To status run or pay club membership?

[Neeraj]

Hi folks, first time poster here!

Have a query regarding the value of me doing a status run.

Currently Silver with 95,000 pts..will have 355 SC's by first week dec, with review coming end of Jan 2013.

I will need another 345 SC's to reach gold by then..not sure if it is worthwhile trying for some status runs or just pay for qantas club through AFF corporate scheme? Currently high $600's I believe.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

 

[eastwest101]

This is the biggest (and most typical) hurdle that a lot of people face. With your review coming up at end Jan 2013 and needing 345 more SC's I think you may have enough FF points to get a few JASA SC runs away, but I would be looking soon as your review period is at an very inconvenient and expensive time of the year, having said that, fares do drop off in Jan but QF are pretty ruthless in constraining capacity as well so that tends to reduce some of the options that you may have had at other times of the year.

Its basically spend a few days doing SC runs and being prepared to visit places you may not want to go to or may not usually go to, or stump up the $450 or so to stay Silver and pay for the QC. I had to take the 2nd option but its pretty hard to get your money's worth unless you are travelling frequently and like a drink or too.....

345 SC is a big ask - in zone 2 for example - even with a double SC promotion - that is only 120SC for a return JASA so you would need to do that 3 times before early Jan 2013.

Sounds to me like your current pattern of flying isn't quite earning enough SC's to make it to Qantas Gold in your own right without doing JASA's Status Runs to boost SC earn, if you can see your travel increasing in the future then its all good....

This is what I have picked up from other people here - but I won't claim to be a SC run expert - there are some much better people than I out there....

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome to the forum

It up to you to do the calculation of spending $ for flight or paying to join the QF club

If you get Gold in QF FFP and you already have Q club membership its goes on "hold" while you have Gold/Plat
If get Q club via QF gold, but the next year fail to requalify my understanding is that you can transfer to another scheme (e.g. AFF) and NOT pay the QF club join fee. [but check]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....es/save-200-qantas-club-membership-10788.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-find-qantas-club-corp-9333-4.html#post316450

Joining Fee remains the same at $230
1 year renewal increases from $325 to $355
2 year renewal increases from $570 to $625
So, if you join (for 1 year) after 1 May, the total cost will be $585 (230 + 355)

 

[samh004]

If you're going to do enough travel next year to renew Gold, or fly around on a few OneWorld partners and want lounge access, then the SC run is the way to go. However if you'll struggle to keep Gold next year, and don't intend to fly internationally or at least a lot around Australia when you can make use of the benefits, perhaps QP membership makes sense.

I'd buy a 2-year membership if I was you (it can always be put on hold) and then enjoy the lounge, fly so,e more, and start moving up the ranks from there... That is unless you're going to easily fly 600 SC next year.

Also, if you've been targeted for Double Status Credits, even better.




 

[Awesom Andy]

Needing another 345 SCs... do you fly enough to justify such spendings?

 

[markis10]

Have a look at doing a run, 140 SC for 24000 points means you have plenty of points to achieve you aim, factor in the points earned and loyalty bonus along with points bonus as SG in the next year and I think you will find it nowhere near as expensive as it first seems.

 

[Neeraj]

Thanks guys. It is as I suspected..might be cheaper if I buy the QP membership.

Most likely ill hit SG next year as two EU trips planned in premium economy.and several interstate on the cards..but would like lounge access throughout the year before reaching SG.

Good thing is the QP goes on hold if reached SG so not a loss it seems to pay for QP.

Appreciate all your help !..and what a great forum this is.