SYD-BOS-SFO-SYD for SCs

[grounded]

I have 150 QFF SCs and zero SCs in Star Alliance.

I have the opportunity to go to Boston in Sept, and if I do I might as well stop off in SFO.

It would be amazing to be able to get QFF Gold or SA Gold, or at least almost all of the way there with this trip... I'm happy to do some J and some SC-running... am I dreaming?

Also can do a Syd-Melb or Syd-BNE in addition to this before my QFF anniversary to get over the line....

thanks in advance

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

SYD - MEL in whY will only earn 10 SC one way with either QF (or JQ with a plus bundle) or VA.
That will mean many trips (even in QF domJ) to get to another 550 SC with QF to get to QF SG, or 500 SC with VA SG.
In the cheaper classes from Au to US, also the earn is quite small.
If you go from whY SYD/MEL to PER its only 20, the tri city SYD - MEL, SYD - BNE only earns 10. MEL - BNE (bypassing SYD) earns 15.
This is my 2nd year with QF SG, and only 5 out of 15 one ways, have I had a shadow, ie, empty seat next to me, so QF SG really, apart from lounge access, does really have any pluses.
Now P1/WP which is a far way for you, will have more dom and int benefits.

 

[grounded]

So are you suggesting unless I can get Platinum in QFF, it's not the best pursuit? So, SA Gold then?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

SYD-DFW-BOS-LAX-SFO-SYD in Business would earn 600 SCs and, with your current 150, easily get you QF Gold. And that's business discount or sale - flexible business would earn 660.
I don't fly in the US but I think domestic flights have "first" which might boost that tally more, however unless you do a special status run I can't see you making the 1400 for Platinum.
Others are experts on US status runs - they might have some cheap ideas for you.

But Gold means access to business class checkin, priority security and immigration at some airports, priority boarding, extra baggage and access to QF, OneWorld and (sometimes) EK lounges.
Plus a host of other small benefits. Shadows are an unofficial benefit at any level and can't be relied upon - but they aren't the only benefit.
Also once you have QF Gold you can start the staus matching game which is fun for all the family.
So I would say Gold can definitely be worthwhile - even if the lofty P1s and CLs don't agree!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

After 2 years SG, after this Jul, and 3rd year climbing the ladder, I admit defeat.
Will let myself drop to NB.
But will still fly QF J Au to NZ.
I loved the idea of SG, but looking at the sums, UNLESS someone else is paying, not in my case, it's NB with one int return J class Au to NZ, or I win Lotto.
I don't fly to the US/UK.
ExpressPath in some cases mean you still join normal line.
The idea/ideals of SG are great, but see got yourself after your first year of SG.
But to each their own.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

It depends on your flying patterns.
If you do a lot of domestic travel in Y (and who would pay the ridiculous fares for domestic J?) then lounge access is a huge benefit.
If you travel to Europe then lounge access in Dubai can make a long haul flight in Y much more bearable.
If you travel in around around Europe on AY, AB or IB then access to the "green path" and lounges in European airports makes a huge difference.
And if you fly around Asia with CX, MH or UL then again lounge access is a great boon.
However if you are only making one trip a year across the ditch, and you're doing that in J anyway, I can see why it would be underwhelming.

 

[JessicaTam]

SYD-DFW-BOS-LAX-SFO-SYD in Business would earn 600 SCs and, with your current 150, easily get you QF Gold. And that's business discount or sale - flexible business would earn 660.
I don't fly in the US but I think domestic flights have "first" which might boost that tally more, however unless you do a special status run I can't see you making the 1400 for Platinum.
Others are experts on US status runs - they might have some cheap ideas for you.

But Gold means access to business class checkin, priority security and immigration at some airports, priority boarding, extra baggage and access to QF, OneWorld and (sometimes) EK lounges.
Plus a host of other small benefits. Shadows are an unofficial benefit at any level and can't be relied upon - but they aren't the only benefit.
Also once you have QF Gold you can start the staus matching game which is fun for all the family.
So I would say Gold can definitely be worthwhile - even if the lofty P1s and CLs don't agree!

And for any future flights to the US, SG gets access to the AAdmiral Clubs.

 

[medhead]

Budget? $5000 possible? Noticed business sale fare to the USA earlier today.

So are you suggesting unless I can get Platinum in QFF, it's not the best pursuit? So, SA Gold then?

I suggest ignoring those ramblings.

SYD - MEL in whY will only earn 10 SC one way with either QF (or JQ with a plus bundle) or VA.
That will mean many trips (even in QF domJ) to get to another 550 SC with QF to get to QF SG, or 500 SC with VA SG.
In the cheaper classes from Au to US, also the earn is quite small.
If you go from whY SYD/MEL to PER its only 20, the tri city SYD - MEL, SYD - BNE only earns 10. MEL - BNE (bypassing SYD) earns 15.
This is my 2nd year with QF SG, and only 5 out of 15 one ways, have I had a shadow, ie, empty seat next to me, so QF SG really, apart from lounge access, does really have any pluses.
Now P1/WP which is a far way for you, will have more dom and int benefits.

