Best routes to try during Qantas DSC 2019 - Qantas & Jetstar

adethyasjce

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 01:37:02 am

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adethyasjce

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 Jul 2018

Total posts 66

Dear fellow members,

I'm a QF Gold (from last year) and I'm planning to do a few overseas trips this year. Specifically, I'll be flying to Chennai (MAA) in India from Sydney (SYD) at least 3 times in 2019

I'm waiting for the DSC from Qantas to be released so that I can book my flights and make the best use of the promo.

Also I'd like to note that these trips are personal in nature (one of the trips is for medical treatment) and I can squeeze in as many stops as possible to maximise the SC's earned

I usually fly Y when doing overseas personal trips and the trips are confirmed to be done during the following times :

1st trip - anytime between Feb & April (this is a flexible date trip)

2nd trip - 2nd/3rd week of July

3rd trip - 2nd/3rd week of August

I might do a few more, but nothing is planned yet

I'm looking for suggestions from the AusBT community on the routes/stops that I could possibly undertake to retain my QF Gold and if possible (time wise & financially) earn a QF Platinum in 2019. I currently have 10 SC from my recent Dom Y trip and have another 75 to be earned in the coming months

Thanks in advance

silvyvc

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 09:03:02 am

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silvyvc

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 19 Jun 2017

Total posts 62

Will need to wait to check when's the next DSC promo, but if you fly Y I would suggest to fly indirect. For example, SYD-BNE/MEL-SIN or HKG, then SIN or HKG-MAA. (unsure whether there would be a connection from SIN-MAA on Oneworld, hence also suggesting HKG).

Just be mindful that normally DSC apply to QF marketed and operated flights, so the SIN/HKG-MAA flight would not attract DSC.

So if you do indirect, you are netting an extra 20 SCs each way so 40 return.

jch

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 09:40:02 am

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jch

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 15 Nov 2017

Total posts 143

Qantas has some cheap J to Honolulu which could be used for a quick holiday from the east coast

russell

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 10:27:02 am

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russell

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Nov 2011

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You are assuming there will be one.....There is every chance they wont do one this year if their needs were met during the last couple of years worth.

adethyasjce

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 11:49:02 am

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adethyasjce

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 Jul 2018

Total posts 66

Originally Posted by silvyvc

Will need to wait to check when's the next DSC promo, but if you fly Y I would suggest to fly indirect. For example, SYD-BNE/MEL-SIN or HKG, then SIN or HKG-MAA. (unsure whether there would be a connection from SIN-MAA on Oneworld, hence also suggesting HKG).

Just be mindful that normally DSC apply to QF marketed and operated flights, so the SIN/HKG-MAA flight would not attract DSC.

So if you do indirect, you are netting an extra 20 SCs each way so 40 return.

Thanks silvyvc - I have thought about doing indirect/multiple stopovers - I have a similar route in mind. Last year, I did SYD-MEL-BNE-SIN-CMB-MAA and return MAA-CMB-SIN-BNE-SYD . got an amazing 180 credits on a "Saver" fare (although this was a non DSC promo time) .. I might try something similar ... Thought I'd ask around for any other suggestions

And you are right, there ain't much direct SIN-MAA OW (there is Qantas partnering through Jet Airways (9W), but one doesn't earn any SC's on this flight if it's marketed as 9W-XXX, but one does it it's a QF-XXXX)

Sometimes SIN-CMB-MAA and return gives you around 40 SC's - even if the ticket is sold as UL-XXX

Last editedby adethyasjce at Feb 04, 2019, 11:53 AM.

adethyasjce

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 11:50:02 am

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adethyasjce

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 Jul 2018

Total posts 66

Originally Posted by russell

You are assuming there will be one.....There is every chance they wont do one this year if their needs were met during the last couple of years worth.

Fair point, Russell. Hope QF does a DSC very soon

adethyasjce

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 11:52:02 am

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adethyasjce

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 Jul 2018

Total posts 66

Originally Posted by jch

Qantas has some cheap J to Honolulu which could be used for a quick holiday from the east coast

Thanks for your suggestion Jch., but I'm on an Indian passport and would need a visa to travel to HNL. Not really keen to do that ATM.

Lost_in_SIN

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 12:07:02 pm

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Lost_in_SIN

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 May 2016

Total posts 33

Given you only earn double status credits on QF I would suggest taking an indirect flight to Singapore (SYD - BNE/MEL-SIN) and then pick up a bargain Singapore to Chennai (via KL) business class ticket on Malaysia Airlines as a separate ticket. There are usually some very good Malaysia sales for flights originating from Singapore and this would give you 100 status credits each way.

