Best way to earn 400 SCs and requalify

[Homer]

For various reasons my upcoming DONE4 next month has been cancelled and I will now be about 400 SCs short of requalifying as a WP by the anniversary on 30 Nov.

There's a chance QF may comp me, but I am doubtful as this is my first year as a WP so I have no WP track record. And while SG isn't bad at all, we have a big DONE5 planned early next year so the higher status will mean better lounge access and upgrade chances.

I am thinking of biting the bullet and taking Marge and Maggie on a two-week vacation using a DAS13. The cost of the flights will be around $15K plus taxes and then there is the accommodation, transfers, etc, etc.

I know that everyone's circumstances are different so it's hard to answer for me specifically, but is there an easier (read: "cheaper") way to get 400 SCs? Obviously I could just go by myself - that would be cheaper - but I know that will be hard to swing past the girls...

 

[simongr]

For $15K couldnt you upgrade the DONE5s to AONE5s and get better lounge access anyway?

 

[Homer]

For $15K couldnt you upgrade the DONE5s to AONE5s and get better lounge access anyway?

Yes, very good point. However WP status obviously provides me with additional benefits over and above next year's DONE5. But if all else fails then that would be an option.

 

[simongr]

I agree - but an AONE5 should get you to WP I would think? Obviously not knowing your routing but even a simple:

syd-hkg-lhr-jfk-scl-syd

Would earn 1050 SCs and that would be as basic as an AONE5 could be I think.

Obviously it's your money and if you think the benefits are worth 15K that is your decision - just trying to think about some better ways.

And a DAS13 ex-Oz is not $5K/per person - closer to $5900 (base price is 5,599+++) - which make it 18K...

 

[Homer]

I agree - but an AONE5 should get you to WP I would think?
:
And a DAS13 ex-Oz is not $5K/per person - closer to $5900 (base price is 5,599+++) - which make it 18K...

Yes an AONE5 would get me back to WP. So if QF don't comp me I would lose WP status for 3-4 months before regaining it after my AONE5.

I know the price of a DAS13, but Maggie's ticket is at 75% of the full fare so the total is a few hundred bucks over $15K, plus taxes.

 

[serfty]

Get to SFO on QF @$2k per adult PAX return ($5570 2+½), 90 SC's each - put you and Marge in 58B/C (exit), Maggie in 58D.

Fly a YUP, say to MKE (Milwaukee) via DFW and ORD for USD950 and 460 SC's or ATL return for USD1K per adult PAX - 540+SC's.

 

[medhead]

Yes an AONE5 would get me back to WP. So if QF don't comp me I would lose WP status for 3-4 months before regaining it after my AONE5.

This situation might provide a good reason for qantas to comp you WP. They might decide to not waste time dropping someone down who will requalify in a few months.

 

[Platy]

One option is to consider a SYD-CNS return on JQ Jetflex to position yourself onto a QF based CNS-(SYD)-AKL return on D class tickets (about $1,100 each way if you can get them). This will get you your 400 SCs for about $3,000, but two night's minimum accommodation may also need to be factored in.

 

[Homer]

One option is to consider a SYD-CNS return on JQ Jetflex to position yourself onto a QF based CNS-(SYD)-AKL return on D class tickets (about $1,100 each way if you can get them). This will get you your 400 SCs for about $3,000, but two night's minimum accommodation may also need to be factored in.

Thanks, that seems like a very good option. However based on some of the other responses I am now considering taking my chances with being "comped" and, worst case, losing WP status for 3-4 months before requalifying early next year.

 

[simongr]

I think that is a sensible move - mind you , if you have the cash - doing an AONE5 would be v. nice

 

[QF WP]

Homer, I think an Australiasian Tour to all your offices is needed in J...you know, end of quarter management to keep your staff on their toes...and a couple of trips over to your office in AKL (LA J) will help towards keeping the prices down and the SC's up.

 

[Homer]

Homer, I think an Australiasian Tour to all your offices is needed in J...you know, end of quarter management to keep your staff on their toes...and a couple of trips over to your office in AKL (LA J) will help towards keeping the prices down and the SC's up.

Thanks Lindsay however our new CEO is cracking down on travel (unless it's his own...) so the era of the junket is over and I need to pay for this myself in after-tax dollars.

