DONE4 - The problem with SEA...

[Homer]

Here's my story. I'm a QF SG and I haven't flown any sectors on QF for six months. Zilch. I've sent all my flights to VA which has enabled me to re-qualify as a VA WP way ahead of schedule. Now I need to sort out the QF issue and thanks to the double status credits promotion I can get 1,400 SCs in one trip and re-qualify for WP with one DONE4.

So anyway I need to be in SEA on the evening of 24 May and in LAX on 29 May. My thinking is: SYD-SIN-LHR-JFK-MIA-SEA-(own sector)-LAX-SYD.

I have two questions:

1. Is JFK-MIA-SEA the best way to get to SEA? I can't get there from LAX or SFO because it's an AS codeshare and therefore not valid for a DONE4; and

2. That little "(own sector)" notation means I'm going to have to fork out for a flight from SEA to LAX because, again, AA doesn't fly the route. I can't double back via MIA as that violates the single transcon rule. Is there an alternative or do I just suck it up and buy a ticket on AS?

Any xONEx gurus with a brilliant plan?

 

[drron]

Here's my story. I'm a QF SG and I haven't flown any sectors on QF for six months. Zilch. I've sent all my flights to VA which has enabled me to re-qualify as a VA WP way ahead of schedule. Now I need to sort out the QF issue and thanks to the double status credits promotion I can get 1,400 SCs in one trip and re-qualify for WP with one DONE4.

So anyway I need to be in SEA on the evening of 24 May and in LAX on 29 May. My thinking is: SYD-SIN-LHR-JFK-MIA-SEA-(own sector)-LAX-SYD.

I have two questions:

1. Is JFK-MIA-SEA the best way to get to SEA? I can't get there from LAX or SFO because it's an AS codeshare and therefore not valid for a DONE4; and

2. That little "(own sector)" notation means I'm going to have to fork out for a flight from SEA to LAX because, again, AA doesn't fly the route. I can't double back via MIA as that violates the single transcon rule. Is there an alternative or do I just suck it up and buy a ticket on AS?

Any xONEx gurus with a brilliant plan?

I have flown SEA-DFW in the past.I will check if it still exists.

Yes at least 8 flights a day.wont let me post timetable as too many images.

 

[simongr]

Hmm - this is the list of locations that have flights to SEA under an xONEx:

ABQ-SEA
AUS-SEA
BGI-SEA
BNA-SEA
BOS-SEA
BWI-SEA
CLE-SEA
DCA-SEA
DFW-SEA
DTW-SEA
FLL-SEA
IAD-SEA
JAX-SEA
JFK-SEA
LGA-SEA
LHR-SEA
MEM-SEA
MIA-SEA
MSP-SEA
MSY-SEA
MTY-SEA
OKC-SEA
OMA-SEA
ORD-SEA
ORF-SEA
PBI-SEA
PTY-SEA
RDU-SEA
RSW-SEA
SAL-SEA
SAT-SEA
SJU-SEA
TPA-SEA
XNA-SEA
YUL-SEA

Not sure if that helps or not... There is a direct LHR-SEA flight it seems...

 

[Homer]

OK thanks guys. That's great. So how does this look: SYD-LHR-SEA-DFW-LAX-SYD.

Mileage Monkey says that's 700 SCs which, when doubled, gives me the 1,400 I need to go from zero to WP in one week. I need two stopovers but I'll be stopping in London, Seattle and LA so that covers that.

My TA suggested booking just SYD-LHR instead of what I'd usually do: SYD-SIN-LHR. I guess the only issue there is the loss of about 80 SCs (when doubled, according to Mileage Monkey) and one sector. I do need QF sectors though as I have none in this qualifying year so maybe I should change that back? It's just a tax issue then isn't it?

 

[Danger]

Hmm - this is the list of locations that have flights to SEA under an xONEx:

. . .

Where does one find such lists?

OK thanks guys. That's great. So how does this look: SYD-LHR-SEA-DFW-LAX-SYD.

Mileage Monkey says that's 700 SCs which, when doubled, gives me the 1,400 I need to go from zero to WP in one week. I need two stopovers but I'll be stopping in London, Seattle and LA so that covers that.

