Booking US Domestic Flights - I'm a QFF

[VicStar]

Hi there,
I am a Qantas Frequent Flyer and am looking to book domestic US flights. How is this best achieved please to earn points and status credits please? How do I know which is a code share flight? Do I need an American Airlines or Alaskan Airlines login and I just insert my QFF #? Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Thanks, Vic

 

[wandering_fred]

Code share (QF flight numbers on US domestic flights) are normally only available in conjunction with the sale of QF long haul sectors and the most common place to see them is when you purchase with QF online.
Simply add your QFF details when you enter the passenger details during purchase.
And continue your wandering
Fred

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @VicStar .

You can purchase American Airlines domestic flights on their web site (but beware different pricing between their Australian site and their American site; use the latter#) and put your Qantas FF number in. I think for Alaskan too - but they have only recently joined OneWorld and I'm not sure all the systems are interlinked fully (someone here will know!)

I don't think you need an AA or AS account/login but it won't do any harm.

As W_F said, you only get QF code share numbers for USA (AA) domestic flights if bought in conjunction with an international QF itinerary.

# @justinbrett I think will know more about this

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Don’t need any special log ins. Just go to the American or Alaska website, but the ticket you want, and as part of the passenger details you add your qantas FF number.

 

[SYD]

Alaskan is straight forward if it suits your needs book on their website, get charged in USD. Google Flights can help find cheap days to fly. AS mainly operate out of a string of hubs up and down the west coast but do fly transcon. I have a bunch of flights coming up in the coming weeks.

AA has the best coverage but as others have said use the US website (click on the language flag for USA/English) but even then it will try and charge you in AUD by switching back. There are work arounds but others just hold the booking and call up to pay.

You can also search and book via an Online Travel Agent (eg Expedia) who could/should charge AUD equivalent price but myself and many others here prefer to deal (book) direct with airlines where possible.

 

[justinbrett]

Hi there,
I am a Qantas Frequent Flyer and am looking to book domestic US flights. How is this best achieved please to earn points and status credits please? How do I know which is a code share flight? Do I need an American Airlines or Alaskan Airlines login and I just insert my QFF #? Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Thanks, Vic

For AS - just book through their website. It's easy and you just enter your QF number in the booking process.

For AA, it's a little more complicated. With an Australian card, you have to use the Australian AA site - the catch is, often the Australian site is more expensive than the US site (sometimes hundreds of dollars more).

I recommend checking the fare in google flights as it uses the US pricing but converts it into AUD. Then compare to what the Australian site says. If it's about the same, book through the Australian site.

If google flights is cheaper, click on the "Book with AA" button. This will load up the AA US site, and you'll now see the fare in USD. Complete the check out process, but when it comes to payment, select the "Hold" button.



This will generate the booking (unpaid) and give you a record locator (booking reference).

Then simply call the Australian reservations number (02 9101 1948) quote the reference and ask to pay with an Australian card. It's a good idea to offer to pay in USD, otherwise they will convert to AUD and you will pay more than your bank will charge you for the conversion.

You can fudge your address on the US site and use a US zip code with your Australian card, but the above method is how you do it legit.

@AFF Editor, when you've run out of popcorn stories - might be an idea to make an article on this process, it's coming up very frequently lately.

 

[Hvr]

Maybe search AFF for 'El Segundo'?

 

[VicStar]

For AS - just book through their website. It's easy and you just enter your QF number in the booking process.

For AA, it's a little more complicated. With an Australian card, you have to use the Australian AA site - the catch is, often the Australian site is more expensive than the US site (sometimes hundreds of dollars more).

I recommend checking the fare in google flights as it uses the US pricing but converts it into AUD. Then compare to what the Australian site says. If it's about the same, book through the Australian site.

If google flights is cheaper, click on the "Book with AA" button. This will load up the AA US site, and you'll now see the fare in USD. Complete the check out process, but when it comes to payment, select the "Hold" button.

View attachment 320192

This will generate the booking (unpaid) and give you a record locator (booking reference).

Then simply call the Australian reservations number (02 9101 1948) quote the reference and ask to pay with an Australian card. It's a good idea to offer to pay in USD, otherwise they will convert to AUD and you will pay more than your bank will charge you for the conversion.

You can fudge your address on the US site and use a US zip code with your Australian card, but the above method is how you do it legit.

@AFF Editor, when you've run out of popcorn stories - might be an idea to make an article on this process, it's coming up very frequently lately.

Hi @justinbrett , thanks for the advice. I've successfully booked one flight. payment took about 30 minutes but perhaps I got a new customer service person. Now to book the other flights. Thanks for your help. Vic

 

[Travelqueen]

Hi There,

Following on form the information above, I'm wondering if flying on the basic "Saver" fare with AS as a Qantas platinum, do you still get baggage allowance and seat allocation ?

Thanks

TQ

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi There,

Following on form the information above, I'm wondering if flying on the basic "Saver" fare with AS as a Qantas platinum, do you still get baggage allowance and seat allocation ?

Thanks

TQ

That has been my experience flying AA on lowest ‘no bag’ fares. You get the first bag (at least) free (based on my status as OWR).

here’s the link… 2 free bags on AS: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/baggage-fee-waivers-exceptions

 

[Travelqueen]

That has been my experience flying AA on lowest ‘no bag’ fares. You get the first bag (at least) free (based on my status as OWR).

here’s the link… 2 free bags on AS: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/baggage-fee-waivers-exceptions

That's great,

Thanks for the link MEL_Traveller