A whirlwind trip to get QF SG

[LOWJHG]

Journey back from HBA

This leg was booked as a JASA, which was 16000 points + $162 in cash. The beauty of a JASA is its ability to accrue status credits and points like a normal revenue J ticket.

So after deboarding, one is directed to the arrivals area. Looks like they've not grasped the idea of an airside transit yet as one has to exit the sterile area, and return back into the sterile area. A little bit hassled, but thankfully there was no queue.

Being booked in JCL, I have access to the Qantas Club. This Qantas club in particular was tiny, and by the time I had ventured into it, no seats were available. In that circumstance, I went back to the gate area as boarding was about to start as well.

Boarding was announced pretty soon and the gate agents were the FAs from the flight, as with all other QF flights. You could imagine their disbelief upon seeing me boarding the same plane that brought be into HBA a few mins ago.

Boarding was via the tarmac. There are no airbridges of any sort in HBA. A friendly welcome by the CSM sets the tone for the flight. As I settle into my seat, pre departure beverages are served. I chose a strawberry concoction, which went down fairly smoothly.

Safety briefing was initiated and completed and cabin was secured for departure. No push back was necessary as the plane taxied from the stand straight onto the taxiways. A quick roll down the runway set us in motion for a pretty spectacular takeoff, with the coastal sights of HBA in sight. As we climbed, the clouds started to obscure the scenery below.

A quick lunch was served which I did partake. It consisted of slow cooked red wine beef, which was perfectly braised. The meal was washed down with a Shiraz specially picked by the QF wine panel. I find the quality of wines on QF is much impressive than the quality of wines on VA.

After a few glasses of the wine, top of descent was initiated and the crew prepared the cabin for landing. The plane made a smooth landing and we were at the gate shortly thereafter.

A quick visit to the SYD business lounge was in effect and not long after boarded the connecting flight to CBR. This sector is a short one, around 23 mins in length. Within this short period of time they served a light refreshment of prosciutto salad, which I did not partake. Opting for a glass of Riesling instead.

In all, a pretty interesting status run, and the value associated with the run was impressive with its magnificent collection of wines onboard.

Next up, my report on QF1460, QF508 and QF51.

[LOWJHG]

So, is this over yet?

Not really, I've managed to recycle the ticket, paying a no show fee and rebooked it on different dates.

Looks like now I'm able to write the entire report, this time with a few pictures.

[Kyo]

So, is this over yet?

[yflyer]

Any reason you book at 2am? Is that when seats are released or new fare classes become available?

[LOWJHG]

I am not your run of the mill traveller. Firstly I am a hasty traveller. I tend to make travel decisions I would regret later on. I have a very bad habit, I love booking flights the exact day I am supposed to fly, at precisely 2am. This tweaked itinerary is in result of this very bad habit of mine. What to do, it does get me the status credits and points I need to progress from QF NB to QF PS though.

Given the ungodly timing of my reservation, there is no time to sleep, thus I stayed awaken till 5am, contemplating the perfect time to get into the bath. The other bad habit of mine got into effect again as I hurriedly jumped into the bath at exactly 30 mins before the airport bus was scheduled to depart. Fortunately the bus stop was situated below my block.

There starts my journey. Being awake for almost 36 hours, the snorlax (if you have ever seen Pokemon) in me tried to take over my conscience, but a quick coffee at the local Qantas Club at Canberra Airport solved the trick.

Security was not a hassle this early in the morning, with the security assistants recognizing me from previous travel, 2 days ago . The lounge dragon was also bewildered, as I passed by her 2 days ago as well. (I'm rather fond of day trips, flying around Australia domestically for no apparent reason)

Canberra airport has a recurring theme of allocating the furthest gate from my position in the lounge every time I fly. Today was no exception, it allocated the open air gate, gate 14, which I despise dearly, more than flying on a Q400 turboprop. And with all things NB, I got a seat mate, not that I mind, but this seat mate was talkative, taking the sleep out of me. Ah I digress.

Flight was ultimately uneventful (thank The Lord) and I was quickly disembarking the hideous Q400, via a gate. Yes you heard correctly, a gate, with its own drawbridge over the moat that takes an eternity to extend. Fortunately I was in no hurry, but the swatch of expressions in the metal tube was entertaining to me.

