Explore Gold membership

[andrewgalvin]

Hi All,

First time posting.
I have just received an email stating that I have just been upgraded to 'Explore Gold" which is a 3 month taste of Gold Membership.

Does any one know if you can delay this starting or had any luck doing so?
The reason is I have one short domestic flight before this offer expires in September BUT I have an LAX trip planned over xmas.

I would obviously love to use the lounge access for the return to LAX trip rather then just to domestically.

Or if I cant delay it what the best way to earn 80 status credits and 1 sector by the expiry date in september.

Cheers

 

[sergeyvzn]

Hi All,

First time posting.
I have just received an email stating that I have just been upgraded to 'Explore Gold" which is a 3 month taste of Gold Membership.

Does any one know if you can delay this starting or had any luck doing so?
The reason is I have one short domestic flight before this offer expires in September BUT I have an LAX trip planned over xmas.

I would obviously love to use the lounge access for the return to LAX trip rather then just to domestically.

Or if I cant delay it what the best way to earn 80 status credits and 1 sector by the expiry date in september.

Cheers

I don't think you can delay it

Do SYD-OOL one way in business and one way in economy (full fare), it'll give you 80 credits. Using promo codes floating around you can get 10% off the fare, it works out not terribly expensive

 

[andrewgalvin]

Thanks for the response.

This is the first time that I am doing this but if I have my calculations right based on this link:
velocityfrequentflyer.com /content/Earn/StatusCredits/


If I buy two one way discount business class fairs with family pooling that would be 100 status credits?
Im looking at going on 12/08 with a business saver it would cost $397.50 x 2

Is that correct?

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Yep that's right, 2 x one way discount business fares will = 100 status credits, provided you have family pooling. Or single return discount business fare will net you your SC and sector.

If you don't have family pooling set up though your most cost effective way of getting the required credits and sector is what sergeyvzn outlined.

Also for future reference bear in mind that family pooling doesn't cover eligible sectors either from memory - but that won't be a problem with this plan

 

[andrewgalvin]

I forgot about sectors. Explore gold states that I only need one sector.
Im assuming that the trip to coffs should cover that one sector?

 

[Lord_Lenny]

1 flight = 1 sector (assuming it's on VA metal or the appropriate codeshare) so yes SYD-CFS will cover it.

I I have it correct you're looking at the following:

1 flight booked Sydney - Coffs prior to September. This will take care of your eligible sector, but won't do much for the SC depending on the class you're booked in (you will earn 5 SC for a discount economy flight, up to 25 SC for full fare economy. They don't run Business fares on that route, although if you're lucky you can select the seat)

1 status run (Sydney - Gold Coast??) to be completed prior to September also. This is where you should be able to earn the remaining SC balance as part of the Explore Gold conditions.

So depending on what you're booked for the Coffs trip, and whether it's a return or not, there may be a more economical way to earn the remaining SC you need to maintain gold.

 

[andrewgalvin]

1 flight = 1 sector (assuming it's on VA metal or the appropriate codeshare) so yes SYD-CFS will cover it.

I I have it correct you're looking at the following:

1 flight booked Sydney - Coffs prior to September. This will take care of your eligible sector, but won't do much for the SC depending on the class you're booked in (you will earn 5 SC for a discount economy flight, up to 25 SC for full fare economy. They don't run Business fares on that route, although if you're lucky you can select the seat)

1 status run (Sydney - Gold Coast??) to be completed prior to September also. This is where you should be able to earn the remaining SC balance as part of the Explore Gold conditions.

So depending on what you're booked for the Coffs trip, and whether it's a return or not, there may be a more economical way to earn the remaining SC you need to maintain gold.

Looks like they could be running business on that route now, when I go through the booking site it allows me to select a business saver fare for that flight.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Well there ya go, so they are. This means I'll have to pay for business if I want the seat next time I fly to Coffs...oh well back to Economy for me!