The Qantas Status Run Master Thread

[_TheTraveller_]

Does anyone know whether it's possible to do a B2B at VLI?

 

[Flyfrequently]

Does anyone know whether it's possible to do a B2B at VLI?

I don't expect so @_TheTraveller_

The turnaround is only an hour and from our recent experience in April/May this year, formalities are slow.
Boarding for VLI-BNE had us lined up not long after pax had disembarked.
A quick look at Qantas website and it appears it is not possible to book as a return.
Flight times are different in Nov and April, and looks like they have less flights than when we went earlier this year.

Be curious to know what you can find for your dates.

 

[RSD]

I believe IB still has a wide body on MAD-FRA (also a good earner) that could be paired with another short hop.

I think that IB is the go to for best $/SC earn in Europe - you might be able to do a FRA-MID-somewhere that earns the 160 SC's on November 29 or 30 and then use the somewhere-MAD-FRA on December 1st to kickstart your new year's earn.

 

[SYD]

I think that IB is the go to for best $/SC earn in Europe - you might be able to do a FRA-MID-somewhere that earns the 160 SC's on November 29 or 30 and then use the somewhere-MAD-FRA on December 1st to kickstart your new year's earn.

It’s the “hubbing” via MAD (distance from Central Europe) that ticks over that 60 SCs one way in J, but I was surprised when I checked that FRA-HEL was similarly same SC zone and I’d forgotten that HEL-LHR is also 60 SCs. In fact, FRA-HEL-MAD is 60+80 one way! (which is more than SYD-CGK/SIN/BKK/HKG etc in discount QF J one way). Compare the cost.

 

[RSD]

It’s the “hubbing” via MAD (distance from Central Europe) that ticks over that 60 SCs one way in J, but I was surprised when I checked that FRA-HEL was similarly same SC zone and I’d forgotten that HEL-LHR is also 60 SCs. In fact, FRA-HEL-MAD is 60+80 one way! (which is more than SYD-CGK/SIN/BKK/HKG etc in discount QF J one way). Compare the cost.

Sounds like there is a need to find the sweetspots for QFF status runs on IB metal. I couldn't find a route map on the IB website but this might help @kangarooflyer88 - Iberia routes 2025 – interactive map with all flights

 

[SYD]

Sounds like there is a need to find the sweetspots for QFF status runs on IB metal. I couldn't find a route map on the IB website but this might help @kangarooflyer88 - Iberia routes 2025 – interactive map with all flights

Possibly more useful (although doesn’t include the Canary Islands…).

https://grupo.iberia.com/about_us/destinations/europe

BTW, after I posted earlier I went looking for the IB WBs MAD-FRA and nothing was leaping out (well, not on the cheapest days), so not sure if they’re still operating?

Here’s something for AY.

Finnair route map - Europe

Finnair route map - Europe is presented on this page | AirlineRouteMaps.com – world’s largest online airline route map database with over 1200 maps from nearly 800 airlines in 200 countries

www.airlineroutemaps.com

 

[markis10]

Here’s something for AY.

I miss the AY BKK tag flights to SIN and HKG, they were a good run back in the day, albeit a long one

 

[RSD]

Possibly more useful (although doesn’t include the Canary Islands…).

https://grupo.iberia.com/about_us/destinations/europe

Cheers - that map shows a lot more IB destinations on it. I might have to overlay a map of Europe with some distance circles centred on MAD that match the SC distance spreads in the earning charts.

 

[aikman]

These Port Vila fares from MEL has to be the cheapest SCs I've seen on QF in a few years. Too bad after October you need to stay a minimum 2 nights.

 

[aaa99]

These Port Vila fares from MEL has to be the cheapest SCs I've seen on QF in a few years. Too bad after October you need to stay a minimum 2 nights.

nice spotting... about 400sc away from reaching P1 for the first time.
Decided to go for this.

 

[PERLHR]

I miss the AY BKK tag flights to SIN and HKG, they were a good run back in the day, albeit a long one

If I recall correctly, I did this as tag flights in the past (within last 3 years) on AY ticket but using CX metal while chasing BA tier points.

 

[aaa99]

nice spotting... about 400sc away from reaching P1 for the first time.
Decided to go for this.

