Qantas Frequent Flyer - Platinum hard to reach?

Personally, I think yes. I always fly discount economy, so even with 5 trips across the pond this CY, I'll still only have 500 status credits. Throw in some domestic and it gets to 800 or so, still shy of the 1400 required. If there's anything more loyal than flying Qantas in discount economy across the Pond with No IFE and and a biz upgrade cost at more than double the number of points than UA (40K vs 13K), I'd like to know what it is :-)
I do end up flying >100,000 actual flown miles in a year, so the platinum would be worth it to me just for the extra 50K points.
Anyone looked into the best status credit per $ itineraries?
Other thing I'm thinking of is doing is joining AA, getting to OW top tier that way ;-)

It is possible to reach Platinum with one round trip (slightly convoluted routing but no extra fare) or 2 normal routing trips. Rather ironically most of my QF flights have been credited to AA (maybe all, I forget), and I have QF Plat by virtue of travel on AA and BA. I suppose this is the point of Oneworld. In general AA is the best plan, but it varies with how you want to redeem the miles, QF/BA are better than AA sometimes (not often). The other Oneworld plans seem to be worse (haven't investigated the others thoroughly, except for CX which is stingy in free travel but can be good for upgrades ... however I have no interest in upgrades as I buy the class I want to fly).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by number_6:
It is possible to reach Platinum with one round trip (slightly convoluted routing but no extra fare) or 2 normal routing trips.</font>In discount economy? Please, tell me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm with Ysardine on this. I spend so many hours in the back of QF and BA aircraft every year that I'm the laughing stock of my office (from envy - they're all leisure trips), and I don't even get to Gold, let alone Platinum.

You would be a prime candidate for joinging AAdvantage as opposed to QF. QFF treats premium flyers very well (I only do about three international J trips per year - but this is enough to retain Platinum), AAdvantage treats economy flyers much better. If you fly 100000 miles a year, you would make executive platinum - top tier with AA. Make sure you book the flights to the US on the AA codeshare though, or you will only receives 0.7 points per mile (plus any applicable status bonuses, of course !)

It would be a good idea, except that I wouldn't get any points at all on the BA trans-Atlantics I do. And I would hate it if I found myself under pressure to fly AA as an alternative!

In economy, I'd rather be on AA trans-atlantic any day over BA in any event. The 34 inches of leg room make a HUGE difference. Of course, in business or first, I'd choose BA.

Quickest way to Platinum for Australian residents is a OneWorld Explorer RTW in J. Careful routing can easily make platinum in less than a week.

But in discount Y, forget it. You need to do some major routing on short sectors like Scott does to get anywhere near it. Still, his example in another thread of $2600 for 170 status credits falls short of the value mark compared to about $8K for 1400 on a OWE. But of course he is visiting the destinations he needs for business, rather than a pure mileage run http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NM:
Quickest way to Platinum for Australian residents is a OneWorld Explorer RTW in J. Careful routing can easily make platinum in less than a week.</font>

Not much difference between Platinum and Gold for those who are primarily domestic customers - if a friend of mine can get an upgrade for him (a bronze) and me (a gold) because HE lost his wallet INSIDE the lounge (for no other reason) then what is the value of status, apart from quicker checkin and lounge access?

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thadocta:
...then what is the value of status, apart from quicker checkin and lounge access?

Dave</font>
A Plat FF can enter the lounge even when not flying. Officially, a Gold FF needs to be flying on a OW flight that day, although I am sure one can get into the busier lounges without question by showing the Gold card at the door and the agent assuming you are going to check-in at the desk or new kiosk.

Appart from that, not a lot. Especially when many domestic sectors are so short all members get the 1000 miles minimum so the extra 50% bonus means nothing.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Ysardine:
If there's anything more loyal than flying Qantas in discount economy across the Pond with No IFE and and a biz upgrade cost at more than double the number of points than UA (40K vs 13K), I'd like to know what it is :-)
</font>

Loyal? I'd call it crazy.

One of the main reasons I switched from flying QF internationally to flying UA was exactly that: I could make Premier Exec on UA when the same travel on QF wasn't even worth bottom-level elite. After that, 100% bonus and 13K upgrades to business make it a no-brainer.

Since the change from old Silver (now Gold) to Platinum, I have found the Perth op upgrade - surely the most coveted? - happening more often. Also, the first class lounges are sensational when travelling OS, but is it worth the $8,000 milage run...?

