LW & family trip to USA; mixed AA & QF award seating Q's

[QF WP]

Okay, a question for the brains trust here - just want to confirm my thinking and see if I've missed anything or there are better options out there I haven't considered. Who's up for the mental logistics

Current situation:

AA: Mrs LW has 136,490 AA points; Lindsay has 195,718 and we have already each bought the maximum this calendar year. All bonus points have posted (I note that the 31/1 bonus points have just posted...early ). My M-i-L has 43,947 plus 4 x 500 mile upgrades that we could cash.

QF: I have my QFF points (current balance 27,639 plus transfer of 59,350 available through Amex - with more to come in next month ~20K as it was a big spending month in Feb). I also have a brother transfering 44K to me and have access to another 250K so total available would be 380,989+. Nothing in any of my kids or wifes' account - all transferred to mine already (well, a couple of EDR points but no ability to transfer them and negligible anyway).

Objective:

Multiple (4) seats in premium cabins (anything other than Y, so Y+ and above acceptable) travelling September/October 2012 to USA {New York, Seattle and Spokane are must visits, a week in New York and 10 days between SEA and Spokane - no worries about which order of East & West Coast}. Yes, I know I'm cutting it fine on the booking side and timing of trip may be partially inside or outside school holidays - but flexible travelling after 5 September [my mums' 75th - not missing that] and as daughter is only in Prep, so worries about missing some school. Son is only 2 so no worries there and Mrs LW will travel anytime . We are flexible on departure city, happy to fly via DFW (quite a good option rather than LAX). Connecting straight through to either SEA and JFK is okay as an option (given ticket rules inflexibility). No issue about whether flying into JFK, EWR or La Guardia.

My thinking:

I believe J return Aust>USA is 125K and F return is 145K in AA; whilst J return on QF is 196K and looking to utilise JASA for me using balance of my points.

Thinking we use shAAre points and transfer some points from my M-i-L to my wife, enough to get 145K (11K and use current 20% promo discount). Bring QFF points together (27,639 plus transfer 59,350 through Amex, plus 294K). So total available would be 340,989 QFF points.

Locate AA F award seats for Mrs LW and daughter, as well as QF J Classic for my son and JASA for me (all on the same flights -where the fun begins). JASA (for me) will be using balance of QFF points (~180,989) using point + pay. Gets me my re-qual Gold depending on routing, or at very least close.

Options to be considered:

1. I can find 2F and 1J using AA points (I did for our 2011 trip - now it's 4 seats why do kids have to grow up). Would need my M-i-L to ShAAre 11,782 miles with me (a given, considering I paid for her flights to get them) and that will get 1 way in J. Then buying points in sons' and/or daughters' AAccounts and transferring between them or to me. Still have availability of buying points in Starwood to transfer to my AAccount if needed. This could be preferable as slightly cheaper option and fewer relocs.

2. If I can't find J seats through QF, my son and I could muster up the courage to fly Y+ - assuming Classic and WASA seat availability using QFF points only, realise no Y+ award seats using AA points.

Addendum:

Flight between New York and Seattle (or vv) will be paid with 4 available eVIPs for upgrade to First (if available).

Whilst I have access to Expert Flyer, I don't use it very often and thinking I will make use of a close AFF friend to assist me using it this time around.

[Thanks to Bundy Bear for reminding me via phone to add this information above]



Hmm, that's pretty close to my situation and the mental gymnastics I've been doing over the past 6 months to get the point balances up. Over to the sugestions...which win prizes (travel related, all costs paid by me to get them to the winners).

 

[dfcatch]

Calculations are correct Lindsay.

Just remember AA will get you J anywhere in Oz to anywhere in US for 62.5 each way.

QF 96 each way is only SYD-LAX. JFK will be extra points with QF.

I think it's a solid plan.

BUT - I think it's too late to get 2xF and 2xJ for this year.

How long have you had your EF alerts running?


PS. I've just been looking closely for this time next year for F awards and there are plenty in Feb for QF redemptions, a cpl in Jan for AA redemptions, but it's tight.

 

[QF WP]

QF 96 each way is only SYD-LAX. JFK will be extra points with QF.

Ah, slight flaw in my plan, thanks for the pick up. But will have enough points regardless.

BUT - I think it's too late to get 2xF and 2xJ for this year.

Some availability (according to QF award search tool) for PE and J, but you're right about the F award - first time I have looked for a while. If it means Mrs LW and mini#1 can't fly F, then so be it. We may need to plump for 2 J and 2 PE - quite acceptable.

