The Velocity Status Run Master thread

[esseeeayeenn]

As far as I am aware domestic flights usually earn points at the rate of 5 x the fare paid. Not distance based at all. However in my experience domestic sectors on international bookings earn based on distance.

 

[a1ring23]

As far as I am aware domestic flights usually earn points at the rate of 5 x the fare paid. Not distance based at all. However in my experience domestic sectors on international bookings earn based on distance.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know

 

[smittykittyflying]

Hi All,

Not sure if this is the right forum I am looking at doing a S/C run home from Asia in the second week of june. I will be in thailand but am happy to hop over to anywhere for a decent S/C run. The best I can find is an BKK-MEL on Etihad for around $6.40 per SC. Has any one got any tips?

 

[Gareth]

Sorry if a dumb question, but the just wondering are the benefits of stay chasing upgrade from Gold to Plat. worth spending substantial dollars and time (well I guess the later is subjective).

Looking through the comparison chart it seems that Plat. have a few benefits - including eating 25% more points, but is it worth the hundreds/thousand (singular) to get there?

I'm just honestly asking as I'm ranging between 50-80SC away and have been for a few months to getting to Platinum but keep on loosing points so a fly my short return flights for work - and get 20SC and then loose a similar amt. Tempted to do one of these runs, but is it worth it? and once you're Platinum aside form the status, is it worth it?

I guess the 25% more points must be worth something at least - I estimate that I would have learnt 33K more points - I suppose that would be several Brisbane-Syd flights..... So logically if I have to pay several flights worth more just to get those SC, it wouldn't be worth it?

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Sorry if a dumb question, but the just wondering are the benefits of stay chasing upgrade from Gold to Plat. worth spending substantial dollars and time (well I guess the later is subjective).

Looking through the comparison chart it seems that Plat. have a few benefits - including eating 25% more points, but is it worth the hundreds/thousand (singular) to get there?

I'm just honestly asking as I'm ranging between 50-80SC away and have been for a few months to getting to Platinum but keep on loosing points so a fly my short return flights for work - and get 20SC and then loose a similar amt. Tempted to do one of these runs, but is it worth it? and once you're Platinum aside form the status, is it worth it?

I guess the 25% more points must be worth something at least - I estimate that I would have learnt 33K more points - I suppose that would be several Brisbane-Syd flights..... So logically if I have to pay several flights worth more just to get those SC, it wouldn't be worth it?

You are really the only person you can decide this. One of my colleges booked a $600 J flight to stay Plat. I thought this was perfectly reasonable Lot’s of people on this forum will tell you there is limited difference between Gold and Plat I personally disagree having a few work mates drop from Plat to Gold their general satisfaction has gone down significantly. I do a large amount of short domestic flights, I don’t know what I would pay personally to stay Plat but I reckon if I was still flying enough to only be under 100 status points below it would be at least $1000 maybe $2000. I highly value row 3 and as I mostly book well in advance I am sitting in row 3, 9.5 out of 10 times, I normally do 1 or 2 flights east coast to Perth, which is pretty much the only flexi I buy and use my Comp upgrades for route. This is the only time I get to fly J without using my own points. This alone I would pay $1000 out of my own pocket for. Then there is just general service at the lounge and via the Plat line. On board recognition is basically non-existent these days but sitting happy in row 3 who cares.

Extra points are great as well, not forgetting that there are partners (Agoda example) that match your status bonus, Lots of car hire, hotels and flights the extra 25% adds up fast.

 

[Revolio]

Sorry if a dumb question, but the just wondering are the benefits of stay chasing upgrade from Gold to Plat. worth spending substantial dollars and time (well I guess the later is subjective).

Looking through the comparison chart it seems that Plat. have a few benefits - including eating 25% more points, but is it worth the hundreds/thousand (singular) to get there?

I'm just honestly asking as I'm ranging between 50-80SC away and have been for a few months to getting to Platinum but keep on loosing points so a fly my short return flights for work - and get 20SC and then loose a similar amt. Tempted to do one of these runs, but is it worth it? and once you're Platinum aside form the status, is it worth it?

I guess the 25% more points must be worth something at least - I estimate that I would have learnt 33K more points - I suppose that would be several Brisbane-Syd flights..... So logically if I have to pay several flights worth more just to get those SC, it wouldn't be worth it?

Short answer - No.
Extended answer - definitely No.

 

[pauly7]

Each to their own but I agree from my perspective VA Plat is not worth it.