But I still travel UK in J, being an inveterate plane-spotter from when I was a spotty youth, and thrill of anticip.....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
ation as I drive to the airport, knowing this trip is for holidays, not a bus trip for work!

NM Good Morning.
I am new to this maximising miles. I wonder if you could give an example of achieving QF Plat (1400 status credits) with a RTW.
How many continents for the A$8k ticket price, and what sort of routing ?( Anchorage, Dubai etc.). I am unsure whether to accumulate in QF or AA. Any tips would be appreciated.
I am a recent lurker who hopes to be able to travel a little more in the next few years.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnSydney2000:
NM Good Morning.
I am new to this maximising miles. I wonder if you could give an example of achieving QF Plat (1400 status credits) with a RTW.</font>

Not using the RTW mentioned by NM though, but when I went to LHR back in 2/02 on a paid Y, I routed it SYD QF MEL BA SIN QF LHR - the SYD-MEL got me an extra 1000 points for that sector, and booking on the BA code-share from MEL to SIN and the QF flight number from SIN to LHR got me 65 status credits instead of the 60 for MEL-LHR.

Another example - I am flying from SYD to ADL shortly in paid J. I have routed it SYD-CBR-MEL-ADL, resulting in 90 status credits and 3750 points, as opposed to 30 status credits and 1270 points if I was to go direct (and it only costs me about $30 more to do it this way - but then, I think take-off and landing are the best parts of the flight!)

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnSydney2000:
NM Good Morning.
I am new to this maximising miles. I wonder if you could give an example of achieving QF Plat (1400 status credits) with a RTW.
How many continents for the A$8k ticket price, and what sort of routing ?( Anchorage, Dubai etc.). I am unsure whether to accumulate in QF or AA. Any tips would be appreciated.
I am a recent lurker who hopes to be able to travel a little more in the next few years.</font>
OK, I'll take the challenge! Lets see if I can fit it into 4 continents. I live in BNE so lets start here:

BNE-PER = 60 (one trans continent allowed in Aus)
PER-MEL = 60 (2nd SWP sector)
MEL-AKL = 60 (3rd SWP sector)
AKL-SYD = 60 (4th SWP sector)
SYD-JFK = 220

JFK-DFW = 60 (travel in F since no J, 1st NA sector)
DFW-BOS = 60 (2nd NA sector)
BOS-SFO = 100 (3rd NA sector, one trans-cont allowed)
SFO-DFW = 60 (4th NA sector)
DFW-YYZ = 60 (5th NA sector)
YYZ-LAX = 60 (6th NA sector)

LAX-LHR = 160
LHR-IST = 60 (1st Europe sector)
IST-LHR = 60 (2nd Europe sector)
LHR-DXB = 100 (3rd Europe sector)
DXB-LHR = 100 (4th Europe sector)

LHR-NRT = 160
NRT-HKG = 60 (1st Asia sector)
HGK-CGK = 60 (2nd Asia sector)
CGK-HGK = 60 (3rd Asia sector)
HKG-NRT = 60 (4th Asia sector)

NRT-BNE = 100

Total = 1840 status credits for 60,896 miles flown in the comfort of QF, AA, BA and CX.

Probably could maximise a little more with some better North American routing. Could definately maximise miles more than this.

[This message has been edited by NM (edited 10-10-2002).]

Ahh, just thought, if you were to start in MEL and go MEL-PER-BNE-AKL-SYD-JFK-DFW-BOS-SFO-DFW-YYZ-LAX-LHR-IST-LHR-DXB-LHR-NRT-HGK-CGK-HKG-NRT-MEL you will get an additional 60 status credits (NRT-MEL is over 5000 miles, NRT-BNE is under), and a total of 61319 miles flown.

And if you left MEL tonight (Friday 11th October) you could be back in MEL on Wednesday 23rd October, having spent 7 comfortable nights in hotel rooms and the rest in the air.