Whilst there is no QF F availability, there is via HKG on CX, but that would mean more AA points as we'd have BNE/HKG and then HKG/JFK awards. Again, very acceptable from Mrs LW's view point - she loved CX on our 2011 flights.

How long have you had your EF alerts running?

Haven't, as I don't have an account - but have access through a friendly AFF'er. They can set up when I have the final AA and QFF points transferred (this week).

 

[dfcatch]

I would look on EF right away - even if the points aren't finalized.

You can make AA bookings and put them on 5 day hold as soon as you find them. That then gives you time to move the points around (3 days
is all u need IME).

I think it's a great plan. I love my AAwards - just flew over here (LOTFAP) on F (booked last July), and just yesterday changed my return to F (was J) when EF alert showed a seat pop up.

 

[QF WP]

Spoke to my friendly AFF'er and they will be helping me put the alerts in place (in fact, should be reading the thread soon).

LSNT - I didn't know you could change up on awards - what's the process? That might be handy in my situation...having my son and I up with Mrs LW and daughter flying in F...would be happy days

[LSNT - learned something new today...]

 

[dfcatch]

I would say there is no chance ever of getting all 4 of you in there.

Let's say Mrs LW and mini get F awards, no one else buys F, they will still not release 2 more F award seats AFAIK. 2 is the max ever for the cabin to the best of my knowledge. But hey - you never know.

1/ You can make changes to AAwards - they are valid for 12 months from ticketing, time and date changes (including routing changes) are free of charge (may be slight difference in taxes), so long as you don't change the origin/destination or class of travel.

2/ If you change class, add a stopover etc - then you need to pay/get refunded the points difference and subject to a $150 reinstatement fee. AAgent "may" waive this if you are "upgrading" to a higher AAward.

Eg. My return booking next week started as:

A/ LAX-SYD-CNS in J for last Dec.

then changed it to

B/ LAX-BNE-CNS in J for end of month (paid $2 extra in taxes)

then

C/ LAX-DFW-SYD-CNS in J for 2 days earlier (received refund of $2 taxes)

then

D/ LAX-SYD (stop) - CNS in F for next week (cost extra 10,000 miles for upgrade to F plus 17,500 for J Domestic stopover, $150 fee waived, $5 extra taxes).

...............

Officially the process was -> new ticket issued for 72.5k plus 17.5k = 90k award plus taxes;

LESS refund of 62.5k award plus refund of taxes.
.........…

3/ You could also for example, book F, but voluntarily travel in J, and hope an F seat opens up - but this is risky, likely impossible to have the flexibility with multiple pax - and you know my disaster story when I tried to be too smart for my own good with this strategy.

 

[QF WP]

Whoops, slight issue - have an Amex Reserve card with Ascent, which means that I can't transfer to QF. Could transfer to AA or Velocity - don't think I need any more AA points.

Might transfer them to Velocity by 31/3, to get the 30% bonus.

 

[straitman]

Whoops, slight issue - have an Amex Reserve card with Ascent, which means that I can't transfer to QF. Could transfer to AA or Velocity - don't think I need any more AA points.

Might transfer them to Velocity by 31/3, to get the 30% bonus.

Sorry to rain on the parade but it's only 15% for Ascent members and 30% for Ascent Premium members.

See:

Bonus Points Offer Eligibility

American Express Membership Rewards Ascent:

American Express Cardmembers enrolled in Membership Rewards Ascent, including David Jones American Express Card holders, will receive 15% bonus Velocity Points*.
American Express Membership Rewards Ascent Premium:

American Express Cardmembers enrolled in Membership Rewards Ascent Premium will receive 30% bonus Velocity Points and 100 Status Credits*. To be eligible for the 100 Status Credits with Velocity Frequent Flyer, you must transfer a minimum of 100,000 Membership Rewards points in one lump sum amount. The 100 Status Credits offer is applied only once to eligible Members, regardless of the number of eligible Points transfers. Status Credits are awarded based on your Tier status on the activity date of the transaction. Ascent Premium Cardmembers will receive the 30% bonus in two 15% increments within a week of the points transfer to the Velocity Account. The bonus will be displayed as two separate entries on the Velocity Statement. Status credits will be awarded 4-6 weeks after the campaign end date.
This offer excludes American Express New Zealand Card holders.

 

[QF WP]

Doesn't say which cards are Premium?

 

[straitman]

Doesn't say which cards are Premium?

Your MR account will show as Ascent or Ascent Premium though. I believe the Ascent Premium only applies to Platinum Charge Card and above.

 

[QF WP]

Ah, Plat CC in my possession, so now understand. 15% still better than nothing

 

[QF WP]

Well, I did make good use of the AA ShAAred miles promo; 43K from my M-i-L, 8K from my father and 1K from my mother - all going to my wife' account.

