The Virgin Status Run Master Thread

[scibo10]

After 6 years of saying that I will do a status run 'one day', I have finally got my act together and am mid-way through one now, enjoying some nice chicken breast (is this new btw?) and a skinny cap in the MEL DJ lounge.

With double status credits, I could not resist taking up the $385 premium OOL-MEL fares, which formally launched my status running days. Return premium has cost me $770 and will net me 240SC and requal me for Gold in 2012. As my review period is 31 Dec, I have booked the same itinerary for Jan, ensuring I will equal for Gold for all of 2013 too.

I always felt it would be strange flying for no reason, but have to say it was far from that. Lucky to score 1A on a reconfig and only had 1 other pax in the premium cabin. The flying experience is also enhanced knowing that a brand new DJ lounge is waiting for you at the other end.

This takes me back about 8 years when I had completed my first long international holiday after vowing beforehand that I wasn't interested in travel. Not long after, I joined AFF and haven't looked back since. So on this logic, it won't be long before I'm deciding whether its OOL-MEL or BNE-NTL-MEL-ADL-BNE or BNE-CNS-PER-ADL-BNE for my next status run

 

[MarkD]

Yes that ool-Mel one is a good one. I also will be doing my first sc run on that in dec. would requal gold regardless, but this should tip me to platinum by about march next year. It's pretty hard to get that status on zone 1 discount y

 

[DGW]

Yes that ool-Mel one is a good one. I also will be doing my first sc run on that in dec. would requal gold regardless, but this should tip me to platinum by about march next year. It's pretty hard to get that status on zone 1 discount y

I'm thinking of doing exactly the same. I'm halfway to requalifying gold and will do it easily, but the current double SC offer would be my only opportunity to make platinum. You obviously think the incremental benefit of platinum over gold is worth the $, but in my case I'm not so sure. What swung it for you?

 

[MarkD]

hmmmm, I think the 4 J upgrades had a bearing, I can also see that as golds, we will end up losing a lot of the better seating, in the natural order of things, platinums will get the better seats, likewise, if the lounges get too crowded, then we will lose anytime access for golds, again, thats natural, and I think Platinums will keep it.
The other thing is I would have been so close (Around 900 SC ) it really was a no brainer.


............ Oh and there is may be a little bit of W*** factor in there.....Oh I am a platinum, move out of my way:idea::idea: LOL

 

[DGW]

............ Oh and there is may be a little bit of W*** factor in there.....Oh I am a platinum, move out of my way:idea::idea: LOL

I like this point especially, and somewhat based on that I've just booked a MEL-OOL-MEL run on 10th December. With existing bookings I'll hit platinum before Xmas.

If anyone has any good ideas on how to kill 1hr 40mins at OOL I'm all ears...

 

[MarkD]

People watching is fun... Especially at the Gold Coast in December....... Better take some dark glasses.LOL

 

[scibo10]

If anyone has any good ideas on how to kill 1hr 40mins at OOL I'm all ears...

Wish I could assist, but there is very little to do there at the moment. Maybe take some snaps of the lounge construction and post them here

Knowing this, I arrived at the airport around 35 mins before departure, quickly checked in, and then got caught up in the security lines. Point to note, if you are leaving in the morning on the 8:15am flight, there are numerous international services as well as JQ services leaving at the same time, so the security lines are huge and there is no priority screening either. I had to run straight to the gate, and didn't even get a chance to see the progress of the lounge.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

if the lounges get too crowded, then we will lose anytime access for golds, again, thats natural, and I think Platinums will keep it.

Although QF took it from all status holders! I'm hoping that things calm down a bit. Flights are regularly full so surely DJ must be turning around their profit woes and come 2 years time (starting in 1 year), all the status matched clan who don't requal will also lose their ATA (provided of course DJ don't do any more SM promos).

According to other threads, it's not just me that's finding the cheapy flights on DJ are becoming an extinct species! Let's hope a bit of normality reappears after Christmas and after QF and the unions kiss and make up......after all there are only 6 x row 3 seats

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If anyone has any good ideas on how to kill 1hr 40mins at OOL I'm all ears...

Not enough time to do much I'm afraid!

