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

[Kangol]

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 ...

So who is entitled to a chit in the first place, everyone who is allowed access?
In that case it appears that the point of having a cash bar is to sting those who don't know about the chits!

 

[serfty]

Entitled to Drink Chits are those:

1. non AA oneworld emerald/sapphire flying oneworld,
2. QP members flying AA/QF,
3. AA Exp, AA Plat travelling on non North American international itineraries or to/from Mexico City, and
4. [possibly] A/C members travelling on non North American international itineraries or to/from Mexico City.

 

[Sprucegoose]

So who is entitled to a chit in the first place, everyone who is allowed access?
In that case it appears that the point of having a cash bar is to sting those who don't know about the chits!

I actually think its a very American thing. Their airports are so much better than ours, more shops and variety, however their airline clubs are not.

You actually dont get ripped off at an american airport. I prefer the outside Irish bars.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Just checking in to advise that we are leaving next week on our first ever SC run out of HNL to SJU and return..... 25/2 HNL/DFW/MIA/SJU (JetBlue to FLL Cruise on the Allure for 7 days ) then SJU/DFW/LAX/HNL and by my calculations will earn 700 SC's ( Business Class from MIA-SJU and SJU - DFW I Class but all others are A or P Class ) plus the 100 SC's I should earn on the Jetstar MEL-HNL return....Don't think I am going to manage this with hand luggage but seem to have reasonable times in between flights...the only one I am concerned about it AA 2451 on 12/3 from DFW to LAX arrives 3.30pm and AA 297 to HNL departs at 4.20pm...just hoping the gates are close by and as the luggage will checked through do any of you experts know if we will be OK ? Is there anything else I should be aware of ? Really excited about this trip and the Cruise so will do my best to do a trip report and thanks again to all those that assisted.

 

[kevrosmith]

Just checking in to advise that we are leaving next week on our first ever SC run out of HNL to SJU and return..... 25/2 HNL/DFW/MIA/SJU (JetBlue to FLL Cruise on the Allure for 7 days ) then SJU/DFW/LAX/HNL and by my calculations will earn 700 SC's ( Business Class from MIA-SJU and SJU - DFW I Class but all others are A or P Class ) plus the 100 SC's I should earn on the Jetstar MEL-HNL return....Don't think I am going to manage this with hand luggage but seem to have reasonable times in between flights...the only one I am concerned about it AA 2451 on 12/3 from DFW to LAX arrives 3.30pm and AA 297 to HNL departs at 4.20pm...just hoping the gates are close by and as the luggage will checked through do any of you experts know if we will be OK ? Is there anything else I should be aware of ? Really excited about this trip and the Cruise so will do my best to do a trip report and thanks again to all those that assisted.

I'd be preparing at each end as if your luggage won't make it through each way (e.g. carry some spare clothes and basic LAGS-compliant toiletries etc.). Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Good luck!

 

[serfty]

At LAX T4 you should be fine as all gates are within a 100 yard or so walk.

As for luggage you only have two transits each way - less chance of issues, still take some light emergency stuff in your carryon.

See here for more on how to calc SC earn: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....esearch-book-aa-instant-42433.html#post666609

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

I'd be preparing at each end as if your luggage won't make it through each way (e.g. carry some spare clothes and basic LAGS-compliant toiletries etc.). Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Good luck!

Oh crikey that has worried me a bit we only have one night in San Juan before flying back to FLL for the cruise....what if they lose the luggage, what methods do you all use for letting the airlines know where you will be for them to contact you. and deliver luggage if it does not arrive .I guess they have my email address and I have a USA mobile number that I have listed in the AA booking. Should I put a copy of our itinerary and hotel details in the case too ??

 

[kevrosmith]

Oh crikey that has worried me a bit we only have one night in San Juan before flying back to FLL for the cruise....what if they lose the luggage, what methods do you all use for letting the airlines know where you will be for them to contact you. and deliver luggage if it does not arrive .I guess they have my email address and I have a USA mobile number that I have listed in the AA booking. Should I put a copy of our itinerary and hotel details in the case too ??

I don't mean to cause you a panic. I certainly don't have any experience on AA regarding the success of checked-baggage transfers: my first/only AA Status Run last year was HLO though. I just know I probably wouldn't risk it myself if I had important events either end. (My luggage on VX/NZ for my return trip SEA-LAX-AKL-SYD got lost somewhere between SEA-LAX-AKL and it came through 2 days later. That was different carriers etc., so different to this circumstance.) Serfty can probably better advise on these issues. In my mind, I just think a higher the number of connections means there's a greater number of places things can go wrong.

Is there a way you can freight your luggage separately to your cruise starting location? (Probably very costly though).

