EQP runs?

[futaris]

Has anyone got any good suggestions for EQP runs? I need ~16,000 EQP to qualify for AA Plat. I've already qualified for AA Gold (OW Ruby), via the normal method on QF flights.

I have enough QF points to get back, so I'm considering a one-way flight, in B or Y class, instead of a return.

Maybe BNE-SYD-LHR, with SYD-LHR booked as a single flight number to get the 100% plat bonus? Are there any other flights as a single number that are just as far? Perhaps SYD-JFK?

SYD-LHR is 10,586 miles according to QF calculator, which would mean 15879 EQP, and 21172 RDM.

SYD-JFK is only 9,947 miles according to QF calculator, so 14921 EQP and 19894 RDM ...

 

[Dave Noble]

how about SYD-LHR in WT+ for a comfortable flight and decent EPQ earnings

Dave

 

[futaris]

That'd be alright, but it'd have to be a QF codeshare since:

Effective March 1, 2008, British Airways flights no longer earn elite status bonus miles. American Airlines codeshare flights (with an "AA" flight number) operated by British Airways will continue to earn elite-status bonus miles.

See BA earning on AA.com

Shame T & W earning on QF flights in AAdvantage isn't listed yet.

 

[simongr]

For qualification purposes though he could still do it under the BA flight number.

 

[Dave Noble]

That'd be alright, but it'd have to be a QF codeshare since:

Effective March 1, 2008, British Airways flights no longer earn elite status bonus miles. American Airlines codeshare flights (with an "AA" flight number) operated by British Airways will continue to earn elite-status bonus miles.

The loss of elite status miles has no bearing on the EQP earning. Personally, Id do a BA WT+ and have a comfortable flight ; much more relevent than FF miles imo though If you can get a QF codeshare, then that would be better for miles

Dave

 

[futaris]

Is there any simple way to determine fare basis on the QF / BA sites?

 

[serfty]

One way is to do a dummy booking (don't pay the $$) to find the net cost.

Then try to duplicate the exact routing / fare on ITA Software: Login .

If you can do so you then look up the fare rules. The booking class is generally the first character of the booking code.

 

[wandering_fred]

Yes I understand you are willing to use miles on the return leg.

However consider a cheapish ticket to SIN on the carrier of your choice and buy a T class BA return ticket SIN-LHR-SIN. It may be cheaper than the one way plus an award ticket and certainly more useful on the Qpoints account. And definitely beats flying in a Y seat...

Try flying on MonTueWed and of course the further in advance the better...

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[futaris]

I'm considering a fare from SIN, and making use of the current FF specials (20% off) to SIN.

The only real reason I wanted to keep to a SYD-LHR single flight number, was because of the extra RDM that I'd receive on the qualifying flight.

Still not sure what is the best yet... I think I should be able to keep the cost down to around 10c/EQP, which should mean that the cost (of the EQP qualifying flights) should be less than AU$2000, hopefully less.

The less time and money that I have to spend, the better.

SIN-LHR-SIN in T class seems to be around SG$3100 ~ AU$2400, so it is rather cheap, but no extra RDM, if done in March or later.

Shame that BNE-SYD-HNL return isn't quite enough to get me over the line, even in B/Y class.

 

[futaris]

It seems that one-ways and returns from LHR to Australia are awfully cheap...

Around 600 GBP (AU$1200) for a LHR-SYD oneway economy, or 800 GBP (AU$1700) for return but booking class is O, so EQP = only 25% of mileage flown.

At this rate, it seems simpler and cheaper just to do a platinum challenge...

 

[futaris]

Turned out using aa.com was the easiest to compare fares:

BNE-LHR on QF/BA
1346.80 USD - SJBBGBOW (25% EQP)
1952.10 USD - BJOX (150% EQP)

LHR-BNE on QF/BA
1013.00 USD - SJBBGBOW (25% EQP)
2196.70 USD - Y2V3/BLEEOWSG (150% EQP)

SIN-LHR-SIN on QF/BA
1636.50 USD - HLEE1YSG (100% EQP)
1805.50 USD - BLEE1YSG (150% EQP)

BNE-LHR-BNE on QF
2979.00 USD - BJEE1Y (150% EQP)

BNE-SIN-BNE on QF/BA
1523.90 USD - BLFF (150% EQP)

The difference between a BA T class and a QF B class is only 15% EQP (10% bonus, and 150% multiplier). Plus, the BA will miss out on the RDM status bonus.

 

[Dave Noble]

The difference between a BA T class and a QF B class is only 15% EQP (10% bonus, and 150% multiplier). Plus, the BA will miss out on the RDM status bonus.

B class and T class have exactly the same EQP earning. T class has 10% mileage bonus

I would take the comfort of WT+ over 6088 bonus FF miles any time

Is it worth spending that much just to attain status in an FF scheme though?

Another option could be WHXP8S NRT-LAX-JFK-LAX-NRT on AA at a cost of USD1203 (AUD1307) including taxes earning 15852 qpoints. Also, can use electronic upgrade credits to upgrade the LAX-JFK-LAX segments

Dave

 

[futaris]

Thanks for clearing up the bonus EQP stuff. I guess that means that business/first, also earn the same EQP.

HKG-LHR-HKG on QF
1424.20 USD - BLFFEAQF

Seems to be the cheapest per EQP, so far...

The way I look at it is, it's ~AU$900-$1000 for 2 years QANTAS Club access... Getting AA Plat will give me the same till Feb 2010, plus 100% mileage bonus.

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks for clearing up the bonus EQP stuff. I guess that means that business/first, also earn the same EQP.

HKG-LHR-HKG on QF
1424.20 USD - BLFFEAQF

Seems to be the cheapest per EQP, so far...

The way I look at it is, it's ~AU$900-$1000 for 2 years QANTAS Club access... Getting AA Plat will give me the same till Feb 2010, plus 100% mileage bonus.

Well, if ya only need 16k to get it, I would be looking at the NRT-LAX-JFK-LAX-NRT run myself since you can get the 16000 qpoints you need plus can use some upgrade credits on the domestic legs or even miles plus co-pay to get into business the whole way

Dave