Advice for domestic USA flights as a QF & DJ WP

[Danp]

Hi all,

Ive got a trip to the US landing in LAX early feb next year which due to a few work opportunities has meant that I now need to fly between San Francisco, las Vegas and Chicago while I'm there for a 1 week stay.

Im QF and DJ platinum, DJ due to status match so thought I'd see if anyone has any advice on how to make the most out of the trip status credit wise, also want to take lounge access into account.

Likely itinerary would be LAX - SFO - VEGAS - CHICAGO - VEGAS - LAX

Interested in how YUPP's work as I've heard about them as a good way to get a lot of status quickly

Sorry if this has no doubt already been covered but a virgin vs AA comparison would be handy

 

[Blackadder]

Can only comment from a AA perspective but YUPPS are a very handy way of quickly building SCs (with a minimal amount of risk), and with AA good to be in F (or J on 3 class services) rather than cramped in whY. (not to mention no need to pay for meals)

 

[parsonstrish]

I often use the yupps (instant upgrades) with AA on trips to States to bolster my sc's. If you do go through this route, pick flts. with 2 class and you will get first class. (p)
cheers

 

[wilco]

You can try DL also, but im not sure that itd work for your itinerary. You can earn SC on DL now but be warned..... J and F earn the same SC's, unlike AA where F earns more.

 

[Boyfromthebeach]

HiI just did a similar trip all on a QF ticket, QF SYD-LAX-ORD / ord - nyc with united as I was travelling that sector with my family / QF NYC-LAX-SYD. The ticket was a premium economy ticket with US sectors beyond LAX shown as economy. Reason why I am commenting on this is some care needs to be made when booking as the Y sectors were in QFs view booked as discount Y & credited as such with SC ie half of what I expected..To this day based on all the stuff i have read re those tickets the fare conditions etc based on the information QF provided to me before my flights i still expect the full Y status credits... I really needed those extra 45 SC but managed to get them on a discount JASA to MelbI have to say boarding of US flights is amusing to watch, there are definitely huge benefits of getting on early, as a SG I had been able to book exit row seats on the AA flights in the US & this was good enough for me. Still not happy about those missing SC

 

[dfcatch]

Can't comment on DL, but AA as a QF WP will give you full benefits including:

- priority Checkin
- priority boarding
- premium seat selection
- free baggage allowance
- lounge access

 

[Maca44]

One of the other great benefits of flying YUPP fare (F) is the designated security line for F, and in USA terminals it is extremely handy and saves heaps of time.

 

[Limewood]

Mrs Limewood and self be doing SYD/LAX return August 2012 with Q in J.

Then internal USA on AA, be LAX to MIA to NYC to LAS to LAX what would fares be in YUPP?, best place to book them? (AA here or in US), what status points would we receive with me as Q SG wife as SS?.

 

[dfcatch]

Mrs Limewood and self be doing SYD/LAX return August 2012 with Q in J.

Then internal USA on AA, be LAX to MIA to NYC to LAS to LAX what would fares be in YUPP?, best place to book them? (AA here or in US), what status points would we receive with me as Q SG wife as SS?.

Use the AA USA website.

Search by Price and Availability.

If in a two-class aircraft - "Instant Upgrade" fares into the First cabin will give you First QF SCs.

 

[munitalP]

One of the other great benefits of flying YUPP fare (F) is the designated security line for F, and in USA terminals it is extremely handy and saves heaps of time.

As a WP, the OP gets this anyway, but agree its a great benefit!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Mrs Limewood and self be doing SYD/LAX return August 2012 with Q in J.

Then internal USA on AA, be LAX to MIA to NYC to LAS to LAX what would fares be in YUPP?, best place to book them? (AA here or in US), what status points would we receive with me as Q SG wife as SS?.

390 SC in F LAX-MIA-JFK-LAS-LAX.
Could be a bit more if you are prepared to do a bit of connecting

 

[Limewood]

Use the AA USA website.

Search by Price and Availability.

If in a two-class aircraft - "Instant Upgrade" fares into the First cabin will give you First QF SCs.

I must be missing something wen to USA AA site didn't see YUPP fares mentioned anywhere or points gained in J.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Do a multi city search, plug in "Business with restrictions " and it will show the Instant upgrade fares
Also SC's can be calculated with mileage monkey using the One World Explorer validator or on Tuppaware's very handy Frequent Flyer app.

 

[Blackadder]

Keep in mind LAX-MIA maybe covered by there three class service, so a YUPP will book to J class (with J SCs), only two class services book to F with F SCs

 

[wilco]

HiI just did a similar trip all on a QF ticket, QF SYD-LAX-ORD / ord - nyc with united as I was travelling that sector with my family / QF NYC-LAX-SYD. The ticket was a premium economy ticket with US sectors beyond LAX shown as economy. Reason why I am commenting on this is some care needs to be made when booking as the Y sectors were in QFs view booked as discount Y & credited as such with SC ie half of what I expected..To this day based on all the stuff i have read re those tickets the fare conditions etc based on the information QF provided to me before my flights i still expect the full Y status credits... I really needed those extra 45 SC but managed to get them on a discount JASA to MelbI have to say boarding of US flights is amusing to watch, there are definitely huge benefits of getting on early, as a SG I had been able to book exit row seats on the AA flights in the US & this was good enough for me. Still not happy about those missing SC

Thats abut cheeky of QF to book you into one of the lower booking classes given your fare was PE. If they didn't book you into full Y, it should have been a higher class earning full points and SC's. Id be contacting the FF service centre and customer care.

 

[Danp]

its looking like the YUPP fares are going to cost around 400 for a LA to SFO flight and around 1000 for an LA to Chicago flight, do these prices seem about right?

 

[cove]

I suggest you go on the Australian Expedia site and reconsider your options. For example it is $73AUD to go for 75 minutes in Economy from LAX to SFO. You will get charged $25 USD for checked baggage.

 

[dfcatch]

I must be missing something wen to USA AA site didn't see YUPP fares mentioned anywhere or points gained in J.

"Instant Upgrade" fares are what you're looking for.

If you click the + sign it will expand the flight details and show cabin and booking class.

Try LAX-DFW-TPA as an option.
Compare it to LAX-DFW-MIA.

Then a separate leg to MIA, or add on a TPA-MIA-LGA as an option to get to NYC.

 

[Blackadder]

I suggest you go on the Australian Expedia site and reconsider your options. For example it is $73AUD to go for 75 minutes in Economy from LAX to SFO. You will get charged $25 USD for checked baggage.

No checked baggage fees for OW status pax.

American Airlines Checked Baggage Charge Exceptions | AA.com

The following passengers will be allowed a 1st and/or 2nd checked bag at no additional charge provided it falls within the size and weight limitations. These free checked bag allowances apply on flights operated by American Airlines, American Eagle, and AmericanConnection®. On codeshare flights operated by other carriers, the baggage allowance and charges of the operating carrier apply.

• oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members

 

[cove]

Blackadder you are correct with the AA flights and free checked baggage but I missed out the use of United for that response. I posted the United mileage to Kris flyer and paid the fee because their flights and aircraft suit my needs. I will not go on American / American Eagle on MD80 and the Embraer planes as I consider those planes to be third rate. The rest of AA is acceptable.