A (First World) Problem

[Must...Fly!]

Most FWPs I term to be "I ate too much" or "I shouldn't have bought that extra pair of shoes". Minor things that are only possible because of how lucky we are.

So what I'm facing might well be the mother of all first world problems but I am entrusting the wonderful people on AFF to assist. I am trying to use AA miles to get home from a trip, and I have several choices as to how I go about that.

1) Business AMS/CDG/BRU-LHR-HKG-SYD. BA A380 then QF A380. About 6 hours in HKG. Probably the least convenient of days, but no huge issue. 60,000 miles + ~500AUD (as avoiding the APD by leaving from a nearby European port, but BA fuel surcharges...).

2) Business AMS-HKG-SYD. CX A343 then QF A380 or B747, depending on the day chosen. 60,000 miles + unknown taxes, I'd guess around $150.

3) First FRA-HKG-SYD. CX B77W then QF B747. 14 hour transit in HKG. 80,000 miles + unknown taxes, again I'd say around $150.

4) First CDG-AUH-SYD. EY A346 then EY B77W. 100,000 miles + unknown taxes, just say $150. Unfortunately they insist on ticketing this as two separate awards. One of the quirks of AAdvantage, and I am not sure I want to give up the extra 20,000 miles...I would consider it if I had the chance to spend a few days in Abu Dhabi but that seems most unlikely.

I will be in London so have to factor in the travel cost to mainland Europe, but should still come out comfortably ahead by avoiding APD.

What would you choose? At the moment I lean towards option 3, mostly because of the 14 hours in HKG and I have never been there (not since I was small enough to fit in the bassinet, anyway!).

Already got the flight out - QF J to SYD, BA F to LHR then BA J to Athens. 80,000 miles but over $550AUD in taxes and charges!

Thanks all

 

[vitagen]

I'd go first on the 77W to HKG... But then you are bogged by the QF 747 in F.... if that were A380 you would be laughing! Flying J All the way through wouldn't be a bad option, But for 20k more for the CX F alone Would be worth it.

 

[JohnK]

What a nice problem to have.

I would go with option 1 and a chance to see the differences in the A380 configurations.

 

[yohy?!]

New cx j vs cx f not worth the additional points imo (even more so with qf old f tacked on)..I'd go a380 all the way in j

 

[Buzzard]

I'd take option 1 - 2xA380. J not too shabby on an A380

 

[grussellt]

Have you considered MH from CDG-KUL-SYD?

 

[mitwg]

I don't know if there is a particular reason why you aren't considering CX from HKG to SYD considering you are using AA miles (perhaps availability?) but I would take the CX A333 J over QF A388 J anyday

 

[yohy?!]

I don't know if there is a particular reason why you aren't considering CX from HKG to SYD considering you are using AA miles (perhaps availability?) but I would take the CX A333 J over QF A388 J anyday

for me A380 is still preferable to a 330 even with CX new J (which on the 330 is cramped by comparison) the cabin environment is much more spacious

 

[mitwg]

for me A380 is still preferable to a 330 even with CX new J (which on the 330 is cramped by comparison) the cabin environment is much more spacious

I must be the odd one out here as I generally prefer smaller planes like the B772 to larger planes like the A388 regardless of carrier (SQ, QF mainly). I agree that the 380 is a fantastic plane and I'm still amazed at how quiet it is each time I fly it but having so many J seats/pax on the upper deck just doesn't feel as cozy as they used to on smaller planes.

Obviously this is assuming that the actual seat layout is the same on the planes.

 

[knasty]

4) First CDG-AUH-SYD. EY A346 then EY B77W. 100,000 miles + unknown taxes, just say $150. Unfortunately they insist on ticketing this as two separate awards. One of the quirks of AAdvantage, and I am not sure I want to give up the extra 20,000 miles...I would consider it if I had the chance to spend a few days in Abu Dhabi but that seems most unlikely.

Is this really a quirk or a rule? Have you tried a different agent? I'm interested in the outcome because I've also considered EY options to Europe.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Most FWPs I term to be "I ate too much" or "I shouldn't have bought that extra pair of shoes". Minor things that are only possible because of how lucky we are.

So what I'm facing might well be the mother of all first world problems but I am entrusting the wonderful people on AFF to assist. I am trying to use AA miles to get home from a trip, and I have several choices as to how I go about that.

