A couple of questions from an AAdvantage newbie

[adrian]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Yes you are booked into F.
And I agree with the Princess.I like AA domestic F.Just think of it as the domestic premium cabin.it sure beats European premium cabin offerings.And if you are on a paid flight on your QFF number you get a lot more SCs.
I also prefer the AA domestic F meals to QF domestic J.At least they have real salads.But then I think I am allergic to Neil Perry.

I generally like the AA flight attendants also. They can be a bit hokey, but generally I find them very friendly.

I think however they may have cut down from 2 FAs in first, to 1 FA, at least on some flights, meaning they are very rushed getting the drinks and meals out.

And usually you can pre select your meal, which means you don't get some cheese covered pasta dish that no-one else wants.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Is there enough of a pattern of bonus mile offers for anyone to suggest when the next one will be? I have to purchase some and would rather not pay full price, but time is getting a bit short.

 

[knasty]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Last 2 years running Dec has been 50% bonus on 60k purchase

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Last 2 years running Dec has been 50% bonus on 60k purchase

Thanks knasty. That might be a bit late for a March flight.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Had a phone call from AA yesterday - there'd been some scheduling changes to some of my flights coming back from FCO through to DRW, so they were having to reconfirm my bookings and put me back on the flights.

Poor girl got a bit confused it seems with DRW - after the fourth time she mentioned Dallas (DFW) I corrected her that I wanted to go to DRW. Part of me wonders if I hadn't send anything if I would have ended up with a trip to DFW instead!

 

[Danger]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Last month there was some discussion somewhere about AA charging fuel fines on MH redemptions.

Earlier this week I booked a J award on MH with AA miles. I was originally quoted about AUD270 in taxes and fees and confirmed with the agent that this was because AA was charging fuel fines on MH awards, to which I was told yes. However, the amount that was ultimately charged to my credit card was just AUD40. I phoned AA to find out what this charge was for and was told it was for the award booking I'd made this week. The agent confirmed that there were no other charges to come.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I will be redeeming flights for 2 soon. I am still purchasing the points, and may have them split over two accounts. Will AA allow a redemption of the points from 2 different accounts for the total required, or should I try to get them into one account for the redemption?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I will be redeeming flights for 2 soon. I am still purchasing the points, and may have them split over two accounts. Will AA allow a redemption of the points from 2 different accounts for the total required, or should I try to get them into one account for the redemption?

Not possible to redeem from separate accounts.
Best to try to redeem points from one account by booking each separately than transferring which is quite expensive.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Not possible to redeem from separate accounts.
Best to try to redeem points from one account by booking each separately than transferring which is quite expensive.

Ok, thank for that. As I am still accruing points I will try to get them into the one account.

If not, then I will try to get the same amount of points in each account and then book the flights simultaneously online (after checking availability for 2 pax).

Edit: Am I not able to redeem a flight from my account for someone else?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Ok, thank for that. As I am still accruing points I will try to get them into the one account.

If not, then I will try to get the same amount of points in each account and then book the flights simultaneously online (after checking availability for 2 pax).

Edit: Am I not able to redeem a flight from my account for someone else?

You can redeem a flight for anyone you choose from your account
It's the transferring of miles which is a bit costly so it's more cost effective to book from separate accounts rather than consolidate.

 

[PLC]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

You can redeem a flight for anyone you choose from your account

Absolutely. My better half is just about to head to LHR in F on a redemption from my account. Pretty painless process too.

 

[Major]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I was also able to book a flight for Mrs Major using her account

 

[Kangol]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Don't think it's been asked before, but is a flight operated by Brindabella Airlines but with a QF flight number eligible for earning on AA?
My guess is no, given that the operating carrier is not an AA partner..

American Airlines AAdvantage Airline Partners | aa.com

Similar to the JQ metal/QF flight number scenario?

 

[wandering_fred]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Don't think it's been asked before, but is a flight operated by Brindabella Airlines but with a QF flight number eligible for earning on AA?
My guess is no, given that the operating carrier is not an AA partner..

American Airlines AAdvantage Airline Partners | aa.com

Similar to the JQ metal/QF flight number scenario?

After all the discussions about QF coded EK operated flights, the consensus is that if it has a QF flight number and it is not operated by JQ, it will credit to the AA program based on the fare class.

Translation: forget E class, if you want EQP forget O and Q classes.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Kangol]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

After all the discussions about QF coded EK operated flights, the consensus is that if it has a QF flight number and it is not operated by JQ, it will credit to the AA program based on the fare class.

