First KUPP Booking with AA and question around luggage and SC's

[DontGetMeStarted]

Hi All

With some great asistance from OzBeachbabe, Serfty and others I have managed to book my first KUPP fare - details below. I am watching the industrial issues with AA closely too and trying to find information around gates arrivals and departures for the flights below but obviously too early to be confirmed. Has anyone any experience with this itinerary and do you know if the gates will be far apart. If we travelled with checked luggage does it get checked all the way through to San Juan ? and what are the chances of it arriving there with us, the other option is to travel with hand luggage which is possible and I will do some shopping once I get to FLL for our cruise.
We have the return flight booked on points from FLL to HNL but thinking of cancelling that and travelling back to SJU and booking a KUPP from there to HNL for the status credits and points.
If its not too much trouble can someone please advise what the points and SC's are for the flights below (one way) I did do a calculation but not sure if correct, I had 330 SC's for the one way journey, currently QF Bronze. Thanks again to everyone for all their help.



[TABLE="width: 535, align: center"]
[TR]
[TH]Carrier
[/TH]
[TH]Flight
Number
[/TH]
[TH="colspan: 2"]Departing
[/TH]
[TH="colspan: 2"]Arriving
[/TH]
[TH]Booking
Code
[/TH]
[TH]Meals
[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]City
[/TH]
[TH]Date & Time
[/TH]
[TH]City
[/TH]
[TH]Time
[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

AMERICAN AIRLINES
[/TD]
[TD]8
[/TD]
[TD]HNL Honolulu
[/TD]
[TD]Feb 25, 2013
05:55 PM
[/TD]
[TD]DFW Dallas/ Fort Worth
[/TD]
[TD]Feb 26, 2013
05:10 AM
[/TD]
[TD]A
[/TD]
[TD]Dinner
Continental or Snack Breakfast
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

AMERICAN AIRLINES
[/TD]
[TD]2025
[/TD]
[TD]DFW Dallas/ Fort Worth
[/TD]
[TD]Feb 26, 2013
07:45 AM
[/TD]
[TD]MIA Miami
[/TD]
[TD]Feb 26, 2013
11:25 AM
[/TD]
[TD]P
[/TD]
[TD]Breakfast
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

AMERICAN AIRLINES
[/TD]
[TD]489
[/TD]
[TD]MIA Miami
[/TD]
[TD]Feb 26, 2013
01:05 PM
[/TD]
[TD]SJU San Juan
[/TD]
[TD]Feb 26, 2013
04:30 PM
[/TD]
[TD]I
[/TD]
[TD]Lunch
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Danger]

The consensus with these fares seems to be to travel with hand luggage only if possible.

As it's on the same PNR, luggage will be checked through to SJU from HNL. You have a decent amount of time to connect and at the end of February you shouldn't have snow delays (although I don't think you're heading through any cities that get hit by it anyway).

Status credit earning will be 180+90+60 which is the 330 you came up with.

 

[serfty]

The consensus with these fares seems to be to travel with hand luggage only if possible.....

Really only an issue where there's tight (< 90 minute) connections.

The OP should be fine.

 

[AV8]

Really only an issue where there's tight (< 90 minute) connections.

The OP should be fine.

I agree with this view - I have done LAX-DFW-ATL-LGA (1 day/same PNR) with around 1.5 - 2 hr gap between each flight - BP's issued at LAX for all flights & checked luggage made it to LGA without any problems.

 

[Maca44]

Don't forget to use the priority security line for first class pax, as that often saves heaps of time.

 

[moa999]

There is generally no consistency with gates. They are often only allocated a couple of hours out.
The planes are generally allocated (although subject to change) and you should get boarding passes for all 3-flights at check-in in HNL which will also show whether the plane is scheduled to have wi-fi.

I suspect you might be able to get a 4-sector itin if you try hard enough on the return.

Note that unfortunately as you are only QF Bronze and flying AA First Domestic flights you don't get access to the Admirals Club.
You could be a daypass (and use at DFW and MIA) for $50 - One-Day Pass. All The Admirals Club(R) Benefits
but I suspect you are better just spending cash if needed -- you will be well fed on the AA First flights.