Since you mention LA J to AKL - and I know you have taken this flight a few times - can you tell me what their J product is like? We need to go to LIM next year for a wedding and I have been tossing up between taking LA via AKL or QF/AA via LAX (the latter seeming like the better option, even though it is several hours longer).

 

[QF WP]

That's why you need to put in place a company Travel Policy, if you haven't already (or have some serious imput into it). Remember, you set the policy, the CEO implements it. I hope you haven't been flying him in J...for a SME CEO, K is enough. Can understand that your revenues may be impacted at present with the market downturn, so that has to mean proportionate reduction in expenditure.

We were happy with the LA J trip we took (SYD/AKL), but we weren't crazy enough to take the return (no matter what the price, a 6am departure is a little too early for us - we came back QFLink J). Comparing the two (language barrier aside), we were equally happy with LA and considering the price ($513 all up SYD/AKL - knowing that the return was only $274), we'll definitely fly again (got another trip planned later this year - again, over on LA in J, but back on QF in steerage).

You may also want to check their F price to LIM, I'd think it would be very competitive - even with after tax $. Trust Marge and Maggie are well .

 

[Homer]

We have a BFOD travel policy which sees the CEO on DJ most of the time. You know my business partner...that's the best we're going to get. There's no issue with revenues - in fact they are increasing - it's just that costs, particularly salaries and occupancy costs, are running away and so returns are not where we want them.

We'll be doing either a DONE5 or an AONE5 so it doesn't get down to the price of individual sectors. I have to decide whether QF metal SYD-LAX and then AA metal LAX-LIM is better than LA all the way and worth the extra couple of hours. I kind of think it is.

 

[QF WP]

So that's BFOD for everybody - ouch, hope you've enjoyed your DJ flights (unable to use your QF Plat status now you've just earned it :shock...

Ah yes, the bugbear of expenses. Our situation very much like yours, but my flights aren't paid by work and aren't BFOD - our "policy" is QF. In that, I feel fortunate...

Does that extra couple of hours include the time in through LAX C&I and the transfer of terminals and the 3 to 4 hour "padding" needed between flights...I'd have thought that connecting in SCL to LIM would have been better (even with the stopover in AKL). Still, two stops versus one can be a downside...although C&I in SCL I'd take over LAX anyday.

 

[Homer]

Just BFOD for those that actually do the work . I've never flown DJ and in fact I haven't even been in Y for about 7 years, except where there is an all-Y configuration (eg JQ, AE).

The QF/AA option includes 3 hours on the ground at LAX between flights. The LA option connects via SCL, after stopping in AKL, and is just over 2 hours shorter but with an extra stopover as you have noted. I think I'm still going to head out on QF/AA as it's a known quantity for me.

 

[QF WP]

He who pays the tickets makes the decisions. Can't fault the reasons...and it will certainly mazimise the mileage in the AONE5.

I hope you enjoy the trip...whilst I haven't been to LIM, I have been to Brazil (flew as part of my award RTW in J, LHR/GRU on BA then GRU/CNF) and then flew AA J CNF/MIA. Just lucky you aren't travelling on an Irish Passport (that's a story for another day)...

 

[Homer]

I feel compelled to point out that the AONE5 could be a DONE5. There's about a $12K difference for the three of us and as this isn't necessarily "the trip of a lifetime" or a major anniversary, etc, I might just decide to pocket the difference. Also as Marge wants to walk the Inca Trail (Cusco to Machu Picchu) I think that the luxury of F will be forgotten, and thus wasted, very soon after we land...

 

[QF WP]

Sound reasoning for the drop to DONE5 (not only the reduction in cost). Yes, one would think that comforts of a QF skybed for 14 hours and AA First will be but distant memories once Marge is on the walk. Is Maggie going to do the walk as well, or are you both meeting Marge at Machu Picchu??

 

[Homer]

Is Maggie going to do the walk as well, or are you both meeting Marge at Machu Picchu??

We want to take Maggie on the walk, but so far we haven't been able to get a sense of whether this will be possible. You are only allowed to carry 20kg on your back and I was hoping to carry a fair bit less than this...but Marge is thinking that we will put Maggie in one of those backpack/carrier contraptions and turn me into a mule for 4 days...