BNE-LA return + USA Domestic Flights [economy]

[Dusty23]

Hi all,
I've got a couple of questions regarding our trip to USA (first time) in June that i haven't been able to answer via forum searches. any help would be appreciated.

we've got our flying itinerary sorted and are yet to book the flights. We're considering booking an economy multi-stop flight with AA for all the below fares. reason being it will be easier to manage and hopefully cheaper if we can string them all together on one booking:

10/06/11 Brisbane - LA
19/06/11 San Francisco - Las Veges
24/06/11 Las Veges - New York
29/06/11 New York - Buffalo
01/07/11 Buffalo - Miami
07/07/11 Miami - LA
08/07/11 LA - Brisbane


I'm a QFF gold member (may be platinum by June), if we were to fly with AA do i get:
- extra baggage allowance? if so what is the allowance.
- frequent flyer points?
- My wife is traveling with me (QFF bronze), does she get any entitlements (baggage, lounge access etc).
- can i upgrade the LA- BNE leg to premium economy/business using QFF points?

All my travel is domestic (Aus), so I'm struggling to understand exactly what my QFF Gold (OW Sapphire) status & points get me on other OW partners and whether it's worthwhile for us to spend the extra and fly with a OW airline or not. we're looking to do the trip on a budget, but i'm happy to pay some extra to have benefits like baggage, lounge access and ability to upgrade.

any help or comments on the above would be appreciated.

cheers,
Dusty

 

[cove]

I use Australian expedia site for domestic USA flights and if it is cheapest on One World or Star Alliance on the short trips I will use that one and claim a few points
If it is Las Vegas to NYC or Miami to LAX I would consider business class or first on points if you have them to avoid a few hours in crampathon.
Be early to book as you are travelling in their holiday summer season.
Baggage is now a charge item so you get hit with $25 per checked bag on many carriers unless you can stow it in the overhead locker. In this regard get onboard early and practice traveling light unless you like paying lots of $25 baggage fees.
Compare AA against cheapest allowing for points earned and it will be fairly obvious what works for you.

 

[NM]

I'm a QFF gold member (may be platinum by June), if we were to fly with AA do i get:
- extra baggage allowance? if so what is the allowance.

If you book the QF flight number for Qantas operate flights (such as BNE-LAX) then you will receive your QF baggage allowance for those flights. For AA flights, see the AA web site for details. As a QFF Gold, OneWorld Sapphire status member, AA will waive the baggage fees for your first two checked bags.

- frequent flyer points?

That depends on the actual fare class purchased. As a general rule, the cheapest flights will not earn QFF points.

- My wife is traveling with me (QFF bronze), does she get any entitlements (baggage, lounge access etc).

She can visit the lounges as your guest and she can check-in with you at the Business Class check-in desk.

- can i upgrade the LA- BNE leg to premium economy/business using QFF points?

Yes, so long as its booked as the QF flight number and not booked as the AA codeshare flight number.

 

[parsonstrish]

As QF gold/o.w. saphire, your wife will not be charged for luggage. Look under exemptions for luggage on aa site.

 

[cove]

Thanks for your thoughts NM and parsonstrish on AA as I am going to Vancouver in Sept. Booked a FASA one way today to get to LAX ex MEL for about 163k points.
Maybe I should revisit AA. After a couple of really lousy flights I have been using others in preference although on short flights it really does not matter much.

 

[Dusty23]

Thanks Cove, NM and parsonstrish.

I used the ITA website and spoke with an agent to get a quote for all flights. Looks like we're going to book QF for the long hauls and AA where possible for the domestic flights. going to book economy QF flights and upgrade using points.

it doesn't look that much more expensive for the OW carriers, so we're keen to use them and get the OW Sapphire benefits.

cheers,
Dusty