20,000 miles for a pillow fight with no love from Qantas.

[Bundy Bear]

If you want just the pillow fight that can be found here

I had heard such good things about Starmegado 2009 that I couldn’t miss Starmegado2 in 2010. Starmegado2 was in 2 parts the Trans Atlantic part starting in New York with flight on LH to Frankfurt then back to Houston where the domestic portion was to start and it is the domestic part that I joined. US domestic especially AA domestic is the best place for me to help in re-qualifying for my Qantas Platinum Oneworld Emerald.

2 NOV
BNE SYD QF 513 767-336 VH-VXD SEAT 26B


Alpinia Dr, Brisbane Airport QLD 4007, Australia

I wasn't sure what I was letting myself into, my thinking, this trip better be worth it.

Standard mid morning snack, a biscuit and a drink, on the flight down to Sydney which arrived just before 12:00pm but I didn't make the 12:00pm shuttle to the international terminal. Not to worry I received a text from Qantas to say that flight was delayed from 2:10pm to 3:10pm, more time in the first lounge.

2 NOV
SYD LAX QF 11 A380 VH-OQF SEAT 51C ECONOMY

First stop the Qantas First Lounge, which put me in a better frame of mind.

Qantas First Class Lounge.

The flight didn't board until after 3:00pm so I was able to find out the result of the Melbourne Cup, never got to see it live, as we weren't that late.

Standard routine flight, the best part for me; (no upgrade excluded) was the free seat between me and the person in 51A.

Lunch/dinner was a choice of beef casserole or steamed fish with lemon and horseradish sauce.

As I was flying 4 Qantas long hauls this month I didn't rush into a 5 movie marathon, but did watch Grown Ups and Summer Coda.

As this flight left a bit later it meant that as we weren't arriving into LAX until after 3AM Brisbane time I did manage about 2 hours sleep.

Breakfast was served about 2 hours from LAX, with choice of cereal, or hot breakfast(Egg Florentine with seared bacon and Roast tomato) both accompanied by fruit, orange juice, a bakery item and Coffee/tea, it doesn't change.

The screen on the A380 is quite a bit bigger than that on the 747, the other good thing is the lack of noise.

As we arrived into LAX after 11:00am it really shortened my connection time from over 4 hours to 2.5 hours. LAX passport control was it usual slowness, and thought it was quick getting through passport control in just over an hour.

Then I went in search of the bag. The baggage for this flight was split into 2 carousels. 1 for economy and the rest for First/business and premium economy. After looking for my bag on the economy belt; one rotation found nothing so I thought I should check the other belt.

I found my bag on the other belt as it had been tagged with a first tag.

So always good to remember that your bag may have been tagged differently to the cabin you actually traveled.

2 NOV
LAX DFW AA2448 767-323 N398AN SEAT 2D FIRST

After collecting my checked bag; it was over to T4.

I couldn't check in online for the AA flights to IAH at the 24hr mark and ended up using one of the machines in the T4 terminal. AA T4 isn't such a bad place once you are through security but the check in area seems a bit short of space.

I went through security then up to the AA desk; showed them the card then allowed entry in the AA Flagship lounge.

LAX AA Flagship lounge, nothing really special; a bit more food and you don't need to tip for the drinks.

At 1:20pm I went in search of the gate for my flight to DFW. Interesting enough the lounge staff actually made a call of the previous flight to DFW, I think it was delayed and my flight to DFW was called, very rare for AC to announce flights.

There was a 2 choice lunch and I had the sandwich.

AA FAs are also very willing to serve drinks, I never needed to ask for another drink; they kept pouring as fast as you could drink them.

2 NOV
DFW IAH AA1367 MD83 N964TW SEAT 6E FIRST

We landed into DFW into terminal C where it was raining, and made my way over to the AC lounge via skylink in Terminal A.

Since the 1 October 2010 their is a light beer usually on tap available, and its the more expensive drinks where you need to supply the drink chits.

The light beer in DFW AA lounges is Miller lite.