This means we have finished with AAccounts looking like:

Mine - 195,718
Wife - 136,490 + 52,000 = 188,490

This will allow us to use 125K for 2 J returns and if needed, 2 single J's (62K)...by the skin of our teeth.

Of course, if we need to use QF points, then we'll have a nice starting balance each for our next trip....

 

[grussellt]

Well, I did make good use of the AA ShAAred miles promo; 43K from my M-i-L, 8K from my father and 1K from my mother - all going to my wife' account.

This means we have finished with AAccounts looking like:

Mine - 195,718
Wife - 136,490 + 52,000 = 188,490

This will allow us to use 125K for 2 J returns and if needed, 2 single J's (62K)...by the skin of our teeth.

Of course, if we need to use QF points, then we'll have a nice starting balance each for our next trip....

Lindsay, I think it might be worthwhile to book the award flights ASAP in economy, to set your dates for the trip. On AA you can then change dates (and I think upgrade class of travel) for free. I think the return trip might be the most difficult to book. Of course if you get a cheap transatlantic fare you can always fly back from Europe to Oz (and you've already done it with children!) you might get J back via CX for 60000 miles each.

 

[cove]

Lindsay you are loading up nicely for the next big trip. I can see you using the extended family very well.
Doing the trip with the children while they are young is the best idea as it gets a lot harder when the children are closer to finishing their schooling.
I am looking forward to you booking a great holiday to one of my favourite spots.

 

[QF WP]

cove, now I have the AA points in place, now I can concentrate on finding QF/CX flights to burn the points with corresponding availability to burn my QF points

Agree that with them both young in schooling yet old enough to travel well, is the time to get a couple of big trips done. A week out of school at Prep doesn't really affect Miss LW and I can absorb the daycare fees for Master LW as part of the overall trip cost (along with the doggy holiday costs)

 

[QF WP]

Update on the planning (or lack thereof):

Timing:
Qld Schools Term 3 ends Friday, 21 September and Term 4 commences Monday, 8 October. Timing is flexible either side [can’t go before 5 September as Mum’s 75[SUP]th[/SUP] birthday) but we want to go for ~3 weeks to make it worthwhile on the time spent and consideration for the kids jetlag. Getting Miss LW out of Prep isn’t an issue for a week, Master LW is easier with Daycare as we have an excellent payment records over the past 5 years. Dogs will go in kennels so all sorted on the home front.

Travel Plans
Somewhat flexible but must visit SEA, GEG (Spokane, WA – east of SEA) and JFK. Can ignore SEA/GEG and vv as we can purchase AS (AA codeshare) tickets for the short hop. Doesn’t matter which city (SEA & GEG) or JFK is visited first – will check with Brian & Kathy (Fredd on FT) at ozfest to see about their availability in SEA. We have ex-neighbours in JFK who won’t be going anywhere – new baby in July will keep them there J.

Happiest (keeping SWMBO happy J) if award flights are QF (or CX) and AA, stopovers acceptable [but understand may need to dip into the AA points – so use (or transfer of points) from all the different accounts available]. Happy with transits in NRT, HNL, AKL, DFW (either way), even LAX.
Happy to pay for internal flights (particularly AA – using some available eVIP’s would be nice) if I can get to a gateway/hub and return (doesn’t have to be the same one).
Happy to use VA or other airline if stranded in any transit point (so even use of J* *Class or Economy if absolutely necessary ). Happy with VA or NZ. [Dad & Mum both have 555 NZ Air$, but no idea how far that gets us).

Points - Qantas
I have 36,271 points (with another 5,550 to post from EDR in next couple of days), so 41,821 total
Mrs LW has 4,058 points
Master LW has 1,279 points
Miss LW has 1,825 points

I can also have points transferred from my parents accounts – Dad has 34,275 points and Mum has 9,804 points. Will have to check when they last transferred points – one of them did to my brother ~ a year ago.

I have another 44K points to be transferred in the next week.

I will do Family Transfers in the next 4 days to sweep all to me (Lindsay 5K to Mrs LW, then full balances Mrs LW > Miss LW > Master LW > me).

Ignoring my parents, it will mean my balance will be 92,983. Including their balances would lift me to 137,062.

Can always buy points sufficient to get me the awards (happy with a ZASA or JASA for me)

Points - AA
I have 195,718 points
Mrs LW has 188,490 points (plus 8 x 500 mile upgrades)
Master LW has 54,000 points
Miss LW has 52,801 points

I can also have points transferred from my parents accounts – Dad has 52,559 points and Mum has 52,767 points. All bonus points have posted from recent buy miles promo.

