cheapest way to get 20 sc from SYD

[leyy]

hi all,

I need 20 SC to re qualify for gold and left it last minute (16th July).

I can see SYD-BNK (Ballina) $190 (return) will achieve 20 SC on 11/07

any other suggestions before i bite the bullet for cheapest flights for 20 SC before 16/07?

Also the flight VA1139 lands in Ballina at 11:25AM and VA1140 departs Ballina at 12:00pm

Will there be any issues with time to catch the flight? I imagine they are using the same aircraft (that landed to return to SYD).


Cheers,
leyy

 

[kalboy]

Gold Coast is the same price. Plenty of options there. At least you could have a few beverages in the lounge.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Never assume with airlines the same plane will service next back to your starting location on a same day MR.
The flight you took might be the evening one back to SYD, ie, a longer layover time.
But for Byron Ballina, its a smallish airport, so for 45 mins, you should be able to hang around the gate and ask, even if its a different plane that does the return.
On the other Australian airline, ADL - MEL was one plane, that plane had a turnaround time of about 30 to 45 mins, it then continued to CBR, which I was booked on.
I was just enough time to make about 20 mins in the QP and then back to gate 11 at MELd to get the flight to CBR.
You could try SYD - CBR on VA Fokker 100 ($$$ bit more) and back, later on that same day.
CBR airport is very modern, it has a VA lounge, and you can spend the layover time wasting a few hrs.
EDIT: mmm, VA is asking a very high fare for SYD - CBR, so go for the Byron Ballina one.
Only one flight a day, just had a look. Your call, what happens if that plane goes tech prob?

 

[Revolio]

levy: would something appear in today's happy hour that might fit the bill? Lean pickings lately, but there might be a SYD/MEL or SYD/BRI up for grabs this weekend? We live in hope. (nothing against Ballina, lol)

 

[Revolio]

then again (happpppppy hour just opened), maybe not.

 

[Ausbt]

Gold Coast is the same price. Plenty of options there. At least you could have a few beverages in the lounge.

I've been in-and-out of OOL many times. I've often wondered, "could I swing by Bilinga beach and have a swim?" It's only a short walk away. Sure, wrong time of year right now but in the summer months, fly into OOL in the A.M., walk 7 minutes east, put the togs on, have a swim, head back to the VA lounge for lunch and some beverages and off back to SYD. Nice day out really.

 

[kalboy]

Walk to the beach sounds pleasant. For me though Gold Coast Airport equates to "Skydive the Beach". Could blow the budget though.