Devaluation of AA Awards

[JohnK]

So Qantas is the only airline making enhancements?

Serves me right for hanging on to AA miles that are very difficult to use. I am scared to see how much they have devalued should I happen to get lucky and find availability when I want to travel.

 

[serfty]

...

Serves me right for hanging on to AA miles that are very difficult to use. ...

???

10,000 AA miles and about USD20-USD30 will get a one-way SYD-CNS or SYD-PER or in fact anywhere from within Oz/NZ to within Oz/Nz (PER-AKL, if you must and there's extra +$57 AU tax).

... Serves me right for hanging on to AA miles that are very difficult to use. ...

Unlike QFF points which can very expesie to use:

e.g. AAdvantage 25,000 + USD76 for SYD-SIN with same seat on QFF costing 30,000 and AUD247.

 

[JohnK]

Unlike QFF points which can very expesie to use:

e.g. AAdvantage 25,000 + USD76 for SYD-SIN with same seat on QFF costing 30,000 and AUD247.

I bought these miles and wanted to use them for business class to Asia.

My holidays are planned months in advance and my dates are not flexible. e.g fly out on a specific Wednesday and return on a Saturday 10 days later. The Wednesday before and after could be unsuitable.

 

[serfty]

You van get business class SYD-SIN on QF with AAdvantage for 50000 miles. Look at later this year or early next year - it is QF availability of course, so need to be looking at 330 days.

 

[JohnK]

Is that one-way? It used to be 70,000 miles return. And yes it is Qantas but I am not ready to book 330 days in advance. The trip I am looking to book now is November 2014.

 

[dajop]

One way SYD-SIN is still 35,000 miles.

 

[anat0l]

You van get business class SYD-SIN on QF with AAdvantage for 50000 miles. Look at later this year or early next year - it is QF availability of course, so need to be looking at 330 days.

Is that one-way? It used to be 70,000 miles return. And yes it is Qantas but I am not ready to book 330 days in advance. The trip I am looking to book now is November 2014.

That's 50k return in Economy (or Coach as called by our American friends). It's still 70k (or 35k each way) in Business.

First half November has good availability almost every day for SYD/SIN; returning from SIN is a bit more difficult in November - dotted availability and little on weekends.

BKK/SYD is only slightly better; depending on timing you could consider an open jaw.

As always, the more specific your dates are, the more difficult it will be to find a suitable redemption. Only real advantage QF will have in this case is that if you really need an award on a certain date, as a Platinum you can ask QF to request a seat to be opened for you (may not succeed, but you have that ability).

 

[JohnK]

That's 50k return in Economy (or Coach as called by our American friends). It's still 70k (or 35k each way) in Business.

First half November has good availability almost every day for SYD/SIN; returning from SIN is a bit more difficult in November - dotted availability and little on weekends.

BKK/SYD is only slightly better; depending on timing you could consider an open jaw.

As always, the more specific your dates are, the more difficult it will be to find a suitable redemption. Only real advantage QF will have in this case is that if you really need an award on a certain date, as a Platinum you can ask QF to request a seat to be opened for you (may not succeed, but you have that ability).

Which is why I still have the miles.

My preference is BKK but HKG is also a choice. SIN has fallen out of favour due to poor CX connections.

Buying the miles was a mistake. AAdvantage is not the holy grail some on AFF make it out to be.

 

[ketsuzei]

I don't see anything in the latest changes that make it harder or more expensive to travel between Australia and Asia.

 

[drron]

The only thing that really impacts me is the decrease in the availability of sAAver awards on some routes eg F into LHR.But those changes occurred some time ago now.Previously never had trouble getting 2 TATL F sAAver awards.If only 1 showed online would ring and never denied a second.Now never more than 1 online when I have looked and now 0/2 in getting an extra released by ringing.

 

[mlob]

The only thing that really impacts me is the decrease in the availability of sAAver awards on some routes eg F into LHR.But those changes occurred some time ago now.Previously never had trouble getting 2 TATL F sAAver awards.If only 1 showed online would ring and never denied a second.Now never more than 1 online when I have looked and now 0/2 in getting an extra released by ringing.

