495 SC - what is the chance of getting upped?

[LonePine]

Hi all

by the end of next week, I'll be sitting on 495 SC (and 26 segments). What are the chances of getting upgraded to Gold? Between September and January 2014, I have already booked trips to get me more than half way to maintaining SG. It is just that I wouldn't mind the status before my next trip...

 

[Sojourner]

No idea, but I'd be interested to know how you'll go.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Hi all

by the end of next week, I'll be sitting on 495 SC (and 26 segments). What are the chances of getting upgraded to Gold? Between September and January 2014, I have already booked trips to get me more than half way to maintaining SG. It is just that I wouldn't mind the status before my next trip...

I wouldn't risk it. Fly the extra 10 SCs on a saver fare.

 

[hydrabyss]

From experience I would say a very good chance.Usually within a few days of receiving the last status points.If nothing has changed within the week after I would think you are out of luck.

 

[clarkkent]

I would say good chance also.

 

[erkpod]

No offence intended towards the OP but to anyone who posts a similar question here, there's a line in the sand for a reason. The magic figure is 500, not 495, 490, 485 or 480.

Don't risk it. Take a flight. If you manage to get it without the extra flight, that's your good luck. That's exactly the advice I'd expect to receive if I was sitting on 495. I'm currently on 395 but I should be gold by the time I come back from Melbourne (with a status run MEL - DRW - MEL) in a couple of weeks.

 

[LonePine]

From experience I would say a very good chance.Usually within a few days of receiving the last status points.If nothing has changed within the week after I would think you are out of luck.

I would say good chance also.

.

Thanks. I hope you are both right.

I also take on board the suggestions to take an extra flight for the SCs but I see that as a false economy. I need 5 SCs and the minimum I would get is 20 with a return flight to MEL at a cost of around $190-200. (I could get 10 SCs if I bussed it home). It is also about 4 hours of my life I will never get back. I already have lounge membership courtesy of work, so I am not missing out on that.

We have a family trip to DPS next month and another to BNE in Jan 14, so no issues hitting the 500. With a few work trips, I'd probably requal by March next year anyway.

Well, I see how it goes by this time next week...

 

[brett-au]

I've wondered about this.
Book the flight for 5 SC, check in online with no luggage and then no show. Is the system smart enough to reverse the points?

 

[Lowjhg]

I've wondered about this.
Book the flight for 5 SC, check in online with no luggage and then no show. Is the system smart enough to reverse the points?

You have to board the plane to be able to receive the SC and points

 

[straitman]

I've wondered about this.
Book the flight for 5 SC, check in online with no luggage and then no show. Is the system smart enough to reverse the points?

You have to board the plane to be able to receive the SC and points

As Lowjhg says. You have to actually fly to get the points and SC and yes the system will work it out when you do not get on board.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

. I also take on board the suggestions to take an extra flight for the SCs but I see that as a false economy. I need 5 SCs and the minimum I would get is 20 with a return flight to MEL at a cost of around $190-200.

Only you can tell if it's false economy, but from your post, I'd suggest it possibly isn't. As you have a family trip coming up, that could be a number of SCs lost to the "upgrade black hole" if you're family pooling, whereas if you gain gold before hand, all you'll lose is a max of 15 SCs to the "hole". Also, depending upon your family, by ensuring gold before the family trip next month means you'll a) have access to the lounge for you, spouse and up to 2 kids (which your work membership may not allow as it's int.); b) priority luggage; c) extra bonus points; d) possibly better seating than silver; e) complementary status with Hilton which may be useful in Bali (see here) and; f) all the priority perks for the whole family (check-in, screening, boarding).

Obviously, as others have said, getting gold at 495 is a possiblity and if I were you, I'd wait and see if that happens and if it does, you're a winner. If it doesn't (remember to phone and ask as well, that may or may not work), have a think about the benefits vrs the cost and weigh it up. Make sure you do actually know what your work status allows as well (especially with regard to lounge access on short haul int.)

 

[greenfish]

My father was upgraded to Gold at 495 SCs - it was a nice gesture but he didn't want the upgrade then as he had a few months of no flying coming up and no SCs expiring.

 

[grubbidok]

I was upgraded at 480, but this was during Sabre transition and I had 40SCs missing that VA were trying to process.

I'm in a similar boat as I'm sitting on 960SCs and although I have 280SCs booked over the next few months I do want WP for a specific upcoming flight.

Rather than risk I have just moved a flight that I would have had to make later forward - in this case flying to Canberra for some archival work next week instead of next month. I'm still knowcking a 'to-do' task off my list.

I realise it's not always so flexible, but if you're someone who flies enough for status anyway it's often easy to find necessary travel, rather than having to waste it in a 'pointless' flight purely for status. Is there a client to see, a resource to visit or a family member or friend visit that could be brought forward?

 

[LonePine]

Well, it happened - Gold!!

The last of the status credits posted Saturday morning (24th) and I was reviewed this morning (25th) and upgraded.

There must have been a little bit of magic in the system or a "guardian angel" was listening and looking out for me. Either way, I am very appreciative.

Between family holidays and work, I have a of flying booked with VA over the next six months and this will make it that little more memorable. Good job VA.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Well, it happened - Gold!!

Congratulations! A great outcome with no extra decisions to make .

 

[grubbidok]

Got upped to WP at 985 today. Though there is currently a 15SC MKY-SYD flight in the system that would have taken me up to 1000 anyway.

Will be interesting to see if the 15SCs count towards my requal, or if I get WP or SG bonuses on that flight.

 

[LonePine]

Thats a good result. I had a flight subsequent and the sc's are being used for the requalification

 

[rlarosa]

I might have misunderstood this but even if you are not at the level required by the review date, you may still make a new tier as the SC's last for 12 months, so at review date your balance doesn't set to 0. My review date is tomorrow, and I'm 100 SC's short of platinum (pending an review of some SQ flights that were never credited) but my oldest SCs are from Dec 2012, so I still have a little bit of time up my sleeve to hit plat regardless of the review date tomorrow....

Does that sound right??

RL

 

[dragonman]

I might have misunderstood this but even if you are not at the level required by the review date, you may still make a new tier as the SC's last for 12 months, so at review date your balance doesn't set to 0. My review date is tomorrow, and I'm 100 SC's short of platinum (pending an review of some SQ flights that were never credited) but my oldest SCs are from Dec 2012, so I still have a little bit of time up my sleeve to hit plat regardless of the review date tomorrow....

Does that sound right??

RL

No sadly not they will reset tomorrow.

 

[greenfish]

No sadly not they will reset tomorrow.

I don't believe that is right if you are attempting to attain a new tier - e.g. if gold, you'll move to platinum as soon as you have 1000 SCs in the proceeding 12 months, regardless of the review date applicable to your gold tier membership.