A couple of questions from an AAdvantage newbie

[blacksultan]

am looking at booking J flights for MEL- BKK later this month. all the options show involve catching 3 flights to get there? Does anyone know if calling gets one direct /lesser flight options , or is it same as booking online?

For e.g the best option i can see is as below:

Flight QF 464
40K


QF 464

7:30 PM
MEL

8:55 PM
SYD


MH 140

10:15 PM
SYD

3:50 AM
KUL


MH 780THU NOV 1

Flight Details



6:05 PM
KUL

7:10 PM
BKK


If I book this option will my bags be checked through all the way in MEL with me just having to clear immi in Syd? or do i have to collect my bags in Syd and re-check in ? With the short time frame that might be difficult.
Any advice would be approciated.
thanks

• Please note connection time

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If it’s all on the one ticket you won’t won’t need to collect your bags until arrival in bangkok.


TBH with a routing like that - unless you need to be in KL - i’d be considering a revenue ticket. Royal Brunei is selling MEL-BKK for $340, full service, and there in 10 hours!

 

[potm]

I couldn’t find any other better options for business class on that date, except there should be an earlier Mel-Syd flight available if you are worried about the tight connection.

 

[Kangol]

And provided the overwater carrier (not sure if that's BA or CX in this case?) have published a fare SYD-CDG that allows routing via SIN and HKG using the respective carriers.

I thought it was that the overwater carrier has a published fare from origin to destination, irrespective of transit point(s)..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I thought it was that the overwater carrier has a published fare from origin to destination, irrespective of transit point(s)..

Yeah, but I just wasn't sure which is the overwater carrier here - they both are. But I don't know which one satisfies the fare requirment.

The published fare has to allow the specific routing, which includes any transit points. (The basic notion being that if you can't buy a ticket you can't get an award.)

Also note however that a published fare in itself doesn't validate an AA award. AA's own more restrictive rules can also come in to play. For example Etihad publishes a fare Europe to Australia, but despite that being a published fare, you still can't redeem it as a single award on AA.

 

[potm]

Yeah, but I just wasn't sure which is the overwater carrier here - they both are. But I don't know which one satisfies the fare requirment.

The published fare has to allow the specific routing, which includes any transit points. (The basic notion being that if you can't buy a ticket you can't get an award.)

Also note however that a published fare in itself doesn't validate an AA award. AA's own more restrictive rules can also come in to play. For example Etihad publishes a fare Europe to Australia, but despite that being a published fare, you still can't redeem it as a single award on AA.

It’s more correct that AA is based on regions and traveling between multiple regions results in separate awards with some exceptions. Aus to Europe includes Asia 1, Asia 2 and Qatar via Doha as exceptions but not Etihad.

These region restrictions along with 4 max segments are the main ones that are strict and can’t be bypassed.

 

[Kangol]

Yeah, but I just wasn't sure which is the overwater carrier here - they both are. But I don't know which one satisfies the fare requirment.

The published fare has to allow the specific routing, which includes any transit points. (The basic notion being that if you can't buy a ticket you can't get an award.)

Also note however that a published fare in itself doesn't validate an AA award. AA's own more restrictive rules can also come in to play. For example Etihad publishes a fare Europe to Australia, but despite that being a published fare, you still can't redeem it as a single award on AA.

Maybe they look at the flight between continents (HKG-CDG) - TC3 to TC2.

 

[citrusb]

Have put 2 bookings on hold..now trying to pay...old problem faced with changing country and accepting postcode. ..keeps sending me around in loop !.. I know i could put US postcode or in fact ring up and ask for no charge sevice assistance. .any other suggestions to finalise the bookings ....

 

[DC3]

Maybe try the El Segundo method.

 

[DC3]

Maybe try the El Segundo method.

Were you using the AA.com (i.e., USA) website and leaving the postcode field blank?

 

[citrusb]

Were you using the AA.com (i.e., USA) website and leaving the postcode field blank?

Thank you DC3.... thought about El Segundo, as reservation page would not let me leave postcode blank...anyway have just rang through to AA..( Trinidad call centre) and very helpful person converted taxes to $AUD took card details and put the payment through....No fee's.... will try QR suites in about 3 weeks time to UK..

 

[get me outta here]

Would like suggestions please on how to obtain 5500 miles without buying a whole lot of unnecessary miles. I have a bit of time till I need to book.

 

[I love to travel]

Has anyone else noticed that alot of QF availability to Asia has been replaced with MH availability?

 

[potm]

Would like suggestions please on how to obtain 5500 miles without buying a whole lot of unnecessary miles. I have a bit of time till I need to book.

If you have SPG/Marriott points, you can transfer those over at a not terrible rate.

 

[potm]

Has anyone else noticed that alot of QF availability to Asia has been replaced with MH availability?

It's not really about replacement. QF may both release awards on the route or one of them only or neither.
There's a lot less people looking for MH awards so they last longer than QF ones.

 

[FreddyFattler]

Got back from my trip on Saturday, bored at work tonight I pulled out the iPad, loaded up the AA website and booked another flight to Bangkok via KUL.

SYD-KUL-BKK on MH140 and MH784. J 40k points and $97 in taxes, 5 hour layover but that’s fine, arrival time in Bangers 1015 is much better than the day time flight which arrives at 2320 the golden lounge was decent enough imo, nothing special but sufficiently comfortable

Found the A350 to be quite good although I strangely find the Thai 747 seat more comfortable, being red eye I may recline this time and change my mind.

Definitely felt the food and service was better on MH, that satay was delicious, if they just loaded up a plate of that with some rice or salad I’d have been happy!! book the cook was great (beef ribs) as I’m usually lumped with 1-2 options on Thai as I don’t eat seafood

Also no stuffing around when arriving at airport, didn’t need the express pass due to time but being a smaller plane the bags arrived at the carousel before I did unlike when I arrive on Thai and stand around 40-60 mins!

 

[I love to travel]

It's not really about replacement. QF may both release awards on the route or one of them only or neither.
There's a lot less people looking for MH awards so they last longer than QF ones.

I am still not convinced. Flights available on BA QF and CX respective awards programs but not AA

 

[diningdecadence]

I am still not convinced. Flights available on BA QF and CX respective awards programs but not AA

pick up the phone and try them over the phone. have had luck in the past. ymmv

 

[potm]

I am still not convinced. Flights available on BA QF and CX respective awards programs but not AA

AA should have the same access as other oneworld alliance partners. Sometimes availability doesn’t show correctly online. If it shows on BA, QF and CX, chances are it’s real availability.
As dining suggested, give them a call.

 

[I love to travel]

Just checking AA should see it 301 days out of travel date? This date mirrors what QF bronze can see?