Kirra beach is just across the road (maybe 500m max. rough guess) and there are lockers at OOL to leave any hand luggage you may not want to lug around. It's a nice beach if you're into that sort of thing, but not much there. The shops at OOL airport will take, oh at least 30 secs to see and no DJ lounge just yet (was told last night a friend of mine won the tender for part of the Lounge construction).

The new bar is open (haven't tried it yet) and "people watching" may be the best thing on offer!

Here's a pic of Kirra beach looking toward Surfers.

 

[DGW]

Not enough time to do much I'm afraid!

Yeah, figured as much. Thanks for the suggestions though. The bar might be the best option. Being a first time status-runner I was in two minds as to whether to make the most of it and spend the day up there, but given that I don't have much of an affinity for the GC I decided I'd be happy to get up and back as quickly as possible. Fingers crossed for refitted a/c...

Will also try to get some spy shots of how the new lounge is going.

 

[Major]

Some PR for the new bar

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[TD][h=2]Blackstone Bar and Lounge Now Open[/h]Whether you're waiting for friends to arrive or about to board a flight of your own, Blackstone Bar and Lounge will ensure your wait is comfortable and enjoyable. Enjoy a great range of meal options for all times of the day, delicious tapas and a full bar including a range of beer on tap. Full table service is available, so all you have to do is sit back and relax. Visit Blackstone Bar and Lounge in the departures area at Gold Coast Airport.
[/TD]
[TD][TABLE="width: 100"]
[TR]
[TD]

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[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
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[Sprucegoose]

hmmmm, I think the 4 J upgrades had a bearing, I can also see that as golds, we will end up losing a lot of the better seating, in the natural order of things, platinums will get the better seats, likewise, if the lounges get too crowded, then we will lose anytime access for golds, again, thats natural, and I think Platinums will keep it.
The other thing is I would have been so close (Around 900 SC ) it really was a no brainer.


............ Oh and there is may be a little bit of W*** factor in there.....Oh I am a platinum, move out of my way:idea::idea: LOL

You'll change your tune when you get there!!

 

[MarkD]

You'll change your tune when you get there!!

Doubt it, I will still be a realist, with a sense of humour, who is not full of myself.:-|

 

[el_rooto]

Is there a JASA equivalent on Virgin?

IE is there a way of burning points to get status?

 

[anat0l]

Is there a JASA equivalent on Virgin?

IE is there a way of burning points to get status?

At the moment, I believe the answer is no.

 

[lovestotravel]

My quest for Gold is pretty much done!

Now onto Platinum

I will need 286 SC's for this by May 2012..

Ideas from MEL please

I should have booked another MEL-OOL-MEL with double SC in Premium :evil::evil:

 

[MomoWang]

This thread has gone quiet in recent times. Since the rules were confirmed with multi-legs trips not counting for multiple Status Credits, has the concept of Status Runs become insignificant ?

I have done some research for all flights ex-BNE, MEL, OOL and the best I can find is $6.6 per SC and the occaisional $5.9 per SC when the super sales are on.

Is anyone aware of options better than this?

Also, first post here. Overall very impressed with the quality of the discussion and feedback on what goes on out there...

 

[DGW]

I have done some research for all flights ex-BNE, MEL, OOL and the best I can find is $6.6 per SC and the occaisional $5.9 per SC when the super sales are on.

Is anyone aware of options better than this?

I think that's about as good as is available at the moment. I booked a MEL-OOL return in PE during the double status credit promo which netted 240 SCs at $3.30, so perhaps holding out for another such promo (which you would assume will happen again at some stage) would be your best bet. I fear the replacement of PE with J (and the associated price increase) will put an end to practical (ie not astronomically expensive) status runs.




Sent from my iPad using AustFreqFly app

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have done some research for all flights ex-BNE, MEL, OOL and the best I can find is $6.6 per SC and the occaisional $5.9 per SC when the super sales are on. Is anyone aware of options better than this?

Welcome to AFF.

I think there are better rates if you start looking at the Delta alliance and Yups. I can't comment because I'm an international non-traveller (mostly) but others have indicted some bargains can be had there.

 

[Reg Reagan]

I'm only a couple of flights away from silver so little bit annoyed I didn't know about the double SC offer until reading about it on AFF. Must do some research into these Yupps for next year.