30 SCs needed for Gold

[mikekhoury]

Hey all,
So I'm 85 SCs short of getting gold this year (renew Nov 30)... I have 55 (10+45 BNE-SYD-LAX) on November 23rd. I have no flights booked between now and then (which is unusual). I have two options and need help choosing:

1) Fly pointlessly domestically in Australia for 30 SC (what's the cheapest thing possible out of BNE/OOL?)
2) I need to get to YVR from LAX. Normally I fly WestJet or Air Canada, but if there's some way to incorporate AA and actually get credits (30 of them), this sounds like a less pointless exercise. I have learned the hard way that Alaska Airlines doesn't give SCs unless with a QF number (which costs like six times what it should).

any help is appreciated!

Mike

 

[opusman]

You could do a YUPP one-way on AA from LAX to SFO for 60SCs, and then pick up a flight from SFO to YVR.

 

[medhead]

I'm pretty sure AA codeshares on Alaskan earn points and status credits. See the airline earning table.
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Hopefully someone more knowledgable will confirm or deny.

 

[richie9x]

1) Fly pointlessly domestically in Australia for 30 SC (what's the cheapest thing possible out of BNE/OOL?)

BNE-MEL return would get you 30 SC and it is currently on sale at $125 each way.

You don't need to fly pointlessly. Make it into a weekend getaway. Or could try Townsville or Cairns for a bit more.

 

[Hvr]

1) Fly pointlessly domestically in Australia for 30 SC (what's the cheapest thing possible out of BNE/OOL?)

Mike

Actually you want the points and the status credits. Can't get one without the other. :mrgreen:

Therefore it wouldn't be pointless travel.

 

[opusman]

I'm pretty sure AA codeshares on Alaskan earn points and status credits. See the airline earning table.
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Hopefully someone more knowledgable will confirm or deny.

Excluded: Points are not earned on Codeshare Flights operated by an airline other than Qantas.

That's phrased badly but seems to suggest it has to be a QF flight number on AS, not an AA flight number (which LAX-YVR would be).
I'm just guessing though.

 

[medhead]

That's phrased badly but seems to suggest it has to be a QF flight number on AS, not an AA flight number (which LAX-YVR would be).
I'm just guessing though.

Look at AA not AS.

Status Credits are earned on all eligible booking classes.

So YUP on AA codeshare operated by AS would be the go.

BTW the bit from the AS section means AS codeshares on airlines other than qantas. So AS codeshare on AA means no points. It also doesn't say status is earned on all eligible booking classes, so that implies that no status is earned at all. Yes weird.

 

[straitman]

Look at AA not AS.

Status Credits are earned on all eligible booking classes.

So YUP on AA codeshare operated by AS would be the go.

BTW the bit from the AS section means AS codeshares on airlines other than qantas. So AS codeshare on AA means no points. It also doesn't say status is earned on all eligible booking classes, so that implies that no status is earned at all. Yes weird.

I agree with medhead (unusual ) and can state from personal experience that it works as described.

 

[Storyteller]

Hey all,
So I'm 85 SCs short of getting gold this year (renew Nov 30)... I have 55 (10+45 BNE-SYD-LAX) on November 23rd. I have no flights booked between now and then (which is unusual). I have two options and need help choosing:

1) Fly pointlessly domestically in Australia for 30 SC (what's the cheapest thing possible out of BNE/OOL?)
2) I need to get to YVR from LAX. Normally I fly WestJet or Air Canada, but if there's some way to incorporate AA and actually get credits (30 of them), this sounds like a less pointless exercise. I have learned the hard way that Alaska Airlines doesn't give SCs unless with a QF number (which costs like six times what it should).

any help is appreciated!

Mike

Sounds like going to YVR is a regular thing for you.
On AA going from LAX SEA isn't a YUP, rather is outright F. Think about doing LAX SFO SEA. Will set you back around $430 for an earn of 150 SC plus some points. From SEA catch some other cheap flight on to YVR, or the bus (4 1/2 hours), or the train.
If you decide on AA discount economy, not all classes on AA earn points / SC, so need to know these too.

Had a quick look for 23 Nov to take you LAX ... YVR:

LAX DFW YVR booking into discountY (M&N) will cost $463 +, and will earn 20 + 20 SC.
LAX DFW YVR booking into Y&Y will cost $555+, earning 40 + 40SC.
LAX SEA YVR in discount Y (L&V) $ 414+, 20+10 SC
LAX SEA YVR in Discount Y / Y (L&Y) $434+, 20 + 20SC.

 

[markis10]

October is a nice time of the year for the Capricorn Coast

 

[medhead]

I agree with medhead (unusual ) and can state from personal experience that it works as described.

Actually, I think I'm agreeing with you* as my understanding of this situation was gained from AFF.



* or one of the other senior people on AFF who have actual experience of doing this

 

[notzac]

I'm pretty sure AA codeshares on Alaskan earn points and status credits. See the airline earning table.
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Hopefully someone more knowledgable will confirm or deny.

Confirmed. If you book an AA flight (i.e., one with an AA code) that is operated on AS metal, it will earn as if it were a normal AA flight (with all the usual benefits..)

AS F is rather lovely for short haul J class..