Is it worth a minimum sectors run to get QF Silver prior to a 'big' QF J trip?

Status
Not open for further replies.

pythonisman

Active Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Posts
593
Next year I'll be doing a fair bit of travel on QF & partners, and I haven't done anything serious for quite a while. Currently on 0SCs and Bronze.

I'm flying QF J SYD-SIN, then MH J SIN KUL NRT and return in Feb (with potentially JL domestic hops in Japan). This is between 30/Jan - 23/Feb.

Using the QFF points calculators, this looks to be 480SCs and about 25k points, but given I have no other QF sectors this membership year, I won't get Silver until I fly 2 more times.

In early (~7th) March I'll be flying most likely with QF J to the east coast of the USA and return for work (QF is work's preference). Given the distance flown on QF metal (I'm contemplating bouncing via MEL/BNE and LAX to maximise points/SC earn as the fares cost about the same) is it worth a short weekend away to get the additional 2 sectors on QF metal, to get Silver before the USA trip? This would then (I assume) earn me +50% points bonus, which could be fairly significant?
(Assuming MH D/Z class fares redeem in time for my status to change before I leave, which from reading around may be a bit of a gamble either way?)

I'm also doing a side trip from SIN in Asia in Feb, but haven't yet worked out who to fly with. Do 3K "plus pack" flights exist / count towards the minimum QF sectors like JQ do?

My understanding is after all of this I'll make Gold and be sitting on a bit over 1,000SCs. As a current VA Plat I'm contemplating whether it's worth trying to divert my earnings elsewhere, but this might be a "grass is always greener" question. Either or Gold will make me happy I think!

Appreciate any thoughts or feedback. Also if there were any good AA mileage runs out of MIA that could take me somewhere exciting for a weekend in the USA that'd be great too- I'll have one weekend to work out what to do there (and who wouldn't wanna push for WP eh?) :D

Edit:
Looks like the difference between Silver and Bronze for the USA trip would be around 11,000-12,000 QF Points, so not sure if that's worthwhile or not. But a weekend away visiting mates is always as good an excuse as any right...?

Also if I fly on a QF ticket through from Australia to Miami on a QF flight number (but operated by AA), I assume the earn there is as on AA, not on QF right?
 
Last edited:
What you could do is a quick same day return SYD/OOL/SYD (lunch at Broadbeach?) on JQ who currently have sale fares of $45.00 each way and add a plus bundle given you the all important 2 squiggle flights you need for Silver & 10SC each way.

That way once you earn another 280SC from your upcoming trip in Feb to SIN/KUL/NRT you will tick over to silver in time for your USA trip in March.
 
What you could do is a quick same day return SYD/OOL/SYD (lunch at Broadbeach?) on JQ who currently have sale fares of $45.00 each way and add a plus bundle given you the all important 2 squiggle flights you need for Silver & 10SC each way.

That way once you earn another 280SC from your upcoming trip in Feb to SIN/KUL/NRT you will tick over to silver in time for your USA trip in March.

Yep either a same day or a few days away (I have family near OOL and a bunch of mates in BNE). Unfortunately current JQ sale for OOL doesn't start until Feb I think? I'm ok with spending an extra hundred $ or so on not having to fly Jetstar as well (I'm really not a big fan...)
 
Hi pythonisman,

Welcome to the QF side of the fence.

I honestly can't think of any reason to do a status run to boost status in order to boost points.

I can understand you stretching to achieve QFWP if you're also planning international travel next membership year.

Do you have a particular use for those additional points?

Regards,

BD
 
Never have flown JQ domestically, but the plus packs from 3K have all posted as advertised. There are a couple of very inexpensive destinations exSIN (Medan comes to mind though a visa might cost a few $) especially if you can combine with a 3K sale for the February period. Try to avoid the Chinese New Year weeks though.

If you can combine with an enjoyable day away while in SIN, or you have a use for the additional PS luggage allowance, it might be worth it.

Happy wandering

Fred
 
Hi pythonisman,

Welcome to the QF side of the fence.

I honestly can't think of any reason to do a status run to boost status in order to boost points.

I can understand you stretching to achieve QFWP if you're also planning international travel next membership year.

Do you have a particular use for those additional points?

Regards,

BD

I guess it's a case of horses for courses. In the case of the OP, for the March trip he'll be in J so will get J lounge access plus be able to pre-allocate seats at the time of booking anyway.

If someone was travelling in whY to the US in March, by reaching PS prior to this date it would mean that they get a QP guess pass they could use for lounge access plus no charge for standard seat selection plus they'd be entitled to a third piece of luggage & be able to use the checkin queue for SG/PS/QP which may save a bit of time.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Welcome to the QF side of the fence.

Thanks!

Do you have a particular use for those additional points?

Nah not at all, it was mainly just a thought as to whether or not it'd be worth it.

I can understand you stretching to achieve QFWP if you're also planning international travel next membership year.

Realistically that's probably more where my head's at, and probably a much better use of effort. My current membership year ends in June I think- If I achieve a new status tier (e.g. Silver in Feb and then Gold in March) does my membership year end date change? I was QF Silver at some point about 4 years ago but I completely forget how it all worked then...