Last editedby Lost_in_SIN at Feb 04, 2019, 12:08 PM.

adethyasjce

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 12:13:02 pm

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adethyasjce

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 Jul 2018

Total posts 66

Originally Posted by Lost_in_SIN

Given you only earn double status credits on QF I would suggest taking an indirect flight to Singapore (SYD - BNE/MEL-SIN) and then pick up a bargain Singapore to Chennai (via KL) business class ticket on Malaysia Airlines as a separate ticket. There are usually some very good Malaysia sales for flights originating from Singapore and this would give you 100 status credits each way.

Last edited by Lost_in_SIN at Feb 04, 2019, 12.08 PM.

Thank you Lost_in_SIN - that is a great idea :) Let me look into it. Thanks much

Red Cee

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 04:36:02 pm

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Red Cee

Member since 15 Feb 2018

Total posts 151

Remember, double Status Credits only applies on QF metal, and if it is a code share, or operated on another airline, even with a QF flight number, the status credits will be issued at a normal rate.

Anjan

Monday, 04 Feb 2019, 05:05:02 pm

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Anjan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Feb 2014

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Given you have a few trips why not use points one way. Then keep buying MAA to CMB return on UL then I class business CMB to Australia return Can get tickets for 2200 AUD or so. During promo you get on CMB to Syd for instance 320SC one way. One return in business will get you gold. Do all and you would be close to platinum.

OttoV

Tuesday, 05 Feb 2019, 08:59:02 am

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OttoV

Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Aug 2018

Total posts 36

Be interested to have Red Cee’s comments confirmed as we booked Melbourne to LHR in J and registered for the DSC. Will connect from LHR direct to Barcelona with BA also in J and the return to Aus will involve BA flight from Budapest with BA in J to LHR and back to Melb. Had hoped to score enough SCs to get to platinum. Bummer if he is correct- any other information?

adethyasjce

Tuesday, 05 Feb 2019, 11:01:02 am

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adethyasjce

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 03 Jul 2018

Total posts 66

Originally Posted by Anjan

Given you have a few trips why not use points one way. Then keep buying MAA to CMB return on UL then I class business CMB to Australia return Can get tickets for 2200 AUD or so. During promo you get on CMB to Syd for instance 320SC one way. One return in business will get you gold. Do all and you would be close to platinum.

Hey Anjan, Thanks for your suggestion. So if I understand what've said ;

I need to pay (let's say onward) using my points SYD-CMB and purchase seperate tickets MAA-CMB return and CMB-SYD on J by paying for the ticket ?

have I understood it right?

Anjan

Wednesday, 13 Feb 2019, 05:07:02 pm

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Anjan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Feb 2014

Total posts 11

Originally Posted by adethyasjce

Originally Posted by Anjan

Given you have a few trips why not use points one way. Then keep buying MAA to CMB return on UL then I class business CMB to Australia return Can get tickets for 2200 AUD or so. During promo you get on CMB to Syd for instance 320SC one way. One return in business will get you gold. Do all and you would be close to platinum.

Hey Anjan, Thanks for your suggestion. So if I understand what've said ;

I need to pay (let's say onward) using my points SYD-CMB and purchase seperate tickets MAA-CMB return and CMB-SYD on J by paying for the ticket ?

have I understood it right?

Yes I have been doing it for a few years now. If your dates are flexible. I have been trying out SQ same price better availability. QF price varies more. Check out on Expedia. If you have time pricing for CMB Sydney via sing and melb is the same but during DSC 400sc each way excluding CMB MAA flights another 80 return in business.

Last editedby Anjan at Feb 13, 2019, 05:09 PM.

Anjan

Wednesday, 13 Feb 2019, 05:10:02 pm

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Anjan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Feb 2014

Total posts 11

Originally Posted by adethyasjce

Originally Posted by Anjan

Given you have a few trips why not use points one way. Then keep buying MAA to CMB return on UL then I class business CMB to Australia return Can get tickets for 2200 AUD or so. During promo you get on CMB to Syd for instance 320SC one way. One return in business will get you gold. Do all and you would be close to platinum.

Hey Anjan, Thanks for your suggestion. So if I understand what've said ;

I need to pay (let's say onward) using my points SYD-CMB and purchase seperate tickets MAA-CMB return and CMB-SYD on J by paying for the ticket ?

have I understood it right?

Yes I have been doing it for a few years now. If your dates are flexible. I have been trying out SQ same price better availability. QF price varies more. Check out on Expedia. If you have time pricing for CMB sing Melbourne Sydney Melbourne Singapore CMB is the same but during DSC 400sc each way excluding CMB MAA flights another 80 return in business. Let me know how you go.

Last editedby Anjan at Feb 13, 2019, 05:11 PM.