Newbie asking for option to keep Gold Status

[sonicblue]

hi guys

i am new here and i was surprised to have an upgrade from QF to Gold Member.
it says 600 SC to keep, i am a travel professional but new to the QFF.

i do need to travel to China 2-3 times a year and need to travel to NZ and AU domestically.
but i wont mind to travel to USA for SC run

i have gone through some threads in the forum but English is not my first language so that i am still 50% confused how to use the tools to maximise the run.

i am asking for help/guidance for this SC run to keep or maybe promote to platinum next year?

thanks in advance.

 

[moa999]

Welcome sonic blue...

Unfortunately with the recent AA changes, Domestic First will now only credit as Business so the 'best' runs are no longer what they are.
Using search will get you a few threads.

But I think you need to consider how far off Plat you will be... I would say you'd now be spending a minimum of A$4-6/SC.

So could be some big $$s.
My general view is it's only worth laying out the $s on SC if going to be 0-200 SC short

 

[sonicblue]

Hi moa999, thank you for your reply. I will have to do some business trips in 2017, the anniversary of my QFF is in August, so I am wondering to at least keep the gold level? I am happy to travel to USA or Europe as well. Basically I don't know how to do a plan to gain maximum SC with minimum spend. I am also happy to spend points to gain SC.

 

[snabbu]

Welcome aboard sonicblue.

A couple of threads to get you started.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....program/best-qf-status-run-options-46552.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....gram/best-status-run-options-quick-35258.html

 

[sonicblue]

lots of them not valid anymore, and I have no idea how to figure out the routes in US

 

[kitkatff]

One basic principle to chase SC is to split your trips in as many legs as you can. For example you could go MEL-HKG (or wherever you are going in China) for 120SC in J flying direct.
Note: F = first, J = business, Y = economy - assuming J as you said it's business trips.

But for just about the same price (I've seen it sometimes as just $20 difference) you can do MEL-BNE-HKG for 180 SC in J, as you get 60 SC for MEL-BNE. It adds a few hours to the trip but you get 50% more SC ...
And of course something like MEL-SYD-BNE-HKG would yield even more (40+40+120 = 200), though I am not sure about the cost difference.
Same principles apply for Y class.
If going to Europe don't just do for ex. MEL-DXB-<europe>, see if you can do things like MEL-SYD-SIN-DXB-<europe> for a similar price, you'll get more SC.
You get the gist. Use the calculator on Qantas' site for more details on SC earn by airline and by lane.

Other note: avoid Malaysian and Qatar airlines out of/into Australia, as Qantas has seriously degraded the SC earn on those (maximum premium economy earn for business travel I think?).

Another principle: Check the type of fare, as the cheapest usually yield the less SC - a Y red e-deal MEL-SYD is just 10 SC, but if you go more expensive you can get 20 SC. Up to you to assess what you want to spend. Also the cheapest fares in Y usually cannot get upgraded with points, so especially on international flight I'd recommend against the cheapest, if you're chasing SC and you want to have a chance at upgrades - if you're gold already you still have a reasonable chance, but try and travel mid-week to increase chances. Note that if upgraded the SC earned are for the original class you pay for, not what you get upgraded to.

You can also do some runs in Y/F to NZ or reversed (eg. Y AU-NZ and F for NZ-AU, or the opposite), as sometimes Qantas and Emirates have discounted F fares, for around $1K one way if memory serves. So in theory for less than $1.5K you can get a bunch for SC for a long week-end across the Tasman, plus a chance to experience Emirates First class (have that shower ... ) A few here have done that so may provide more information.

 

[mannej]

What class of travel is your work travel booked in? This may help figure out how many SC's you need to attain to reach your 600 target

 

[Steelo]

I think it is very worthwhile maintaining your Gold Status. If you want to keep your gold status - it all comes down to good planning.

If you have flexibility and time - travelling to and from China offers you a few good options to earn status credits by going via Denpasar or Kulal Lumpur. For example you can fly to Denpasar on Jetstar Business (with the bundle) giving you 120 sc - then to China in Business Class via either Malaysian Airlines or Cathay Pacific earning anything from around 120 - 160 sc credits depending on your route. That would give you up to 280 sc for a one way trip (with maybe the cost of an overnight in Denpasar) - and the cost of the Business class fare would usually work out much cheaper than buying a Business Class fare direct.

It is hard work to keep your status flying economy - but by not flying direct - you get the benefit of extra sc's - ie I never fly Melbourne to Cairns direct - I always go via Brisbane.

You have to learn a few basic rules and follow it from there. Use the Qantas sc calculator and familiarise yourself with those Asian Ports which provide the best value to fly out of.

The real benefit that I have achieved from chasing SC's is that I have uncovered many ways to fly Business Class much cheaper while gaining status credits.

Best of Luck

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Seeing that EK (Emirates) does not fly from MEL - KUL direct anymore, to earn the most SC if you have to get to Malaysia, rather than flying MH (Malaysia Airlines), fly QF (Qantas) from Au to SIN, or JQ (Jetstar 787) and then 3K (Jetstar Asia) with a bundle that gives QF points and QF SC, which tends to be a bit more expensive than base fares.
You could fly from your home port to DPS (Denpasar) with JQ, some planes do have J class, some don't, and then 3K from there to SIN if you want.
Reason why we recommend that MH be avoided if flying out of Australia, is that even if you fly MH in J, you will only earn SC at QF's flexY rates, (flexible economy). This is only relevant flying MH from Au to KUL, and/or from KUL to the UK.
You can get a lot of QF SC flying EK (most important is its with a QF flight designator code) from Australia to DXB (Dubai) and then to various cities in Europe.
Australia to NZ fly QF's JC (Jetconnect), and not JQ **if you have to pay for your own travel** and wanting to fly J class. JQ Australia to NZ does not have J class seating.
Does QF know you are a travel professional? As some QF fares are specially discounted for travel agents/agencies/and your fare might be a special travel industry fare, and as such might not earn any QFF/QP or QF SC.
Better phone up and confirm.