Translation: forget E class, if you want EQP forget O and Q classes.

Happy wandering

Fred

Thanks, where are the discussions on EK metal QF coded flights? Couldn't see anything in the QF/EK sub forum (not that I would expect it to be there).

Btw - as an AA elite on a short flight (eg NTL-SYD - 88 miles!), O and Q on QF flight numbers will be subject to the minimum mileage guarantee (1000 RDM if PLT or EXP).

Has anyone successfully credited a non-JQ, non-OW metal but QF flight number flight to AA?

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Just logged on to my AAccount to find there is a bonus points offer at the moment:

15,000 - 29,000 + 4,000
30,000 - 49,000 + 8,000
50,000 - 60,000 + 15,000

American Airlines

Edit: Oops, beaten to it.

 

[wandering_fred]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Thanks, where are the discussions on EK metal QF coded flights? Couldn't see anything in the QF/EK sub forum (not that I would expect it to be there).

Btw - as an AA elite on a short flight (eg NTL-SYD - 88 miles!), O and Q on QF flight numbers will be subject to the minimum mileage guarantee (1000 RDM if PLT or EXP).

Has anyone successfully credited a non-JQ, non-OW metal but QF flight number flight to AA?

Second item first. EQM, EQP and RDM are all separate issues with QF flights credited to AA members. Elites earn a minimum of 500 base miles even though the flight may be less.

Other items and further discussions of minimums is linked at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...operated-other-airlines-aadvantage-miles.html.
and
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...g-aa-miles-points-qf-qantas-consolidated.html

Given the price of QF flights from Australia taking the short flight to SEAsia offers much better deals in terms of earning for AA per cost of flight. That does not necessarily mean less expensive but does indicate an avoidance of Emirates.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Kangol]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Second item first. EQM, EQP and RDM are all separate issues with QF flights credited to AA members. Elites earn a minimum of 500 base miles even though the flight may be less.

Other items and further discussions of minimums is linked at Qantas codeshares operated by other airlines - AAdvantage miles? - FlyerTalk Forums.
and
Earning AA Miles and Points on QF / Qantas (consolidated) - FlyerTalk Forums

Given the price of QF flights from Australia taking the short flight to SEAsia offers much better deals in terms of earning for AA per cost of flight. That does not necessarily mean less expensive but does indicate an avoidance of Emirates.

Happy wandering

Fred

Thanks. Good to know.

The issue about fare class was that E won't earn a thing but O and Q do earn but at a very poor rate, ie. EQM = 25% of base and EQP is 50% of that.
For a non-elite going NTL-SYD (88 miles) in O or Q, theoretically they would earn 22 EQM, 22 RDM and 11 EQP! :shock:

FWIW the data points for those who have earned AA miles on EK operated and QF coded flights are posts 80, 85 and 86 in the below thread.
Qantas codeshares operated by other airlines - AAdvantage miles? - Page 6 - FlyerTalk Forums

What flights to SE Asia are you referring to in particular?

 

[wandering_fred]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Thanks. Good to know.
...
What flights to SE Asia are you referring to in particular?

I think you got the picture...:shock:

No particular flights. If you fly enough to ensure that you go in a northern direction more than once a year, buy your round trip tickets to Australia in SEAsia. Next time use return, and get a new long haul ticket. Back in SEAsia - repeat the process.

For an example check the prices on premium Y from SIN/HKG to Oz and then Oz to the same place. :shock:
Note that while QF plays funny games in partner credits for the Y cabin, Y+/J/F work well in all directions.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Kangol]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I think you got the picture...:shock:

No particular flights. If you fly enough to ensure that you go in a northern direction more than once a year, buy your round trip tickets to Australia in SEAsia. Next time use return, and get a new long haul ticket. Back in SEAsia - repeat the process.

For an example check the prices on premium Y from SIN/HKG to Oz and then Oz to the same place. :shock:
Note that while QF plays funny games in partner credits for the Y cabin, Y+/J/F work well in all directions.

Happy wandering

Fred

Yeah, 1000 QFF points vs 1000 RDM is a no brainer for AA elites but if you have no status with either QFF or AA, then 1000 QFF points is certainly the go (over 22 RDM).

I've looked at (ex-HKG) circle pacific fares to the US which look like the way to go, however when going to Europe do you book a RTW xONEx? Which market do you usually buy from? Or is there a "circle Europe" equivalent, where you go SE Asia - Europe - Australia (via Middle East) - back to SE Asia?