Need 455 status credits to get to Platinum, and I have until 31DEC to do it - will be doing a MEL-SYD in N class (10 credits) and SYD-CBR-MEL in J class (60 credits) so need to find a cheap way to get the remaining 385 status credits.

Any thoughts on how I can do this as cheaply as possible?

INT is ok, I currently have two valid passports (UK and Australian).

Dave

Can you perhaps buy them on eBay?

Pffft!

Dave

Is it really that important.

240 points will get you MEL-LAX-NYC,
https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn...EarnedResponse

according to travel.com.au they have that route on special at $1749.00 including taxes.
You get 41,000 points and 240 status credits. Mel-LAX should have the new 747-ER available.

Bundy Bear, are you sure about that fare MEL-LAX-JFK? There is a fare being offered by travel.com.au of $1749 including tax MEL to JFK but travel must be made via Tokyo (connecting with an AA flight in NRT). Unfortunately this only earns 160 status credits (it is "discount economy class").

MEL-NRT 5060 miles = 40 status credits OW (80 RT)
NRT-JFK 6743 miles = 40 status credits OW (80 RT)

This fare is also valid to several other citites in the USA. The AA sectors must be non-stop from Tokyo. Someone who is QF Gold would earn approximately 35,400 miles for this trip.

Go to the outback and catch a bus??

More helpfully, get a OWE ticket + max out the segments eg.

SYD-HKG (25)
HKG-NRT-HKG-SIN-HKG (80)
HKG-LHR (25)
LHR-DXB-LHR-IST-LHR (90)
LHR-LAX (25)
LAX-NYC-MIA-DFW-YVR-DFW-LAX (120)
LAX-AKL (40)
AKL-MEL-PER-BNE-SYD (70)

Totals approximately 450pts, and a ton of miles, enough to upgrade on the home leg to AKL Should cost you couple of thousand A$, and a week and a half -- see fewmiles page for more detailed cost.

Cheers,
C

I suppose you've got to work out the $ per status credit ratios.

Eg: NTL-SYD in full Y earns 20 credits for around $160, so $8 per credit.

SYD-MEL in J is, what, $1000 for 30 credits, so that's $33 per credit (yikes!).

SYD-AKL-SYD in discount Y is as low as $600, for 40 credits - $15 per credit.

Red e-deal mileage run SYD-NTL-MEL-SYD would be 30 credits for around $300, $10 per credit.

If you want to devote a couple of days, I'd combine value with opportunity on one big ******* of a run, for you originating in SYD:

SYD-NTL-SYD(Y)
SYD-MEL-SYD-BNE-SYD(e-deals)
SYD-NTL(Y)
NTL-MEL-PER-SYD (e-deals)

150 credits there, for about $1550.

Knowing you, all the sustenance you need will be obtainable at the QF club.

Try the QF/BA "Explorer Plus" - 4 stopovers $2,419 until 14 Nov ( www.travel.com.au ) - and NM would easily find 385 status points in there!

(Edited to fix link)

[This message has been edited by willyroo (edited 11-04-2002).]

How about seeing some of the world at the same time. Might not fit with tennis season though. A 4-continent OneWorld Explorer is $2599 until mid December, plus taxes of course. Trick is to make long-hauls to be just over 5000 miles, and short-hauls to be just over 1000 miles to max out the status credits and minimise butt-in-seat time.

Try this as an example:

syd-cns-mel-nrt-hkg-nrt-lhr-hel-lhr-ath-lhr-lax-dfw-bos-stl-mia-dfw-lax-akl-syd

I make that to be 43,265 miles flown, at 460 status credits. You could get more by using the remaining Asia routings, and you could easily get more miles in Europe and US, but the exercise was to get status credits.

Assume about $400 in taxes, so a total outlay of $3K, makes them $6.50/credit. So if you have the time, go see the world. If not, go visit Scott lots of times in NTL for $7/credit.

Another suggestion may be to work a RTW itinerary so that you can have your required credits before the end of December, then finish the trip in the new year with the remaining credits posting ready for your next year's status requirement. Assuming you need to be in Melbourne for Aust Open, save the remain 3 SWP legs to get you into MEL and then home after the event. But I think you mentioned you have already purchased your SYD-MEL flights for that event??

Oops, I should have read the fare rules more carefully, I was thinking QF93 and QF107 to JFK,
Pricing that is about $3181, about $13.25 per credit,
Ok, 2nd thought I would try a Round the World Fare and max out the stops.

Post deleted as suggestion to fly on Swiss flights to earn tier credits is incorrect. Credits cannot be earned on Swiss by the look of it.

Regards

WG

[This message has been edited by LHR/MEL/Europe FF (edited 11-05-2002).]

[This message has been edited by LHR/MEL/Europe FF (edited 11-05-2002).]

Or SYD-PQQ-KPS, using QFLink to PQQ and the bus to KPS - $242 for 40 status credits, or $6 per credit.

Where did you get that from? SYD-MEL in J is currently $443.30, so for 30 status credits it works out at $14 per credit. Transit Canberra (at an extra $10 or so in taxes) and you are looking at $453 for 60 credits - or $7.55 per credit (this is what I am ddoing).

Won't be much help when in NTL, will it? All they have there is coffee, tea and soft drinks! Will have to structure my routing accordingly.

Dave

[This message has been edited by thadocta (edited 11-05-2002).]

Yeah, that is a problem at this time of the year.

I haven't purchased them - Tennis Australia have.

Basically, I am working the AAPT Hardcourt in Adelaide from SA28DEC02 until WE01JAN03 - flying back to SYD on TH02JAN03 and then umpiring in SYD from FR03JAN03 until SA11JAN03 - flying down to MEL on SU12JAN03 and start umpiring in Melboring on MO13JAN03.
Problem is that all of these flights are paid directly by Tennis Australia (that is what they tell us, I tend to think it is part of the sponsorship deal that QF have with TA as official sponsors of the Australian Open - you know, "rather than you pay us $20 million, why not give us $20 million worth of airfares that we can use!" type of deal!) And there is no mechanism in place for us to book our own flights and get reimbursement!

At least they let us claim the points for them!

Dave

[This message has been edited by thadocta (edited 11-05-2002).]

Well that is a bonus. Most of my work flights are similar. I can't tweak the routing to max miles or credits. Must take direct routing when available. But, in the last 3 years I have earned over 1M points and maintained Plat status (well, Gold before Plat came along). But with the economic downturn, looks like my travel is being hit hard, so when I take 3 months off for a RTW holiday (using award flights so no status earning), I can't me earning Plat again next year. At least QF only drop you one level per year!

But in your case, having someone pay for the airfares to allow you to don something you enjoy, that is a areal bonus and something to not to be taken lightly. Good on ya, I say.

A little birdie tells me BA WT+ is treated as full Y for tier credits. There seem to be some $3,000-ish WT+ Europe fares kicking around at the moment. At around 300 tier credits, a milage run that won't break your hip pocket, or your back?