QF or Emirates for best status credits and ff points between BNE and Cape Town

[freakie]

Hello.
I need to travel from Brisbane to Cape Town for a week in late April. Arrive 21/4, depart 27/4.
I am QFF Gold.
Unfortunately my employer will only pay for economy.
I have flexibility to fly either QANTAS (two stops in Sydney and Jo'burg then SAA to Cape Town) or Emirates (one stop in Dubai).
Transit time is not an issue, as I am prepared to stop over in Dubai in either/both directions if the connections don't line up. Don't wish to stop over in Jo'burg.

I am not up to speed on the ins and outs of the QANTAS/Emirates alliance, so am keen to get some guidance on:
- how to maximise my QANTAS status credits (1st priority) and FF points (second priority) earn on this trip
- which aircraft will offer the best in flight (Economy) experience
- whether my chances of a points-funded upgrade are equal on both airlines
- whether my chances of a operational (ie. dead lucky) upgrade are equal on both airlines.
- is there some type of round the world ticket which would give me more QFF SC/points than a Cape Town return ticket for a similar price?

I have every confidence in you guys. Thanks in advance for the help.
Freakie

 

[mannej]

I suggest that you do some research on the tie up, as you will only get SC's on QF flight numbers (on both metal) but you can only upgrade on a QF operated flight (must be booked under the QF code)

 

[Mattg]

Hi freakie,
It is important to remember that you only earn status credits (SCs) on QF flight numbers (or other oneworld flights) but not on emirates if booked as an EK flight number.

I'm going to assume that you are not paying? If you were, it is worth noting the current sale, you can book this trip on the QF website in Y for $1876 return at the moment.

If you want to earn QF SCs, you only really have one option:

21/4 BNE-SYD-JNB-CPT on QF with last leg on BA (this is a BA flight number operated by Commair - I believe you will earn SCs if you book this flight, BA6341)
27/4 CPT-JNB-SYD-BNE on QF, again with CPT-JNB booked on BA flight number to get SCs.

This would cost $1876 if booked on the QF website and earn 130 SCs in discount Y. No lengthy stopovers required.


The QF website will not allow you to book BNE-DXB-CPT even on an Emirates flight number. As QF don't codeshare on DXB-CPT you won't be able to earn SCs anyway.