Status Run

[WTL]

I need 230 SCs by the end of February for Platinum. Is an LAN Sydney to Auckland J run still the best bet, offering 160 SCs for $1200? Would have to overnight there in that case, so add an airport hotel to that bill. In addition to planned travel over the next two months this would get me over the line.

 

[Dave Noble]

It is still one of the better options from Australia to get the SCs in a quick time but I would question whether it is worth $1200+ for Platinum status given that the benefits above Gold are not that huge unless you are regularly able to visit the new Flounges. It would seem not worth it to me

A couple of business class returns SYD-CBR would also do the trick with no need for an overnight stay . On a weekday can fly out at 07:20 and be back at 09:50 for example earning 80 SCs for $690

Dave

 

[serfty]

JQi SYD/MEL can earn 40SC for ~$340:

e.g.

• JQ35 ex SYD 15:15 Sat & Tue,
• JQ29 ex SYD 11:15 Tue,
• JQ30 ex MEL 11:40, Wed & Fri,
• JQ3 ex MEL 13:10 Mon

They are few and far between however - maybe the LA option is the more time / cost efficient.

Not that it helps here is that the overall most cost effective ways for SC's earning travel are currently Y/KUP type fares on AA domestic routes. However, you need to find yourself in the USA with a spare day to begin with. (e.g. SFO-ATL [one way] can earn 270 SC's [540 SC's for USD1200 return]).

 

[munitalP]

wow - is WP status carry that much KUDOS that someone would spend $1200 to have the luggage tags and the service a little different from GOLD or even plain old QP member?

If its the luggage tags you want, I'll even give you a couple if it will save you $1200 (you can pay p&P tho ) - I don't use them...

Good luck on your quest for the holy grail of frequent flying.... hmmm I would never fork out my own $$$ for WP status...:shock:

Mr!

 

[markis10]

Why not look at upgrading your planned travel, if its for work its tax deductable and does not take anymore time!

 

[Skyring]

wow - is WP status carry that much KUDOS that someone would spend $1200 to have the luggage tags and the service a little different from GOLD or even plain old QP member?

You get a pile of status bonus airmiles over a year. That's got to count for something.

 

[WTL]

wow - is WP status carry that much KUDOS that someone would spend $1200 to have the luggage tags and the service a little different from GOLD or even plain old QP member?

If its the luggage tags you want, I'll even give you a couple if it will save you $1200 (you can pay p&P tho ) - I don't use them...

Good luck on your quest for the holy grail of frequent flying.... hmmm I would never fork out my own $$$ for WP status...:shock:

Mr!

Don't know about kudos, but I think 8-10 F Lounge visits, a few F lounge transits, priority rebookings and seat allocation, and op up seniority over twelve months is probably worth the trouble. But each to their own, eh?

 

[WTL]

It is still one of the better options from Australia to get the SCs in a quick time but I would question whether it is worth $1200+ for Platinum status given that the benefits above Gold are not that huge unless you are regularly able to visit the new Flounges. It would seem not worth it to me

A couple of business class returns SYD-CBR would also do the trick with no need for an overnight stay . On a weekday can fly out at 07:20 and be back at 09:50 for example earning 80 SCs for $690

Dave

I think this is a good idea. I have one scheduled trip to Canberra anyway so I think I'll do this. Thanks.

Wade.

 

[munitalP]

Don't know about kudos, but I think 8-10 F Lounge visits, a few F lounge transits, priority rebookings and seat allocation, and op up seniority over twelve months is probably worth the trouble. But each to their own, eh?

sorry if you thought i was taking a shot at you - i wasn't, I just can't see the benefits of paying yourself into WP status...


Mr!

 

[WTL]

sorry if you thought i was taking a shot at you - i wasn't, I just can't see the benefits of paying yourself into WP status...


Mr!

No offence at all.

 

[Leumas]

Don't really want to turn this into the worth of being a W...P...

However, for whatever reasons I look for around $10/SC... It's actually getting easier to find than perhaps 12 months ago... If you've limited time, you may need to consider a higher cost per SC...

 

[Soundguy]

Consider booking a second (spare) seat to double your SC's; cheaper than a second flight. This can't be done on the internet though as far as I am aware.

 

[turtlemichael]

Don't really want to turn this into the worth of being a W...P...

However, for whatever reasons I look for around $10/SC... It's actually getting easier to find than perhaps 12 months ago... If you've limited time, you may need to consider a higher cost per SC...

If you have the time and the inclination (and reason to be in the US) they can be got for a lot cheaper than that. Despite the Aussie dollar heading towards Mawson Base, serfty's example in a post above costs a little over $3.00 per SC. This is good value.

I have a trip planned next year, if it happens, where they come in at around $2.75 at the present exchange rate. And I go to places I want to go albeit by circuitous routes ! There are no doubt even better opportunities with some hunting.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Not that it helps here is that the overall most cost effective ways for SC's earning travel are currently Y/KUP type fares on AA domestic routes. However, you need to find yourself in the USA with a spare day to begin with. (e.g. SFO-ATL [one way] can earn 270 SC's [540 SC's for USD1200 return]).

What routing is this? AA doesn't fly SFO-ATL direct, and in any case it wouldn't be worth 270 SCs. SEA-ATL (diagonally across the US) is only 2180 miles (120SCs in First). 270SCs requires 7001+ miles of travel, effectively 3 trans-cons. How can you do that in a day?

 

[Dave Noble]

What routing is this? AA doesn't fly SFO-ATL direct, and in any case it wouldn't be worth 270 SCs. SEA-ATL (diagonally across the US) is only 2180 miles (120SCs in First). 270SCs requires 7001+ miles of travel, effectively 3 trans-cons. How can you do that in a day?

SFO-lax-ord-dfw-atl 60+120+90+90 would give 360SCs for AUD792 plus tax if desperate. A sane routing such as SFO-DFW-ATL would give an easy 210 SCs.

Dave

 

[bambbbam2]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but looking at doing some SYD-CBR runs on the Australia Day long weekend, and very very few of the flights that day are offering J.

Is this normal? Or because they are sold out? Or is it because it's a public holiday?

 

[Dave Noble]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but looking at doing some SYD-CBR runs on the Australia Day long weekend, and very very few of the flights that day are offering J.

Is this normal? Or because they are sold out? Or is it because it's a public holiday?

Most of the flights that day are Qantaslink so have no business class; all the 737 SYD-CBR services have business class available

Dave

 

[serfty]

SFO-lax-ord-dfw-atl 60+120+90+90 would give 360SCs for AUD792 plus tax if desperate. A sane routing such as SFO-DFW-ATL would give an easy 210 SCs.

Dave

.. or a reasonably sane routing such as SFO-LAX-DFW-ATL for USD573 (~AUD848) inclusive and that 270 SC's.

 

[medhead]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but looking at doing some SYD-CBR runs on the Australia Day long weekend, and very very few of the flights that day are offering J.

Is this normal? Or because they are sold out? Or is it because it's a public holiday?

If it's absolute value you're looking for and time is less important. I'd recommend CBR-ADL via SYD return.
The connections don't work out for the Australia Day weekend, but you could get CBR -(SYD)-ADL-(MEL)-CBR for $271 earning 45 SC on red-e deals.
Otherwise looking at the weekend 7 Feb. you can get the return connections for $143 each way - $286 total earning 50 SC.

Slightly better value then the J SYD-CBR. But taking more time.

 

[Flashback]

Consider booking a second (spare) seat to double your SC's; cheaper than a second flight. This can't be done on the internet though as far as I am aware.

It's my understanding that you would earn points, but not SC on the fare.