Gold recognition timing

[albatross710]

What is best practice to optimise the timing of Silver to Gold?

I have 100SC to go until I get Gold.
I have a 50SC/8000 pt bonus that is available.
Future travels, i have enough travel in the next three weeks to get 60SC. Then no more QF travel until late June which will then get me to Gold without the 50SC bonus..
My Qantas date is 31 August

Once I qualify how long is the "Gold" period? Is there any finesse to this? What is the Gold period,

qualify >> 31 August 2019?

I'm thinking if the timing is not much different, then use the bonus to get the 8,000 pts instead of extra 50SC which will be meaningless after 31 August.

Is there a time limit by when I have to decide he 50SC or 8,000 pts?

Alby

 

[Longtoo]

You have 90 d to choose between 50 SC or 8000 points. Your gold is until 31/8/2019. Then if you have enough flying 1/9/2018 to 31/8/2019, it is renewed for another year.
I would use the 50 SC to get to gold asap.

 

[oz_mark]

From the date you earn it, then for the rest of your membership year, and then the whole next membership year. So in your scenario

quailfy -> 31 Aug 2019

You have 90 days to decide on what to do with the bonus.

 

[albatross710]

Thanks for the input oz_mark & longtoo.

 

[docjames]

What is the travel upcoming and how beneficial will it be to be gold prior to that travel? You’d get lounge access, better seating and higher up the upgrade priority list.

So weigh up the benefit of having gold on the later flights, versus waiting until it ticks over naturally.

As you rightly have worked out, whether you qualify early or late, your “expiry” date will remain end Aug 2019.

 

[moa999]

Qantas has fixed dates so no issue.

More complex on VA with its rolling 12 month calendars

 

[Stevo.1702]

If you're going to get gold from your travel regardless then the 8000pts may be better.

How many more entries to the lounge does the extra 50SC earn you? If it's 5 discount economy flights that's definitely worth it. If it's one or two longer flights then maybe the 8000 is better and you wait just that little longer for gold.

Also, only 5000pts is enough for a J lounge access through an upgrade.

 

[equus]

If you're going to get gold from your travel regardless then the 8000pts may be better

Depending on what those flights that will "naturally" get you there are, remember that you will earn more FF points on them if you are Gold than Silver - so that may replace part of the 8,000 point differential (as well as the lounge access).

 

[Stevo.1702]

Depending on what those flights that will "naturally" get you there are, remember that you will earn more FF points on them if you are Gold than Silver - so that may replace part of the 8,000 point differential (as well as the lounge access).

Excellent point. I had in my mind small domestic flights or maybe an east-west service.

But long haul or most international... You're right. Time to whip out the points earning calculator.

 

[sudoer]

If you're going to get gold from your travel regardless then the 8000pts may be better.

Also worth considering lifetime SC tally if OP ever thinks they will hit it.

50SC is far more valuable to some than 8000 points (which are relatively easy to come by and don't require flying!)

 

[albatross710]

Thanks for the additional consideration points.

It makes sense to me now that I should tip the 50SC after I complete these next flights.

The irony of it is that future long haul travel is likely to be on Philippine airlines now that they have commenced their direct BNE- MNL service. it's an interesting comparison as well. Travel as a Gold on QF adds 4 hours each direction to the trip.