Article: Is Qantas or Velocity Status Harder to Earn?

[AFF Editor]

Canonical URL

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-vs-velocity-status/

Following the recent changes to the Velocity program, is it now harder to earn Velocity status than Qantas status? We did the maths to find out:

Is Qantas or Velocity Status Harder to Earn in 2025?

Our analysis shows that it costs an average flyer around 2-3x more money to earn status with Qantas than with Virgin Australia Velocity. But there's a catch.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[33kft]

I imagine there will be some debate on Status Runs off the back of this, which is pretty fair for a forum that discusses frequent flying.

My 2c is that it is probably more a hobby than a travel preference and as far as hobbies go, a fairly affordable one with valuable outcomes (depending on how you value LT status).

My bank manager would be glad I picked occasional status runs over cars, yachts or cycling as a hobby.

 

[levelnine]

Really interesting analysis.

This will certainly be a tough pill to swallow for those in the Virgin status thread who think people are now going to leave Virgin en masse.

The other thing this analysis really shows is why airlines love status: the non-gamer is paying tens of thousands of dollars for access to a few dollars of food before a flight lol.

 

[Gromit]

I think the bigger problem with Qantas isn't the status, it is the takeover of classic plus, with or without status you will struggle to spend your points on flights now with anything but the overpriced classic plus. This is what has me considering other airlines now.

 

[justinbrett]

There was no category for the person who gets a majority of their status flying on overseas partners, not to/from Australia (ie, AA domestic). I guess this falls under the category “status runs” but I think many would dismiss that as flying for the sake of it, which in many situations is not the case.

I think VA’s claim holds true for domestic, but goes out the window for international, since there is so much choice within QFF of competing carriers (even QR).

 

[Rob P]

The thing that caught my attention was the notion that a "status runner" could earn Platinum One for a spend of only $18,527 . Are you prepared to spill the beans on that one Matt?

Given how hard it has become to get Classic rewards to Europe (I know everyone wants the same thing!) even as a Plat, I wonder if P1 would bring some worthwhile advantages.

 

[levelnine]

There was no category for the person who gets a majority of their status flying on overseas partners, not to/from Australia (ie, AA domestic). I guess this falls under the category “status runs” but I think many would dismiss that as flying for the sake of it, which in many situations is not the case.

They cover that in the very last paragraph in the article.

And I'm not sure it is feasible to make a category for every single configuration of traveller. There was also no category for someone who gets their status from classic award seats, for example.

 

[justinbrett]

They cover that in the very last paragraph in the article.

And I'm not sure it is feasible to make a category for every single configuration of traveller. There was also no category for someone who gets their status from classic award seats, for example.

That reads to me more flying to/from Australia vs booking trips starting from overseas ports, which can significantly reduce fares. You simply can’t book VA codes on many partners (including QR) unless you start in Australia.

Certainly for the readers of AFF, this isn’t a small group.

 

[SYD]

And I'm not sure it is feasible to make a category for every single configuration of traveller. There was also no category for someone who gets their status from classic award seats, for example.

No, but the VA “spend” criteria probably skews the analysis to either spend with VA or spend with QF to attain status.

But in reality, apart from getting the four “squiggles” you can still get QF status relatively easily - even without DSCs and status running - by flying on partner airlines. In fact, it’s technically possible to get QF LT status and never set foot on a QF aircraft.

IME, post COVID I’ve spent about $12k pa and managed to maintain QF WP quite easily (without necessarily relying on DSCs).

Also, VA might have “Family pooling” but QF via Points Club has SC earn on reward flights. Which is great for earning AND burning.

 

[elanshin]

The thing that caught my attention was the notion that a "status runner" could earn Platinum One for a spend of only $18,527 . Are you prepared to spill the beans on that one Matt?

Given how hard it has become to get Classic rewards to Europe (I know everyone wants the same thing!) even as a Plat, I wonder if P1 would bring some worthwhile advantages.

Its pretty well covered what some of the optimal status runs are in the status run master thread that the OOL-MEL-AKL J runs are among the highest earning. Pair that with some DSC cinematography and you'll get some very cheap status.