I might be mad to say this, but i prefer the Qantas Club to the Business lounge here in Sydney. It's more private, (I'm expecting a barrage of comments saying how wrong I am ) apart from the massive Queue for coffee of course, thankfully I've had enough of that in the QF club in Canberra, a triple shot followed by a pot of earl grey tea (Yes, I'm insane).

Fortunately the buffet is empty, as I assembled a fruit bowl, or so. For 20 mins I sat there by the window, observing as VH-OQA was towed into the hangar beside gate 1 of the domestic terminal. A mad scramble to board QF1019 ensued thereafter. I *had* a seat mate, but not after the seatbelt sign was extinguished. I simply couldn't resist 4A, with the rest of the row being empty.

A brunch service, the tray included your usual muesli, and OJ, that's it. Uneventful flight and uneventful landing. Hobart is beautiful...from the air.

This endeth part I of my story.

[LOWJHG]

Argh I hate my schedules, my Kuching trips have just been made redundant, so I guess this TR just vaporized into thin air.

[Nick C]

The mistake sectors were corrected eventually by QR, so whilst it sounded tempting at first, no point now.

Not all. There were other hidden sectors

[yflyer]

Surprisingly as it may be, QF SG is not high enough status wise to warrant access to the JCL but instead into the QP (Qantas Club, aka Qantas Pub ) instead, the WP members are only allowed into the JCL, of which you should know. Its a different case for International flights though

Ah...ok, I was referring to International, as I don't fly that much domestic in Australia...thanks for clarifying! I didn't know Qantas Gold didn't get you into the J lounge for domestic.

When I was QF Gold, I used the J lounge in SYD International, which is quite nice, as well as the CX J lounges in HKG, which QF Gold (i.e. Oneworld Sapphire) will get you into.

[LOWJHG]

Ahhh...I see! I love Aussie humour! Actually I think QF treats Gold quite well. At least this gets you into the Qantas Business Lounges.

I personally think the term "Scum Gold" more accurately describes Krisflyer Gold, which, speaking from years of experience as a member of this dubious group, is treated by SQ as an afterthought, or at best a way to meet their Star Alliance obligations for Gold. SQ is great. Krisflyer Gold is not. At least for PPS they have realised their mistakes and are making amends to regain some of the fanatical loyalty they once had. SQ, please do something for KF Gold members...

Surprisingly as it may be, QF SG is not high enough status wise to warrant access to the JCL but instead into the QP (Qantas Club, aka Qantas Pub ) instead, the WP members are only allowed into the JCL, of which you should know. Its a different case for International flights though

[yflyer]

SG stands for gold, according to TOF(AFF/FT), SG is an abbreviation for Scum Gold. NB for Nothing Bronze, PS for Pleb Silver, and WP for Wanker Platinum.

Ahhh...I see! I love Aussie humour! Actually I think QF treats Gold quite well. At least this gets you into the Qantas Business Lounges.

I personally think the term "Scum Gold" more accurately describes Krisflyer Gold, which, speaking from years of experience as a member of this dubious group, is treated by SQ as an afterthought, or at best a way to meet their Star Alliance obligations for Gold. SQ is great. Krisflyer Gold is not. At least for PPS they have realised their mistakes and are making amends to regain some of the fanatical loyalty they once had. SQ, please do something for KF Gold members...

[LOWJHG]

That's a lot of flying for just SG. 6 mistake QR sectors + 4 3K sectors under 1000+USD would have netted you the same gain

The mistake sectors were corrected eventually by QR, so whilst it sounded tempting at first, no point now.

What's QF SG? Not familiar with this acronym. Took me a long time to figure out Oneworld gemstones (Ruby, Sapphire Emerald etc...) as well...

Sure looks like a lot of flying! Let us know how it goes!

SG stands for gold, according to TOF(AFF/FT), SG is an abbreviation for Scum Gold. NB for Nothing Bronze, PS for Pleb Silver, and WP for Wanker Platinum.

[yflyer]

What's QF SG? Not familiar with this acronym. Took me a long time to figure out Oneworld gemstones (Ruby, Sapphire Emerald etc...) as well...

Sure looks like a lot of flying! Let us know how it goes!

[Nick C]

That's a lot of flying for just SG. 6 mistake QR sectors + 4 3K sectors under 1000+USD would have netted you the same gain

[CarbonMan]

Exhausted just looking at the itinerary!

[RCTP]

Looking forward to it!