Spending on Travel and Status

[dragoonf142]

Hi all,

I've read many threads here where people do status runs to gain status. It seems like a lot of people earn their status through self funding.

I was wondering if you guys are willing to share how much you spend each year chasing status? And how much money do you spend each year on flights?

Just very curious, under the perspective of a recent graduate, it seems like a very expensive task to be chasing status despite its perks.

It has made be question if this is something I should go for as I have a lot of time to start accumulating.

Thanks

 

[Melburnian1]

I'd make it my priority to buy good quality shares with a proven track record and to buy a home, in that order, rather than spending big on 'chasing status.' Some have told me that going without a car is a great way to save what can seem like a lot in a couple of years once it adds up.

 

[deejo77]

Ok we use our FF points to fly business or above so don't need status for the perks we want. However we booked a heavy discount fare on VA in August and family pooled, with some work flights, fly buy SC we had decided to chase status and booked a quick trip for a special occasion (total cost $600). Then VA and Singapore airlines had a very recent heavy discount fare so booked that also. Without the cheap fares we would not be chasing and the lounge access while on the cheap fare is going to be nice.

 

[RooFlyer]

Status is reviewed annually, so 'starting young' doesn't really apply overall. Points can be earned in a variety of ways, so spend on airlines isn't really a good metric.

Better to ask about $/SC or per point/mile on specific programs. It's already on AFF in bits and pieces, but a dedicated thread would be handy.

 

[JohnK]

I find the easiest way to assist in earning status is to research ways to increase SC earn with existing travel.

e.g. Need to go to Thailand? BNE-SYD-HKG with QF economy followed by HKG-BKK business class on RJ/UL.

 

[Deleted member]

It's all relative, high cost to one , is reasonable cost to another. Generally speaking , status runs are about minimum spend for maximum earn. Even then that formula is open to interpretation. The expression "why fly direct, when you can connect " is part of the status (and points) earn philosophy! For example, mrs GPH and I will travel to France next year (in J) we "could" fly direct, we are instead travelling as follows. BNE - MEL - HKG - HEL - CDG. ( and back with the same stops) we will earn 720 SC's if we were to fly BNE - DXB -CDG and return we would earn 560 SC's a good (AFF aware) TA can make a difference the direct fare is $4,000 dearer. (For two)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all,

I've read many threads here where people do status runs to gain status. It seems like a lot of people earn their status through self funding.

I was wondering if you guys are willing to share how much you spend each year chasing status? And how much money do you spend each year on flights?

Just very curious, under the perspective of a recent graduate, it seems like a very expensive task to be chasing status despite its perks.

It has made be question if this is something I should go for as I have a lot of time to start accumulating.

Thanks

If you are doing a lot of flying domestic and aren't able to go business class, status helps with lounge access and priority check-in. it smooths your journey.

If you are flying overseas occasionally you can put your $$ to better use than trying to get status. Instead of flights for no purpose, buy miles through Lifemiles, United or American Airlines and fly business or first class (no need for status).

With a first class ticket on Thai between Australia and anywhere in Asia for just $2000 through buying miles (business class for $1500), no point spending hundreds of dollars to get status to smooth your economy class journey.