Qantas Status Run

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kindy01p

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Hello guys... I won't run into too many details, but I want to keep my Silver status going into the 2013-2014 financial year.

I am tossing up between booking a status run to NYC for $1,298.72 with 23,936 points spend and a 36,000 ~ points earn with the flight and CC. Or, I can pay the whole thing outright for $1443.

OR

Return flight to Auckland from Adelaide with a Business leg, for $305 with 36,000 points spend and a 8875 points earn. Or, I can pay the whole thing outright for $893.95.

Both of the above include me using, by various ways, $150 worth of Qantas vouchers that I have lying around.

Which is better value?
 
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Hi Daniel and welcome to AFF. I guess the first question is how many status credits do you need and by when? Then, what benefits do you get from silver (or as we say here PS) that are worth spending so much money on? You could buy Qantas club membership for less than what you've proposed spending.

There is a lot of information on this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gram/best-status-run-options-quick-35258.html that may give you ideas. Many of the domestic as well.


When booking award fares I am sure you're aware that Classic awards do not earn points and SCs. You need to book an any seat award (ASA) to earn points and SCs.
 
Out of those two options, I would go for the cheapest one, I.e. Auckland. I presume they both earn the required SCs? Unless you really want to go to NYC...
 
I might elaborate a bit. I've just graduated, I have travelled a lot for my studies over the past few years and managed to acquire PS FF Status. I have also been a QC member for the past year, through a work scheme (was only about $245 to join, no annual fee for the first year) and the two together I believe have paid off nicely. Maybe nothing to compare to those on Gold, Platinum or above, but little things such as

- free bottles of wine
- front row economy seats for international (practically every time)
- priority baggage when flying Cathay Pacific
- business class upgrade on a Singapore flight from Adelaide
- refund with no questions asked when I made a mistaken points booking
- compensation for lost items from baggage with no questions asked and within a fortnight

It's probably their way of entrapping the next generation, as I'm only 22, however with the service I get just under PS, I'm more than happy to keep flying them.

Anyway, I am thinking that I might not renew my QC membership this year as my professional organisation is shut down this month (why they get an extended holiday, I don't know) and I can't get hold of them to get their Corporate ID for QC.

So in short, I want to try and keep my status before June 30. Both of the flight options above have the same amount of SC earned.
I thought that New York is a bit pricer, but a way to use points and earn them back at the same time, whereas the points you get going to NZ are mediocre at best.

So which was essentially better value, rather than just a better price.

Thanks for your welcome and help so far.

EDIT: I need 150 points. Essentially, if I go to NYC, I've acquired Silver this year $2049, or $1055 if I choose the cheapest Auckland option, with points.
EDIT: The two options above are not classic bookings, they're either Any Seat or Points + Pay - therefore SC and Points are earned.
 
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Personally, if I were you , I'd get a cheap LA J ticket from SYD-AKL and vv and position yourself on a QF ASA or classic. You'll get 160 SC off LAN for circa 700 plus the 30 for ADL-SYD and vv.

Unless you use a classic award, then you'll just get 160.
 
Mgjdubs, I checked out the LAN flights, they're dirt cheap!
 
Mgjdubs, I checked out the LAN flights, they're dirt cheap!

Yeah they're normally really cheap (with a few exceptions). It's long-haul equipment you travel on so the seat is really comfortable with ample leg and shoulder room, and the service is good (although not quite as polished as QF Trans-tasman J, but that's minor) IMO. The only two drawbacks are the departure time leaving AKL and the food onboard, where you really do get what you pay for.

A night in the Novotel at AKL is generally fairly cheap too (and cannot be beat for location), although I've heard of people trying to kip in the terminal at AKL which is ever so slightly less glamorous. Beware though; LAN are ex-SCL and I've heard that delays are common for LA800/801.
 
How long ago did you last travel on LAN? I travelled around 3-4 months ago, and food was fantastic see my trip report here so it may have improved since you last flew: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-and-trip-photos/mel-syd-akl-lan-j-43693.html

Around about the same time. The food going over was edible, not fantastic. The breakfast coming back was really bad, with the charcuterie and various other accompaniments tasting like they'd be doused in lemon juice. The bakery selection was ok, about that breakfast service's only saving grace.
 
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Around about the same time. The food going over was edible, not fantastic. The breakfast coming back was really bad, with the charcuterie and various other accompaniments tasting like they'd be doused in lemon juice. The bakery selection was ok, about that breakfast service's only saving grace.

The chef must of had a bad day ... :) But yes I admit the food out of AKL was not as good a quality as out of SYD.

The omelette out of SYD was one of the best I've ever had in Business class breakfast on any airline (including SQ & QF) was perfectly cooked and delicious.
The banana bread was also really good. Chilean jam was a nice surprise.
Buttered mushrooms and grilled tomato also fantastic. Bakery items great.
 
Is this pricing standard or on special? Cause I was going to rush to book tickets on Qantas tonight with all the specials, but won't even think about it now if those prices are fairly consistent.
 
Is this pricing standard or on special? Cause I was going to rush to book tickets on Qantas tonight with all the specials, but won't even think about it now if those prices are fairly consistent.

Those prices are fairly consistent. Tends to fluctuate around holidays though I have noticed.
 
If you can wait you are likely to get a double status credit offer to help you keep your status about 3 months prior to your renewal date. This is likely to save you quite a bit of coin
 
I don't really understand what you are trying to do.

Do you want to spend time in any of these places or do you just want 150 SCs?


If you just want the SCs, you could book a JASA ADL-MEL-HBA return for 48K points and ~$265. This trip should yield 160 SCs (40 x 4) and is possible as a same day turnaround... And I don't doubt there are 'better' runs ex-ADL.
 
Have you done a cost v benefit analysis?

My personal opinion is that PS is not worth spending that much cash on. If you only have 150 SCs to date, and won't do any more flying, I would consider renewing your QP membership and leave it at that.

Remember, a few thousand dollars is a lot of beer money at the student pub. And there is always next year, and many more to come to earn status.


(awaits the flamethrowers)
 
I don't really understand what you are trying to do.

Do you want to spend time in any of these places or do you just want 150 SCs?


If you just want the SCs, you could book a JASA ADL-MEL-HBA return for 48K points and ~$265. This trip should yield 160 SCs (40 x 4) and is possible as a same day turnaround... And I don't doubt there are 'better' runs ex-ADL.

ADL-BNE-TSV return JASA can be done for 48k points and less than $400. It can also be done same day but includes a walk of shame at TSV. It's worth answering the crews questions regarding your motives for the 240 status credits earn though
 
Actually if you really do a status run to the US then you should spend a couple of days there and attain WP with YUPPs.

As others have mentioned, do a cost benefit analysis and work out how many times you will use the benefits of the status you are seeking to attain.
 
ADL-BNE-TSV return JASA can be done for 48k points and less than $400. It can also be done same day but includes a walk of shame at TSV. It's worth answering the crews questions regarding your motives for the 240 status credits earn though

I've done this run twice and I can attest that it is good value. Whenever the crew ask why I have just gone for such a short period of time (after having completed the walk of shame - I'm assuming this is what you were referring to) I normally just tell them that I was dropping off contracts for someone that needed to be hand delivered, or something similarly uninteresting. Slightly OT, but anyway.
 
When 'caught' I have explained to the crew the concept of an MR and that I am doing it to retain status. They've always been positive towards me.
 
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