Help me hit Platinum!
Jun 23, 2014, 1:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: QF CL
Posts: 689
Help me hit Platinum!
Hi everyone
I am currently Gold and am approximately 360 status credits shy of qualifying for Platinum this year. I have about four weeks left to do it. Sounds like a lot, I know, but I think it's do-able!
I am based in MEL. Ideally I'd like to qualify with one round trip but with minimal time zone change. I will shell out for J class (but obviously I still want to optimise the status credit haul for the outlay).
If you were me, what would you book?
I am currently Gold and am approximately 360 status credits shy of qualifying for Platinum this year. I have about four weeks left to do it. Sounds like a lot, I know, but I think it's do-able!
I am based in MEL. Ideally I'd like to qualify with one round trip but with minimal time zone change. I will shell out for J class (but obviously I still want to optimise the status credit haul for the outlay).
If you were me, what would you book?
Jun 23, 2014, 3:03 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
For a single return to earn 360 SC's you will need to book a flight that is 7,001-8,400 miles in business.
MEL-DXB is 7231 miles
MEL-LAX is 7921 miles
Both would earn 180 SC's each way in business.
Both destinations are around $8800 return.
A possibly cheaper option would be several nested business flights. MEL-SYD-CBR return with CBR-SYD-PER return nested for example. I haven't done a SC count or cost for these.
MEL-DXB is 7231 miles
MEL-LAX is 7921 miles
Both would earn 180 SC's each way in business.
Both destinations are around $8800 return.
A possibly cheaper option would be several nested business flights. MEL-SYD-CBR return with CBR-SYD-PER return nested for example. I haven't done a SC count or cost for these.
Jun 23, 2014, 3:21 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,706
MEL-AKL in business class r/t which each earn 160 SCs for $1341 and can be done on the QF codeshare on the EK service , so a decent A380 run
Add a MEL-AKL r/t with 1 direction in 1st class should be an extra $600 and accrue 200 SCs
$3282 plus 2 days travelling will get the required SCs.
I would really be asking whether Platinum status is worth the cost in getting status plus the time involved
Add a MEL-AKL r/t with 1 direction in 1st class should be an extra $600 and accrue 200 SCs
$3282 plus 2 days travelling will get the required SCs.
I would really be asking whether Platinum status is worth the cost in getting status plus the time involved
Last edited by Dave Noble; Jun 23, 2014 at 3:38 am
Jun 23, 2014, 3:52 am
#4
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,423
Trans-tasman is probably cheapest and fairly quick way. Especially in the (very frequent) business class sales ex-NZ, and even moreso when CNS/ADL/CBR are included in the sale.
Jun 23, 2014, 4:55 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 987
Jun 23, 2014, 5:14 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: QF CL
Posts: 689
Jun 23, 2014, 10:12 am
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,854
The other cheap, but PITA way of getting them on MH is to do some cheap domestic runs within Malaysia (but of course you have to get there first). But PEN-JHB return for ~ $700 with 160 SC's.
Jun 23, 2014, 11:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Programs: QF Platinum One (LTG), UA Plat IHG Plat
Posts: 5,836
Staying domestic, MEL-OOL fares in J cn get 160 SC's (MEL-SYD-OOL). The sale fare just ended was juicy for this at about $499 but at $670ish it's not bad.
Jun 25, 2014, 8:39 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Little old dog box, in Adelaide
Programs: Now back at base level for these 2:QFF-now NB, Virgin-Velocity-NR
Posts: 404
EDIT: which David Noble has already alluded to: Also do fly MEL to AKL in F, EK metal but ensure you do it with a QF flight number, $1240 per one way, I think I saw the fare, or it could be SYD to AKL.
Stay one night and then turn around and come back.
No passport stamps, and most likely the Australian Customs Officer will look at you with disdain, unless of course, MOST likely you will be using Smartgate, in which case, your ony human (Australian Customs) contact will be when they collect your incoming passenger card off you.
Stay one night and then turn around and come back.
No passport stamps, and most likely the Australian Customs Officer will look at you with disdain, unless of course, MOST likely you will be using Smartgate, in which case, your ony human (Australian Customs) contact will be when they collect your incoming passenger card off you.
Jun 25, 2014, 9:05 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,854
Another I just learnt through AFF is PER-SIN return on J $999 during July - for 160 SC's, but obviously have to get to PER first.