 

[smit0847]

I will *potentially* need 80 SCs by June 12th to retain SG (there are a few moving parts at the moment). What would be the most cost effective way to achieve them ex-MEL preferrably in a day? MEL-OOL retun Flexi with the current discount codes would be about $420 but that would only net 60 SCs.

WLG-BNE-MEL Flex for about $440 one-way would net 70 SCs but then I would need to position to WLG which would drive the price up.

Any suggestions?

 

[hankahanka]

Hi all,

I've got 320 points, using partner pooling, any tips to get us the 90 each to qualify for gold?

 

[QF WP]

I will *potentially* need 80 SCs by June 12th to retain SG (there are a few moving parts at the moment). What would be the most cost effective way to achieve them ex-MEL preferrably in a day? MEL-OOL retun Flexi with the current discount codes would be about $420 but that would only net 60 SCs.

WLG-BNE-MEL Flex for about $440 one-way would net 70 SCs but then I would need to position to WLG which would drive the price up.

Any suggestions?

I would have thought that MEL/BNE/[WLG/AKL] Flexi (and vv) would have been the go? Otherwise utilising OOL and NTL are still the best value Flexis that I have found

 

[rowdyrobbieflyer]

Righto, got the email saying I need 300 Status Credits in 3 months to keep Gold.

Is this impossible?

Any way to do this cheaply over a few weekend runs? (I'm very new to the whole "flying for no reason other than to get Status Credits".)

Thanks heaps guys.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

That would be a huge effort.. What do you consider a cheap ?

BNE - CHC in J would get you 160sc for +/- $1100

I have seen BNE-MEL-CHC return in J ( 280 SC ) for +/- $1700 in the past, maybe a bit better with a promo code

 

[hummel]

Righto, got the email saying I need 300 Status Credits in 3 months to keep Gold.

Is this impossible?

Any way to do this cheaply over a few weekend runs? (I'm very new to the whole "flying for no reason other than to get Status Credits".)

Thanks heaps guys.

The question is, do you want to retain gold? If your 300SC away no point. I was WP last year and SG this year.. now in the same boat as you and won't be bothering.

I fly on points now.

In answer to your question, probably one of the best value that is often overlooked is a MEL-SIN-CAN return trip on SQ, crediting to VA... Can net you 220//260 (can't remember which) on a Flexi saver fare.

Of course no one want's to fly to China for the sake of it but can be an option.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Righto, got the email saying I need 300 Status Credits in 3 months to keep Gold.

Is this impossible?

Any way to do this cheaply over a few weekend runs? (I'm very new to the whole "flying for no reason other than to get Status Credits".)

Thanks heaps guys.

300 is a lot of SCs to chase but if you are flying frequently next year on VA, SQ, EY, DL or NZ it could be worth it.

Unless I am missing something, it could be helpful to provide your location as well so that the best advice can be given.

I agree with Hummel that SQ flexi savers provide excellent value. They've pretty much got me to WP as I've done more SQ/MI sectors than VA in the last 12 months.
However, as you are looking for weekend runs, this would involve a lot of flying with little time spent on the ground unless you could squeeze a long weekend in.
For example, SQ BNE-DPS flexi for around 1000 nets 180SCs return or not much more to HKG or PVG which would net 200 return.
To supplment you could do some domestic runs or Trans-Tasman.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Quick question, are flights operated such as

Flight 6242 Operated by GOJET AIRLINES DBA DELTA CONNECTION

and

Flight 3482 Operated by ENDEAVOR AIR DBA DELTA CONNECTION

eligible for SC?

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Quick question, are flights operated such as and eligible for SC?

Happy to be corrected but from my experience, purchased flights on Delta for a Delta marketed flight ( DL xx_x ) and providing the fare is a SC earning fare I have had no issues with SC for these operated flights

 

[MarkD]

I did a couple of those flights last week and sc posted within 48 hrs so yes, delta connection flights do earn, and their first class fares are pretty good value. Their onboard offering is very basic and their lounges are hardly worth the effort, just hang out in the terminal and people watch. Ot i know but tgey treated me exceptionally well on all delta flights as a VA gold

 

[serfty]

... Ot i know but tgey treated me exceptionally well on all delta flights as a VA gold

Not really Ot as it's important to review what recognition one does get.

As a VA WP I get treated like Diamond medallion in many ways - including complimentary access to comfort plus seating in coach.

 

[smil3087]

Hi everyone,
Coming up to that time where I'll need to grab some SC quickly to get to Platinum, before my points expire. I see all these tricky SC runs on here - any tips on how to work them out for myself? Short of inputing 1000 different permutations into the VA website...
Thanks team!

 

[Grimace1]

@smil3087 if you could share your home port that might help us somewhat