 

[albatross710]

do the KUPP fares provide lounge access?

 

[serfty]

do the KUPP fares provide lounge access?

Not in themselves unless the itinerary includes travel on a transcontinental between JFK & LAX, JFK & SFO or MIA & LAX in business/first.

Having A/C or QP membership or being non AAdvantage oneworld Emerald/Sapphire status will also provide access.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

There is generally no consistency with gates. They are often only allocated a couple of hours out.
The planes are generally allocated (although subject to change) and you should get boarding passes for all 3-flights at check-in in HNL which will also show whether the plane is scheduled to have wi-fi.

I suspect you might be able to get a 4-sector itin if you try hard enough on the return.

Note that unfortunately as you are only QF Bronze and flying AA First Domestic flights you don't get access to the Admirals Club.
You could be a daypass (and use at DFW and MIA) for $50 - One-Day Pass. All The Admirals Club(R) Benefits
but I suspect you are better just spending cash if needed -- you will be well fed on the AA First flights.

Thanks all for the responses...was thinking about getting a 30 day pass for the AC, (does this cover the pass holder and a guest?)...but first I will look at the times that we would get use from HNL to SJU - currently booked on points for the return from FLL to HNL but thinking of cancelling that booking and paying for the KUPP fares SJU-HNL still at about $598.00 on AA.com and may with those extra SC's make it to Gold !! - that way could use the AC over the 30 day period. If I could just ask one other question too...My plan year ends 31/10..if I get to get silver or gold in March next year with the above travel does that re set the plan year or do you just gain an extra 7 months - hope that makes sense

 

[Sprucegoose]

Don't forget to use the priority security line for first class pax, as that often saves heaps of time.

Even then it's like paying respects at a funeral....

 

[Meggsy]

If I could just ask one other question too...My plan year ends 31/10..if I get to get silver or gold in March next year with the above travel does that re set the plan year or do you just gain an extra 7 months - hope that makes sense

With QFF your end year review date remains the same. If you achieve a higher level or requalify at any time of your current year you will receive the benefits from that time until your review date and then for the next full 12 months. The date does not reset with QFF.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

With QFF your end year review date remains the same. If you achieve a higher level or requalify at any time of your current year you will receive the benefits from that time until your review date and then for the next full 12 months. The date does not reset with QFF.

Brilliant. Thank you. Doing the return kupp fare may well get me to gold as have a few domestic jq flights and also Aust to HNL flights that I have opted for points and SC s too. So might just make gold by end of March 2013

 

[Maca44]

With the exception of the main AA hubs I found most of the lounges quite small, crowded and very limited food/drinks etc (except the chits). You might be better off saving your money, not getting the day pass and enjoy the bars/food outlets in the terminals.

 

[kevrosmith]

I did my first LAS-ORD-MIA-SJU and return for last week of September with some assistance from Serfty and ReLoad. My flight connection times were:
Way over
ORD 55 mins
MIA 110 mins

Way back
MIA 70 mins
ORD 80 mins

I was checking Gate information for all flights prior to departing using Google (just put the flight number in). The FAs also seemed to routinely announce the gates for connecting flights before landing. There were often changes.

Unfortunately for me, and I suspect due to the industrial action, my ORD-MIA flight was cancelled, but they moved me onto the ORD-SJU direct service. It meant my connecting time in ORD was 2 hours 15 mins. Means I missed out on 100 SCs too. Though, given it was an Instant Upgrade fare, I was grateful to have an alternate flight regardless... (I'm not as familiar with the Fare conditions as others on this forum are and didn't quite know what I was going to do if it got completely messed up.)

As QF Platinum / One World Emerald, I got to use the Flagship Lounge at ORD (the agent at Admirals club informed me this, so that was very nice of them!), though it was a bit of a walk down to the end of the K gates and it didn't open until 7am. No showers there, so I hung around a bit and then went back to the Admirals club for a shower before getting the flight to SJU.