It seems the best value J class to Europe is QF/AY. Gold renewal(670 Stat Creds) is possible for $6300. Example:
SYD - QF - MEL - QF - SIN - QF - FRA - BA - EDI - SURFACE - LHR - BA - HEL - AY - SIN - QF - MEL - QF - SYD.
The rules say one long haul must be on AY (which is pretty good). It's a round about way of going and includes a transit in BKK. Note that BKK - HEL (or even HKG - HEL) is only 100 points (instead SIN HEL at 160 points). Using the AY/BA codeshare on AY LHR-HEL gets the more comfortable AY A320/321 with centre B seat blocked off in J.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">BNE-PER = 60 (one trans continent allowed in Aus)
PER-MEL = 60 (2nd SWP sector)
MEL-AKL = 60 (3rd SWP sector)
AKL-SYD = 60 (4th SWP sector)
SYD-JFK = 220</font>

NM - if you start in BNE, and go BNE-PER via ADL, then PER-MEL via ADL, add 90 tier credits (BNE-ADL 60, ADL-MEL 30). If you fine tune North America, your Partner Gold (2,100 tier credits) awaits you! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by willyroo:
NM - if you start in BNE, and go BNE-PER via ADL, then PER-MEL via ADL, add 90 tier credits (BNE-ADL 60, ADL-MEL 30). If you fine tune North America, your Partner Gold (2,100 tier credits) awaits you! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif</font>
But on a OWE you only get 4 sectors in SWP region. Adding ADL in each direction takes it to six.

If you use the same flight number for the BNE-ADL-PER or PER-ADL-MEL flights, QF don't count the interim stop, just the start/end of the "flight".

Same in NA. In my quick review of available sectors (by no means exhaustive) there are not many that exceed 2700 miles (to get to 100 credits) and are not considered Trans-Continental of which you are only allowed one in the 6 NA sectors.


[This message has been edited by NM (edited 10-11-2002).]

I was just going on the schedules - one of the BNE-PER scheduled flights is via Adelaide eg QF661/QF587. Is the enforcement of the routing that it must be direct, or follow published schedules? (Didn't check PER-MEL)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by willyroo:
I was just going on the schedules - one of the BNE-PER scheduled flights is via Adelaide eg QF661/QF587. Is the enforcement of the routing that it must be direct, or follow published schedules? (Didn't check PER-MEL)</font>
It is by number of flights (ie unique flight numbers). So QF661/587 BNE-PER would be seen as two sectors of the 4 permitted http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif.

That will make the partner Gold challenge interesting!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by og:
Note that BKK - HEL (or even HKG - HEL) is only 100 points (instead SIN HEL at 160 points).</font>

And what is the reason for this? Is it simply mileage related or is there something else?

Beers for tiers, dears - that's all I want! Tier credits, not miles, maketh the status. The other advantage of amassing tier credits is the 1 upgrade credit issued for each 250 tier credits earned. To upgrade a Y ticket from BNE-LHR, you need 50,000 miles, or 5 upgrade credits. Tier credits not only advance status, they're a "double dip" for future upgrade flexibility. Hopefully by now, NM has calculated the OWE with 2,100 tier credits!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spider:
And what is the reason for this? Is it simply mileage related or is there something else?</font>

Reason, as willyroo said, is amassing "vast" quantities of status credits and FF points. Even the odd u/g credit here or there. My point was that requalifying for QF gold FF was possible with just one oz - euro trip in J without too much trouble. It took careful studying of distances etc without chronic backtracking across continents (which wouldn't have fitted in the fare rules anyway!).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by willyroo:
That will make the partner Gold challenge interesting!</font>
Make it a 5 continent OWE and I think you would get close! but may not be back home by 22nd October!

You could also get to NA from SWP by transiting Asia (say AKL-HKG-LAX or MEL-NRT-DFW) which will add some more credits. If assing South America, you can also transit NA between SA and Europe. I am sure 2100 would not be out of the question for a 5 continent OWE.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by willyroo:
Hopefully by now, NM has calculated the OWE with 2,100 tier credits!</font>
OK, its Saturday afternoon, and I am up for a challenge. Lets see what we can do. Lets start by changing the SWP to NA routing to transit Asia via NR, and if we srart in SYD we don't even need to include AKL (but should if miles is the goal)

4 SWP segments
SYD-CNS = 60 (1222 miles)
CNS-AYQ = 60 (1112 miles)
AYQ-PER = 60 (1021 miles)
PER-MEL = 60 (1681 miles)

SWP to NA with transit in Asia
MEL-NRT = 160 (5060 miles) Must be transit only
NRT-JFK = 160 (6743 miles)

