A couple of questions from an AAdvantage newbie

[MEL_Traveller]

I have a quick question . On the points hack website he mentioned using qantas points to book JAL F at a discounted rate but I can't find any discounts does anyone know what he is speaking off .

The reason why im asking here is just in case the knowledge isn't common .

Do you have a link to the thread? I did a quick google search but can't find it. Would help to see the context of the article.

 

[Shanye2233]

Try google points hack best use of 100k Qf he has updated the article but I can't work it out

http://www.pointhacks.com.au/100k-qantas-points/

under status header ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Try google points hack best use of 100k Qf he has updated the article but I can't work it out

The best uses of 100,000 Qantas Points - Point Hacks

under status header ?

I can't find the 'pre-update' article. Given SYD-NRT is 4846 miles, which would put a first class award at 114K QF points, there must have been some trick to get it below 100K (as per the title of the article). Dunno exactly how he achieved it.

 

[drron]

It also says you could take yourself and 5 family members to Lord Howe Island for less than a 100000 points.
Tell him he's dreaming.Nearly impossible to find 2 award seats but 6 on the one flight?

 

[JessicaTam]

It also says you could take yourself and 5 family members to Lord Howe Island for less than a 100000 points.
Tell him he's dreaming.Nearly impossible to find 2 award seats but 6 on the one flight?

Yeah but not at the same time. Travel with your favourite family member and send the others later!

 

[kkl]

Cant seem to find any availability from PER-DOH for MAY and June 17. Can seem heaps of space DOH-PER

 

[earlyriser]

I keep getting an error when trying to search for award availability on BA. I only signed up yesterday. Is it just me?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I keep getting an error when trying to search for award availability on BA. I only signed up yesterday. Is it just me?

how is the error displaying? You might need to go in via the 'plan travel' tab at the top of the AA page (right next to the logo), then 'flights'. Make sure the 'all airlines' option is selected at the end of the page.

 

[earlyriser]

how is the error displaying? You might need to go in via the 'plan travel' tab at the top of the AA page (right next to the logo), then 'flights'. Make sure the 'all airlines' option is selected at the end of the page.

Sorry meant BA. Apparently, they list CX flight available that can you can book with AA points?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sorry meant BA. Apparently, they list CX flight available that can you can book with AA points?

Yes - using the BA website you need to log on using an executive club account number, then search for award flights (avios). The BA tool will show CX availability, which you can then book by calling AA.

beware that the BA site (like the Qantas site) sometimes shows phantom availability. Japan Airlines' tool (mileage bank) is more accurate, but clunky to use.

 

[earlyriser]

Yes - using the BA website you need to log on using an executive club account number, then search for award flights (avios). The BA tool will show CX availability, which you can then book by calling AA.

beware that the BA site (like the Qantas site) sometimes shows phantom availability. Japan Airlines' tool (mileage bank) is more accurate, but clunky to use.

Thanks very much. I signed up for the executive club and can't get the website to confirm my email address. It's driving me crazy. Will have to re-visit on the weekend.

 

[grussellt]

For CX and JL you can also sign up to Awardnexus and search there.

 

[Croupier]

It's a shame that there is no longer the option F to Japan anymore.
However I find ok value in HND-BKK in F nearly 7hr flight for 75K QF or 40K AA )

I also find good value in the short hops, HKG-BKK and HKG-TPE for 36K and 24K, the latter being better value than AA.

Low tax, access to The Wing and Cabanas is a sweet deal IMO.

 

[earlyriser]

Is there a trick to finding flights one the BA site? I finally got the executive club search working but nothing shows, whereas on the AA site I can pull up QF/BA flights. I was under the impression the BA site incorporated more OW carries.

 

[Croupier]

Is there a trick to finding flights one the BA site? I finally got the executive club search working but nothing shows, whereas on the AA site I can pull up QF/BA flights. I was under the impression the BA site incorporated more OW carries.

What dates are you searching? It is working fine for me.

 

[earlyriser]

Looking at very late December to almost any major city in Europe. Finding a few on the AA site (with long layovers).

 

[Croupier]

Looking at very late December to almost any major city in Europe. Finding a few on the AA site (with long layovers

With very little information to go on I'm assuming it's for 1 pax in Business class?

I see availability on BA to LHR via SIN in J on the 23rd

Flight details of BA0016
Flight:	BA0016
Operated by:	British Airways
Departing from:	Sydney Kingsford Smith Sat 23 December 2017, 16:30
Arriving at:	Heathrow (London) Sun 24 December 2017, 04:55
Stops:	1  (Singapore)
Flying duration:	23hrs 25mins
Aircraft type:	Boeing 777 jet
* All times displayed are local times.

Most likely you are having difficulties finding award seat to Europe in December due to the fact that it is peak season and only 7 months out. Award seats don't usually come easy at the best of times and long layovers can be expected. Good hotels have are cheap in Asia so I try to book with a long layover en route to make the journey more pleasurable and relaxing.

There is also availability on MH to LHR in late Dec.

Typically you will find more F availability on CX out of HKG to European Hubs.

Also make sure you search sector by sector on BA award site for better results.

 

[earlyriser]

With very little information to go on I'm assuming it's for 1 pax in Business class?

I see availability on BA to LHR via SIN in J on the 23rd

Flight details of BA0016
Flight:    BA0016
Operated by:    British Airways
Departing from:    Sydney Kingsford Smith Sat 23 December 2017, 16:30
Arriving at:    Heathrow (London) Sun 24 December 2017, 04:55
Stops:    1  (Singapore)
Flying duration:    23hrs 25mins
Aircraft type:    Boeing 777 jet
* All times displayed are local times.

Most likely you are having difficulties finding award seat to Europe in December due to the fact that it is peak season and only 7 months out. Award seats don't usually come easy at the best of times and long layovers can be expected. Good hotels have are cheap in Asia so I try to book with a long layover en route to make the journey more pleasurable and relaxing.

There is also availability on MH to LHR in late Dec.

Typically you will find more F availability on CX out of HKG to European Hubs.

Also make sure you search sector by sector on BA award site for better results.

Thanks very much. Yes, it is a busy time, and I can't seem to find much. I gave AA a call and this was confirmed, so I went ahead and put a massive journey a hold to LIS via PEK/LHR. 7 hours in PEK overnight and 5 in LHR. If the lounge in PEK looked a little nicer, I would probably settle on it but will keep looking in case something else pops up.

 

[Danger]

Gary Leff has an interesting article about AAdvantage engaging in significant overcharging of taxes on award flights.

American Keeps Hitting Customers With Fuel Surcharge Mistakes On Award Tickets - View from the Wing

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Gary Leff has an interesting article about AAdvantage engaging in significant overcharging of taxes on award flights.

American Keeps Hitting Customers With Fuel Surcharge Mistakes On Award Tickets - View from the Wing

There's a similar thing happening with with United. LM award charged me USD75, same award through UA was USD188. But it might just be a UA surcharge rather than incorrect taxes. Either way, significant difference.