85SCs by Feb 28th

[docjames]

Opinions sought to attain 85SCs by Feb 28th.

mrsdoc is 85SCs short of Gold and we have two long haul trips in following SC year.

What will be the cheapest/easiest way of attaining 85SCs by Feb 28th? Additional part of challenge, has to be something I can convince mrsdoc is a good idea (whilst a good flier, this may take some convincing for her to do alone) so simplicity / less time away will be important.

No other trips planned pre-28/2, we're ex-BNE (or OOL or MCY i guess could be options too). Weekends preferable as mrsdoc wont want to take days off work if possible.....


(Please dont turn this into a why/dont do it thread, that's been done to death, i'm after opinions as to whether this is viable and cost involved).


I'm guessing the easiest is LAN J SYD-AKL but would need connectors to BNE?? Last I looked FJ J to NAN ex-BNE was stupidly priced....

 

[markis10]

Opinions sought to attain 85SCs by Feb 28th.




I'm guessing the easiest is LAN J SYD-AKL but would need connectors to BNE?? Last I looked FJ J to NAN ex-BNE was stupidly priced....

FJ to NAN is $644 one way in J whether you go direct or via Syd. For instance on Sat 27th you can go via Melb then Syd to Nan for $644 on QF601, Qf420 the QF391 all in J, double F lounge opty if you can find a friendly WP :shock:, get the 815AM flight back in Y for FJD $230 Sunday morning, home by 10AM.

Given you are permitted a stopover in SYD, I wonder if you could make it a long (read couple of months stopover) and just grab a flight home to BNE and use the NAN portion when you have more time - the SC's from BNE-MEL-SYD in J and a Y flight to BNE would get you over the line without the need to worry about the return from NAN?

 

[MarcB]

Opinions sought to attain 85SCs by Feb 28th.

mrsdoc is 85SCs short of Gold and we have two long haul trips in following SC year.

What will be the cheapest/easiest way of attaining 85SCs by Feb 28th? Additional part of challenge, has to be something I can convince mrsdoc is a good idea (whilst a good flier, this may take some convincing for her to do alone) so simplicity / less time away will be important.

No other trips planned pre-28/2, we're ex-BNE (or OOL or MCY i guess could be options too). Weekends preferable as mrsdoc wont want to take days off work if possible.....


(Please dont turn this into a why/dont do it thread, that's been done to death, i'm after opinions as to whether this is viable and cost involved).


I'm guessing the easiest is LAN J SYD-AKL but would need connectors to BNE?? Last I looked FJ J to NAN ex-BNE was stupidly priced....

Have a look on the QF site for BNE-NAN, but go via SYD or MEL. I can see business class for $644 one way for most of Feb and you can fly back in economy for under $300 - or even use some points to come back direct at no cost.

EDIT: oops...looks like my post crossed over with markis10...

 

[docjames]

Thanks for the suggestions - I will investigate...

 

[Bundy Bear]

Option 1. Auckland NZ overnight Auckland.
QF501 Dep 5:00am arrive 7:35am Y 10 SC $158 AUD
LA801 Dep 9:55am arrive 3:10pm J 80 SC $330
QF126 Dep 3:55pm arrive 4:35pm Y 20 SC $334.00 NZD

Option 2. Nadi Fiji. overnight Nadi
QF 513 Dep 8:15am arrive 10:50am J 40SC $644.00 approx
QF 391 Dep 12:50pm arrive 8:45pm J 80SC
QF 398 Dep 8:00am arrive 9:15am Y 20SC $250 Approx
or
QF392 Dep 9:00am arrive 11:25am Y 20SC
QF528 Dep 13:05pm arrive 13:35pm Y 10SC

 

[markis10]

Option 1. Auckland NZ overnight Auckland.
QF501 Dep 5:00am arrive 7:35am Y 10 SC $158 AUD
LA801 Dep 9:55am arrive 3:10pm J 80 SC $330
QF126 Dep 3:55pm arrive 4:35pm Y 20 SC $334.00 NZD

Option 2. Nadi Fiji. overnight Nadi
QF 513 Dep 8:15am arrive 10:50am J 40SC $644.00 approx
QF 391 Dep 12:50pm arrive 8:45pm J 80SC
QF 398 Dep 8:00am arrive 9:15am Y 20SC $250 Approx
or
QF392 Dep 9:00am arrive 11:25am Y 20SC
QF528 Dep 13:05pm arrive 13:35pm Y 10SC

or Option 3 Nadi but never make it

QF601 to Mel 60SC $644
QF420 to SYD 40SC
Then miss/cancel SYD-NAN flight and get a cheapie home, as the costings dont include accom !

 

[Bundy Bear]

or Option 3 Nadi but never make it

QF601 to Mel 60SC $644
QF420 to SYD 40SC
Then miss/cancel SYD-NAN flight and get a cheapie home, as the costings dont include accom !

Then if your SCs and points don't credit then what. :shock:

My sister/brother/mum/father was sick and had to go home urgently. :idea:

No cheapie to get home on.

