need 110 sc by end of Nov 2008

[swilk]

Hi Guys,

I have 1210 SC. They expire end of Nov 2008.

I have 2 PER-MEL flights in discount economy booked in Nov leaving me with 110 SC to find to achieve Platinum.

Any tips on the lowest cost way of doing this in Nov?

Tx

Steve

 

[bambbbam2]

Don't do PER-MEL.. do Per-Adl-Mel

you need to stretch out these flights a little for a start,,

 

[taswegian77]

It appears to be a lot harder to accumulate SC's from PER a cheap way but here is an option. Get yourself a really cheap PER-SIN-PER on QF (earns you 50SC) and then do SIN-BKK-SIN on 3K (Jetstar Asia that will earn you another 60SC). Here's a possible scenario-
PER-SIN Nov 4 QF77 arrive SIN 17:35, then SIN-BKK Nov 4 departs 20:50 on Jetstar Asia, then Nov 5 BKK-SIN departs around 9.25am Jetstar and then QF78 SIN-PER departs 22:15. Total outlay approx $1300 AUD.
I have used 3K a lot and it is a good service ( IMO better than JQ domestic AU) but I am sure you really only care about maximising SC earn for a cheap $$ outlay.

Good Luck.

 

[medhead]

One idea, that depends on how much time you have and if you can take any time off is to fly to the east coast and then cruise around a bit. You could fly Per Adl via Mel 30SC, this is available on 8 Nov for $310. Then city flyer back and forward between ADL and MEL 6 trips @ $85 for 60 SC. Then ADL PER for about $279 and 20SC. Total of 110 SC for $1100.

Edit: Not Mildura, it's not on sale until Dec.

Clearly there are a couple of negatives with this; it has to be done in one go because of the high cost of flying PER to east coast. Getting the consecutive cheap fares between ADL and MEL might be a problem and would be easier on a working day so you might need to take a day off. You would get to know ADL and MEL airports pretty well.

But it is less than $1300

EDIT: with your current PER MEL flights what time do you have for little side trips? Perhaps you can slip in a couple of return flights to ADL, Hobart

 

[markis10]

As mentioned reroute your two Per-Mel trips via Adl, cost is around $60 extra for 10 sc each time, then nest a J Mel-CB return in one of the two trips, not much extra flying but gets you the extra credits.

 

[taswegian77]

As mentioned reroute your two Per-Mel trips via Adl, cost is around $60 extra for 10 sc each time, then nest a J Mel-CB return in one of the two trips, not much extra flying but gets you the extra credits.

I am not so sure the costs would be much better. Where do you get the $60 extra for each change. They would have to reroute both PER-MEL flights to be PER-ADL-MEL-ADL-PER in order to obtain 20 SC per trip extra. I am sure that would cost a lot more than $60 per trip. They would charge for the extra segments at the going rate I am sure they would or am I missing somethign here?
The MEL-CBR J ticket is going for about $950 return for a weekday in Nov. I am thinking this option woudl not be cheap....

 

[markis10]

I am not so sure the costs would be much better. Where do you get the $60 extra for each change. They would have to reroute both PER-MEL flights to be PER-ADL-MEL-ADL-PER in order to obtain 20 SC per trip extra. I am sure that would cost a lot more than $60 per trip. .

The average cost difference between red e deal direct versus via Adl for Pth-Melbourne is $60 per flight in November during the week, obviously that varies based on loadings but its a good indicator when you dont have actual flight details.

For instance on Tuesday Nov 11 if you leave Perth at 6AM, QF480 is $299, routing via Adl on 590/682 is $339, a $39 difference.

 

[mhen]

A possible trip out of Melbourne would be 7.30pm QF Melbourne to Auckland (Y 20SC $235) 5.45am LA AKL-SYD (J 80SC $504) QF back to Melbourne (Y 10SC $105). Total 110SC for $844 plus one night's loss of sleep.

 

[taswegian77]

The average cost difference between red e deal direct versus via Adl for Pth-Melbourne is $60 per flight in November during the week, obviously that varies based on loadings but its a good indicator when you dont have actual flight details.

For instance on Tuesday Nov 11 if you leave Perth at 6AM, QF480 is $299, routing via Adl on 590/682 is $339, a $39 difference.

