Status run to Auckland

[mckinj02]

I’m doing a status from Sydney to Auckland and return on the same day. Will there be any issues at immigration in New Zealand. I only have five hours between landing and my flight back to Sydney on the same day.

 

[mviy]

If they do a DSC promo with similar pricing to NZ as for the 2022 promo I might try to get P1 and fast track my way towards LTG.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Decided to “enter” NZ (WLG) to get some fresh air. Stopped at departures, eventually let through after a second security search.

In NZ only AKL has airside international transfer. Everywhere else you'll be forced to clear immigration and customs.

Staying airside is a fantastic idea. No transfer desk in Auckland airside

There is a transfer desk on the main pier after gates 3 and 4.

 

[clifford]

But whatever you want to do - there is something for everyone and that is a beauty of a status run

Yes indeed. I've booked CBR-MEL-SYD-AKL-MEL-CBR in biz (with quite sensible timings) for February, to get me over the Platinum renewal line for next year. Cost just over $2,000.

 

[Mqrko]

Oh one certainly can .... I have done a a few stops before entering and after exiting AKL

Post automatically merged: Nov 16, 2023

I have. Depends how *indirect* you like to go. Do you have an idea or itinerary that you'd like to fly?

Sorry I meant something like this in one day to avoid sleeping overnight in the airport in Auckland.

SYD-MEL/BNE-AKL-MEL/BNE-SYD

 

[Foreigner]

After my last status run experience of ghastly hour arrival into AKL, I wouldn’t do the same. Had to spend many hours airside until the QF F lounge opened in order to refresh

 

[LadyC]

Sorry I meant something like this in one day to avoid sleeping overnight in the airport in Auckland.

SYD-MEL/BNE-AKL-MEL/BNE-SYD

It's definitely possible. You may not be able to book as all one ticket however.

 

[equus]

to get me over the Platinum renewal line for next year. Cost just over $2,000.

Unless you love sitting in a plane for a day, or also need the SC for liifetime status, the economics of that sort of status run for retaining Platinum are seriously questionable. At the moment (and for quite some time, so not that likely to go away), if you call up and ask,. QF will let you keep platinum for 120,000 points - pretty much regardless of how many SC you are short. Assuming no DSC, you are getting probably 320 SC for that run, but paying over $2,000.

Buying wine from QF with bonus points could get the 120,000 points for around $2,400 - and less if you already have some points to throw at it. Consider the wine itself free.

 

[Andy72]

Unless you love sitting in a plane for a day, or also need the SC for liifetime status, the economics of that sort of status run for retaining Platinum are seriously questionable. At the moment (and for quite some time, so not that likely to go away), if you call up and ask,. QF will let you keep platinum for 120,000 points - pretty much regardless of how many SC you are short. Assuming no DSC, you are getting probably 320 SC for that run, but paying over $2,000.

Buying wine from QF with bonus points could get the 120,000 points for around $2,400 - and less if you already have some points to throw at it. Consider the wine itself free.

I agree somewhat. I have family in NZ and can often tie in work meetings to make it tax deductible. I have also changed all flights to the US to start in NZ, much cheaper, and lets me catch up with friends and family for a few days before. You can mostly add in a stop for a few months so at the end of the trip a stop in AUS and For me the added benefit of P1 is the great service and award availability for family trips, literally saved more than 20,000 and allows my wife to travel J and be WP. Currently in the JAL first lounge with my eldest for a trip to Europe to celebrate end of school and avoid schoolies. No way I would be able to justify the paid fares.
But IMHO you need to evaluate the cost of P/ P1 with your personal benefit. I also feel a little guilty about the CO2 impact of my routings. I also love travelling.
I buy a lot of qantas wine, very good value in terms of points, mostly tasty, and good gifts.

 

[mrsterryn]

Yes indeed. I've booked CBR-MEL-SYD-AKL-MEL-CBR in biz (with quite sensible timings) for February, to get me over the Platinum renewal line for next year. Cost just over $2,000.

