Attention Status Credit Run Experts! Velocity Points SC Run

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neon_crossing

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Nov 21, 2007
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Hello to all the SC junkies out there,

I am in need of some advice.

I need to make a trip to Chicago (from Adelaide) in late September this year for two days and I am hoping to push aside my favoured 'direct route' (ADL-SYD-LAX-ORD) to earn some status credits and partake in my very first 'status run' because next year I am going to be finally cashing in some velocity points for award flights and going for a leisure holiday in the USA next year and I would love to up my Base level Velocity membership so that next year when I am flying alot i'll have Silver/Gold privileges.

My question to you smart cookies out there is:

What is the best way to generate maximum velocity status credits getting from ADL to ORD and on what airline? (economy/coach class)

I have done a little research and I have found that etihad seems like a good airline to aim for due to the fact that even their base discount economy earns 1 velocity SC per mile, unlike Malaysian or Delta (the other likely two options) which can earn sluggish SC's like the base V Australia fares.

Keeping this in mind also I would be looking to keep costs to a minimum also, but happy to commit to some long haul flight pain.

I could easily have 3-4 days flying each way that I am prepared to commit to in order achieve this and have no problem taking back to back long haul flights.

I am looking to get up to Silver level alone on this venture, Gold would be great but I just cant see how it can be possible without spending some big $

Interested to hear about some 'around the world' deals that could be incorporated around this, I have seen some with Virgin Atlantic but I think the SC earning rate is pretty ****ty for Velocity.

I look forward to your advice/suggestions!

Thanks in advance!

NC
 
Just looked at the logistics of achieving Base to Gold in one run and it looks impossible in Y :confused: would consider a mix of Y & J if the price is right, otherwise I look destined for Silver only :shock:

Also a follow up question, to the people that have been offered 'close enough' upgrades on Velocity from Silver to Gold (a real one not the shambles fake one) how many SC were you short at the time?

Cheers again :mrgreen:

NC
 
Hawaiian used to do last minute deals on Bus Class SYD - HNL - SFO price was $641 each from memory - You need to be a member of their FF service to get the offer - it was usually about 6 weeks out from a flight when they would go up. Haven't done it in over a year but was easy peasy. Oh and Bus Class on Hawaiian isn't that hot, but hey - nice dividends.
 
Thanks for the Hawaiian Airlines tip, that seems like a good J deal if its avail.

At the moment I am also thinking to go the 'long way' on Etihad (ADL>SYD/MEL>AUH>ORD + return) seems pretty cheap Y ($2350ish for SYD/MEL>AUH>ORD>AUH>SYD)

Earns 1 SC per mile as apposed to the base Delta/Malaysian/V Australia etc where they can be as low as 0.25 per mile.

Would earn around 29,000 SC.
 
I recently got a bargain on VA.

2200 for PE on VA and Y on EY flights from ADL/SYD/AUH/LHR return on VA/EY.
I'm looking at 27k ish SC I think. So not only instant silver for all of us, but we get to enjoy PE for the longhaul part of the flight.

If you can fly say another carrier from LHR to ORD, not sure how much more that might set you back on VS or something that might work out to be a bit more.
With the added benefit for the longer flights in relative comfort on VA.

Not sure if the offer is still available, I can't see it anymore but I found it on bestflights.com. It seems to rear it's head quite randomly though, try give them a buzz maybe?
 
I recently got a bargain on VA.

2200 for PE on VA and Y on EY flights from ADL/SYD/AUH/LHR return on VA/EY.
I'm looking at 27k ish SC I think. So not only instant silver for all of us, but we get to enjoy PE for the longhaul part of the flight.

If you can fly say another carrier from LHR to ORD, not sure how much more that might set you back on VS or something that might work out to be a bit more.
With the added benefit for the longer flights in relative comfort on VA.

Not sure if the offer is still available, I can't see it anymore but I found it on bestflights.com. It seems to rear it's head quite randomly though, try give them a buzz maybe?


I got a similar flight but from Sydney and for 2500 (I'm jealous haha)

I'm a silver at the moment though but my review date comes before my flight, so while I'll requalify for silver I miss out on gold

do get the bonus for being silver though
 
I recently got a bargain on VA.

2200 for PE on VA and Y on EY flights from ADL/SYD/AUH/LHR return on VA/EY.
I'm looking at 27k ish SC I think. So not only instant silver for all of us, but we get to enjoy PE for the longhaul part of the flight.

If you can fly say another carrier from LHR to ORD, not sure how much more that might set you back on VS or something that might work out to be a bit more.
With the added benefit for the longer flights in relative comfort on VA.