I should have done my research a bit better. My answer was not well worded, it was more directed at whether QF sales would offer that on a change to a flight as he already had flights booked? Apologise for the bad reply.

 

[taswegian77]

A possible trip out of Melbourne would be 7.30pm QF Melbourne to Auckland (Y 20SC $235) 5.45am LA AKL-SYD (J 80SC $504) QF back to Melbourne (Y 10SC $105). Total 110SC for $844 plus one night's loss of sleep.

Where did you find the $504 J fare from LA AKL-SYD please tell me as that is un-real!!!!!

 

[straitman]

Where did you find the $504 J fare from LA AKL-SYD please tell me as that is un-real!!!!!

Look on LAN.com for LA801 from AKL-SYD. I just looked up 18th Nov and the fare is $A504.12.

 

[mhen]

Look on LAN.com for LA801 from AKL-SYD. I just looked up 18th Nov and the fare is $A504.12.

Unfortunately it's such an appalling time so I have never managed to bring myself to do it but I have done the SYD-AKL flight as its a very civilised time of 10.45am (eg for 10 Nov fare is $646.42 for LA800).

Note that booking a return trip is more expensive than the two one-ways (about $110 more)

 

[QF WP]

I'm right with you, mhen. I've only done it once, but would prefer it ove a similar costed whY on QF. I've also never taken the return LA flight, preferring the QF afternoon flights.

It's a decent product for a very reasonable fare - and excellent for SC chasing.

 

[swilk]

Wow. You guys are terrific. Great advice. Unfortunately this time I can't put it into practice. One of my PER-MEL trips has been cancelled and moved to mid Dec so it's probably no Platinum this year but at least a flight not wasted and able to be put towards next year.

thanks again for all your efforts.

Steve

 

[JohnK]

Look on LAN.com for LA801 from AKL-SYD. I just looked up 18th Nov and the fare is $A504.12.

How times have changed. I booked a one way business class AKL-SYD on LAN less than 2 years ago and it was ~30% cheaper. Not a very friendly hour of the morning to be travelling but it was good SCs. Only hassle was that LAN would not issue an e-ticket and I had to collect the paper ticket from their office in AKL. Is this still the case or does LAN now issue e-tickets?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi Guys,

I have 1210 SC. They expire end of Nov 2008.

I have 2 PER-MEL flights in discount economy booked in Nov leaving me with 110 SC to find to achieve Platinum.

Any tips on the lowest cost way of doing this in Nov?

Tx

Steve

I always like the cheap J class on QF CBR-SYD. Of course location maybe an issue, but not if you reroute through SYD. 40SC each way. If time is an issue you will not earn faster SC's in the air.

good luck

SPRUCE

 

[straitman]

How times have changed. I booked a one way business class AKL-SYD on LAN less than 2 years ago and it was ~30% cheaper. Not a very friendly hour of the morning to be travelling but it was good SCs. Only hassle was that LAN would not issue an e-ticket and I had to collect the paper ticket from their office in AKL. Is this still the case or does LAN now issue e-tickets?

JohnK,

It was a paper ticket when I used it earlier this year.

 

[mhen]

How times have changed. I booked a one way business class AKL-SYD on LAN less than 2 years ago and it was ~30% cheaper. Not a very friendly hour of the morning to be travelling but it was good SCs. Only hassle was that LAN would not issue an e-ticket and I had to collect the paper ticket from their office in AKL. Is this still the case or does LAN now issue e-tickets?

JohnK
It was an e-ticket for my SYD-AKL flight in September. I just checked on LAN website for AKL-SYD next week and only option for ticket delivery is e-ticket.

 

[JohnK]

It was an e-ticket for my SYD-AKL flight in September. I just checked on LAN website for AKL-SYD next week and only option for ticket delivery is e-ticket.

It is reassuring to know that LAN now issues e-tickets for Trans-Tasman flights.

By the way when I purchased my LAN ticket at the beginning of last year the website did make mention of e-ticket. It was only when the confirmation e-mail arrived that I realised that they LAN not going to issue an e-ticket and it would have to be a paper ticket.

 

[docjames]

Lan was e-ticket for us SCL-AKL and intra Sth America

(SCL-AFO-SCL-EZE-SCL) - sth america pass.