6 x NA secgements, one trans-con
JFK-STL = 30 (891 miles)
STL-ANC = 100 (2936 miles)
ANC-STL = 100 (2936 miles)
STL-BOS = 60 (1046 miles)
BOS-SFO = 100 (2704 miles)
SFO-DFW = 60 (1464 miles)

to South America, plus 4 segments
DFW-GIG = 160 (5209 miles)
GIG-SCL = 60 (1841 miles)
SCL-CCS = 100 (3035 miles)
CCS-SCL = 100 (3035 miles)
SCL-GIG = 60 (1841 miles)

To Europe via NA, plus 4 segments
GIG-DFW = 160 (5209 miles) must be transit
DFW-ZRH = 160 (5239 miles)
ZRH-HEL = 60 (1107 miles)
HEL-LHR = 60 (1151 miles)
LHR-DXB = 100 (3420 miles)
DXB-LHR = 100 (3240 miles)

To Asia and 4 segments
LHR-NRT = 160 (5973 miles)
NRT-HKG = 60 (1841 miles)
HGK-CGK = 60 (2014 miles)
CGK-HKG = 60 (2014 miles)
HKG-NRT = 60 (1841 miles)

And back home
NRT-MEL = 160 (5060 miles)

Now I make that a total of 2690 tier credits, 10 upgrade credits, and 82,083 miles flown.

Edited to add that if you go to the Great Circle Mapper (http://gc.kls2.com/) and paste the path below into the PATH section, you can see this routing and distances.

syd-cns-ayq-per-mel-nrt-jfk-stl-anc-stl-bos-sfo-dfw-gig-scl-ccs-scl-gig-dfw-zrh-hel-lhr-dxb-lhr-nrt-hkg-cgk-hkg-nrt-mel

[This message has been edited by NM (edited 10-12-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by willyroo:
NM - if you start in BNE, and go BNE-PER via ADL, then PER-MEL via ADL, add 90 tier credits (BNE-ADL 60, ADL-MEL 30). If you fine tune North America, your Partner Gold (2,100 tier credits) awaits you! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif</font>
Just noticed the original itinerary I posted as BNE-PER-MEL-AKL-SYD is invalid as you cannot re-entre Australia after leaving for NZ. But as can be seen by the 5 continent example, it can be done without hitting NZ at all.

Sensational! Well done.
1. How do I sell this to my long suffering "flying overload" wife
2. How many points will the redemption ticket be!!!!
I digress - NM what time are you getting to the BNE QC on 15/10? I may be on an earlier flight this afternoon (currently QF544 arr 7:40).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by willyroo:
Sensational! Well done.
1. How do I sell this to my long suffering "flying overload" wife
2. How many points will the redemption ticket be!!!!</font>
When you find the answer to 1, please let me know.

Unfortunately, the QF reservation system for OneWorld awards is limited to a max of 16 sectors (so I found out the hard way), even if your itinerary fits into the 5 stop-over and transit rules http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif ... and they claim there is nothing they can do to override the computer system limitations http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif.

Of course, the OW award is also limited to 35,000 miles.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">I digress - NM what time are you getting to the BNE QC on 15/10? I may be on an earlier flight this afternoon (currently QF544 arr 7:40).</font>
I'm on QF553 departing BNE at 7:10pm. If you get in earlier, just hjave NM paged at the club! SHould be there from at least 6:30.

Great work NM -- you are clearly spending your Saturday afternoons for the betterment of flyerkind! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

So -- QF says computer can't do more than 16 OW sectors per itin?

If there is not a sector limitation written into the rules, is it strictly legal for QF to cry techincal reasons?

Just curious if they'd really refuse to book due to software problems or not.

Frankly, 29 sectors IS a bit manic for a single itinerary!

Cheers!

------------------
Glen,
QFAA

Yeah, I was not impressed with the QF response to the limitation. When I called and spoke to another agent, I was told that it could be done manually. Then when I spoke to the original agent again, she said she had spoken with the other agent and then a supervisor and that I had been give incorrect info and it could not be done manually.

Because I was not accepting the limitation and inisted to know which of the published rules my itinerary was breaching, she eventually raised my question to "Relationship Marketing" who, according to the agent, confirmed that the computer assumes the most direct routing between stopovers and since my routing is not the most direct or even sort-of-direct in some cases, I would have to change my itinerary to make it fit their res system.

I am still not satisfied and have not finalised the booking. I expect this will need to finalised soon as they will want to bill me for the taxes (almost $2,000).

