Guess thats the end of my SG

[uvkelly]

As I have recently moved permanently to the USA, I decided to check with Qantas regarding keeping my status as I will be heading to Australia every 18 months or so.
so I asked about ways to maintain the status without having to fly to Australia every year (to get the 4 Qantas flights). I unfortunately do not have the time to go every year just to maintain status. I have looked and the shortest flights with a QF, JQ, 3K or Vf number are from LAX to NAN and I can leave from SAN to get the four flights which still seems ridiculous.
I guess it just means that I credit 1 AA flight every 18 months to keep the 600,000 miles plus active until I have time to use them for what I want.
I guess Qantas does not want US members of QFF


Below is the return message I received from customer service on the matter.

"Thank you for contacting The Qantas Club and Frequent Flyer Service Centre.

I'd like to clarify a Qantas Group flight is any eligible flight that has a Qantas (QF) or Jetstar (JQ, 3K, VF) flight number.

The 4 Qantas Group flights are a mandatory requirement to maintain your status or elevate to the next level.

If you'd like to know more, please visit qantas.com/frequentflyer or call The Qantas Club and Frequent Flyer Service Centre on +61 (2) 9433 2329 (8.00am to 7.00pm AEST/AEDTMonday to Friday). A member of our team will be able to assist you."

 

[SeatBackForward]

Could you not fly LAX to JFK on the QF flight? I dont know if thats actually possible to do or book.

 

[BAM1748]

I guess Qantas does not want US members of QFF

I think QANTAS wants members to have status who actually get on one of their planes.

Matt

 

[amaroo]

Could you not fly LAX to JFK on the QF flight? I dont know if thats actually possible to do or book.

Can't be booked as a DOM only ticket.

 

[TomVexille]

Could you not fly LAX to JFK on the QF flight? I dont know if thats actually possible to do or book.

No, that can only be booked in conjunction with a flight to Australia.

 

[serfty]

Could you not fly LAX to JFK on the QF flight? I dont know if thats actually possible to do or book.

Qantas won't lets you do this, citing cabotage.

Moreover, they insist a PAX taking this flight needs to have a Qantas transpacific flight in the same booking (even though it may simply need to be an international itinerary.)

 

[djfuzz]

Would it be so bad to go for AA PLT instead? Can be achieved quickly through the challenge, and maintained much more easily than QF SG if you're US based. I know lounge access will be an issue, but then again that can be paid for and you're probably not going to be falling over yourself to get into most Admiral's Club lounges anyway.

Also, if you didn't want to burn your QFF points, you could easily purchase something from the FF store, book a short flight or credit a hotel stay here and there if you didn't want to keep crediting your flights to it.

 

[uvkelly]

I will probably just use a credit card for status here, but do like to fly Qantas. It seems slightly short sighted on their behalf to have their flights filled by AA. I mean one of the cards will let me earn miles and redeem them for flights (as though they are cash) with a 20% discount on the published fares (pretty good deal). Just would have liked to keep the status, but guess it doesn't matter anymore.