Qantas points calculator- can this be correct?

[Berlin]

Hi there- please forgive me in case this is something really obvious but I had been gone from Australia for a couple of years so might not be aware of the latest 'enhancements' on Qantas.

So I am about to finally book in some inner-US flights on AA and, among other things, try to calculate the amount of points and status credits I am going to get on different potential route combinations. I already gathered that the good old times when Domestic 'First' counted as proper F are gone and it all gets counted as Business class now (besides those fancy 3-class coast to coast flights).

I want to earn enough status credits to be back at Platinum level by year end but given there's quite a lot of travel coming up still this year, don't have to go totally crazy. So on my route from LAX to MCO, I am deciding whether to fly direct (which would be less of a time waste and more comfortable) or to stop over in Dallas. Now looking at the results on Qantas' points calculator, something looks not quite right:

LAX-DFW returns 60 status credits for the one way. DFW-MCO is again 60 status credits.
Now looking up the direct flight, that returns only 50 status credits for the entire flight.

How can this be, is this an error or am I unaware of some strange 'Flights from the West Coast to Florida give you less credits' rule? I don't expect the same amount for the direct as for two smaller flights together. But how can a flight all across from the West coast to Florida be giving me less status credits than from the West Coast only 'half way' to Texas? Looking up the mileage, LAX-MCO is almost twice as long. I might be missing something there- sorry, confused

 

[sudoer]

How can this be, is this an error or am I unaware of some strange 'Flights from the West Coast to Florida give you less credits' rule? I don't expect the same amount for the direct as for two smaller flights together. But how can a flight all across from the West coast to Florida be giving me less status credits than from the West Coast only 'half way' to Texas? Looking up the mileage, LAX-MCO is almost twice as long. I might be missing something there- sorry, confused

There is a special section in the partner earning table to deal with east-west coast flights. See below.

 

[Berlin]

There is a special section in the partner earning table to deal with east-west coast flights. See below.

View attachment 98290

So in other words, you are always getting <removed> if you fly between coasts direct, unless it's on one of the official Transcontinental flights, is this correct? Wow. That was news to me. Certainly will be detouring then. And Orlando being on the 'coast' is also a bit of a stretch

 

[sudoer]

And Orlando being on the 'coast' is also a bit of a stretch

Indeed Orlando is considered to be on the coast according to QF :-|.. Las Vegas being on the coast is even more questionable though

 

[Berlin]

Indeed Orlando is considered to be on the coast according to QF :-|.. Las Vegas being on the coast is even more questionable though

Oh dear, indeed. And Phoenix even as well?

Well, I am glad I've asked you guys. Will be going via Dallas or Chicago then, probably the former regardless of those extra 20 status credits I could get via ORD. Dallas is easier and less risky weather-wise from experience.

 

[Danger]

Attempting to apply logic to the way Qantas runs its program will always end in tears.

 

[Berlin]

Attempting to apply logic to the way Qantas runs its program will always end in tears.

Oh yes, so I realise!

 

[DC3]

... Dallas is easier and less risky weather-wise from experience.

... other than for winter storms and summer storms and ......

At least it's a major hub for better (delayed) flight availability to most places. And a reasonably good SC earner in breaking the trip (mid way).

Edit: Much better choice than ORD in the winter, anyway.

 

[samh004]

We may have a censor, but that doesn't mean you should test it.

Please consider using less harsh language.