VA DSC Dunedin Run

[jch]

Hi All

First post after joining and listening to the new AFF podcast.

I just booked the "Dunedin run" for the VA DSC over the June 10 long weekend.

Just letting people know HBA-MEL-BNE-DUD-BNE-SYD is available for around $1,400 which might save some members needing to book a return trip to HBA. For me this avoids trying to scramble back to Sydney from Hobart at the end of the long weekend, while giving me enough SCs to know I will easily maintain platinum in the new year.

Just a heads up from my quick desktop research for anyone making an overnight dash to Dunedin it appears that Air Bnbs are available for under $100 in the closeby town of Mosgiel, but taxis could be $45 each way for a 15 mins ride as there are no shuttles at that time. Unfortunately, the airport closes overnight otherwise I'd be tempted to have strong coffee and wait it out until the morning flight!

Anyone else also doing the "Dunedin run"?

Cheers,
John.

 

[Saab34]

Anyone had any issues with immigration on these trips? I’d imagine such a short trip would fall into the asking questions category.

 

[flyingfan]

Welcome jch! Maintaining the status is addictive... I was looking at this but positioning is a bit of an issue as is the overnighting needed.

Anyone had any issues with immigration on these trips? I’d imagine such a short trip would fall into the asking questions category.

I’ve done three same-day turnarounds to NZ in two years and no issues so far.

 

[adrenaln]

Booked a run from PQQ-SYD-BNE-DUD return for $1457 w/720SC on 2/6 returning the Wednesday, considering a quick drive to Queenstown if the snow's good otherwise I'll find something comfy to shack up in for a couple of days to get some work done.

 

[jch]

Anyone had any issues with immigration on these trips? I’d imagine such a short trip would fall into the asking questions category.

I just mentioned on another thread but when the customs lady in NZ saw one day on my immigration card she said "So a bit too chilli for you eh!".
Then at quarantine, the guy asked me again and I said "mileage run", which he didn't seem to understand so I just said for frequent flyer points.
I was within earshot of the cabin crew who were serving me on the flight so didn't want to make it too obvious!

Taxi driver said he had picked up a couple on another night who were delayed about 3 hours on arrival (got in around 2:30am), stayed all the way in Dunedin city, then had to be back at the airport for the 7am flight (maybe they are AFFers?).

I stayed at an Air Bnb in Moeisel (about 15 mins from Airport for about $50), and got a $20 shuttle back to the airport. Surprised but I didn't feel that that bad after 3.5 hours sleep nor effectively waking up at 2am Sydney time. The $35 cafe voucher in lieu of a lounge gets a pretty decent coffee and eggs bene!

 

[Mattg]

The $35 cafe voucher in lieu of a lounge gets a pretty decent coffee and eggs bene!

This is the first I've heard of cafe vouchers being given out by VA in DUD. Do you know if this was only for J pax or would Gold/Platinum members also get something?

 

[jch]

Hi Matt

Here's an excerpt from the email I got before the flight:

As a Business Class guest, we are pleased to offer you a complimentary breakfast prior to your upcoming flight at the Fuel to Fly by Airspresso Cafe, valued at $35.

For Business Class guests returning to Dunedin, you will also receive complimentary parking at Dunedin Airport. To redeem this, simply exchange both your parking ticket and the invitation card for a validated parking ticket at the Airport Information Desk upon your arrival back to Dunedin.

Please see a Virgin Australia team member at the priority check in area to collect your invitation cards for these offerings.

It seems to be Business Class only in this email, but I guess that wouldn't necessarily exclude Gold/Platinum members being sent a different email.
Didn't notice the free parking until I went back into the email which is an interesting add-on!

Photos posted in the VA lounge food thread:

Virgin Lounge Food

Hot dogs and a selection of salads for lunch at DRW - Darwin this afternoon. Takes me back to the good old days in the SYD Koru Club!

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[CaviAck]

Here's an excerpt from the email I got before the flight:

How far out did you get that email? I'm doing this run on Sunday 30/06/19, was tempted to hire a car and park it in the airport parking lot and sleep in that for a few hours lol.

 

[ElegantCow]

My partner and I did the inbound leg (HBA-MEL-BNE-DUD) on 6th July 2019. We are staying in Dunedin for six nights and traveling around in a hire car. The flight into DUD arrived 0010 hrs but we had already booked a shuttle into Dunedin which dropped us right outside our Airbnb. Probably worth booking as there was no spare seat but a lot of the people had just booked on the spot. There were plenty of taxis waiting in the taxi rank as well.

If I remember correctly, we paid around $1150 each for the return flights.