Not sure if the offer is still available, I can't see it anymore but I found it on bestflights.com. It seems to rear it's head quite randomly though, try give them a buzz maybe?

That seems like a great deal! thanks for the feedback! Exactly what I was looking for.

If you see them come up again let me know, looking to depart ADL 20th or 21st Sep, coming back from ORD 26th/27th Sep.
 
That seems like a great deal! thanks for the feedback! Exactly what I was looking for.

If you see them come up again let me know, looking to depart ADL 20th or 21st Sep, coming back from ORD 26th/27th Sep.

You could try a Travel agent and see what they come up with, when I booked mine, the cheapest online deal at that time was 3300 and the travel agent said this deal was a special one (I now realise I could've asked for even more off but was happy with that price). Never hurts to go to ask, I was surprised

Also noticed he got Y for EY, nice, I got K but it's booked under EY code so I still get 1:1 SC for that leg plus 25% bonus
 
To clarify,
I'm booked on a VA code share ADL-SYD travelling on DJ (Q)
Then VA flight number from SYD to AUH in PE (O)
Finally EY flight from AUH to LHR in Y (Q)

I have a 2 day stop over in AUH on the way back, total price was 2230, got a quote over the phone and it emailed to me, and I got it price beaten by my TA.

So I'll be earning SC at 1.25 per mile to AUH and 1 per mile to LHR. Also a 0.25 from SYD to ADL, which is quite negligible here though.

VA doesn't show on bestflights right now, you can always give them a call and ask about it.

Finally, thanks for notzac who enlightened me about this allowing me for my first long haul not in whY. Yay!

EDIT: Here is the expired link, http://www.bestflights.com.au/cheap...tails/uk-and-europe/v-australia-etihad/108304, Fare basis was OZRYUP
 
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To clarify,
I'm booked on a VA code share ADL-SYD travelling on DJ (Q)
Then VA flight number from SYD to AUH in PE (O)
Finally EY flight from AUH to LHR in Y (Q)

EDIT: Here is the expired link, V Australia & Etihad Mixed Class Economy & Premium to 15 Cities May 11-Mar 12, Fare basis was OZRYUP

Thanks for the details, I checked that link, wish I had been more active in this site before booking but all good, the date I'm leaving the cheapest there was 2359 so only paid a little bit more. Definitely a good SC earner though

I got Syd to AUH in O and AUH to LHR in K under EY code then back again

I'm still a bit green, I see etihad has Economy (Y, B, H, K, M, Q, L, V, U, E, T)

Is the difference between all those just in the flexibility/rules the tickets have?
 
Can get points on Delta. But not SC's.

By the way does anyone know if being silver/gold velocity gets you any privileges with baggage traveling domestically with VX (Virgin America) or DL (Delta) ?
 
I look forward to your advice/suggestions!

According to:
http://www.milecalc.com/schmutzig/?paths=adl-syd-mel-lax-ord

Adl/Syd in PE, 725 miles, 40 SCs with Virgin Australia
Syd/Mel in PE, 439 miles, 40 SCs with Virgin Australia
Mel/Lax in J, 7,921 miles, 160 SCs with V Australia
Lax/Ord in J, 1,745 miles, 80 SCs with V Australia

Total SCs = 320 one way or 640 return. DJ Gold when you arrive back in Adelaide.

OR

Adl/Mel (VA) 40 SCs
Mel/Syd (VA) 40 SC on same ticket but different flights

Syd/Mel (VA) 40, SCs
Mel/Auh (EY) in J, 160 SCs
Auh/Ord (EY) in J, 160 SCs

720 SCs
 
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Can get points on Delta. But not SC's.

By the way does anyone know if being silver/gold velocity gets you any privileges with baggage traveling domestically with VX (Virgin America) or DL (Delta) ?

Delta are bloody horrible with baggage.. I paid cash at the check in every time for heavy bag. I actually had to bring up the Delta site on my iPad at one point to show this yank that VAustralia are actually a partner as they refused lounge entry!..
 
Thanks for the details, I checked that link, wish I had been more active in this site before booking but all good, the date I'm leaving the cheapest there was 2359 so only paid a little bit more. Definitely a good SC earner though

I got Syd to AUH in O and AUH to LHR in K under EY code then back again

I'm still a bit green, I see etihad has Economy (Y, B, H, K, M, Q, L, V, U, E, T)

Is the difference between all those just in the flexibility/rules the tickets have?

bit of a newb question, but how can you find out which fare class you are booking into?
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

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