I received 2 drink chits, bottled water cost $2.00 so I drank the more expensive Jack Daniels and coke. which are usually $9.00

Flights aren't called so you need to check the departure boards for your flight and head to the gate about 40 minutes before the departure.

The flight time was less than an hour there was only 1 drink service up front, I asked for a Jack and Coke and the FA asked due to the short flight would I like to make that a double shot. No thanks.

I landed into at IAH and then went in search of the hotel shuttles.

That is one thing you can rely on in the US is the good signage, one thing that both Australia and the UK are poor at.

 

[Bundy Bear]

The charter.

5 NOV
IAH PHX CO1905 757-300 N57864 SEAT 16D TOMMY CLASS

Tommy Class was the class offered as they didn't have enough flyertalkers to fill the plane, the offer included 45 minutes sleep in, a free middle seat and bonus miles on your program of choice. I will see if my new BMI Diamond account gets the extra miles.

3503-4199 S Terminal Rd, Houston, TX 77032, USA

Photo was taken a few minutes before we left the lounge.

With so many flyertalkers with status it wasn't to hard to be guested into the lounge.

On the flight to Pheonix we were served breakfast.

Landing into PHX, recording by anat0l.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_60KwpYPFSA


5 NOV
PHX PAE CO1905 757-300 N57864 SEAT 16D TOMMY CLASS

The flight stopped in Phoenix for a discussion with US Airways CEO Doug Parker.

We had about 1 hour to walk around the desert park.

Lunch on the flight up to Seattle.

Another landing video by anat0l

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLRj3u1Xa7Y



Just a bit of rain in Seattle, behind the plane is the unfinished 787 for Japan Airlines.

We are still waiting for more photos to be released from Boeing.

The Boeing Factory tour was fantastic, we were broken up into 3 teams.

Each team got to see the following in rotation.

A look and walk inside a 787.

A walk inside the dream lifter, modified 747 to carry parts for the 787.

A walk around on the factory floor where the 787 was being built.

After about 3 hours we were then bussed to a hotel in Seattle where SPG put on dinner and did a 10 minute presentation on what improvements they have made and making to their hotels worldwide.

 

[Bundy Bear]

7 NOV
SEA SFO AS316 737-800 N579AS SEAT 10E ECONOMY

Air Cargo Rd, SeaTac, WA 98158, USA

Seattle Airport has free wifi, which was especially good since I didn't have an F ticket down to SFO.

I purchased the SEA-SFO-LAX ticket on American Airlines | Airline Tickets and Airline Reservations and I selected first. Like all of these upgrade fares you aren't automatically guaranteed First class. The other small problem when booking on American Airlines | Airline Tickets and Airline Reservations you don't know that you have a Y ticket for part of your journey, and the only way you know you are in economy for part of your journey is if you are in ECONOMY when you receive the ticket via email.

Due to fog in SFO there was an over 1 hour delay in our departure. The flight was due to depart at 2:40pm but we didn't depart until 3:40pm.

I was able to board early due to my oneworld emerald status.

Alaska Airlines announce boarding for those in first class and MVP Gold(Alaska top tier) and then they announced boarding for those with status on other code share partners of Alaska.

So I board when they announced rows 15-30 and I was row 10, someone in front of me tried to board with a row 12 seat and they got rejected, so handed them my boarding pass with my Qantas platinum card, Oneworld Emerald traveling on the AA code share counts.

Traveling without checked luggage means that you want to board early, and I got overhead bin space.

The flight departed and we were served a standard beverage service with a drink and a packet of pretzels well really a snack mix.

I caved in and purchased the gogo wifi. USD $9.95

Is now cruising along at 35,000 feet on Alaska Airlines as I caved in and purchased gogo inflight.

Currently using the netbook and I am not sure if I can turn it off and change to the iphone to give you a location and picture on the AFF Iphone App.

This wasn't the first time an AFFer had used the wifi inflight, but it was fun to use it if only to check on connecting gate info of your next flight.

