$6/SC - bit expensive, no?

[Katie]

Ready to book a trip to AUS next month. Am planning QF Y+ BNE-LAX-BNE. Would love to go via SYD, but probably can't manage it this time. Will need to try the FLounge at some point as WP though.
AA KUPPs are $980 or so each way LAX-AUS-LAX. $377 for disc Y on QF booking, or $700ish for Disc Y on AA booking - for 50SCs. Doing a KUPP at $1864 for 300 SCs (one leg via DFW) wouldn't really be a bargain, would it??? Looking for some AFF advice. Like a good AFFEr, I want to take advantage of this potential, but this doesn't exaclty seem the best way to spend my money ...

What would you do? I know YMMV, but thought I'd ask for more opinions.
My year has just started, don't think I'll hit WP again, but SG would be nice. 90SCs so far, no plans, apart from maybe HNL next year with the family.

 

[thewinchester]

I can't speak on selecting best fair basis to maximise earnings, but at AUD6/SC - you're doing very well.

My sweet spot is around AUD8/SC, and anything from this up to AUD13/SC max. is what I'll usually tolerate when paying for my fares.

 

[v8Statesman]

$6/SC is good when comparing to QF. AA can be had for a whole lot cheaper. (Under $2 if you know what you are doing, although rare and would most likely require positioning flights that are not factored into the earn)

If you aren't in a hurry, play with the fares and look for the "longest route" 2 stops each way is usually achievable.

 

[serfty]

Look at other origins ... how much time do you have?

e.g. You can get yourself to Vegas in economy from USD90 return (no SC's in Q class), then YUP it to AUS [back] via LAX round trip for US$1400 and earn 360 SC's at about $4.10 per SC all up.

Discounted First Class and Flyer Talk Fares

(N class LAX/LAS is US$150, but does earn 10 SC's e/w)

 

[v8Statesman]

Serfty has a good point. Also see if you can do las-lax-dfw-aus. Not sure of the sc earn as I'm in a coffee shop


Sent from my Telstra iPhone using the Australian Frequent Flyer application.

 

[Katie]

Thank you! I have time to get there (well, a day), but will be at a conference finishing at 3:15pm on a Weds, and want to make that night's flight LAX-BNE. So happy enough to go AUS-LAX on return, but have time to do some interesting things LAX-AUS.
I will do some tinkering with this advice and see what I can find ...

 

[serfty]

Might be a little aginst the FF grain, but you could book a one-way LAX-LAS and book the return LAS-AUS via LAX E/W, and simply not do the final LAX-LAS in First. You lose 60 SC's so only 300 but still US$400 cheaper.

(i.e. go LAX-LAS in Q, then LAS-LAX-AUS in P (180 SC's) and finally AUS-LAX in P (120 SC's)

 

[froggerADL]

My year has just started, don't think I'll hit WP again, but SG would be nice.

The soft landing from WP will get you SG next year with only 4 QF sectors.

 

[v8Statesman]

The soft landing from WP will get you SG next year with only 4 QF sectors.

4 sectors id not a requirement for soft landings.


Sent from my Telstra iPhone using the Australian Frequent Flyer application.

 

[Katie]

Might be a little aginst the FF grain, but you could book a one-way LAX-LAS and book the return LAS-AUS via LAX E/W, and simply not do the final LAX-LAS in First. You lose 60 SC's so only 300 but still US$400 cheaper.

Is something like that doable with luggage? I just can't do carry on for more than one-two nights ... I would totally fail at a carryon only challenge.

 

[Katie]

The soft landing from WP will get you SG next year with only 4 QF sectors.

4 sectors id not a requirement for soft landings.

Re 4 sectors - whether needed for soft landing or not, I would get 2 sectors from BNE-LAX-BNE flights, and if we go to HNL, we would probably go through SYD, so that should be easy to sort. Or I might need to go shopping in SYD or MEL one day ...

 

[v8Statesman]

Is something like that doable with luggage? I just can't do carry on for more than one-two nights ... I would totally fail at a carryon only challenge.

Need to have a somewhat competent checking agent that will check luggage thought to Australia. And incompetent enough to ignore the fare rules for the abandoned sector


Sent from my Telstra iPhone using the Australian Frequent Flyer application.

 

[serfty]

As posted by v8, you can try the get the AUS agent to 'short check' only to LAX.

Another option is to book LAX-LAS,LAS-xLAX-AUS and AUS-xDFW-LAX.

Still get your 300 or so SC, but saving is now only around $200.

 

[amaroo]

Me thinks $6/SC is pretty good.

We recently took advantage of a BA deal where you fly F for the price of J and the ROI for the wife & I is $9/SC.....the kids are getting $7/SC.

PPM, it works out to be $0.13 for us & $0.10 for the kids.

 

[Katie]

Now contemplating instead of flying home Weds night, going to ATL for some work-related meetings. Might be able to squeeze a few more SCs out of this trip ...

 

[amaroo]

I'd go for it.

Keep going & sleep when you get home

 

[Katie]

Alrighty, getting ready to book my Y+ BNE-LAX-BNE flights, and I have a dilemma or five!
Do I do the tried and true QF15/16 combo? Does a true AFFer go for the shortest option with inferior FLounge experience?

I could alternatively do:
QF8 to SYD, then QF107 to LAX. Novelty of a 747 to SYD, won't have to get the bus to the Intl terminal from Dom in SYD, and get a chance at the FLounge in SYD, but it would be a quick visit. Anyone know if I do this if I can clear immigration in BNE? Or do I have to clear in SYD?
Although I'd like to get on the A380 again, QF11 arrives in LAX a little later than I'd care for if I want to optimise the day to get as many SCs as possible.
Other options: assorted dom QF flights to SYD, giving more options for FLounging before QF107. Hmmm ... decisions, decisions ...
Coming home - similiar dilemmas - QF16, 108, or 12??? Ahh, the choices I could make ...

 

[drewbles]

Serfty has a good point. Also see if you can do las-lax-dfw-aus. Not sure of the sc earn as I'm in a coffee shop


Sent from my Telstra iPhone using the Australian Frequent Flyer application.

LAS-LAX-ORD-DFW-AUS would be a *far* more profitable route, providing you fall in the ticketing criteria (not looked, just suggesting)

This would be 330SC's vs 240 for just LAS-LAX-DFW-AUS.

 

[amaroo]

Do I do the tried and true QF15/16 combo? Does a true AFFer go for the shortest option with inferior FLounge experience?

I always go down south to indulge prior to getting on board for the long haul.....travel should be enjoyed & the F lounge is a great start.

And given that QF provide basically free S/C earning BNE-SYD-BNE seats, makes the decision even easier.

I'm a lounge junkie so it's a no brainer for me BNE F lounge is a depressing start to any journey

 

[Katie]

QRe: $6/SC - bit expensive, no?

Alrighty, trans-pac flights booked, with no AA dom segements, how odd! Oh, AFF, what you have taught me!
I'm looking at going to AUS via LAS. Can I do the following *with luggage*, or are the times too tight??
LAX-LAS, can't remember flight no, but arrives at 10:55am
LAS-LAX-AUS - departs LAS at 11:50

Theflights would be on separate PNRs. LAX-LAS looking like no cheapies available, and I tried to do multi-city with QF; it turned my $3ishK Y+ flight into a $7k Y+ flight! There is top Y for $333 or YUPP for $433, guess which I'm thinking about ...
Is the 55 minutes enough? Even if I check my bag to LAX, then re-check with AA in T4 for LAS-... -AUS, I should have 3hrs between my interntional flight arriving and domestic departing ...

Thanks!!