Worth an MR to retain Qantas Gold FF status?

[floydo]

Hi all,

Is it worth re-qualifying for Qantas Gold Frequent Flyer privileges? If so, how do I go about it?

I have 0 Status credits, so I'll need 600 by the end of April 2008 to retain my Gold membership. I also need to fly at least 4 Eligible Flight Segments.

All thoughts/comments welcome.

Thanks.

 

[Petch]

Is it worth re-qualifying for Qantas Gold Frequent Flyer privileges?

No.

I can see 2 reasons someone with 0 status credits in their account might want to retain Qantas Gold -

1. You fly Jetstar (jet saver) frequently and want lounge access
2. You fly American Airlines (as an AAdvantage member) frequently and want North American lounge access

Either way, it's going to be cheaper to just buy a Qantas Club Membership or Admirals Club membership, as none of the other Qantas Gold benefits would be useful to you, unless you intend flying Qantas more often after April.

 

[sr81]

Welcome to AFF floydo.

Having QF gold status (oneworld sapphire) is handy if you can use the benefits of the status. I would rate lounge entry when flying a oneworld airline regardless of class of travel to be the most useful. Other benefits include priority check in, 150% miles (when flying BA, QF & AA), priority bag tags and other details. Check out Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges - Status Privileges for more info.

Getting 600 status credits by April will be expensive if you don't have any work flights coming up and you need to cough how much you value status vs. personal cost. If you are serious about this then a circle pacific fare may be your best bet.

Personally I don't think it's worth it unless you can use the benefits.

 

[floydo]

Many thanks Petch and sr81. I don't anticipate any work trips soon (unfortunately) so think I'll just let the Gold status slide. I'm not sure how much I'll be using Qantas in the future either.
BTW, I have 110,000 QFF miles and would welcome any thoughts on the most effective way to use them - recent reading indicates that Qantas charges like a wounded bull with its "extras".

I also have 200,000 UAL Mileage Plus miles and am thinking about using those too.

 

[kkutasi]

Many thanks Petch and sr81. I don't anticipate any work trips soon (unfortunately) so think I'll just let the Gold status slide. I'm not sure how much I'll be using Qantas in the future either.
BTW, I have 110,000 QFF miles and would welcome any thoughts on the most effective way to use them - recent reading indicates that Qantas charges like a wounded bull with its "extras".

I also have 200,000 UAL Mileage Plus miles and am thinking about using those too.

Floydo, i really can't see how you could justify spending at least about $4k just to maintain SG status if it is all or mainly self-funded. QP membership costs about $400, so that's much better value!

in terms of using points, as has been discussed on this forum many times before, the best value for points appears to be for upgrades. You would also appear to get better value out of using points for international flights than for domestic - but you definitely get most bang out of upgrades.

 

[floydo]

Many thanks for your comments kkutasi.
Sorry if I've raised points which have been raised before and discussed ad nauseum on this site, but I have only recently discovered the site and need a little time to get familiar with it and all the discussion threads.
Cheers.

 

[simongr]

floydo

I agree with teh comments re retaining status - just not worth it in your case.

In terms of using points - the start point really needs to be what you want to do with them in the first place - do you want to fly economy or business, domestic or international. It comes back to the old microsoft soundbite - "Where do you want to go today?"

It's no good being told that using points to upgrade to J on a SYD-HKG flight is a great way to spend points if you have no intention of going to HKG anyway an dyou dont live in SYD

Think first about what you want to do and then let's think about the best way to that

S

 

[JohnK]

Retaining QF Gold status is definitely worth it for many reasons if you were close, say within 100 SCs.

To be 600 SCs away is probably not worth it if there is no other planned travel. If you were going to the USA then you could earn 360-450 SCs for ~A$1100. You will drop to QF Silver if you do not requalify and if you have planned travel next year then QF Gold status would only require 700 SCs anyway.

As for using FF points I would use them for a Oneworld RTW award in economy up to 35,000 miles, maximum of 16 sectors and 5 stopovers. Yes the taxes and surcharges would be ~$1000 but it would be a nice trip. Other people may suggest to use the FF points for upgrades from economy to business class. As always in these case YMMV.

 

[parsonstrish]

If you were going to the USA then you could earn 360-450 SCs for ~A$1100.

johnk,
can you please give me more details re the sc's in us for a$1000.

you would be surprised at the number of times you've given a little gem that has helped with my flt. planning, etc.
cheers, trish

 

[JohnK]

johnk,
can you please give me more details re the sc's in us for a$1000.

The two that I have researched at length are ORD-TPA which could earn between 360-450 SCs return and ORD-DEN which could earn between 360-450 SCs return. I think one of these routings can be stretched out to 480 SCs. Unfortunately they both require an overnight stopover in either TPA or DEN. The number of SCs depends on the routing, availability and day of the week. The airfare does not change much.

To book you would need to go to the AA website and input the two destinations as a one way flight in First Class with restrictions which will end up as a QUP/KUP booking in first. The current airfare is ~$US950, ~A$1100.

you would be surprised at the number of times you've given a little gem that has helped with my flt. planning, etc.

I am surprised. I am glad that I have been able to assist.

 

[floydo]

Thanks Simongr and JohnK. I obviously have some thinking to do and will post again when I've done that.
Cheers.

 

[serfty]

floydo, only you know if it's worth it to you.

Anyway, I have seen a SFO-TPA return for ~AUD1090 that can earn 540 SC's for the round trip.

 

[JohnK]

Anyway, I have seen a SFO-TPA return for ~AUD1090 that can earn 540 SC's for the round trip.

Even better than the ones I have researched. Planning has been set in motion to maintain QF Platinum status until May 2010.

 

[floydo]

Hi Serfty,
Great info - where can I find it?
Thanks.
Floydo

 

[serfty]

Hi Serfty,
Great info - where can I find it?
Thanks.
Floydo

Look here:

• http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...-advantage/good-sc-earning-value-ex-8840.html
  
  Some slight changes to that thread; select "Price & Schedule", then use the "View All Results" option down the bottom.
  
  Look for multi sector "Instant Upgrade" fares that have no "Economy" Warnings.
  .
• Find the Lowest Airfare Prices, Discount Airline Tickets & Cheap Flights on FareCompare.com

Note the cheap HNL fares went around November last year.

 

[floydo]

Great - thanks. I'll check it out.