Definitely possible to get OWE with &gt;16 sectors (I'm on my way now). Try through a travel agent, they're more useful, particularly as the QF res people have little incentive to book this as they'll lose money hand over fist on it!

Alternatively if it is the QF system that is balking at your routing, you could potentially book with stopovers in the more troublesome locations (thus making the routing legal), and then change the dates of all flights once you have the booking made. You'd need to check avail in D (or A in NA) first, but this is little effort by comparison to 60000 miles in a week... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

CT

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LHRtoORD:
Definitely possible to get OWE with &gt;16 sectors (I'm on my way now). Try through a travel agent, they're more useful, particularly as the QF res people have little incentive to book this as they'll lose money hand over fist on it!

Alternatively if it is the QF system that is balking at your routing, you could potentially book with stopovers in the more troublesome locations (thus making the routing legal), and then change the dates of all flights once you have the booking made. You'd need to check avail in D (or A in NA) first, but this is little effort by comparison to 60000 miles in a week... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

CT</font>
My problem booking is not a OWE fare, but a OneWorld Award redemption through QF. So there is no option to use a travel agent - it must be booked through QF and their reservation system.

One problem is that the OneWorld Award redemption is limited to 5 stopovers, so unfortunately I can't just book the problems sectors as stopovers and change dates later. It is more complicated by the fact that almost all my stopovers are around ground sectors.

I just wanted to say a big thank you to the posters here, especially NM for your OWE example and thadocta. I am really enjoying reading all the MR's and tricks etc.
In the spirit of sharing, I have been learning about the QF booking engine over the last month, and have just booked my first non-essential trip.
Four segments for $212, but no booking bonus, as I think that extra has expired.

Sunday 24 November 2002
From: SYD 07:30
To: CBR 08:20
Qantas Airways QF 1503 OP E

From: CBR 10:00
To: MEL 11:00
Qantas Airways QF 763 E

From: MEL 17:15
To: CBR 18:15
Qantas Airways QF 742 E

From: CBR 19:15
To: SYD 20:05
Qantas Airways QF 1440 OP E

Fare: 136.00 Australian Dollars
Taxes: GST: 18.29 Australian Dollars , Other taxes: 56.92 Australian Dollars
Total fare for all flights: 211.21 Australian Dollars

So assuming the cricket is over by Sunday, I won't miss any cricket, and get a chance to look at the CBR QC as well.

Again, thanks very kindly to NM and all the other helpful posters.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnSydney2000:
In the spirit of sharing, I have been learning about the QF booking engine over the last month, and have just booked my first non-essential trip. </font>

Did you do this on the Qantas website? I haven't worked out yet how to book these (superfluous!) multi-segment fares on QF. Would appreciate a pointer ..

FWIW, on the topic of collecting status credits, I have just picked up a W-class WT+ ticket. As somebody noted on another thread, these look like nice little earners, although I need to do the travelling. Will be first time back on BA in a long while -- I wish QF had Y+.

Dear Aura,
As I said, I am new to "forcing" the booking engine to try and cough up 2 sector rather than direct flights at anything approaching Red-e prices.
This is what worked recently and today.
1. Open a number of browsers
2. I went to the home page, lower right
3. First try, choose say SYD to MEL rtn in one browser, then o/w SYD-MEL in page 2, then o/w MEL-SYD in page 3 etc. and choose time as Morning or afternoon, and choose "search by schedule"
4. Results are really hit and miss. e.g. Best result on return might have been $400. I then went back and chose a connection like SYD-ADL, ADL-MEL if available on one leg. It would price that at a higher level (of course) but then sometimes gave a 2-sector alternative via CBR as a cheaper alternative that just did not appear in the initial $400 result.
5. Another way to bring up a different result seems to be go back to your main page, and set a specific time for 1 leg that you know is busy (like 0700 SYD-MEL e.g.). A couple of times it then gave a very high total fare, and in the alternatives lower in the page, (on rare occasions) it gave a 2 segment via CBR result approaching the Red-e price level.
6. Also try playing with 2 one ways.
As an example, on Wednesday I had to fly BNE-SYD. A few days ahead the best avail direct was about $230. For 2 singles ($286) I booked BNE-MEL-ADL-MEL-SYD. Weird thing was the first 3 sectors were all on the same 737-800.

