Ideas for getting better SC bang for buck on LOTFAP trip?

[RSD]

I've got to go MEL to DFW to jump on to AA to CLL in July.

At the moment the Qantas website is showing Saver fare as $2277 for MEL - SYD - DFW and then returning DFW - BNE - MEL for a total of 145 SC's (all in S class - 10 + 60 + 60 + 15) which is $15.70 per SC

If I go Semi-Flex then it is $2950 but that doesn't gain me a lot as S & K classes earn the same SC's on international legs, only the domestic legs earn more so it gets me 170 SC's (all in K class - 20 + 60 + 60 + 30) which is $17.35 per SC - which kind of blows the spiel about how with the new simplifications you will earn more SC's and km for booking more expensive fares!

If I fork out for full Flex (which I don't want to!) it is $4235 but for some reason if you fly outbound on full Flex on QF7 it won't allow you to fly back on QF8 - it insists on sending you home via LAX so it's MEL - SYD - DFW then returning DFW - LAX - MEL for a total of 230 SC's (all in B class - 20 + 90 + 30 + 90) which is $18.41 per SC - anyone starting to get the feeling that this "the more you pay the more SC's you earn" thing is a con job?

So can anyone think of another way to get from MEL to DFW for about $3200 max that has a better SC earn rate than $15.70 per SC? Doesn't have to be on QF metal necessarily, and can include overnight stops or whatever. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated!

 

[serfty]

Do you have any spare days on this trip to do a SC run?

 

[RSD]

Do you have any spare days on this trip to do a SC run?

I've got a full day to get from CLL to BWI on a Wednesday, I have to do the return trip on a Saturday afternoon but time is tight on that one. I could probably get there a couple of days early and do a run.

 

[RSD]

If I am going to do a run is it better to fly into DFW or LAX?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Piss take, but can you afford J?

 

[serfty]

Try LAX - fares to there may be more competitive than DFW.

Then AA on a first class fare to CLL.

 

[RSD]

Piss take, but can you afford J?

I could - but don't want to, as there are other things in life that I would rather spend the $7k difference in fares on!

 

[serfty]

Try LAX - fares to there may be more competitive than DFW.

Then AA on a first class fare to CLL.

When are you outbound?

You can get MEL-LAX for the last three weeks in July from $1885 return direct - earns 90 SC's (45+45) or connect through SYD for $1930 and earn 110 SC's round trip (10+45+45+10).

Then LAX-(First)-xDFW-(Economy)-CLL return on AA for USD960 to earn 200 SC's (90+10+10+90).

So that's between 290 SC's for $3035 and 310 SC's for $3080.

Add $600 if you are unfortunate enough to have to depart in the first week of July (1-6)

 

[RSD]

When are you outbound?

I need to arrive in CLL anytime on Saturday the 12th or before about 11am on the 13th.

You can get MEL-LAX for the last three weeks in July from $1885 return direct - earns 90 SC's (45+45) or connect through SYD for $1930 and earn 110 SC's round trip (10+45+45+10).

Then LAX-(First)-xDFW-(Economy)-CLL return on AA for USD960 to earn 200 SC's (90+10+10+90).

So that's between 290 SC's for $3035 and 310 SC's for $3080.

Add $600 if you are unfortunate enough to have to depart in the first week of July (1-6)

Hmm - that sounds like better value - thanks heaps Serfty as I'm clueless about this stuff! I can leave a few days earlier if need be to get some runs on the board as well. Will have to see what I can do to maximise the value from CLL to BWI on the 16th as well.