Qpoints calculation

[simongr]

Hi all

Just looking at my qpoints for the year and wondering on some calculations.

If a requested change to an upcoming itinerary comes through then I think I will be 2931 qpoints short of requalifying for EXP.

I just wanted to check a couple of things - what is the minimum qpoints one would earn on a Y/B fare say SYD-MEL?

SYD-MEL is 438 miles so at 1.5pts/mile for B/Y (not even sure what B/Y fares would be available domestically) is it 438x1.5 = 657 or does the minimum miles earned kick and it is 500x1.5 = 750?

I might be looking for some status run advice later in the year Maybe a run to AKL...

If the itinerary doesnt change how I want then I will be about 15K qpoints short and a status run for that is not on the cards. I could manage a status run

 

[serfty]

Going by this page:

Miles and Points (AA - FlyerGuide Wiki)

EQP = 657 (438 x 1½)

EQM = 500

RDM = 1000

 

[simongr]

Cheers - now to work out the cost of 4 1/2 trips to MEL

 

[NM]

for SYD-BNE, the flown distance is 466 miles and for a Y fare I have been credited as follows:

Miles = 500 min plus 100% bonus for total of 1000
QPoints = 466 x 1.5 = 699

 

[simongr]

Thanks again

I might even use my free Amex flights and pay to make the fare upgradeable.

Just thinking this through - with the minimum 500qpoints guarantee even cheap flights would be earning flights?

 

[futaris]

Yep. O class will earn a minimum of 500 EQP. AKL-WLG (NZ$71 without sales) is the cheapest QF sector. BNE-BDB/HVB (AU$69 on sale) is probably the cheapest Australian sector.

 

[serfty]

Flying on QF you need to avoid the common N (Domestic) and Q (international[/conjuction]) classes if crediting to AAdvantage - they will not earn any EQPs, RDMs or EQMs.

 

[simongr]

Yep. O class will earn a minimum of 500 EQP. AKL-WLG (NZ$71 without sales) is the cheapest QF sector. BNE-BDB/HVB (AU$69 on sale) is probably the cheapest Australian sector.

Just investigating this - do they use the same aircraft for all the BNE-HVB-BNE flights?

I.e. There are two flights to HVB on a Saturday - 10:35 and 15:25 (roughly) - could I fly two returns (on separate tickets) and not risk missing the return flights?

Is there an issue earning Qpoints if this is operated by "Sunstate Airlines"?

 

[serfty]

Just investigating this - do they use the same aircraft for all the BNE-HVB-BNE flights?

I.e. There are two flights to HVB on a Saturday - 10:35 and 15:25 (roughly) - could I fly two returns (on separate tickets) and not risk missing the return flights?

The same equipment generally does the "Turnaround"; post the flight numbers and recent history can be checked.

Is there an issue earning Qpoints if this is operated by "Sunstate Airlines"?

Generally not, as long as it has a QF flight number, just avoid the N, Q (& E) fares.

 

[simongr]

Just thinking through some other ideas

Syd-adl-bne-adl-syd would be 3400 miles (note I will need 3610 based on the current forecast).

I could get O class SYD-ADL-SYD for $240 and then use my Amex flight ADL-BNE-ADL and pay to make that upgradeable and upgrade to J

Any idea how much it would cost to make the Amex flight upgradeable and thus points earnable?

 

[LuisT]

Generally not, as long as it has a QF flight number, just avoid the N, Q (& E) fares.

So what is the best way when booking to see what fare it will book into? I've worked it out for routes that I do regularly, but for some (PER-BNE) I can't tell. Is there a way to see on the qantas site before booking?

thanks,

Luis

 

[serfty]

... I could get O class SYD-ADL-SYD for $240 and then use my Amex flight ADL-BNE-ADL and pay to make that upgradeable and upgrade to J

Any idea how much it would cost to make the Amex flight upgradeable and thus points earnable?

Upgradeable fares for domestic travel are Super Saver (S V L M), Flexi Saver (K B) & Fully Flexible (H Y).

Now EQP earning is on QF as follows (per mile):

• .½: M, V, L
• .1: H, K
• 1½: B, Y

So, they are mixed up somewhat and you'll need to be careful to book the B (or Y) fare..

Amex flights book into O; currently the inclusive (non sale*) O fare ADL/BNE is $181.

*Note that during sales where O class is reduced it's been posted that it costs more with Amex to book in the higher buckets.

 

[simongr]

So what is the best way when booking to see what fare it will book into? I've worked it out for routes that I do regularly, but for some (PER-BNE) I can't tell. Is there a way to see on the qantas site before booking?

thanks,

Luis

View the source code for the web page and search for the fare you are going to choose.

 

[simongr]

Upgradeable fares for domestic travel are Super Saver (S V L M), Flexi Saver (K B) & Fully Flexible (H Y).
Now EQP earning is as follows (per mile):

• .½: M, V, L
• .1: H, K
• 1½: B, Y

So, they are mixed up somewhat and you'll need to be careful to book the B (or Y) fare..

Amex flights book into O; currently the inclusive (non sale*) O fare ADL/BNE is $181.

*Note that during sales where O class is reduced it's been posted that it costs more with Amex to book in the higher buckets.

Is this referring to paid Amex flights or the free flight with the Amex Plat CC?

 

[LuisT]

View the source code for the web page and search for the fare you are going to choose.

Thanks simongr,

I can find the info for the red-e-deal

javascript:theFFCOForm.popupFlightInfo('200810281835','PER','BNE','QF', '594','Boeing 767-300/300ER','763','0')

But can't seem to find it for higher fares. What should I be looking for?

Thanks.

 

[serfty]

... But can't seem to find it for higher fares. What should I be looking for?

Thanks.

The part you showed does not link the fare with the booking class.

There is some more information on how to do this here:

• The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community - View Single Post - Booking class E on QF domestic?

 

[simongr]

The thing I missed was that you should view the source before you choose the flights and that shows you the booking class for all flights.

S

 

[serfty]

Is this referring to paid Amex flights or the free flight with the Amex Plat CC?

The "Free" flight with Plat Amex. Reports here are that it books into O class. The T&C's state it is not mileage earning. Posts contradict this.

 

[LuisT]

The part you showed does not link the fare with the booking class.

There is some more information on how to do this here:

• The Australian Frequent Flyer Online Community - View Single Post - Booking class E on QF domestic?

Thanks. I couldn't figure out why the source was so small, but I did "view selection source" instead of page source, and just happened to have a big chunk highlighted...

Got it figured out now...

Luis

 

[JohnK]

Just investigating this - do they use the same aircraft for all the BNE-HVB-BNE flights?

There is no risk missing a connection in HVB as the same aircraft does the turnaround.

I.e. There are two flights to HVB on a Saturday - 10:35 and 15:25 (roughly) - could I fly two returns (on separate tickets) and not risk missing the return flights?

From my limited experience during the Queensland Mining Towns Tour earlier this year when some, probably most, of the Dash 8 aircraft return to BNE they go onto different destinations. So during the first flight if your aircraft is significantly delayed in HVB there is a strong possibility you may miss the later flight BNE-HVB.