How SCs will you end up with ?

 

[Ade]

How SCs will you end up with ?

That'd be 280SC (560SC DCS) assuming Discount J seats. Flex J would add approx 25SC (50 SC DSC) to the final tally.

 

[tonynhe]

I did this SR over the weekend via DSC 25Feb with the routing MEL–OOL–MEL–AKL–SYD–OOL–MEL (sectors 1–5 on one PNR; final leg on separate Y). I have a PRC passport + AU 820 visa + NZ tourist visa.

The day before departure I could not check in via the QF app, so I went to T1 MEL on the day. The agent couldn’t issue BP for MEL–AKL onwards and asked me to return to T2 Intl after my return. She repeatedly queried if I have multiple passports, which I do not have.

Upon return at T2, the QF agent explained that, since I was still in Australian, the system would not check me into the inbound sector, so she cancelled check-in for the remaining legs and issued BP for MEL–AKL only. Departure from AU was okay.

At AKL, eGate denied entry and referred me to an officer, who questioned my routing intentions, i.e. why I am leaving in 6 hours and if I want to enter New Zealand.

I then waited ~4 h in AKL Intl Departures until security & immigration opened at 0430. The QF AKL desk was unhelpful—I couldn’t mobile or kiosk check-in, so an agent finally overrode the system after I produced my AU visa.

Departing NZ was smooth. With the QF Lounge closed, I used the Emirates Lounge on my J-class entitlement (BP showed STRATA; I reminded the agent I am allowed to use Emirates). The shower and amenities was great.

Re-entry to AU posed no issues.

Fun fact: the QC receptionist at OOL recognised me on two consecutive visits, and we had a great chat.

 

[justinbrett]

At AKL, eGate denied entry and referred me to an officer, who questioned my routing intentions, i.e. why I am leaving in 6 hours and if I want to enter New Zealand.

I then waited ~4 h in AKL Intl Departures until security & immigration opened at 0430. The QF AKL desk was unhelpful—I couldn’t mobile or kiosk check-in, so an agent finally overrode the system after I produced my AU visa.

Welcome to AFF!

That happened to me a few years ago even as an Australian citizen, except I had an overnight stay (post midnight arrival and afternoon departure). I even had a hotel booked in town. Gate wouldn't let me through.

Got the third degree and agent wasn't happy as she thought I'd spent too much on my J tickets for such a sort time. Had never heard of a status run, but thankfully her supervisor had and all was OK once he got involved.

 

[DC3]

Got the third degree and agent wasn't happy as she thought I'd spent too much on my J tickets for such a sort time. Had never heard of a status run …

Don’t you just love those Kiwis?

 

[DC3]

I did this SR over the weekend via DSC 25Feb with the routing MEL–OOL–MEL–AKL–SYD–OOL–MEL (sectors 1–5 on one PNR; final leg on separate Y). I have a PRC passport + AU 820 visa + NZ tourist visa.

Welcome to AFF

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Doing a SR on an non Aus passport, can have its hiccups.
Aye, and welcome on board AFF Airlines.
---
Its much easier when you can use Smartgate dep Aus, and entering NZ, ...
===
My stays have always been tend to be 2 days only, have been doing it since 2013!
Only once got the drug wand test, flying into WLG.
Since 2013, have been across maybe maybe, 20 times now.

 

[Medicus]

Thanks for the trip report. I have related question.

I am doing something similar in August on an Australian passport (ADL-MEL-OOL-MEL-AKL-MEL-OOL-MEL-ADL). 2 separate PNR (ADL-MEL-OOL rtn and OOL-MEL-AKL rtn). My questions is this: I am scheduled to arrive in AKL at 0010 and leave again at 0610. From what I can find, the transit security screening is only open from 2am-3am (and even then they won't open it if there isn't enough staff). Assuming I can get my return BP printed in MEL, can I remain in arrivals airside for 2 hours waiting for the security screening to open? (It would seem odd to me if I could, but who knows?) Does anyone have any recent experience?

Thank you.

Medicus