90SC short of Gold and one week to go

[Smart86]

Should I panic yet?

After a significant number of short interstate flights, I am sitting at 610 SC and have about one week left until they revert to zero. I phoned QFF and asked nicely if I could get comped up to Gold but they "tisk tisk tisk" me and said it was hardly likely given it was ... 90 SC away. No, not going to happen. (Must admit I was- in context of the whole conversation- surprised by this blunt response).

So- does anyone have a great idea to get me comped up? Please? Pretty please?

Thanks in advance!

Max

 

[Quickstatus]

Should I panic yet?

After a significant number of short interstate flights, I am sitting at 610 SC and have about one week left until they revert to zero. I phoned QFF and asked nicely if I could get comped up to Gold but they "tisk tisk tisk" me and said it was hardly likely given it was ... 90 SC away. No, not going to happen. (Must admit I was- in context of the whole conversation- surprised by this blunt response).

So- does anyone have a great idea to get me comped up? Please? Pretty please?

Thanks in advance!

Max

Other than the company giving you a comp up there is no other way to get one.

You could get 80 SC and then ask for a comp up for the remaining 10SC. But 90SC is way too much for the company to agree

 

[Hvr]

So you're currently silver and want to be made up to gold whilst 90 SCs short?

After your phone call you should hope that the person who answered the phone didn't hurt themselves after falling off the chair laughing.

If you really want to get to gold you'll need to fly the extra to earn the 90 SCs.

 

[Smart86]

Yup- I am at 610. Enough to renew but since I am Silver, I am trying to grasp at Gold with hope and envy. So close. So close.

 

[RichardMEL]

+1 fly the 90SC

take a weekend trip to the Gold Coast, or a bit further afield (depending on which east coast city you are in - eg if in BNE or OOL then go OOL-SYD-MEL-OOL say one way J the other way Y would get 90SC - eg OOL-SYD-MEL in discount Y=30 SC, MEL-OOL in J get you 60SC for around $1k or a bit less outlay).

note this weekend with footy finals and school hols loads and fares are likely higher

it may not be worht it to make the effort though.

the only other eway to get Gold if QF won't comp you is to find a friend who has >2400 SC up and can bestow Gold status as a gift. Good luck with that too

 

[BAM1748]

You'll just have to fly the sectors needed, QF don't give it away and why should they.

You don't say where you are but Syd LAX in Y will get you 90 on a discount fare or fly one end of the east cost to the other will also do it on a flex type fare.

That's it, do the time (on board) to get the gold.

 

[Smart86]

You guys are all making good points and I thank you for your replies.

Just want to add that I certainly do not have an expectation of getting comped up. It would just be nice and disappointed I didn't end up flying the couple of extra sectors needed. I was looking for some avenues that may help.

 

[Pushka]

Yup- I am at 610. Enough to renew but since I am Silver, I am trying to grasp at Gold with hope and envy. So close. So close.

If you aren't even gold now then I can understand the Qantas reaction. It is a gift to be given complementary upgrade for existing SG who dont re qualify.

Not sure why you'd even say 'panic'. You wont get it unless you fly it. (And I am grumpy because I was gold and for DVT reasons was grounded the month I was due to fly and requalify on an already paid for flight and was not granted an extension).

 

[Quickstatus]

90 SC will cost you at least $1000 airfares and ancillary cost.

What does SG get you on the QFF program that will have a value to you of >$1000??

 

[bsb]

90 SC will cost you at least $1000 airfares and ancillary cost.

What does SG get you on the QFF program that will have a value to you of >$1000??

Exactly what I was thinking. I think maybe pay for Qantas Club and fly more next year, you'll be ahead.

 

[Quickstatus]

Exactly what I was thinking. I think maybe pay for Qantas Club and fly more next year, you'll be ahead.

Maybe instead of trying to get to SG on one airline when its going to be a struggle year on year, why not split the SC to two airlines. You should be able to get PS on both in the first year of qualification and maybe even SG on VA and PS on QF.

 

[lathiat]

I disagree with those who "laugh".. it's a valid question, and to be honest the handling matters a bit.

Unlike you, I got a much more friendly lady on the phone who was patient and checked over everything with me, made sure I hadn't missed any that didn't credit, etc. She did tell me they can comp a small number of SCs (usually 5-20) though it seems like 30SC is possible but the maximum.

I had also flown the 610 odd SC I had in just under 7 months before my anniversary date... despite that, they wouldn't even move the month for me and let my flights in the following month (which would also take me over) count. A bit stupid IMHO given the date is purely arbitrary from 10 years, but there you go!


So I re-jigged my flights to get some extra SCs (flew via SIN to DXB instead of direct [free], and paid saver instead of sale [about $250] on another fare) then rang and they comped me for the last 25 SC that I missed.. I rang before the month was up (but after all the other SCs had credited).



thus your best bet is to fly for them.. you might get comped 10-20 SC if you just miss it, no guarantee of course. So you need to figure out how cheaply you can get the SCs, and then decide if the benefits are worth it -- also consider if you are likely to hit 600 but not 700 again next year, if so there might be extra value in the reduced points required to maintain.. of less value if you are unlikely to requalify next year.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

despite that, they wouldn't even move the month for me and let my flights in the following month (which would also take me over) count. A bit stupid IMHO

Why was it stupid?

 

[winfred]

After 6 consecutive years of being WP, I was 15 SC short last year. I got comped but I did not expect it. Good luck!

 

[Quickstatus]

After 6 consecutive years of being WP, I was 15 SC short last year. I got comped but I did not expect it. Good luck!

Easier to get comped BACK to current tier status if within a small SC quantum , however to get comped to the next level with 90SC to go is a bridge too far...

Additionally it has been suggested that the algorithm used to decide this may involve an averaging method over the recent years. So should not expect a comp every year

 

[11sjw]

What are your flying patterns going to be like in the next year? If similar then just buy a Q Club membership. If you're expecting to fly more then the cost of obtaining the 90SCs may well be worth it.

 

[Viridianne]

If the MH sale is still on you could do a J weekend at Asia?

 

[winfred]

What are your flying patterns going to be like in the next year? If similar then just buy a Q Club membership. If you're expecting to fly more then the cost of obtaining the 90SCs may well be worth it.

Yes QC membership is just as good if you fly mostly domestic. The Busines Class lounge is very similar to Q Pub.

Different story if you are going to fly lots international.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

AKL???
In whY one way and J back.
Expensive yes... but you get the SC required.
Edit: if you do want to fly the flights, there are JQ flights Au - NZ, or QF Aud310 flying out on Thu next week, at 18.45 and then Nzd$880 coming back on next Fri, and that will show QFF you can fly the flights.
OR fly flexY SYD - BNE - PER on Thu and come back Fri PER - SYD. Phone up and do a comfort seat request one way.
Few days later, the QFF points and SC should be in your account.
Or you can "play chicken" and see what QFF actually do in the next week.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

AKL???
In whY one way and J back.
Expensive yes... but you get the SC required.
Edit: if you do want to fly the flights, there are JQ flights Au - NZ, or QF Aud310 flying out on Thu next week, at 18.45 and then Nzd$880 coming back on next Fri, and that will show QFF you can fly the flights.
OR fly flexY SYD - BNE - PER on Thu and come back Fri PER - SYD. Phone up and do a comfort seat request one way.
Few days later, the QFF points and SC should be in your account.
Or you can "play chicken" and see what QFF actually do in the next week.

I feel these NZ and PER recommendations have pervaded every QF thread on this forum despite being some of the worst value out there and generally not constructive or relevant to the OP.

If based down south, head north to Cairns or if up north head south to MEL with stopovers in between.