Most cost-effective way to quickly get Qantas status credits

I have been trying all sorts of combos to find the most cost effective and shortest way to grab 300 status points on qantas. I'm located in Melbourne and was wondering if any of you have a great tip for me? I'm a frequent flyer and Aquire member, have signed up for double status points and so will need to fly somewhere (Perth/Hobart) before end of Jan 14. The absolute cheapest way I have found so far was to fly business from Mel to Adelaide, then again Adelaide to Perth and do the same back in economy. Will also get gift vouchers for flight redemption for extra points, but not status credits.However, I'm a rookie at this and know that loads of FF's will probably have much better (and more economical) ideas. All advice really appreciated.

If the 300 status credits will only get you to Silver, I wouldn't bother. If you are trying to get gold/plat and will be flying lots for the next 12months then perhaps its worth it.

The double status credit only applies to domestic (off my knowledge), so a short hop to NZ is off the cards. But your suggested routing - with biz one way and economy back - makes sense. Just depends on the price you acquire it at.

However, I'd only fly somewhere I had something to do / or wanted to go. So if you want a weekend in Perth, then maybe its worth it.

Yes, this is simply to get me to silver- however, there is method to the madness...I am also travelling to the USA in June in premium economy with side trips to mexico and anchorage on AA- points which I'll put towards QF, and hopefully hop up or at least towards gold...I read somewhere that I can potentially fly jet star to Perth on business class and receive same number of status credit points as on qantas if I purchase the add on bundle on jet star - would anyone know about this method? Many thanks :)

As far as I know, Jetstar A330s and 787s aren't doing the PER route, so Jetstar business is out.

Check exactly how many status credits you're getting from the America trip, to give you an idea of how many SCs you need to earn on top of that if you're aiming for Gold. Check if the AA points earn status credits (I don't think they do).

Have you considered using marginal Any Seat Awards and/or the possibility of flying brutal Economy runs? You could fly triangles or something.

Happy to do brutal runs etc, as lng as it's also cost effective. Cheapest I can see so far to get points needed will add up to just under $2k...

I'm led to believe that marginal asa are no longer available. I rang Qantas recently to try to book one and was told that they were no longer doing these awards, it all had to be done online.  It's too late for me now, but I'd like it to have been a mistake.

Ring again. Only if they consistently tell you that, then can we believe the loss of a great program component...

Chrisor, this is incorrect.

Marginal ASA's can be obtained by phone.  Try the following:

1. Check on-line for classic award availability. If Classic Award availability exists, proceed to next step.
2. Call the new special phone number (1300 366 587) 9am-5pm EST Mo-Fr and ask "I would like to book a Classic Award fare as an Any Seat Award please".
3. You should not be charged any Telephone Assistance Booking Fee for the reservation
4. If the agent does not understand the request, ask them to check with a supervisor and try reversing the request above to "I would like to book an Any Seat Award in X/Z/U/P class" [these are the classic award fare classes for economy/premium/business/first]

5. If that doesn't work direct the person on the phone to "Right on Q number 7740"

Hope that helps.

JetStar does get you status credits if you purchase the add on bundle.

JetStar starter fare + plus bundle = discount economy status credits
JetStar plus fare + max bundle = economy status credits
JetStar business class + max bundle = business status credits.

I haven't checked but I didn't think there was business class on JetStar domestic flights?

I'm trying to figure out if there are any jetstar domestic business class flights- does anyone know for certain? The jetstar website is not very forthcoming with this info :(

i didn't realise that the double status points must be for domestic travel only- there goes my idea of a jetstar business class from Perth to Bali...

No, only on the A330 and B787 do they have Business Class. You can find these on odd domestic runs (domestic tag of an international, e.g. SYD-CNS-KIX), like Sydney to Cairns, but you're going to need to search long and hard as these domestic flights don't run daily (usually something like four times weekly).

That's great to know, gee I wish you knew all the routes ;)

since you are so knowledgeable, would you know how to work out how many staus points I would get if I take a business class jetstar flight from Sydney to cairns please?

Because JQ Business earns the same QF Business, SYD-CNS in Business on Jetstar earns 80 status credits each way.

If you're thinking of CAirns, the Brisbane -Cairns route is good value in business class at $539 for 60 status credits basic (120 on double).

Google mileage monkey as a tool for working out status earned on each route

Look up flights to TSV and DRW they reap excellent status points rewards.

QFF Earning Points Calc is handy.