Shano said:
I will definitely have to look at routings in future to maximise SC's, particularly as I may struggle to requalify for platinum this year.
My recent fare to the US (MEL-LAX return) booked in H and V class (~$2,200) yielded 90 SC. For approximately the same $ I can fly MEL-BNE return 3 times on a flexi saver fare and earn 180 SC.
It all depends where you travel to the most overseas. Is your travel time flexible or constrained by work?
I am sure others can do better, but in SE Asia for ~$2,300 I can get 600 SC's. In the US QUP/YUP fares are very good SC's earners where for <$1,000 you can earn ~600SC's or more. But for all of these you need to do the research and have some spare time to do short SC trips.
Shano said:
Do other airlines (particularly OW) have the same attidtude towards SC earn for anything other than full Y class fares? Even an international flexi saver fare on QF only earns discount Y SC's, whereas domestic is full Y SC's.
Some frequent flyer programs are better than others. Not all have SC's or tier points. Many are mileage based.
With some FFPs you do not earn any miles/status for the lowest booking classes. CX, SQ, AA are some that spring to mind. With other FFPs some booking classes only earn 50% or 70% miles/status.