7 NOV
SFO LAX AA1254 737-800 ? SEAT 6B FIRST

Alaska and American Airlines aren't in the same terminal so you have to change terminals with the Airtrain.

So in this lounge they have Corrs Lite as their free beer beverage, they have to pour it from a bottle as they are not set up for beers on tap.

AA1254 is now up to a 1 hour delay, and they changed the gate for a third time.

They only gave me only 1 drink chit at the front desk, maybe I could ask for another but I ran out of cash, I don't want to appear to be a cheap Aussie and not tip.

Also they are moving from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2. I hope AS can join them but they are sticking in Terminal 1, which makes these SEA-SFO-LAX runs a pain in the neck.

There was 1 drink offered on 56 minute flight down to LAX.

AA1254 landed 9:52 PM, 102 minutes late

7 NOV
LAX SYD QF108 747-438 SEAT 48D ECONOMY NOT

As I had landed in T4 I went to the AC lounge to try and get a boarding pass for my onward flight to Sydney. After about 5 minutes of waiting they said I would have to go and check in with Qantas at TBIT.

I turned up at TBIT about 10:10pm and this is where I had got the bad news that the flight was now completely full and have to go on QF108 tomorrow.

I didn't think there was much point arguing with the check in staff.

I was given instructions to go to the airport shuttles for the Westin.

Qantas provided the accommodation, including meal vouchers for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus 2 phone calls and free internet.

I did manage to catch up with another flyertalker for lunch, so the day wasn't a complete waste, as I really wanted to get back and prepare for my next trip a work trip to Europe.

8 NOV
LAX SYD QF108 747-438 VH-OJC SEAT 26H ECONOMY

I got back to the airport just after 7:00pm. I checked in without too much hassle, no upgrade.

209 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA

The Oneworld lounge in TBIT has the worst wifi signal.

We were bussed out to a remote gate. With a few delays the flight didn't take off until after 12:40am.

Dinner was served quickly after take off, with a choice of Beef short ribs with potato mash or Pan fried Mahi Mahi with mustard cream sauce.

Does anyone remember which AFFer was in Hawaii, I hope they were sleeping when we flew past.

Luckily I managed 4 hours sleep; always help to have space in front of you where no one can recline their seat in front of you.

Breakfast was again served 3 hours out from Sydney, cereal or the hot breakfast with zucchini and Potato Frittata with grilled bacon and mushrooms.

What is wrong with plain bacon and eggs with hash browns.

10 NOV
SYD BNE QF520 767-338 SEAT 25B ECONOMY NOT

And this time a real misconnect, due to our flight being late into Sydney I had just under an hour to connect to my flight to Brisbane, Qantas had set up a board of those whose bookings were already changed. I had a quick look at the board didn't see my name so I continued through duty free and passport control.

I got to the new domestic connection area, and check in my bag and this is where the check in agent said I was rebooked on the 12:05pm departure.

10 NOV
SYD BNE QF524 767-338 VH-OGJ SEAT 30D ECONOMY

So I had a good hour in the business lounge before my flight up to Brisbane.

Qantas Dr, Mascot New South Wales 2020, Australia

Standard Qantas lunch time service to Brisbane.

After flying both AS and CO in economy Qantas have the worst seat pitch. :sad

Back to where I started.

1 Alpinia Dr, Eagle Farm QLD 4009, Australia

 

[anat0l]

The good, the bad and the ugly - this TR has all of it in snapshots.

Nicely done, Bundy Bear.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Nicely written, easy to read! Well done Bundy Bear

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for those that replied; I wasn't quite finished until now, I was copying parts that I had posted from the off topic thread. I could have started a separate trip report thread but you can't go back and edit your posts after 24 hours, so I just copied the locations and pictures into a new thread.

The US is the best place to gain or retain Qantas Platinum Oneworld Emerald, but the cheap fares come with risks, and booking with the American Airlines au; website you don't know if you have booked into first or economy until you paid. You could hold the booking and then ring up AA in Brisbane then they charge extra for that.