 

[serfty]

~$1000

BNE-SYD red e-deal 10 SC's
SYD-CBR Business 40 SC's
CBR-SYD Business 40 SC's
SYD-CBR red e-deal 10 SC's

~$930

BNE-MEL/SYD-ADL red e-deal 25 SC's
ADL-SYD red e-deal 15 SC's
SYD-CBR Business 40 SC's
CBR-BNE red e-deal 10 SC's

~$910
BNE-MEL/SYD-ADL red e-deal 25 SC's
ADL-MEL-CBR red e-deal 20 SC's
SYD-CBR Business 40 SC's
CBR-BNE red e-deal 10 SC's

 

[markis10]

Then if your SCs and points don't credit then what. :shock:

My sister/brother/mum/father was sick and had to go home urgently. :idea:

No cheapie to get home on.

Your SCs and points will credit as you have flown those legs, as mine did last week when I could not make it to Port Headland :shock: or use the stopover and take the trip to Nandi when you have more time.

 

[newformula]

How do you book the BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN in J run with a stopover? Through the Qantas.com multi stop booking tool? I couldn't get this to price with a couple of example dates, giving an error on final calculation "We could not find fare for the requested itinerary (5685 UI)". I guess otherwise you could do it over the phone or through a TA, but any tips on getting to book that online would useful.

 

[newformula]

What about...

Get yourself to OOL - OOL-SYD JQ - Starclass, 40 SC's $359 (certain flights/days only)
SYD-MEL JQ - Starclass 40 SC's $329 (JQ 9, 29, 35; JQ 3, 30, 36 only on certain days)
MEL-BNE - Red edeal - 10 SC's $119
= $807, 90SC's

Would involve some jiggery pokery with days/dates to get the right JQ flights/fares, plus the trip to OOL so may not be worth it.

 

[markis10]

How do you book the BNE-MEL-SYD-NAN in J run with a stopover? Through the Qantas.com multi stop booking tool? I couldn't get this to price with a couple of example dates, giving an error on final calculation "We could not find fare for the requested itinerary (5685 UI)". I guess otherwise you could do it over the phone or through a TA, but any tips on getting to book that online would useful.

You have to book online then make a phone call to change it to reflect the stopover, there is no fee for a change on a J fare however there will be taxes associated if the stopover is greater than 24 hours:

Fare Guide: Australia to Fiji
Fees for Consultant Assisted Bookings
The following fees apply to bookings and (where permitted) changes made through Qantas Telephone Sales, Qantas Travel Centres and Qantas airport locations. These fees do not apply to bookings and changes made online at qantas.com.
The fees for consultant assisted bookings apply in addition to any amounts payable under the applicable fare rules, which are summarised in the Fare Guide below.

Fees for making bookings: For bookings made through Qantas Telephone Sales, Airports and Qantas Travel outlets, a fee of A$60 per person applies.

Fees for making changes to bookings: For changes made to Economy bookings (where permitted under the applicable fare rules) through Qantas Telephone Sales, Airports or Qantas Travel outlets, a fee of A$80 per person applies.

 

[Bang4Buck]

mrsdoc is 85SCs short of Gold and we have two long haul trips in following SC year.

(Please dont turn this into a why/dont do it thread, that's been done to death, i'm after opinions as to whether this is viable and cost involved).

An additional idea, if appropriate. If you're flying QF/ BA for your long hauls and if you or spouse are medical doctors, then it maybe worthwhile to use the AMA rates for QC membership allowing lounge access, extra baggage allowance, business class check-in etc at appropriate ports. Total cost of maybe $200 joining fee and about $200/ year (depending on subscription length).

I have no idea whether you're a doctor or not; it's just an idea if you are.

 

[newformula]

Sorry to harp on about the stopover thing on the BNE-NAN run. What's the stopover maximum length in SYD?

As an aside, I note from the t's and c's on the booking page that the stopover is only allowed as follows:
"1 stopover permitted in each direction at your international point of departure (additional charges and taxes may be payable)." So stopover is only possible in SYD, not MEL.

 

[markis10]

Sorry to harp on about the stopover thing on the BNE-NAN run. What's the stopover maximum length in SYD?

As an aside, I note from the t's and c's on the booking page that the stopover is only allowed as follows:
"1 stopover permitted in each direction at your international point of departure (additional charges and taxes may be payable)." So stopover is only possible in SYD, not MEL.

I would imagine a stopover can be as long as you want provided your ticket remains valid for the onward journey!

 

[samh004]

Given you are permitted a stopover in SYD, I wonder if you could make it a long (read couple of months stopover) and just grab a flight home to BNE and use the NAN portion when you have more time - the SC's from BNE-MEL-SYD in J and a Y flight to BNE would get you over the line without the need to worry about the return from NAN?

Saving a portion for after reassessment could also be a useful boost for the next membership year to retain SG.

 

[docjames]

An additional idea, if appropriate. If you're flying QF/ BA for your long hauls and if you or spouse are medical doctors, then it maybe worthwhile to use the AMA rates for QC membership allowing lounge access, extra baggage allowance, business class check-in etc at appropriate ports. Total cost of maybe $200 joining fee and about $200/ year (depending on subscription length).

I have no idea whether you're a doctor or not; it's just an idea if you are.

(Yes i'm a doc). AMA rates at ~$250 join, plus ~$220/year (was $200 but recently increased).

mrsdoc is already QP thru her work (non medical but roughly same rate for QP - higher join but lower annual) but was wanting SG.

I think i'll tell her it looks like a ~$1000 exercise (factoring in flights +/- accom) and I think she'll decide "no".

THanks all.