My TA suggested booking just SYD-LHR instead of what I'd usually do: SYD-SIN-LHR. I guess the only issue there is the loss of about 80 SCs (when doubled, according to Mileage Monkey) and one sector. I do need QF sectors though as I have none in this qualifying year so maybe I should change that back? It's just a tax issue then isn't it?

What about flying SYD-MEL-LHR? That would add 40 SCs (80 doubled) for the SYD-MEL and still allow you to have one sector MEL-LHR. Or, if you're not fussed about flying on the A380 ex-LAX, try LAX-BNE-SYD.

I know you're aim is to simply get WP but if you're spending the money on a DONE, I'd be trying to put in at least three or four more of the 16 available sectors, even if you don't actually stay in any places. If you're intent on keeping one sector SWP-Europe, that only leaves SWP and North America to maximise. Perhaps SEA-DFW-ORD-MIA-SYD, for example.

 

[drron]

OK thanks guys. That's great. So how does this look: SYD-LHR-SEA-DFW-LAX-SYD.

Mileage Monkey says that's 700 SCs which, when doubled, gives me the 1,400 I need to go from zero to WP in one week. I need two stopovers but I'll be stopping in London, Seattle and LA so that covers that.

My TA suggested booking just SYD-LHR instead of what I'd usually do: SYD-SIN-LHR. I guess the only issue there is the loss of about 80 SCs (when doubled, according to Mileage Monkey) and one sector. I do need QF sectors though as I have none in this qualifying year so maybe I should change that back? It's just a tax issue then isn't it?

That looks fine.If you aren't doing any domestic flying before your QF anniversary date then maybe SYD-MEL-LHR-SEA-DFW-LAX-MEL-SYD.gives you the 4 QF sectors and doesn't make it too complicated.

 

[Homer]

What about flying SYD-MEL-LHR? That would add 40 SCs (80 doubled) for the SYD-MEL and still allow you to have one sector MEL-LHR. Or, if you're not fussed about flying on the A380 ex-LAX, try LAX-BNE-SYD.

A good suggestion and I know it all counts towards LTG. But we've got a young baby and I'd rather not be away any longer than I need to (or return home in very bad condition...) I would normally be doing a point-to-point under the circumstances but since I needed to be in a couple of different US cities, plus having the opportunity to catch up with a friend in London and get back to WP, it just made a bit of sense to book a DONE4. I hear you about the maximising though! It must look a bit frustrating but I just don't think I need to do it for the reasons given .

 

[Danger]

A good suggestion and I know it all counts towards LTG. But we've got a young baby and I'd rather not be away any longer than I need to (or return home in very bad condition...) I would normally be doing a point-to-point under the circumstances but since I needed to be in a couple of different US cities, plus having the opportunity to catch up with a friend in London and get back to WP, it just made a bit of sense to book a DONE4. I hear you about the maximising though! It must look a bit frustrating but I just don't think I need to do it for the reasons given .

Frustrating?? You're killing me!

Haha. Completely understand.

 

[Homer]

That looks fine.If you aren't doing any domestic flying before your QF anniversary date then maybe SYD-MEL-LHR-SEA-DFW-LAX-MEL-SYD.gives you the 4 QF sectors and doesn't make it too complicated.

Another good suggestion, but as my QF anniversary isn't until November I'll definitely be doing a couple of sectors in the meantime to complete the requirements.

 

[simongr]

Where does one find such lists?

I went to Mileage Monkey - MileageMonkey

Below the validator there is a One World Planner - it tells you what destinations exists either to or from a point and can be adjusted based on mileage requirements (such as wanting a destination between 1200 and 1300 miles for instance - the shortest distance required to earn the next tier of SCs on QF.

 

[jamesatfish]

I didn't plug in your specific dates, but you could try the following which is a valid bookable fare on the OneWorld website:

SYD-SIN-LHR-MIA-ORD-SEA-DFW-LAX-SYD

1060 SCs without any bonuses. SYD-SIN, SIN-LHR and LAX-SYD are QF flights.

Edit: SYD-SIN-LHR-JFK-MIA-ORD-SEA-DFW-LAX-SYD. Takes the total up to 1130SCs.