LAX-DFW-IAH in First credited 180SC(120+60), SEA-SFO credited as full Y 30SC and SFO-LAX credited as 60SCs, at least they credited in a few days.

The charter flight was a lot of fun, the good vibes can be heard from the youtube links the pillow fight on descent into PAE, YouTube - StarMegaDo Pillow Fight (CO 1905) - 5 Nov 2010 and youtube link from anat0l on our arrival into Paine Field.

YouTube - CO1905 Landing in PAE

Wednesday we spent it with Continental Airlines; they put on lunch and a bit of a chat; but it wasn't that interesting.

Our stop at PHX was quite good; more food followed by a chat and question and answer session from US Airways CEO Doug Parker.

One thing that was discussed during the talk with US Airways was that all the airlines are charging for baggage; those passengers without status and charging for the better seats. It is disappointing that Qantas are following this path by charging for the good seats. Qantas don't offer any extra benefits from the 2nd row of economy to the seat in the last row, which is annoying.

On my way to Seattle airport I received a call from Qantas sales to get me to switch to QF108 flight which I was fine with, but once I reach LAX with the fog delay in SFO meant that Qantas had already given away from seat.

I already had a bulkhead row seat on the flight to Brisbane and ended up with 48D which was a non bulkhead row seat, I noticed that 46C an exit row was still available.

So Qantas did me no favours, and as a Oneworld Emerald; I am surprised they gave away my seat.

My ticket was an upgradeable ticket as I had put in an upgrade for the flight to Brisbane.

Qantas Gold is probably is the sweet spot for status and I don't think that Qantas Platinum is worth the extra flying when there are other options.

A couple of notes from the trip.

Check the other carousel for your bag,

Not all segments of your AA bookings on those KUPP fares may not always guarantee you a first class seat.

Link your bookings if at all possible, I know Qantas have now made more restrictions but if you can do it.
One point to note; probably my biggest failure of my trip planning was not to link the 2 bookings of SEA-SFO-LAX to my LAX-B,NE flight, this would have surely saved me from being bumped off the flight.

Qantas have the worst seat pitch for any full service airline.

 

[totalk]

A very comprehensive TR. Excellent.

 

[samh004]

A good read at last, just regrettable that Qantas couldn't do any better for you on your return, especially considering your status.

Makes me wonder if WP really would be worth the effort right now, and I don't fly nearly as much as you

 

[Princess Fiona]

Excellent TR. I love your meal photos as well. I'm checking out AA F in Feb ( hopefully!)

 

[drewbles]

Excellent TR. I love your meal photos as well. I'm checking out AA F in Feb ( hopefully!)

I've just put some fairly low-res photos up from my latest AA run (including the same sandwich that Bundy had!)

Excuse the lack of descriptions. Just quickly threw them up..

http://www.icns.com.au/~drew/aa/

There's also..

- 3 varieties of Chipotle Chicken
- Various Burritos (bean and cheese)
- A Truly coughtacular pasta (cheese tortellini with cream mushroom sauce)
- A Cranapple and Vodka (spot which one it was lacking!)
- Other photos as well
- Cabin shots from 737 F, 757 F (two different including the international config one), 767 and I skipped the MD-80 as i've been on so many, just think 'millenium seat' and you've almost got it!

(sorry to hijack the post, just thought you may want some other pics of the F food!)

 

[samh004]

Excuse the lack of descriptions. Just quickly threw them up..

http://www.icns.com.au/~drew/aa/

Incase you’re a private person I think you can see your name on the ticket of "aa_ord_fl_2".

 

[drewbles]

Incase you’re a private person I think you can see your name on the ticket of "aa_ord_fl_2".

Ahh if you viewed it in full res you most certainly could. Thanks Sam

Removed my name now. I have an uncommon last name, so good thing you noticed. Don't want everyone knowing me that well!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Ahh if you viewed it in full res you most certainly could. Thanks Sam

Removed my name now. I have an uncommon last name, so good thing you noticed. Don't want everyone knowing me that well!