I'm only 30SCs (with April as an end date) away from retaining WP with VA this membership year, so I figured I'd do a bit of an apples for apples comparison over the first few months on QF and see how I felt about it. I believe QFF is a great program and realistically never thought I'd come within spitting distance of QF Gold, let alone Platinum, so that's something I'm definitely interested in achieving, especially if I can wrangle some travel out of work going forward!

If I maximise things, and do GK Plus bundle flights intra-Japan, and 3K Plus bundle flights from SIN to Asia in Feb next year, I think I'd be sitting on something like 1130 SCs which is getting pretty close (though another 270 SCs is nothing to sneeze at, unless there are great runs in the USA I could exploit. I'll be in Miami for a weekend in March and will need to fly LAX-LAS-SFO-LAX in late April (flying VA to/from LAX)

/me strokes chin pondering a wide variety of first world problems...
 
My current membership year ends in June I think- If I achieve a new status tier (e.g. Silver in Feb and then Gold in March) does my membership year end date change?

No, your membership year doesn't change :-(
 
While the A/P first class fares are not quite the good deal they were prior to 30 Jun as flights of 750-1500 miles earn 90SC. Consider the idea that you will need to fly the route anyway and perhaps the cost difference (when considering the SC difference) becomes "more interesting".

MIA-ORD-LAX includes one segment over 1500 - so worth 210 SC. And a round trip MIA-LAS in first is 240 SC. So some possibilities for you.

And the status you earn prior to June 2015 carries on to June 2016.

Happy wandering

Fred
 
If you've any chance of QFWP prior to June, I'd go for that. The bonus with QF is -as others have said - if you can hit it well before June, then that is a "bonus" period which you don't get with VA.

Problem then us that you gave higher requal thresholds but the Domestic J Lounges pee all over the VA Lounges.

QF has a wider true partnership - despite that fact they're doing their best to diss that. VA - from what I've read - are easier to redeem those points on, with far less taxes. Cash on QF doesn't appear to stretch as far.

Me? I'd look for WP on both and compare. I wondered over to VA earlier this year (achieved SG) but really didn't like what I saw.

The beauty of life is we're all different.

Regards,

BD
 
If I were you, I would do SRs/MRs, just to get the extra 2 QF flights.
Then you can use the 1 complimentary entry to enter the QFi lounge at SYDi. If it comes after you get back from Japan/Kuala Lumpur/Singapore and before you get over to the US.
I am telling you, entry to the QFi at SYDi makes it all an ahh moment, if you have not entered the/a J lounge before.
Edit: ah, SYD to SIN in J, hmm, why not get another entry to the QPi for the US trip.
You could do a short SR/MR run now, as you can start "early".
Just to get the 2 extra QF flight counts started.
 
Last edited:
If you were flying economy to the states I'd go for silver. For nothing else, you'd get seat selection, and skip the check-in queues.

But none of that really matters since you are flying business class anyway.

The other option is to go for platinum. You could look at upgrading your Japan domestic flights (AUD10 surcharge for 'Class J' and AUD80 surcharge for domestic First class where available). you could also do a fairly cheap mileage run in the states. But of course you still need your four qantas flights.

Platinum would last for the rest of your current membership year, plus the year after, and then you 'soft land' for another year of gold.

So platinum, if it's not too much more expensive, would be worthwhile.
 
You could look at upgrading your Japan domestic flights (AUD10 surcharge for 'Class J' and AUD80 surcharge for domestic First class where available). you could also do a fairly cheap mileage run in the states. But of course you still need your four qantas flights.

I think I'm resolved to not worry too much about getting Silver before the trip, but I'm keen for a run on Platinum if possible.

The Japanese domestic flights thing confuses the hell out of me, I'm keen on the Class J option with JAL if it's available, but when I proceeded through JL's booking system it seemed confusing (you reserve flights before you pay for them, or something?)
Any tips? Or a good TA who'd be able to help out?
 
when I proceeded through JL's booking system it seemed confusing

Maybe I'd had a few too many drinks when I was looking last time. I went through it this time and it seemed fairly straightforward, I think anyway...
Does JL "Class J" = "Business" earn on QFF?
 
Maybe I'd had a few too many drinks when I was looking last time. I went through it this time and it seemed fairly straightforward, I think anyway...
Does JL "Class J" = "Business" earn on QFF?

Class 'J' is kind of like a premium economy seat. But you only get standard economy service. The partner earn table is somewhat confusing, someone with experience may be able to assist but from what I can make out it should count a a J class fare, with accompanying status credits. F would be even better, and the surcharge is tiny.
 
With JAL, domestic, is there still the option of upgrading to F on the cheap? if arrive on a oneworld carrier? maybe google that to see if that has changed.
 
Thanks! this might be useful for OP to plan.

already outlined in post #12 :) but only available on limited routes. but certainly worth the extra, just for the seat and service by all accounts. looks like a lot of fun!
 
You could look at upgrading your Japan domestic flights (AUD10 surcharge for 'Class J' and AUD80 surcharge for domestic First class where available). you could also do a fairly cheap mileage run in the states.

I'm looking to do this for my upcoming trip to Japan next year - how do you upgrade the domestic flight ahead of time? Or would you request an upgrade upon checkin subject to availability?

Incidentally, does anyone have any experience with either the Super Sakitoku or Oneworld Yokoso fares?
https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/waribiki/super_sakitoku.html
https://www.jal.co.jp/yokosojapan/
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top