A couple of questions from an AAdvantage newbie

[alieninperth]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Quick routing question - will AA allow a booking AUS-US via HKG (not a stopover)?

I called and they said that wasn't allowed, but I thought someone here (or maybe on FT) had done it...

I called the 07 number on this on friday. They found me, with a bit of leading from me, PER-SIN-HKG-JFK-LHR and how have it on hold until tomorrow. As the transit times are less that 24hrs it is being classed as a single award and there is no availability from either SIN or HKG to anywhere in EU when I need it. They seemed pretty clued up and it appeared that they had the supervisor there with them. I just need to confirm a few things and then to pull the trigger.

 

[grussellt]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I called the 07 number on this on friday. They found me, with a bit of leading from me, PER-SIN-HKG-JFK-LHR and how have it on hold until tomorrow. As the transit times are less that 24hrs it is being classed as a single award and there is no availability from either SIN or HKG to anywhere in EU when I need it. They seemed pretty clued up and it appeared that they had the supervisor there with them. I just need to confirm a few things and then to pull the trigger.

Is that an Explorer award and how many miles to fly it? As a One world and other Airline award it would be three separate awards i.e. SP-Asia, Asia-NA, NA-Europe. I did suggest to AA on Flyertalk (when asked for suggestions) that SP-Europe awards should permit travel via NA but I haven't seen any changes yet.

 

[drron]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Thanks, looks like something they have caught onto to stop AFFers from making the most of the program(s)!

No it was QF preventing this happening by selecting the booking classes so they were in control.Would be nice to earn Aadvantage miles but then next year should reach the lofty heights of SG with a couple of FASAs to and from JNB.

 

[alieninperth]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Is that an Explorer award and how many miles to fly it? As a One world and other Airline award it would be three separate awards i.e. SP-Asia, Asia-NA, NA-Europe. I did suggest to AA on Flyertalk (when asked for suggestions) that SP-Europe awards should permit travel via NA but I haven't seen any changes yet.

This was for a partner award, 60k points. TBH though, if they charge the extra 2.5k as I would be flying via the US I wouldnt be bothered. I am trying to work out if I can get a stopover though.

 

[NM]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Is that an Explorer award ...

Explorer award???

Do you mean a OneWorld Award? It would have to be an AAdvantage OneWorld Award for that routing to be valid as a single award journey.

 

[smit0847]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

AAdvantage has lost a lot of its shine with me and is no longer as attractive as I'd understood it was. It's still great in many ways, don't get me wrong, but I thought it was a lot better than it apparently is.

This is interesting that you say this. For the past few weeks I have been reading the AA Buy vs US Air Buy threads, rules, conditions, benefits etc very thoroughly to compare the two deals and decide what is best for me as I would like to travel J (or F!) internationally for once in my life!.

AA seems to have slightly more prestigious and luxurious airlines because they are Oneworld (CX vs TG, QF vs NZ, JAL vs UA etc) and seems to have cheap J and F redemptions AUS-USA but very, very limited availability (i.e. if you dont book it the day its released you wont ever see it). It appears to have excellent AUS domestic redemption rates, but you have experienced difficulty and inconsistency in the booking process and not got what you thought you would get.

US Air seems to have far more availability (particularly on TG) but the *A carriers are not quite as classy as Oneworld. AUS-USA J and F redemption is pointless because of the cough US carriers who do this route (noting NZ service it but have very limited availability). US Air has excellent redemption rates to Asia and to Europe, and depending on the route, F is available (SYD-BKK, BKK-NRT, BKK-LHR, BKK-ZHR, BKK-CDG etc). I note SQ J and F is almost impossible to get. Booking process is as time consuming and complicated as AA but people seem to have a higher strike rate in getting what they want for the points they expect.

I'm still tossing up my options about where I want to go but I'm already thinking the US Air program is much better suited for me personally, mainly for the increased availability out of Australia (i.e. TG J).

Very interested to hear anyones thoughts who have participated in both programs.

 

[Pumbaa]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I like the way Cove tackles his flying. He has points in at least 3 FF programs. Qantas, virgin and Singapore Airlines. I think there is definite pluses in having points in multiple programs because it is easier to find flights if you have more options.

Personally I have points in AA, US airways, SQ, Qantas, Virgin Australia and a whole more in my Amex account if I need to top any of them up. I also always purchase points in AA and US airways when an opportunity arises and save them up for a special occassion.

I burnt 70k AA points for the Bossreggie lunch in 2 weeks. My partner and I are flying return J with Qantas.
I've also just recently booked return F/J flights to Europe and America through US airways for October.