I didn't get the whole food and drink thing at the Admirals club, so didn't bother except to get one drink with some voucher at MIA.

On my return flights, my ORD-LAS MD80 plane went out of service as we were waiting to board. Once again, I suspect industrial action was a factor in this decision, though I can't confirm that of course. I'd still rather not board a flight that has suspect engineering concerns! Fortunately, they had another in the hangar, so they took some time to bring that over, and we got away 2 hours late. I was able to go back to the Flagship lounge and hang out there, and the ladies at the desk were very helpful in keeping me informed (perhaps the chocolates I had for them helped too!). I still also managed to get back to LAS in time for the AFL Grand Final... though it wasn't nice to see my Hawks go down.

My recommendation would be to buy some chocolates, like individual Lindt or something considered nice in the US, and hand to the FA when boarding for all the crew. (I asked the desk at the gate how many crew were on the flight each time and made sure I had enough for all, not just F class). They all loved it and it gave a point for discussion if you wanted to have a chat. I was very well looked after on all my flights. (I picked this idea up from this forum.)

I did carry on only, and next time would take even less so I didn't have so much to lug through the airport between gates.

I also prepared by looking up the Airport maps and having a PDF copy on my iPhone for handy reference to find out where to go. The airports were fairly well signed.

 

[beardoc]

Unfortunately for me, and I suspect due to the industrial action, my ORD-MIA flight was cancelled, but they moved me onto the ORD-SJU direct service. It meant my connecting time in ORD was 2 hours 15 mins. Means I missed out on 100 SCs too. Though, given it was an Instant Upgrade fare, I was grateful to have an alternate flight regardless... (I'm not as familiar with the Fare conditions as others on this forum are and didn't quite know what I was going to do if it got completely messed up.)

If this happens, you can apply to QFF for original routing credit and still get the SCs for your original journey.

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the overview.

...
Unfortunately for me, and I suspect due to the industrial action, my ORD-MIA flight was cancelled, but they moved me onto the ORD-SJU direct service. It meant my connecting time in ORD was 2 hours 15 mins. Means I missed out on 100 SCs too. Though, given it was an Instant Upgrade fare, I was grateful to have an alternate flight regardless... (I'm not as familiar with the Fare conditions as others on this forum are and didn't quite know what I was going to do if it got completely messed up.). ...

I suggest you contact Qantas and politely request Original Routing Credit. Send an email (frequent_flyer at qantas.com.au) with copies of your original E-Ticket, scans of all BP's (including any unused) advising them of the cancellation and re-routing etc.

 

[kevrosmith]

Thanks for the overview.I suggest you contact Qantas and politely request Original Routing Credit. Send an email (frequent_flyer at qantas.com.au) with copies of your original E-Ticket, scans of all BP's (including any unused) advising them of the cancellation and re-routing etc.

Thanks serfty and beardoc for the suggestion. I'll send through the details and see how it goes.

 

[Kangol]

With the exception of the main AA hubs I found most of the lounges quite small, crowded and very limited food/drinks etc (except the chits). You might be better off saving your money, not getting the day pass and enjoy the bars/food outlets in the terminals.

Funny that, as a general rule I find that the alcohol selection in the A/C is a lot better than that in the QP. Their higher end is better than QF dom J, int J and on par with/better than int F lounges in some cases. Of course SYD and MEL are the exceptions. As an example, Hendrick's and Grey Goose were readily available in several A/Cs I've been to.
Plus - it's free if you have a drink chit.

Does anyone know who is entitled to ask for extra drink chits? Is it for non-AA members who have access (QP, OWS, OWE)? Or anyone (incl those with paid A/C memberships)?

 

[serfty]

Any one entitled to a chit in the first place can go back and request more once they have used those already provided.



Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[ReLoad]

Nice one Kevrosmith! I'm glad you survived. Shame about the industrial action though.

As others have said, put in for ORC it won't be an issue.

Where did you end up staying in SJU? - the ultimate AFF destination of choice ;P