Given that Qantas runs periodic bonus Status Credits promotions, for those looking at achieving or retaining Qantas elite status, here are some of the best flights to take in order to fast-track your way to Gold or above. You need 700/600 Status Credits (SCs) to achieve/maintain Gold.
You may also be interested in the routes that can earn you Velocity status the quickest.
Suggestions
Our Point Hacks in-house travel agent Luke Vaughan has put together the some recommendations for tickets.
Note that all fares are for low-season, return flights in Business Class and should be used for reference purposes only. The more segments flown, the more SCs are earned. These prices are based on fares published in mid-October 2018 and may/probably have changed since then.
| Route | via | Price | SC earn | Double SC earn | Cost per SC (double SC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin - Wellington | Brisbane & Sydney | $2073 | 400 | 800 | $2.59 |
| Townsville - Nouméa | Brisbane, Melbourne & Sydney | $2129 | 400 | 800 | $2.66 |
| Brisbane - Bali | Melbourne | $1955 | 360 | 720 | $2.71 |
| Sydney - Bali | Melbourne | $1955 | 320 | 640 | $3.05 |
| Melbourne - Bali | Sydney | $1976 | 320 | 640 | $3.09 |
| Adelaide - Jakarta | Sydney | $1999 | 320 | 640 | $3.12 |
| Perth - Jakarta | Sydney | $2540 | 400 | 800 | $3.18 |
Other routes readers have previously maximised SC earn in Business and Premium Economy Class have been:
- Any airport – Christchurch
- Hobart – Christchurch via Melbourne
- Adelaide – Nouméa via Brisbane, Melbourne & Sydney
- Canberra – Auckland/Wellington via Brisbane, Melbourne and/or Sydney
- Adelaide – Santiago via Melbourne & Sydney
- Adelaide – London via Brisbane & Singapore
- Melbourne – Tokyo via Sydney
While you may have to spend multiple hours in these recliner Business Class seats, it may make it worth it to access elite benefits later on
Summing up
If you are looking for Qantas status and have some cash on hand, then the routes above could be some good ones to research.
Do you have any other suggestions to add to the table above for the benefit of other Point Hacks readers? Share in the comments below!
Not sure whether these prices were originally based on specific sales, but they are most definitely not normal pricing or available currently, so quite misleading. You should make clear that this information is not up to date so you don’t disappoint others. Also, if they are based on sale pricing, you will probably be aware that DSC offers never happen at the same time as a sale, so pretty much impossible that people would be able to access the SC cost to earn ratios you’re advertising.
Good point! I have added in a note to prevent the same confusion from happening again.
Hi Matt, can you earn SC on bookings made using QFF points?
No, you do not earn points or Status Credits on any award bookings in any program (to my knowledge).
Nothing seems to work if I am starting from Sydney, because most QF international flights start from Sydney and there isn’t an option to do domestic transfers? Or am I missing something?
Have just added in a Sydney example. Transiting through Melbourne or Brisbane usually helps to maximise Status Credits earn.
Hi Matt, what is considered “low-season” travel for the route to Bali? I’ve been searching all day and long to find the business class flights for $1,977, but I haven’t even come close.
Cheers!
I’m seeing those fares on some Wednesdays and Saturdays in November and February. Check out this search on Google Flights and note the filters I have applied.
Hi Matt,
I dont see where you apply filters for this?
Thanks PK
If you are on a desktop, you’ll see the filters of Bags / Stops / etc in between the search bar and the results.
Hi There,
Just a quick question with regards to using the Qantas website for bookings. As an example, When I book a flight from MEL – DELHI – MEL, I am given several options eg. MEL-SIN-DEL and back on the Qantas website. However when I book MEL-SIN and then try to separately book SIN – DELHI the Qantas website does not allow me to do so? Any tips or tricks on using the Qantas website to make bookings on routes where Qantas is not the predominant carrier such as India?
Try the multi-city search tool or just book directly through the other airline.
can you please tell me if bookings made through Amex travel via travel credits received for Amex Qantas CC with receive double SC`s?
I’m not 100% sure on this but given that Qantas Points are not earned on the portion of the booking made with the travel credit (see PDS), I’d guess that Status Credits are not earned either. So it is probably best to book through Qantas using cash to make sure you get the SCs you want.
Hi both – I can say from experience that yes, you will earn the double status credits from Amex Travel spend using a travel credit. You simply don’t earn any MRP on the travel credit portion of the spend – you’ll earn the full points/miles and status of the flight you’re booking.
When I try the Adelaide/Brisbane/Singaport/London in the Qantas SC calculator (all Business class) I only get it to 350SC. Double to 700SC What am I missing, does the return leg need to be the same?
Yes, return leg needs to be the same for that example. The more segments, the more SCs are earned.
Best I can get locally is CBR – HTI @ $9/SC
Any from Perth?
Perhaps a couple of the Adelaide examples could be extended to Perth (with an additional cost).
One of the first articles I’ve clicked through to all year and it has no information for Perth flights :\
Just added in a Perth example 😉