While some people like putting all their eggs in one basket, like life, I find it better to diversify. I think AA and US airways both have their benefits in different circumstances. I like having the choice to choose

 

[grussellt]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

AA now calls it an Explorer award. If the OP is correct and this is a "One world and other airline"award and AA will do it for 60k miles it's a bargain - despite the miles to be flown. I'd be even more surprised if a stopover is allowed but I'll await confirmation.

 

[NM]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

AA now calls it an Explorer award. If the OP is correct and this is a "One world and other airline"award and AA will do it for 60k miles it's a bargain - despite the miles to be flown. I'd be even more surprised if a stopover is allowed but I'll await confirmation.

Ahh yes, they have changed the name indeed. 60K AA miles will get a one-way Zone-3 award for up to 9000 miles in economy/coach. The better value comes from premium cabin awards, where 80K miles gets business class or 100K miles gets first class for that same distance.

 

[Danger]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I'm obviously missing something. The AA Explorer zone 1 award, 0 to 1500 miles, is 60k in J. So PER-ADL in J is 60k. But the normal oneworld partner award for PER-ADL with AA is 17.5k.

What have I misunderstood?

 

[wandering_fred]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I'm obviously missing something. The AA Explorer zone 1 award, 0 to 1500 miles, is 60k in J. So PER-ADL in J is 60k. But the normal oneworld partner award for PER-ADL with AA is 17.5k. What have I misunderstood?

The Explorer award (at least in its old format) requires TWO OW airlines (other than AA) with the segment mileage being totaled to determine the band (and therefore the mileage charge). The lower bands would be most useful (IMHO) in Europe (AY IB BA AB) with the lower segment mileage encountered on the flights. Even with the addition of MH (along with CX and JL) flights in SE Asia are too long to make the lower bands attractive.

The 17.5k award is from the all partner award "buckets"

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[grussellt]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I called the 07 number on this on friday. They found me, with a bit of leading from me, PER-SIN-HKG-JFK-LHR and how have it on hold until tomorrow. As the transit times are less that 24hrs it is being classed as a single award and there is no availability from either SIN or HKG to anywhere in EU when I need it. They seemed pretty clued up and it appeared that they had the supervisor there with them. I just need to confirm a few things and then to pull the trigger.

Were you lucky enough to turn this into a booking?

 

[alieninperth]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

I didn't in the end, I still haven't had confirmation about my attendance at a conference. I will try again when things have actually been confirmed.

 

[Danger]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Does AAdvantage offer an equivalent of QF's 140k/280k/420k Y/J/F award? Or something similar?

 

[grussellt]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

It's the oneworld explorer award booked with AA miles Explorer. I think you've already referred to it.

 

[NM]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Does AAdvantage offer an equivalent of QF's 140k/280k/420k Y/J/F award? Or something similar?

Yes, for 25,001-35,000 miles, its 140K/190K/280K miles for Y/J/F. For 35,001-50,000 miles its 160K/220K/330K. So better value than QF point for the premium cabins.

 

[Danger]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

It's the oneworld explorer award booked with AA miles Explorer. I think you've already referred to it.

Derrrr. Stupid me. Thanks.

Yes, for 25,001-35,000 miles, its 140K/190K/280K miles for Y/J/F. For 35,001-50,000 miles its 160K/220K/330K. So better value than QF point for the premium cabins.

Awesome. Thanks.

 

[Danger]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Is it correct that if I book a domestic Qantas award using AA miles, I have to pay USD150 to have the miles returned to my account if I decide to cancel?

 

[NM]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

Is it correct that if I book a domestic Qantas award using AA miles, I have to pay USD150 to have the miles returned to my account if I decide to cancel?

If you do not hold sufficient status with AAdvantage then there is a few for miles redeposit after an award cancellation. not sure if its waived for Plat, but I have had it waived for Exec Plat. I am not sure of the actual dollar amount for the "service" but US$150 sounds about the ballpark

 

[Danger]

Re: Couple of AAdvantage questions from a newbie to it

If you do not hold sufficient status with AAdvantage then there is a few for miles redeposit after an award cancellation. not sure if its waived for Plat, but I have had it waived for Exec Plat. I am not sure of the actual dollar amount for the "service" but US$150 sounds about the ballpark

Wow. USD150 aint cheap (less cheap than it was a fortnight ago).

I phoned the Australian number and went through to what I assume was their call centre. I might call the US number and see about waived fees.