Does anyone have an accommodation recommendation for a 1 night stay at Port Vila?

 

[Flyfrequently]

Does anyone have an accommodation recommendation for a 1 night stay at Port Vila?

Not a recommendation as such @aaa99 but Booking.com and Qantas Hotels have a few hotels near the airport sub $80 if cost is an issue (we stayed at Iririki)

 

[PERLHR]

Does anyone have an accommodation recommendation for a 1 night stay at Port Vila?

Holiday inn resort was quite good. However a bit out of town.

 

[paros_fan]

Have a friend who is 80 tier points short for status. Any cheap suggestions from Sydney? Or from Perth?
Needs to be done by end of this month.

 

[markis10]

Have they looked at what they can do if the 120scs on offer with the latest in ground promo?

 

[virgintiger]

Hey all,

I’m looking making a final push to QFF Platinum and currently weighing two Cathay Pacific options that look strong from a $/Status Credit perspective:

• PEK → HKG → TPE → NRT (return)
• MNL → HKG → TPE → NRT (return)

Both routes look like they give good status credit earnings on Cathay, and the fares I’m seeing give a decent $ per status-credit ratio. Before I commit to positioning to PEK or MNL I wanted to check if anyone has suggestions for better options departing directly from MEL or SYD that might be more efficient (less time/cost to position, similar SC yield or better $/SC)?

Happy to look at alternate destinations or departure points such as CGK etc.

A few notes for context:
• I’m trying to minimise total outlay (fare + positioning) per Status Credit.
• Happy to position but prefer to keep that positioning cheap and quick.
• If there are any routes with similar SC yield that leave from MEL or SYD (or simple connections via HKG/SIN/BKK) that you’ve used for status runs, I’d love to hear real-world fares and timings that worked.

Any experiences or alternative departure suggestions would be gratefully received.

Cheers!

 

[Mr_Tee]

Hey all,

I’m looking making a final push to QFF Platinum and currently weighing two Cathay Pacific options that look strong from a $/Status Credit perspective:

• PEK → HKG → TPE → NRT (return)
• MNL → HKG → TPE → NRT (return)

Both routes look like they give good status credit earnings on Cathay, and the fares I’m seeing give a decent $ per status-credit ratio. Before I commit to positioning to PEK or MNL I wanted to check if anyone has suggestions for better options departing directly from MEL or SYD that might be more efficient (less time/cost to position, similar SC yield or better $/SC)?

Happy to look at alternate destinations or departure points such as CGK etc.

A few notes for context:
• I’m trying to minimise total outlay (fare + positioning) per Status Credit.
• Happy to position but prefer to keep that positioning cheap and quick.
• If there are any routes with similar SC yield that leave from MEL or SYD (or simple connections via HKG/SIN/BKK) that you’ve used for status runs, I’d love to hear real-world fares and timings that worked.

Any experiences or alternative departure suggestions would be gratefully received.

Cheers!

How many SC's do you need?

 

[J-P]

Hey all,

I’m looking making a final push to QFF Platinum and currently weighing two Cathay Pacific options that look strong from a $/Status Credit perspective:

• PEK → HKG → TPE → NRT (return)
• MNL → HKG → TPE → NRT (return)

Both routes look like they give good status credit earnings on Cathay, and the fares I’m seeing give a decent $ per status-credit ratio. Before I commit to positioning to PEK or MNL I wanted to check if anyone has suggestions for better options departing directly from MEL or SYD that might be more efficient (less time/cost to position, similar SC yield or better $/SC)?

Happy to look at alternate destinations or departure points such as CGK etc.

A few notes for context:
• I’m trying to minimise total outlay (fare + positioning) per Status Credit.
• Happy to position but prefer to keep that positioning cheap and quick.
• If there are any routes with similar SC yield that leave from MEL or SYD (or simple connections via HKG/SIN/BKK) that you’ve used for status runs, I’d love to hear real-world fares and timings that worked.

Any experiences or alternative departure suggestions would be gratefully received.

Cheers!

What $/SC are they so we can compare?

 

[virgintiger]

How many SC's do you need?

Around the 350 mark based on other travel I've got coming up before the review date.

The PEK-NRT return via TPE ends up being 320 status credits for ~$1,300, so around $4/SC.