Amex – MR Ascent
I have 79,371 in there. Here’s the list of available transferees:
http://catalogue.membershiprewards.com.au/l2Category.mtw?categoryName=au_frequent_traveller_partners&parentCategoryName=au_travel_rewards_and_accessories&newCategorySearch=true

All of the FF programs are International, so I don’t think these points are really useful other than for transferring to VA or NZ and using for short hop awards (or keeping for using on future VA Domestic upgrades).

Now to start the EF hit and hope

 

[QF WP]

Nothing like a change in plans - as reported in the Hilton Master thread:

Yes, even though this years' trip was for my 45th birthday, when she advised that she wanted a HOLIDAY not a trip to the other side of the world (USA) for catch ups with our friends and family (only visiting 3 cities). She wants less time lookin after the kids and more time lounging by a pool, with a drink in her hand and the kids in onsite daycare or being looked after bythe awesome local nannies...

I heard what she said and lucky I hadn't booked anything, but within 48 hours have 2 of 3 flights and every nights' accom (bar the Novotel at AKL Airport). She and Miss LW get to fly up the pointy end on both flights so far (Master LW on the AKL/BNE flight as well), I'm slumming it in Y on all sectors at present (with Master LW on one).

Looks like my Boeing trip will have to be on ice for another year...

So got the dogs booked into kennels for 2.5 weeks and will pull my daughter from school on Wed 19th to Fri 21st Sept (last 3 days of term).

Still trying to get award seats on FJ 922 via AA redemption on Wed 19th BNE/NAN (option is buying VA @ $509 each - have seats at present). Not cost effective via QF, still have to check FJ. VA would work as all their accounts are linked to mine for Family Pooling

Hilton Fiji Resort booked for a week (stayed here 5 years ago, so really looking forward to it) - as mentioned a 2 bed beachfront apartment via the Hilton The Great Getaway deal (25% off, plus I get a further 20% off with Hilton Premium Club). $389.60 per night with my Gold free breakfasts (and kids should eat for free), means that lunches and dinner on resort will also get 20% off. e-Standby upgrades to ground floor (and/or upgrade to 2 bed Deluxe beachfront) locked in.

AA redemption (2 x J, 2 x Y) NAN/AKL booked last night on Wed 26/09 FJ 411 - $100AUD per pax in tax, but I can live with that. Departs 08.45am so will be an early rise (nothing abnormal about that with 2 kids). Arrival into AKL at 11.55am is perfect, as we need to drive to Lake Taupo.

Hilton Lake Taupo booked for 5 nights - as mentioned a 3 bed apartment via the Hilton The Great Getaway deal (25% off, plus I get a further 20% off with Hilton Premium Club). $389.60 per night with my Gold free breakfasts (and kids should eat for free), means that lunches and dinner on resort will also get 20% off.

AA redemption (3 x J at present) AKL/BNE booked last night on Sat 6/10 QF124 - $40AUD per pax in tax. Need to look at me either buying Y seat or a JASA if available. Departs 06.15am so will need to be out there the night before. Arrival into BNE at 7.10am is perfect, as we have the weekend to unpack, sleep off the jetlag and get ready for school.

 

[QF WP]

Blow me away QF - was checking flights on the outbound and inbound tonight. Cutting to the surprise first, after thinking that I might not be able to be travelling in the same cabin on QF124 (AKL/BNE), then find I class availability for only $608.75 (NZD I presume as it was the QF NZ site). Woo hoo - 80 SC's

Now to decide the outbound:

QF: QF347 (FJ metal) Super Saver $493, Flexi Saver $593 ($1,972). Upside is the price, downside is the time of the flight (dep 23.55 arr 05.25+1, so would mean travelling Tues midnight)

VA: DJ175 Saver $509, Flexi $629. Upside is the time (dep 09.30 arr 14.55) and family transfer already in place. Downside is the price ($2,036).

FJ: Flights as per QF above, but pricing for 2 adults & 2 children is ($1,677.94 including taxes).

I'm swaying to VA - the timing is an issue with the kids - sleeping on an overnight flight?

 

[cove]

Be kind to your body and avoid sleeper flights unless you are going to Europe or North America!

 

[grussellt]

I'll be interested to hear your comments on FJ. I'm travelling back from the US in October (LAX-NAN-BNE) in Y and I await the flight with more than a little trepidation. There was nothing else available at the time for an award and there hasn't been much since. I guess paying extra for the upper deck (3 seats each) may help, otherwise it's it's a night in the Y mini-cabin (Row 28).