Just a note, if you know what you're doing.
QF WP isn't insanely expensive.
To retain: 1200 goal
50 from Green Tier ~$20
50 from loyalty bonus (you're going to pass at least 500 SC).
NZ status run J class OOL - MEL - AKL : 280 SC @~1500 on sale. With a DSC - 560
2 runs for 1120 for just over $3000-3500 AUD.
To earn WP for the first time you will need to get a bit more.
Of course you may not even need the second run if you're actually flying normally.
But that was something i just realised recently where if my goal was to just pay for OWE, QF actually is one of the cheaper options doing status runs. Plus you do get SC on award when flying QF metal.
The downside of using QF is well... You're flying QF which can isn't the greatest when compared to their partners in OW.