Retain Silver status prior to end of June! (Fly to London mid April)

[pottsy]

I am seeking to retain my QFF silver status (which is due end of June.) I have been unable to fly since last August due to an operation and prefer not to until mid April, when I plan to spend time in England, popping over to Europe for short breaks (returning to Melbourne in September)!
To retain silver I need 4 eligible flights and 250 status credits. (I have approx 800,000 points).
Just wondering if anyone has any ideas re: the best flight to UK (route options, travel class etc etc) which would allow me to accumulate sufficient flights and credits in this one leg?? Don't necessarily need to use points (but happy to use points and pay, asa, whatever).
I realise I could just pay for a business class flight, (of course up the pointy end is always preferable), however approx $7500 one way is too much to pay just to retain 'silver' methinks. (I usually use my points to upgrade, if lucky.)

I'd be very grateful for assistance, suggestions and happy to pay for your expert insight!
(Please let me know if you need any more information.)

HELP PLEASE!
regards,
Jane

 

[Danger]

I would start by considering Qatar flights ex-Jakarta to Europe, positioning with your QF points. Looking for an April departure and a September return there are J flights for less than AUD2900. One way to LHR earns 160 status credits. By the time you've done your four eligible sectors in Australia for 10 SCs each way, you're at 200 SCs overall. But you could probably get another 20 (or even 40) without much of an issue, perhaps by looking at something like MEL-xSYD-HBA or MEL-xSYD-CBR return.

You didn't say where in Europe but if you can get to FRA or MAD, LA has stupidly low J return flights between the two cities for AUD279 and 120 SCs. In fact, if you're in Europe for several weeks, I'd be looking to do two or three of those and pop yourself up to Gold.

 

[pottsy]

I would start by considering Qatar flights ex-Jakarta to Europe, positioning with your QF points. Looking for an April departure and a September return there are J flights for less than AUD2900. One way to LHR earns 160 status credits. By the time you've done your four eligible sectors in Australia for 10 SCs each way, you're at 200 SCs overall. But you could probably get another 20 (or even 40) without much of an issue, perhaps by looking at something like MEL-xSYD-HBA or MEL-xSYD-CBR return.

You didn't say where in Europe but if you can get to FRA or MAD, LA has stupidly low J return flights between the two cities for AUD279 and 120 SCs. In fact, if you're in Europe for several weeks, I'd be looking to do two or three of those and pop yourself up to Gold.

I would start by considering Qatar flights ex-Jakarta to Europe, positioning with your QF points. Looking for an April departure and a September return there are J flights for less than AUD2900. One way to LHR earns 160 status credits. By the time you've done your four eligible sectors in Australia for 10 SCs each way, you're at 200 SCs overall. But you could probably get another 20 (or even 40) without much of an issue, perhaps by looking at something like MEL-xSYD-HBA or MEL-xSYD-CBR return.

You didn't say where in Europe but if you can get to FRA or MAD, LA has stupidly low J return flights between the two cities for AUD279 and 120 SCs. In fact, if you're in Europe for several weeks, I'd be looking to do two or three of those and pop yourself up to Gold.

 

[pottsy]

Thankyou for your insight,will definitely look at that option, much appreciated!
Just out of interest, do you have any idea why Qatar business class flights are so cheap from Jakarta??

 

[Danger]

Thankyou for your insight,will definitely look at that option, much appreciated!
Just out of interest, do you have any idea why Qatar business class flights are so cheap from Jakarta??

Qatar regularly has very cheap premium fares from a number of its destinations. Stockholm has popped up quite a bit; Addis Ababa is on sale this week. Qatar is just damn good at offering some great premium discounts. Jakarta seems to be in the mix fairly regularly but no idea why in particular.

 

[Guvner]

Today I booked a $2876 return J CGK>LHR (on QR 955, QR 327, QR 330, QR 958) leave early July back early Sept for my son.
Using 48k QFF points for positioning.

Not bad for peak/shoulder AU to Europe.

 

[bsb]

Finnair also has some great ones pop up from BKK, usually around AUD220-2600 and AY is awesome.

I did an ex CGK sub AUD $1800 QR J flight to Switzerland in November but I haven’t seen that pop up for a while. In the past I’ve used points to get to Asia to pick these up, but now I just buy AUD 1800 GA flights ex MEL to CGK. It does mean I waste and extra day getting there, but I put this to good use doing stuff for my business, away from distractions I’m very productive.

You can also get to DPS CGK BKK MNL (and to a lesser extent) KUL and hop around Asia in J on MH for next to nothing. I saw some ridiculous J fares to Cochin sub AUD 400 out of KUL. I’ve done BKK (via KUL) to NRT for sub AUD1000 and the best I’ve ever nabbed was J BKK PEK (via KUL) for AUD $485 2 years ago. Of course these have to all work with your travel plans and your desire to hang around airports (which I like).

I’d have to question why you’d spend good money to retain QF Silver status - I don’t really see the point it silver myself but I guess it’s subjective. Doing some of the above intro Asia flights on MH has got me to Platinum several years running and I would have made P1 if all my flying was on QF. You can get yourself to Gold in one hit very easily.

 

[andye]

I wouldn't spend many dollars or fly a convoluted route to get QF Silver.
However those same CGK-DOH-EU flights would get you to 560 tier points with BA Exec Club.
With 4 additional BA flights while you were there you could have BA Silver which is almost equivalent to QF Gold*.

*Differences:
a) would not contribute to lifetime QFstatus
b) no priority for QF awards/upgrades (these largely only kick in at Plat however),
c)they won't let you add children to your QF lounge guest allowance
d) you'd be earning (more valuable) Avios on those flights rather than QF points

 

[pottsy]

Thanks so much everyone for taking the time, so informative and kind of you to share your knowledge. I would 'never' have thought of positioning to Jakarta, BKK etc and picking up such great J fares. Also, think you are right re: hassle to keep silver, it's just that I like picking an aisle seat and the hope of an upgrade (in economy)? 'However', if I'm in J, who cares!
Interestingly I have a friends who own a travel agency and they have 'never' suggested anything similar................................

 

[pottsy]

Today I booked a $2876 return J CGK>LHR (on QR 955, QR 327, QR 330, QR 958) leave early July back early Sept for my son.
Using 48k QFF points for positioning.

Not bad for peak/shoulder AU to Europe.

Just wondering re: positioning for 48000 points please?
When I use the calculator it is 60,000??

 

[Guvner]

Just wondering re: positioning for 48000 points please?
When I use the calculator it is 60,000??

QF 41 departing Sydney. Just checking again it was actually 50k not 48k. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Pushka]

Thanks so much everyone for taking the time, so informative and kind of you to share your knowledge. I would 'never' have thought of positioning to Jakarta, BKK etc and picking up such great J fares. Also, think you are right re: hassle to keep silver, it's just that I like picking an aisle seat and the hope of an upgrade (in economy)? 'However', if I'm in J, who cares!
Interestingly I have a friends who own a travel agency and they have 'never' suggested anything similar................................

I guess TAs have to know everything. We tend to focus on Flights here. And so many clever people who know how to use the system to their advantage.

 

[Danger]

This Qatar special popped up on FlyerTalk a few hours ago which may be of interest: BKK - Europe RT USD ~1650 on AY - summer travel except weekends - FlyerTalk Forums