1) Business AMS/CDG/BRU-LHR-HKG-SYD. BA A380 then QF A380. About 6 hours in HKG. Probably the least convenient of days, but no huge issue. 60,000 miles + ~500AUD (as avoiding the APD by leaving from a nearby European port, but BA fuel surcharges...).

2) Business AMS-HKG-SYD. CX A343 then QF A380 or B747, depending on the day chosen. 60,000 miles + unknown taxes, I'd guess around $150.

3) First FRA-HKG-SYD. CX B77W then QF B747. 14 hour transit in HKG. 80,000 miles + unknown taxes, again I'd say around $150.

4) First CDG-AUH-SYD. EY A346 then EY B77W. 100,000 miles + unknown taxes, just say $150. Unfortunately they insist on ticketing this as two separate awards. One of the quirks of AAdvantage, and I am not sure I want to give up the extra 20,000 miles...I would consider it if I had the chance to spend a few days in Abu Dhabi but that seems most unlikely.

I will be in London so have to factor in the travel cost to mainland Europe, but should still come out comfortably ahead by avoiding APD.

What would you choose? At the moment I lean towards option 3, mostly because of the 14 hours in HKG and I have never been there (not since I was small enough to fit in the bassinet, anyway!).

Already got the flight out - QF J to SYD, BA F to LHR then BA J to Athens. 80,000 miles but over $550AUD in taxes and charges!

Thanks all

go for option 3 without doubt. First class is First class, even on the QF B747.

(and as a side note... 'third worlders' don't appreciate the term 'first world problem'. They too have an equal ability to have to make the same decisions you do. A person from Nigeria still has the same capacity and the same decisions to make on which airline to fly in First class.)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is this really a quirk or a rule? Have you tried a different agent? I'm interested in the outcome because I've also considered EY options to Europe.

it is the applicable rule for AA awards. Europe to SWP cannot transfer flights in Area 3 (mid east). There is no way around this until the rules are changed.

Single flight numbers are eligible (so the QF 2/10 are fine), but change of flight numbers not allowed (rules out QR and EY and any combination of BA/QF to DXB followed by another airline).

 

[Must...Fly!]

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions everyone. F is indeed F, but in an old 747? I love them to bits, but the cabin must surely be getting on....decisions, decisions...I will update when I finally bite the bullet.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions everyone. F is indeed F, but in an old 747? I love them to bits, but the cabin must surely be getting on....decisions, decisions...I will update when I finally bite the bullet.

F is F! the cabin is still ok, sheepskin mattresses and personal service. My last flight in Dec was really very very good on that flight with QF (on a 747). Contrast to business class where you are one of 40 or 50 or even 70 odd passengers - can't get the same level of service.

 

[scheps]

How much is the apd?I assume you dont have much luggage then.

Must have been in the phone a long time to work out availability for all those options!

F all the way Imho

 

[Must...Fly!]

How much is the apd?I assume you dont have much luggage then.

Must have been in the phone a long time to work out availability for all those options!

F all the way Imho

QFF is marvellous for searching what AA doesn't show online

APD can be significant. For example, in F, leaving from a West Coast European port such as Brussels and transiting LHR is a charge of ~150-160USD if avoiding BA long haul. The same flights but commencing from LHR, is around 420-430USD.

 

[scheps]

Holy smokes seem a lot higher than the guidelines online but they could be out of date.

Didn't realise you can see ey on qf bookings website.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Holy smokes seem a lot higher than the guidelines online but they could be out of date.

Didn't realise you can see ey on qf bookings website.

Oh, EY is a special case. But that's easy, just create an Etihad Guest account and search online for awards. What you can see is what AA should be able to see.

 

[scheps]

I must be missing something here... EY is not one world so why would it be bookable on Aa?

 

[Must...Fly!]

I must be missing something here... EY is not one world so why would it be bookable on Aa?

It is one of American's partner airlines, and thus participates via Aadvantage rewards.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/earnMiles/travel/airlines/main.jsp

But as noted in the thread, you can't use them for travel SP-EUR without using two awards due to the rules of Aadvantage, just the same as you can't book QR on one award either, as the award does not allow for transit in the Middle East.