Your secrets safe with me ;p

 

[drewbles]

Your secrets safe with me ;p

heh hopefully I removed them before you found out my true identity

 

[anat0l]

It is disappointing that Qantas are following this path by charging for the good seats. Qantas don't offer any extra benefits from the 2nd row of economy to the seat in the last row, which is annoying.

Qantas aren't charging for people to sit in the front rows, however. (They are on JQ.) That's a good thing, because as you remember from the US Q&A, there were some US elites who were quite pi**ed off that their entitled front row seats were being sold off.

Also, I'm not sure what you mean by 2nd row of economy to the last row in terms of benefits. If you mean extra legroom, well, that goes without saying, really.

So Qantas did me no favours, and as a Oneworld Emerald; I am surprised they gave away my seat.

Why should you be surprised? There's never any guarantee that a seat will be held for you especially if you are late, your fault or not. Did they really give away your seat or just fly without you? It begs to reason that some pax, possibly other elites, would be rather annoyed to wait for you.

Qantas Gold is probably is the sweet spot for status and I don't think that Qantas Platinum is worth the extra flying when there are other options.

Well, no F lounge for you! I guess after a while it does start to get droll, doesn't it?

Check the other carousel for your bag,

Indeed. I'm staring at you, PER international...

Not all segments of your AA bookings on those KUPP fares may not always guarantee you a first class seat.

No indeed. Such is the fare type, although it would be interesting to hear what you got credited / what you are entitled to be credited if you continued to fly in Y (i.e. since the booked class was P, you should get First credits irrespective, right?)

Link your bookings if at all possible, I know Qantas have now made more restrictions but if you can do it.
One point to note; probably my biggest failure of my trip planning was not to link the 2 bookings of SEA-SFO-LAX to my LAX-B,NE flight, this would have surely saved me from being bumped off the flight.

Linking can reduce the risk, but it's still no assurance. The only real insurance is having all flights on the one booked itinerary. Linking != one itinerary.

Qantas have the worst seat pitch for any full service airline.

QF offer 31" in Y. Still quite a few full service airlines that have that kind of pitch. I flew LH and UA Y, and they both have 31" pitch in Y.

32" and higher is certainly not unheard of, though: EK, NZ and pretty much all Asian carriers feature here.

With your status, I'd be hoping to pull a front row seat with hopefully cut out bulkhead, or getting changed into an exit row at the airport at no cost.

 

[JohnK]

Very nice trip report Bundy Bear!

Sad to read all the trouble you had with QF flights and pre-allocated seating.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Very nice trip report Bundy Bear!

Sad to read all the trouble you had with QF flights and pre-allocated seating.

Yes but there is a ranking of OWE and you don't know who was further inconvenienced if Bundy B was not??

Maybe an insider can comment further?

 

[JohnK]

Yes but there is a ranking of OWE and you don't know who was further inconvenienced if Bundy B was not??

Any Non Qantas Oneworld Emerald, Gold, Silver, Bronze and non QFF members. Surely one of these could have been inconvenienced?

And I am also a firm believer in ensuring that all Platinums receive op-ups before anyone else. So by that I mean if a Platinum is in 40G and a Silver is in 54D and QF needs 54D then they give the Platinum the op-up and move the Silver to 40G. Qantas needs to ensure that it's top tier frequent flyers are treated properly or they will lose them. Once they are lost it is hard to get them back.

I am really starting to think the US system is the way to go.

 

[anat0l]

I am really starting to think the US system is the way to go.

The open and strict regimen of the ranking for upgrades? Yes.

Giving space available upgrades to every man, woman, child, dog and cat? Hell no!

 

[JohnK]

The open and strict regimen of the ranking for upgrades? Yes.

Yes having the transperancy so there are no questions asked.

Giving space available upgrades to every man, woman, child, dog and cat? Hell no!

Totally agree. I do not believe upgrades should be handed out all the time but if there is an upgrade to be handed out then strictly use the priority list as above.

Not sure how it works if you are travelling with someone but in my opinion it should be tough luck on the travelling companion.