The big picture is the OP is going to the USA, meaning zero need to fly 55 Syd-bne flights.

 

[grounded]

Yeah budget is in the 5-10k bracket. What was the deal?

I also noticed this one (Flight Deal: LA from $4598 and NY from $5998 in AA's new Business Class, plus huge status credit earning potential for Qantas FFs - Point Hacks) but I need to travel in Sept 16 which is outside of that window.

 

[JessicaTam]

With that budget I think esseeeayeen's suggestion is the most strait-forward. It gets you where you want, in comfort, for the SC you need.

Dummy (multi-city) booking for $9700:
Sept 6 SYD-BOS QF7 AA2196 220+120SC
Sept 13 BOS-SFO AA656 150
Sept 20 SFO-SYD AA1143 QF310 (AA operated codeshare) 30+180

Total of 700SC

It is important to click 'view alternatives' and select the AA flights that book into first, with no increase in fare.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

With that budget I think esseeeayeen's suggestion is the most strait-forward. It gets you where you want, in comfort, for the SC you need.

Dummy (multi-city) booking for $9700:
Sept 6 SYD-BOS QF7 AA2196 220+120SC
Sept 13 BOS-SFO AA656 150
Sept 20 SFO-SYD AA1143 QF310 (AA operated codeshare) 30+180

Total of 700SC

It is important to click 'view alternatives' and select the AA flights that book into first, with no increase in fare.

For anyone doing multi-city bookings, the "view alternatives" button is essential.
Also really important to note you can sort by price. It's surprising what that shows!

 

[grounded]

Wow thanks everyone. esseeeayeen's does look like the go.

Regarding:

"It is important to click 'view alternatives' and select the AA flights that book into first, with no increase in fare."

By first des that mean you buy J but get F? I'm searching (on Qantas.com), multi-city J and some fares are coming up that say, e.g. "Flights QF309, QF4463 are operated by American Airlines. Your flight from Los Angeles to Boston will be in Economy"

... I don't see a mention of F... what am I missing?

thanks again

 

[JessicaTam]

Wow thanks everyone. esseeeayeen's does look like the go.

Regarding:

"It is important to click 'view alternatives' and select the AA flights that book into first, with no increase in fare."

By first des that mean you buy J but get F? I'm searching (on Qantas.com), multi-city J and some fares are coming up that say, e.g. "Flights QF309, QF4463 are operated by American Airlines. Your flight from Los Angeles to Boston will be in Economy"

... I don't see a mention of F... what am I missing?

thanks again

Scroll down through the alternatives and find the ones that are AA flight numbers with 'First' and $0 next to them.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Scroll down through the alternatives and find the ones that are AA flight numbers with 'First' and $0 next to them.

What she said.

The web booking engine will often offer you the least favourable options possible by default.
This applies to class of travel on that sector, aircraft type and timing.
You might wonder if it's deliberate, but I couldn't possibly comment.

If the options aren't telling you they're in F you might have to play with choosing them then proceeding far enough to see the class next to the sector.

 

[magnacartic]

@grounded, is the bounty still active? I can get you to your destinations for as low as US$4,200 with 27k Qantas points and 730 Status Credits. Just hoping your SYD-USA dates are flexible in September. If you're still looking, just post when you need to be in each city by.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

@grounded, is the bounty still active? I can get you to your destinations for as low as US$4,200 with 27k Qantas points and 730 Status Credits. Just hoping your SYD-USA dates are flexible in September. If you're still looking, just post when you need to be in each city by.

If his bounty isn't active find me a really good deal for a cost / SC ratio on business to CDG and return in September.
Earning QF but travelling with whoever. So far the best I can find is with AY via SIN & HEL for $5,144 earning 560 which seems a bit low!
We can discuss the bounty!

 

[grounded]

@grounded, is the bounty still active? I can get you to your destinations for as low as US$4,200 with 27k Qantas points and 730 Status Credits. Just hoping your SYD-USA dates are flexible in September. If you're still looking, just post when you need to be in each city by.

Yep, Still not booked, only dates of consequence are that I need to be in BOS from 11-14th September (inclusive). Could arrive as late as the (early morning) 11th and leave as early as the (evening of) 14th... or could arrive / leave a day early / late (respectively).

Don't need to go to SFO it was just an opportunistic add-on; DCA would be an alternative (just long enough to visit the smithsonian so a day or less).

Cheers

CORRECTION: Need to be in BOS for the 11th Sept - early morning arrival OK, otherwise the day before.

 

[grounded]

@magnacartic note correction to original version of the post:

CORRECTION: Need to be in BOS for the 11th Sept - early morning arrival OK, otherwise the day before

 

[juddles]

For anyone wanting SC on a run to the USA, I would only suggest one thing (even though it may involve stopovers, etc)

Look at Jetstar to HNL, then AA "first" from there onwards.

Anything else is ridiculous.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

For anyone wanting SC on a run to the USA, I would only suggest one thing (even though it may involve stopovers, etc)

Look at Jetstar to HNL, then AA "first" from there onwards.

Anything else is ridiculous.

But Jetstar ...