Sorry drron. Didn't quite understand. Do you have success getting second F savers released now by calling? I would love another F saver on a LAX-JFK flight. I had it all lined up to get my second F seat as a F anytime and then the changes occurred and the price went up 20,000.

 

[anat0l]

I don't see anything in the latest changes that make it harder or more expensive to travel between Australia and Asia.

Pretty much this. Except for losses of the Explorer awards and possibly the gateway stopovers in North America, they didn't up the points costs...yet.

Which is why I still have the miles.

My preference is BKK but HKG is also a choice. SIN has fallen out of favour due to poor CX connections.

Buying the miles was a mistake. AAdvantage is not the holy grail some on AFF make it out to be.

Depends on what you call "holy grail" (or what you interpreted from others what they were supposedly proclaiming as "holy grail"). You will struggle with almost any programme to redeem miles on the exact dates you want, unless you are prepared to lock in those dates far in advance, especially in premium classes.

I do disagree with those that say, "You are an idiot; you can grab the same ticket for $3k. Read up about AA," (or other programme) rather flippantly without considering some of the caveats associated with this (e.g. just because you have $3k cash right now doesn't mean you can get that said ticket right now by handing over a straight-up $3k).

AAdvantage probably doesn't make the whole premium travel with points experience much easier. It just makes it quite cheaper (unless you put in the hard mileage yourself, then still).

 

[dajop]

AAdvantage is not the holy grail some on AFF make it out to be.

I always thought the more compelling reasons for AA were more on the miles earnt by flying (particularly long haul) not buying , given that in many instances 1 AA mile =~ 2 QFF pts when it comes to redeeming (eg SYD-BKK = 35 K AA miles, still no fuel surcharges?, vs 60 QFF pts + fuel surcharges; PER-SYD in J 17.5K AA vs 36K QFF).

 

[drron]

Sorry drron. Didn't quite understand. Do you have success getting second F savers released now by calling? I would love another F saver on a LAX-JFK flight. I had it all lined up to get my second F seat as a F anytime and then the changes occurred and the price went up 20,000.

I used to be able to get a second F sAAver award released-and as plat not EXP.However on the last 2 occasions over 12 months I have failed to get the second released.

 

[burrco]

Not sure if it is the holy grail but last week had no troubles booking F MEL-EUR return for Dec. Departure & Jan Return. Very pleased to see the various fees & charges come to a measly $80US (each way).

 

[JohnK]

Depends on what you call "holy grail" (or what you interpreted from others what they were supposedly proclaiming as "holy grail"). You will struggle with almost any programme to redeem miles on the exact dates you want, unless you are prepared to lock in those dates far in advance, especially in premium classes.

I take it all back.

I have been looking at award flights and there is availability on the way out but limited on the way back.

The big question is do I redeem First Class to HKG on 06 November? That will also mean I waste 1 day and a bit getting to Chiang Mai for Loi Kratong. Coming back on 14/15 November will more than likely be economy unless I wait until 18 November and come back in First Class. :shock: But that is wasting a 2-3 extra days leave. Shouldn't get too greedy.

I think I need to decide quickly?

Thanks very much for your help anat0l. I owe you a beer if you come to BNE drinks tomorrow.

 

[kempvet]

I bought these miles and wanted to use them for business class to Asia.

My holidays are planned months in advance and my dates are not flexible. e.g fly out on a specific Wednesday and return on a Saturday 10 days later. The Wednesday before and after could be unsuitable.

Think that this is your main problem, having such rigid plans.
I get great use out of AA miles as being self employed, can leave at the drop of a hat for a couple of weeks. It would torpedo my plans if I had to find flights available at a fixed time, it works better when I am available for the flights when they occur rather than the other way around.

 

[JohnK]

Think that this is your main problem, having such rigid plans.

Plans are rigid but I can fly from SYD or BNE into BKK/HKG/SIN which changes things a little.

I am starting to get the hang of it.

P.S Are CX awards not available online?

 

[ketsuzei]

P.S Are CX awards not available online?

No, you have to call for them. And JL, among others.

 

[anat0l]

Are CX awards not available online?

You need to be careful about CX seats. Not all CX seats you can see on QF online are necessarily bookable by AA. JL's award search will give you the most accurate picture.