 

[docjames]

I'd be switching flight numbers in SIN on the outbound, and then you could come home via MEL to add two extra QF flights to get your 4 minimum flights.

So SYD-SIN-LHR-SEA-DFW-LAX-MEL-SYD.

 

[simongr]

If you are willing to add a few hours to your journey you could a SC run to LCA from LHR. If you went the other way around the world, ex-LHR you could get BA662 (8:30AM) to LCA, same aircraft back to LHR on BA663 and connect to BA to HKG... An extra 160 SCs and potentially avoiding the APD ex-LHR.

So... my suggestion would be:

SYD-DFW-SEA-DFW-LAX-(JFK)-LHR-LCA-LHR-HKG-SYD

Although that seems a tame 1180 SCs (1140 if you took the direct flight LAX-LHR)

 

[Homer]

I'd be switching flight numbers in SIN on the outbound, and then you could come home via MEL to add two extra QF flights to get your 4 minimum flights.

So SYD-SIN-LHR-SEA-DFW-LAX-MEL-SYD.

What's the deal with switching flight numbers? I know I get extra SCs but what is the schedule like? Does it bump me off the 380...?

On the return, I just found out this morning that a friend/colleague is on QF 108 out of LAX at the same time as me so I'll stick with that flight. Thanks though.

 

[Homer]

So... my suggestion would be: SYD-DFW-SEA-DFW-LAX-(JFK)-LHR-LCA-LHR-HKG-SYD

Once upon a time I would have done that, or worse, but the circumstances just don't suit me on this trip. I need to go via LHR on the way over to meet a friend and I don't want to be away too long or be tired when I get home... I'm getting old.

 

[simongr]

I wasn't sure the time line was (i.e. could you meet the LHR friend on the way back) - you could still do the LCA thing and connect to a JFK flight rather than a HKG flight I know how it goes though now wanting to keep trips brief - although I still don't get jet lag.

 

[Homer]

The friend is from Sydney but he's over there for work and there's a small window to catch up. Marge will have her mum help out for the week but, yeah, I need to keep the trip brief. My main issue was really getting to/from SEA and my TA wasn't very helpful at sorting that (I'm sure that's not at all surprising to the folks on this forum) but I'm happy enough with the solution of going via DFW even though I'll be schlepping it there and back on a couple of AA's ageing 757s... No jet lag Simon? If you have a secret, please share it.

 

[simongr]

Well I see my parents (who are of course much more aged than me - 67/69) knocked about for days after the flight from UK to Oz - even in J. For me, I got off a flight JED-HKG-SYD (about 30 hours of travelling) in J. I arrived at about 8AM and admittedly slept a lot of the flight HKG-SYD. Sure I was tired but it was Saturday morning, shopping to do etc. About 9PM I got tired and went to bed. Next morning fine. When I travel I drink like a fish on the flights - until I slip into blissful sleep (generally fill up on food in the lounges). I have a shower at transit points but most importantly - I change into PJs as soon as I board...

 

[docjames]

What's the deal with switching flight numbers? I know I get extra SCs but what is the schedule like? Does it bump me off the 380...?

On the return, I just found out this morning that a friend/colleague is on QF 108 out of LAX at the same time as me so I'll stick with that flight. Thanks though.

QF 94 LAX-MEL is a 380.

You switch in SIN so you get two flight numbers - essentially from one flight to LHR ex-MEL and the other ex-SYD so you get different flight umbers. I think this acutally works better to fly ex-MEL as the SYD flight schedule is to arrive later than the one ex-MEL. So you may be better doing it the other way around --> SYD-MEL-SIN-LHR and then get the direct flight back into SYD ex-LAX.

All SIN flights are 380s apart from FRA as far as i'm aware (last minute subs not included).

 

[Homer]

I think this acutally works better to fly ex-MEL as the SYD flight schedule is to arrive later than the one ex-MEL.

But then I'll miss out on the SYD F lounge...and I haven't been in there for a while!