There's a few other crazy routes youll find but those tend to be overseas based. Just a note 18k is expensive for a P1 run. You can achieve that much lower if you know what you're doing.

 

[DejaBrew]

DSC cinematography

 

[levelnine]

Certainly for the readers of AFF, this isn’t a small group.

For those 'who gets a majority of their status flying on overseas partners, not to/from Australia (ie, AA domestic)', unlikely even for AFF.

IME, post COVID I’ve spent about $12k pa and managed to maintain QF WP quite easily (without necessarily relying on DSCs).

Not sure I follow the point of your post, but I do agree Qantas is great for anyone who is remotely savvy. I acquire WP for a fraction of your cost.

 

[justinbrett]

For those 'who gets a majority of their status flying on overseas partners, not to/from Australia (ie, AA domestic)', unlikely even for AFF.

Do a poll! (Majority of status, not majority of flying)

 

[ToffeeDog]

I don't fly for work, just occasional interstate weekends (3-4 times a year).
I got to Velocity Gold last year with a Business Class return status run when the double status credit promo was running. This year I've given up.
I'm relying on my Amex card for lounge entry, and now the kids aren't earning status for me, they can wait at the gate ;-)
I'm thinking about the QF Gold status run options if a future international trip is planned.
Virgin Loyalty have lost my business.

 

[levelnine]

Do a poll! (Majority of status, not majority of flying)

Don't need to. Simply read the forum. Status runs in the US are a rare sight these days, especially with the high price of travel there and the weak Australian dollar. It is a stark contrast to the late 2000s when the forum was awash with YUPP runs and the Australian dollar was strong.

 

[justinbrett]

Don't need to. Simply read the forum. Status runs in the US are a rare sight these days, especially with the high price of travel there and the weak Australian dollar. It is a stark contrast to the late 2000s when the forum was awash with YUP runs and the Australian dollar was strong.

US domestic is just one example - and again I’m not talking about status runs. Intra Asia is another example. Or the common ex CAI or CGK trips.

Even just including overseas based users of AFF (which there are many) would justify that category (again, not a majority, just a notable category of passengers).

 

[levelnine]

Even just including overseas based users of AFF (which there are many) would justify that category (again, not a majority, just a notable category of passengers).

Why would a Qantas v Virgin comparison include 'overseas based users of AFF' when one of the programs does not even allow non-residents to join (excluding NZ and a handful of Pacific countries)? Virgin is not the program for you — they literally prohibit you from signing up!

Very bizarre. If you are an overseas based user, you should be comparing cost of status on Qantas with the cost of status on other international programs.

 

[justinbrett]

Why would a Qantas v Virgin comparison include 'overseas based users of AFF' when one of the programs does not even allow non-residents to join (excluding NZ and a handful of Pacific countries)? Virgin is not the program for you — they literally prohibit you from signing up!

Very bizarre. If you are an overseas based user, you should be comparing cost of status on Qantas with the cost of status on other international programs.

I don’t think VA kick you out of the program when you move.

Plenty of QFF members based overseas are active here, many are only there temporarily.

 

[DejaBrew]

Why would a Qantas v Virgin comparison include 'overseas based users of AFF' when one of the programs does not even allow non-residents to join (excluding NZ and a handful of Pacific countries)? Virgin is not the program for you — they literally prohibit you from signing up!

Presumably you could be an expat Aussie with active accounts in either program? I'm guessing @justinbrett is not specifically referring to foreign AFF members who do not reside in Australia or have not otherwise had an opportunity to join either program.

 

[CaptJCool]

Wow Amazing

Love the analysis

From my experience and reading others ways of finding cheap credits those figures are indicative of what it takes

Why Is a status runner willing to “fly for no particular reason”?

Gamification
To open access to the WP benefit of phonin up to get a classic reward seat released ? And to be in the Points Club and to book it during a DSC campaign to get the double reward?

What I endeavoured to do was coincide an event with the proposed jaunt and book during the DSC.
(Historically that was the free-4-all JASA, now Points club (having gotten to LTG I Really don’t need the SCs))

So to my earlier event/s
Remember QF81 domestic flight from international Sydney For the 1st Lounges ? That pav is the bomb. So wonderful and champagne @ 10am

Rinse and repeat