however this is no longer the case.

Thank you.

The cost of the status run will definitely feature in the decision as to whether it is worth it. The higher statuses are much more attractive, and I figure I have to get to Silver first.

 

[MooTime]

Thank you.

The cost of the status run will definitely feature in the decision as to whether it is worth it. The higher statuses are much more attractive, and I figure I have to get to Silver first.

If you get to 500 SCs you'll jump straight to Gold, bypassing Silver.