So as I said, I am really new to this and I apologise for not being able to describe better than above how to play around with the booking engine. I do not have a background in travel or computers.

It is a mystery to me how the cheapest fare doesn't appear on the first request every time. John

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by aura:
FWIW, on the topic of collecting status credits, I have just picked up a W-class WT+ ticket. As somebody noted on another thread, these look like nice little earners, although I need to do the travelling. Will be first time back on BA in a long while -- I wish QF had Y+.</font>And WAS it cheaper than a full Y ticket?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Globaliser:
And WAS it cheaper than a full Y ticket?</font>

I'm not sure what the price of full Y is, but these ranged from $3,000 to $3,700 + taxes depending on seasonality. (What are the full Y prices??) They're pretty good with date flexibility, which is what I needed, and the extra comfort is a clincher. It looks like me & Mrs Aura might be doing 2 or 3 this coming year, as we need to visit LHR a few times.

One that I looked at but couldn't use was the BA special J syd/lhr at about A$5,000, but only valid Dec/Jan. Date restrictions were no good.

John, thanks for the tip on booking. Very good idea! I will try it myself.

Thanks for all your comments.....

I understand now about not re-entering Australia so what is the best way to get from SYD to MEL within Australia? SYD/ADL/PER/MEL?

Also I could not find an AA flt between BOSSFO - does one still operate?

Also planned to go SFOLHR direct 9NRT was error as will only transit between MEL/MIA.

All help appreciated. The fare will be ONE4 in J(D) class

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Globaliser:
Originally posted by aura:
FWIW, on the topic of collecting status credits, I have just picked up a W-class WT+ ticket. As somebody noted on another thread, these look like nice little earners, although I need to do the travelling. Will be first time back on BA in a long while -- I wish QF had Y+.</font>And WAS it cheaper than a full Y ticket?

I have always found that WT+ (in W) is cheaper than WT in full Y.

I discussed that last night with the QF Prem Res Agent who booked 3 WT+ tkts (in W) for me. Only got 2 QF sectors (BNE/MEL and QF52 SIN/BNE) But of course, it would take so long for them to make a decision, then the time and cost of reconfiguring aircraft....they won't, it's too late. BA have the jump on them and I'm changing like everybody else on this forum from being a loyal QF'er to the best on offer (within OW)!!

Because they don't, I'll be sending $14K+ overseas (two were ex-Aus, one ex-UK)

Further to NM and everyone's help, I have had a stab at a DONE6 before Tuesday. Have an agent who is available Sat and Sun if I go ahead. 3,120 Status Credits !

I am sorry I don't know how to post the link, but it is in the Oneworld forum.

Regards to all, special mentions to thadocta and Lindsay, seen at both BNE and SYD QC FT do's.

This "Massive Seat Sale" that QF have put on till Christmas day have thrown up a few strange fares in the "Platinum hard to get ?" topic above. The first 2 , for some reason were pulled after about 15 hours.

1.DRW-CNS-MEL-BWT for $131.49 and 50 sc's.
2.BWT-MEL-ADL-PER-KGI for $135.52 and 50 sc's.

These are the lowset sc costs I can recall in recent years. But happily still available, and I will treat my son in School holidays next year is:
3. BNE-ADL-PER-BME for $225 and 60 sc's.

Happy hunting. John.
Edited 2. to correctly report all 4 segments. Sorry for lack of precision first time.

[This message has been edited by JohnSydney2000 (edited Dec 21, 2003).]

SYD-MEL-ASP-MEL-SYD for $248 and 60 SC. The flights back are also timed for optimal use of the QP at ASP or MEL. Stacks of seats available. Indeed, for the month I looked/booked, its one of the few times where every displayed option has the red coloured "red e-deal" instead of orange super or flexi savers.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by og:
SYD-MEL-ASP-MEL-SYD for $248 and 60 SC. </font>

Great find og.
Long time no see since the first BNE QC Do. Hope you are well, and booking any upgrades by 31st December. Our beloved Qantas, to "enhance" our loyalty, is of course jacking up the costs of "U" seats by 80% overnight.

SYD-MEL-ASP, being under 2700 miles (1,600 approx), will "only" cost 8000 points pre 1 Jan and 14,000 after. (Assuming one is ticketed on a 2 class service, and the "U" has a positive integer slightly to the right.)

Good to hear from you og. Thanks kindly for posting your ASP find. John.

