Most cost-effective way to quickly get Qantas status credits

Gumshoe- do you mean on jetstar or qantas? From Melbourne or elsewhere for the Townsville and Darwin flights? I'm really trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat by getting 300 points for under $1.5k for 4 flights in total- all domestic, all before January 31. I am thinking the jetstar Sydney/ Townsville business return is excellent value- I would be gobsmacked if there is a better offer on either qantas or jetstar which gives me a better result.

Corinna, have you considered ding a status run on AA during your trip to the USA?

Look at flights to the Caribbean in business/first (BGI, AUA).

Say LAX-MIA-BGI return could cost around $1300 (I'm guessing) and get you >300 credits.

You get to go to Barbados not Perth!

I really need to d the trips in January, so the AA flights are out for status earning as I won't be doing that til June. Nice thought though :)

Have you considered JQ business class from MEL to HNL or SIN? It will earn you 280sc and if you go to HNL via SYD it will be 300 points. I flew there (HNL) once for about $1600 return. 

Or do something fun and splurge yourself on an EK A380 in First or Business class :). If I was going to do a status run I would definitely do it that way!

Ok, now I seem truly stupid- what's EK? What's HNL? I just checked out Mel to bris return economy less than $250! Then bris to cairns business, less than $1100 return all on qantas ...might make for a great weekend away ;) at an unbeatable price. And no foreign airport taxes, passports etc...

Yes, keep it simple, you're on the right track.

Avoid the opportunity costs of nights away etc.

Mel-Bne-Cns return would get you over the line with economy for Mel-Bne and business for Bne-Cns assuming double status

EK is Emirates. They partner with Qantas and fly from MEL, BNE, SYD all to Auckland. HNL is Honolulu airport hahaha. 

Hello, just wondering if anyone can help with a query regarding status credits - I have just obtained lifetime silver and wonder if that reduces the amount I have to earn each year to regain gold or platinum? i.e. instead of earning 600 sc to retain gold, do you automatically start at 250? Thanks for any advice. Anna