Boosting QF Status Points

[justme]

I'm currently a bronze QF member (but have held gold status 5 years ago when travelling a lot more with work). I've had more travel this year, and now need another 135 status points to gain silver status for upcoming year (anniversary date 31/08). I'm keen to try for it, but wondering if anyone can offer advice as to the cheapest way to get the status points up.

I have already booked international travel with QF for a big holiday in October, which is mostly why I'm keen to try to have upgraded membership by then.

I know of one trip I have coming up to Adelaide later in the year (leisure travel), but that only earns 120 status points in business class (leaving me short), and it certainly isn't the cheapest j class seat around (around $1500). Time is also an issue, I can only consider long weekends away rather than one longer trip.

 

[Dave Noble]

D class return SYD-AKL on LA is $1100 plus tax and will earn 160SCs so not a bad earning compared to QF J fares. If you would like status and arnt so bothered about it being on QF, then a BA WT+ round trip SYD-SIN costs $1390 and will get you straight to Platinum AA status ( OW Sapphire ) rather than to OW Ruby on QF

Dave

 

[NM]

D class return SYD-AKL on LA is $1100 plus tax and will earn 160SCs so not a bad earning compared to QF J fares. If you would like status and arnt so bothered about it being on QF, then a BA WT+ round trip SYD-SIN costs $1390 and will get you straight to Platinum AA status ( OW Sapphire ) rather than to OW Ruby on QF

And of course AA Platinum also gets you Qantas Club access by way of being OneWorld Sapphire status. And also gets you 100% bonus for miles earned (same as QF Platinum does for QF earning).

 

[QF WP]

justme, allow me to welcome you to AFF.

Perhaps a Mileage Run (MR) is what you need to consider. Dave Noble and NM have given some examples of short and medium-haul trips that would meet your requirements and both slightly cheaper than just a domestic trip.

Alternatively, if you don't want to go so far from home, then a domestic MR could be the go. Here is mine for some inspiration (completed in less than 24 hours).

In the Ultimate Qantas Guide (the sticky thread in the QF Forum here), there is a Status Chaser calculator by StevePER. I'm not sure exactly how up to date it is, but it may be useful.

If you are looking to status (for entry to QC and Business Class check-in, as well as the best earn and burn FF mileage rates); then American's AAdvantage is the best program. Where else can you earn status in one mid-haul flight, valid for up to 18 months.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Welcome to AFF justme

Not sure where in Australia you are but I find its much cheaper ex-NZ for trans-tasman and intra-australia business class. Eg Oz-AKL in economy (or on LA if that suits), then AKL-xx_ business class return. You could use one half of the latter in one weekend, and the other half either before or after your anniversary depending on how close you'd get to Gold this year vs will it help qualify higher level next membership year.

Weekend trips to NZ works out much cheaper than say across Australia to Perth, and less flying involved than other status runs (such as SIN or BKK).

 

[justme]

Thanks for all the great advice - have decided on a long weekend in Auckland next month, sampling lan chile's business class. I have a great travel agent who is willing to get the best deal possible for me. I already had quotes for SYD-AKL-SYD, but thanks to Kiwi's advice, I've found AKL-SYD-AKL fares at under $700 in business class for LA, and even paying for the one way fare in j class with LA SYD-AKL, I now have 3 fares for under $1300 total, earning me 240 SC's. I'm sure I can cope with another weekend in NZ later in the year.....especially when it's not going to cost too much more at the time (seriously.....$700 isn't that much more than the discounted economy seats on sale at the moment!)

Maybe gold isn't unattanable for a leisure traveller after all!

 

[aus_flyer]

Maybe gold isn't unattanable for a leisure traveller after all!

Definitely not. I travel solely for leisure and I'm WP.