Best US status run options post 'fairer, simpler'

[Rebekkap]

Hi folksI'm planning my yearly pilgrimage to the LOTFAP, to visit theme parks, friends and airport lounges (and maintain my WP).I'm going to need a bunch of status credits this time as will basically be doing no other flying (maybe a couple of domestic trips, MAYBE) as I no longer fly for work.Has anyone done any calculations post-fairer, simpler rules - I'm guessing I'll need around ten flights (last year's marathon effort was eight flights in three days basically, so it's doable) - and I'm thinking I'll need to be more careful about booking flights of a length that earns a decent number of SCs, which makes getting it all at a decent price for first more difficult.Any tips, tricks or pointers I'd be most grateful - I'm landing in and flying back out of LAX but do have a Virgin credit I could use for a positioning flight if I need to.cheersRebekka

 

[alieninperth]

I would be seriously considering the need for status if you're not doing much flying. the benefits that you seemto want could be accessed via purchased lounge access either QF or AA.

 

[Rebekkap]

I would be seriously considering the need for status if you're not doing much flying. the benefits that you seemto want could be accessed via purchased lounge access either QF or AA.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm about 2 years off lifetime gold - I have no intention of stopping so close to LTG and paying for lounge access instead!

 

[alieninperth]

fair enough then, comment retracted.

 

[Rebekkap]

And I didn't mention which benefits I'm after - but they aren't just covered by lounge access!

 

[Rebekkap]

fair enough then, comment retracted.

I hope I've got about 30 more years of travel ahead of me - it's an investment really. Two years of status runs vs 30 years of lounge access, and I reckon I'm coming out ahead Besides, I enjoyed my last status run (other than the one US Airways flight where they tried to starve me...)

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I'm keeping an eye on this thread as I want to do the same.

 

[kermatu]

I'm travelling to the US in November/December. While not doing status runs, I am conscious of status points earned on some sectors, and where flights can be indirect (through a hub) I am looking at options that don't cost much more (if anything) but earn higher status. The AA site is good for showing the distance in miles of each sector so it is very easy to plug-in and test a few options.

Perhaps obvious, but in case it helps, a couple of things I've seen that are useful, assuming flights in F:
- Flights to or from Miami seem relatively cheap at that time of year.
- Sectors just over 1500 miles are good. MIA-ORD for example, a better run as opposed to MIA-DFW.
- Flights under 750 miles are best to avoid, the earn is significantly less. All ORD to NYC come in just under 750, so if travelling cross-country to/from NY better to transit via DFW than ORD. Not a problem if travelling to Boston.

But, as mentioned, I am travelling to Boston, NY, Miami etc, so not looking at general status runs.

 

[Jeremy Kronk]

sorry if this is a stupid reply
I recently sent my wife first class from sfo to phoenix, cost $250 with us airways and she got 90 status credits with Qantas...... it was surprised at the earn rate, so just thought I would mention it

 

[Rebekkap]

I'm travelling to the US in November/December. While not doing status runs, I am conscious of status points earned on some sectors, and where flights can be indirect (through a hub) I am looking at options that don't cost much more (if anything) but earn higher status. The AA site is good for showing the distance in miles of each sector so it is very easy to plug-in and test a few options.

Perhaps obvious, but in case it helps, a couple of things I've seen that are useful, assuming flights in F:
- Flights to or from Miami seem relatively cheap at that time of year.
- Sectors just over 1500 miles are good. MIA-ORD for example, a better run as opposed to MIA-DFW.
- Flights under 750 miles are best to avoid, the earn is significantly less. All ORD to NYC come in just under 750, so if travelling cross-country to/from NY better to transit via DFW than ORD. Not a problem if travelling to Boston.

But, as mentioned, I am travelling to Boston, NY, Miami etc, so not looking at general status runs.

thanks kermatu, helpful suggestions. I suspect the key is going to be working out which sectors are over 750 miles. Maybe I'll try for a couple of days in Miami - I hear there's some great architecture.

sorry if this is a stupid reply
I recently sent my wife first class from sfo to phoenix, cost $250 with us airways and she got 90 status credits with Qantas...... it was surprised at the earn rate, so just thought I would mention it

Thanks Jeremy, not a stupid reply at all, a very helpful suggestion.

 

[serfty]

sorry if this is a stupid reply
I recently sent my wife first class from sfo to phoenix, cost $250 with us airways and she got 90 status credits with Qantas...... it was surprised at the earn rate, so just thought I would mention it

That was before "Simpler and Fairer" ... it is 651 miles so the old earn was zone 2 at 90 sc's for First.

Most that segment can earn these days is 40 as it is under 751 miles.

 

[Jeremy Kronk]

That was before "Simpler and Fairer" ... it is 651 miles so the old earn was zone 2 at 90 sc's for First.

Most that segment can earn these days is 40 as it is under 751 miles.

Ok . yes a bit of a novice here...so not sure how to check these things

 

[aaflyer]

The best I have found is around $2.40 per Qantas Status Credit. The changes have certainly put a halt to quick easy Platinum runs!

 

[jessesd]

No that phone booking is no longer allowed for ASA's, how can i get status credits using my points?
I tried online and my usual 72k points business class bne to mel return is now over 216k!
Any tips? Do i have to fly to America?

 

[serfty]

No that phone booking is no longer allowed for ASA's, how can i get status credits using my points?
I tried online and my usual 72k points business class bne to mel return is now over 216k!
Any tips? Do i have to fly to America?

Sadly, unless you have points to redeem at a value of a little less than 0.8¢ each, then you can't.

e.g. It would cost 90,700 points for the I class business one-way SYD-MEL - you would earn 40 SC's for it though.

 

[Rebekkap]

The best I have found is around $2.40 per Qantas Status Credit. The changes have certainly put a halt to quick easy Platinum runs!

That's not *too* bad - any suggestions re: routes? PM me if you'd prefer not to share with the world ;-)

 

[travellerqff]

The best I have found is around $2.40 per Qantas Status Credit.

what was that from out of interest?

 

[madrooster]

The best I have found is around $2.40 per Qantas Status Credit. The changes have certainly put a halt to quick easy Platinum runs!

There's routings as low as $1.63 USD/SC out there - you just need to be flexible with dates.

 

[raleyoz]

There's routings as low as $1.63 USD/SC out there - you just need to be flexible with dates.

Any more clues Madrooster ?

 

[Rebekkap]

There's routings as low as $1.63 USD/SC out there - you just need to be flexible with dates.

That's more like it! Please do share!