NZ status run SIN-DXB - am I mad?

[dajop]

Ok, I've read a lot about QF related status runs. I'm actually seriously considering doing such a run for the benefit of my NZ status.

I am NZ gold, this expires mid September. Due to annual tightening in company travel policy I may have considerable difficult maintaining this status unless I take some action - and even without restrictions, it would come at a cost of trying to keep QF WP. The main reason want to keep NZ gold is to preserve my not inconsiderable balance of NZ points, more than half of which will expire almost immediately upon dropping to silver (will have a month to book tickets using these). I also do like the complementary upgrades for travel on NZ, even though I have to make my way to HKG to use them.

With long weekend coming up I am seriously considering doing a status run to Thai in business class from Singapore - about $1400AUD return with the BKK-DXB-BKK sectors on their A340-600. Would lock in gold and accrue $360 AUD worth of NZ airpoints in the process. Planning on doing something for the long weekend, but was going to try and keep fares <$400AUD. Never been to Dubai, but I am moderately interested in seeing the place.

Or am I crazy for even thinking of this crazy idea? (aside from the general craziness associated with participating in AFF)

 

[trooper]

I don't think you're crazy at all (Gold Elite dropping to Gold end August here...)

I feel for you however that there isn't an easier way of getting the A$...like some USA domestic F flights etc....

SIN must be an awkward place for an NZ FF'er, but then again 360/1400 is a pretty reasonable return no matter how you look at it...

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Great to hear from people outside of the QF forum.

I honestly have no idea how the NZ Airpoints system works. l've heard that it's a little bit on the complicated side of things, compared to other Frequent Flyer Programs. But, good luck with it and, no, your not mad

 

[serfty]

Re:

No, you are not mad ...

GE is quite useful, especially with "standby" upgrades being confirmable upon booking (if the class is available ).

 

[dajop]

I honestly have no idea how the NZ Airpoints system works. l've heard that it's a little bit on the complicated side of things, compared to other Frequent Flyer Programs. But, good luck with it and, no, your not mad

On the points side of thing quite complicated (earn redeem). Probably the simplest way of describing it in QF terms is imagine that for every status credit you earned you got $1 in credit that you could spend on NZ services instead of cash, or on partner airlines according to a redemption chart.

On the status side of things, remarkably similar to Qantas, such that YUPs and cheap J runs can get you status very quickly, and in discount economy it can take forever. One difference operates is that status points are earned on geographic zoning rather than distance based zoning, so interface flights can be good (ie shorter flights between continents, eg Karachi to Muscat a 2hr flight gets same earn as Tokyo to Cairo, a 13.5hr flight).

 

[serfty]

and they work on a "Journey" basis.

e.g. On the cheapest revenue fares an NZ resident Airports member gets:

• For a Journey between East coast Oz and NZ: 30 Status points and 0 Airpoint$.
• For a Journey between USA and NZ: 80 Status points and 80 Airpoint$.
• For a Journey between USA and East coast Oz (via AKL) 85 Status points and 80 Airpoint$.
• For a Journey within NZ* of over 300 km, 12 Status Points and 0 Airpoint$.

*Supposedly an DUD-WLG-AKL on the same day will only earn 12 SP's rather than 24 as it is deemed "one" journey. Generally it seems to post as 2 x 12 however (there are reports of such posting being altered after the initial post).

 

[dajop]

and they work on a "Journey" basis.

This is true only when NZ sectors are involved in the "journey". If the trip is purely on partner airlines then it is basically based on flight numbers like the QF system.

So flying MEL-SYD-SFO on UA (different flight numbers) gets airpoints for Intra-Region flight + Australia-US flight. MEL-SYD-LAX (on UA) is same flight number so would only get airpoints for Australia-US.

 

[JohnK]

I would not say you are mad. Go for it.

Also if you make a long weekend out of it (or even 4-5 days) then it is no longer a status run but an opportunity to visit a new country/city and have a relaxing break away from work/home.

 

[dajop]

Well after some serious consideration, decided to save this for another day, probably enroute to Europe (TG to DXB then an EK, OW or * redemption from there). Main consideration that my partner (who still lives in MEL) wants to visit Dubai as well, so bit pointless only one of us going there. Would be mad if I ignored that!

Instead I am doing a much shorter flight in economy to Sri Lanka for the long weekend (on EK), which will actually get me to EK Silver, for what that's worth. Lot less flying and now looking forward to it, just have to work out which parts of Sri Lanka to visit!