"(Assuming one is ticketed on a 2 class service, and the "U" has a positive integer slightly to the right.)"

Hi John,

The 2 class service bit makes no difference does it? Just that there is a positive integer subsequent to the U

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Dave Noble:
"(Assuming one is ticketed on a 2 class service, and the "U" has a positive integer slightly to the right.)"

Hi John,

The 2 class service bit makes no difference does it? Just that there is a positive integer subsequent to the U

Dave</font>

Hi Dave (+ Star). Hope you are well too and Happy Christmas to you. Your statement is quite correct. What I am referring to is where QF appear to be making some MEL-ASP runs all Y.
I know that QF 796 03 Feb MEL-ASP 08:55-10:15 was to be a 737-400 some time back, which I assume had some J seats up the front. That specific flight when I checked the other day, is now showing as a 737-300. This I now assume is all Y. Therefore, instead of 3% chance of a positive integer to the right of "U', 0% chance.

Again, Happy Christmas Dave, and may I pay my respects to you and the great contributions you make here on the QF board. Much appreciated. Regards. John.
Corrected for spelling.


[This message has been edited by JohnSydney2000 (edited Dec 21, 2003).]

I have just been through and added up my flights for the year, a total of 98 flights and 2700 SC for the year.

13 in D (1x LHR-SYD 2x 30sc, 10x 60sc)
16 in U (from discount Y)
69 in discount Y

Not a single milage run was done.

Based on this, I would say that WP is about right in it's aim to reward premium customers. If anything perhaps it's a little too easy to get to?

After all 3 return flights to London in F would get you to WP at an approx cost of $48,000

Yet based on my flights with an average SC per flight earnt at a rate of 27.55 (let's call it 20) that's the equivalant of 35 SYD-MEL-SYD flights (a realistic number as that is less than 1 a week) at a cost of $418 return for a K class ticket or a total of $14,630 or a quarter of the price of the above.

I have often wondered if there should be a triple platinum based at 3,600 to gain and 3,400 to retain. Benefits could include free upgrades on domestic flights when available and guaranteed upgrades from discount Y to J on international at the full Y to J rate, free booze on domestic flights and J class catering when travelling in Y.

I once heard QF has around 400,000 WPs which if true seems like quite a lot.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnSydney2000:
Great find og.
Long time no see since the first BNE QC Do. </font>

Greetings JohnSydney2000. Given the spirit of the occasion (ie: cheap N class fares), I propose another BNE FT meeting. For the $120 round trip, it might make an interesting day / weekend (ex SYD). We just need some sort of indication when in the next 10 months the BNE QP will be up to a FT meeting. Any takers?

If this is a goer, it can move to its own thread (note to Willyroo!).

(ed to add last bit)

[This message has been edited by og (edited Dec 21, 2003).]

"Greetings JohnSydney2000. Given the spirit of the occasion (ie: cheap N class fares), I propose another BNE FT meeting. For the $120 round trip, it might make an interesting day / weekend (ex SYD). We just need some sort of indication when in the next 10 months the BNE QP will be up to a FT meeting. Any takers?"

Well, BNE QP should be used to it by now; they even tried to coax the thadocta n me out of the pub onto an earlier flight at the last meet http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by og:
SYD-MEL-ASP-MEL-SYD for $248 and 60 SC. The flights back are also timed for optimal use of the QP at ASP or MEL.</font>

I flew ASP-MEL on a 73Y back in the first week of October. There is (was???) only one direct flight per day, leaving at 1225, so the self-serve fridge at the QP was chained and pad-locked. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Dave

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by og:
Greetings JohnSydney2000. Given the spirit of the occasion (ie: cheap N class fares), I propose another BNE FT meeting. For the $120 round trip, it might make an interesting day / weekend (ex SYD). We just need some sort of indication when in the next 10 months the BNE QP will be up to a FT meeting. Any takers?</font>

How about some of those banana-benders flying down to OUR QP for a change - I have flown up there twice for an FT BU already. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Dave

Not sure if anyone else does this, but since we're on the 'is wp hard to reach' topic.. I thought I would take a photo of my collection.

I've kept every boarding pass in the last 12 months....from NB to WP .. missing a few AA BP's, but here they are!

http://www.mirc.com.au/MVC-314F.JPG

Any good SC runs out of Melbourne get thrown up?