You could also give yourself some comfort by checking out the schedule over a day and see, if your luggage misses a connection at each point, what are the options for it catching a "next flight" to follow you through. E.g. if you get to SJU, and it is still in DFW, what follow-on flights are there to help it get through to SJU. Or if it's in MIA, are you on the last flight of the day? Or would you expect it to follow on the next flight? (You could also do these calculations based on the times you land at your final destination). I don't know if there is a way to ask in DFW and/or MIA "are you sure my luggage is down there?", though I doubt this is possible.

 

[kevrosmith]

This Schedule may vary depending when you are flying...

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Thanks for going to all that trouble, I am now thinking I could travel with a case within a case from Mel - HNL and then leave a case there in HNL till we return and just take a hand luggage case each to SJU and on to the cruise. The wheely hand luggge bags we have hold a lot and I dont think weight is a problem with AA so long as the case fits within the specs - that way I wont be panicking but just realised that then I would have to be careful with liquids etc...still might do a dummy run tonight and put all the clothes and stuff out and see how go...first world problems really but would hate to lose a bag along the way - So the 100 ml liquid limits would apply AA domestically too ?

 

[casanovawa]

Surprising how much you can fit in hand luggage if you roll it all up tightly and pack it in logically...

A couple of times i have travelled to Bali for 5 and 7 days and just taken a back pack, can fit 5 or so shirts in, 4-5 tank tops, 3-4 shorts, socks and jocks and all, pair of spare shoes and a bunch of other stuff... Granted us guys don't usually carry as many shoes and other paraphernalia as what the ladies do often...

You might want to check your travel insurance as well, see if it allows for some emergency purchase of clothes etc if luggage doesn't arrive within a certain time, do a quick shop before you jump on the boat if worse comes to worse...

And you know how cough the yanks are about their security, i wouldn't be packing any liquids over 100mLs...

 

[kevrosmith]

Thanks for going to all that trouble, I am now thinking I could travel with a case within a case from Mel - HNL and then leave a case there in HNL till we return and just take a hand luggage case each to SJU and on to the cruise. The wheely hand luggge bags we have hold a lot and I dont think weight is a problem with AA so long as the case fits within the specs - that way I wont be panicking but just realised that then I would have to be careful with liquids etc...still might do a dummy run tonight and put all the clothes and stuff out and see how go...first world problems really but would hate to lose a bag along the way - So the 100 ml liquid limits would apply AA domestically too ?

Sounds like a good plan for your luggage if you can do it. I did observe that US airlines were a lot more generous with the carry-on baggage situation. Some other things I'd recommend you check out before heading off:
1. Look up the maps for the terminals and save images to your phone/iPad if you have one. Each time on landing, the FAs read out which gates connecting flights were at (and there was a long list!). But still check the screens once you get into the terminal, as they still sometimes change. The maps helped me have a picture in my mind where I was walking, though the way-finding signage wasn't too bad where I travelled. The displays often listed the Flights in Destination order first, and then time, which threw me at first, as I'm used to seeing just by time in Australia.
2. Make sure you look up which Lounges you have access to, and find out on the maps where they are located, near which gates etc. If you are oneworld Emerald, you will also have access to AA's Flagship lounges, not just the AC... better food and drinks etc.
3. They don't make boarding announcements in the Lounge, so make sure you leave in plenty of time for boarding.
4. It seems the boarding process is a lot more controlled in US and they board in groups. If you are in First and Business, you will board first, so make sure you leave the lounge a good 10-20 minutes before the flight and that way you'll have no problem with getting carry-on luggage space.
5. I didn't quite get the whole drink chits stuff in the AC lounges, so others can comment on that. Got handed one at MIA AC and used it, but didn't really know what else the go was (others have commented that you can go back and get more chits if you want). It looked like you also had to pay for the food in the lounges, so I didn't even bother venturing there. My longest break was in the ORD Flagship, which had free food and drinks, but lacked showers, so went back to the AC for that.
6. LAGS definitely applies: I didn't realise until I was over there, but US doesn't have "International" and "Domestic" terminals like in Australia. So LAGS applies to all terminals, as there are both Domestic and International flights leaving everywhere. You may be able to stock up on items from a corner store in FLL before boarding the cruise. And keep in mind, most motels/hotels provide basic toiletries for overnighters if you can do without your Ella Bache.
7. I had a delay in ORD on my status run, so once it was clear there was going to be a longer delay, I went back to the Flagship lounge, and the Lounge Angels kept an eye out on the changes and what was happening (new boarding gate, new departure time etc.). Google and FlightAware etc are also very up-to-date and accurate (I found) for keeping an eye on status changes. So you can connect to the wifi in the Lounges to check these if you don't have mobile data on your phone.
8. From other's suggestions here, I had a bunch of chocolates to hand to the FA's on board. That worked a treat and I was well looked after on-board. I'd ask at the boarding gate how many crew were on this particular flight (based on the aircraft) and explain why I was asking (just in case they thought I was a terrorist sizing up the resistance!). A chocolate for their trouble was also gratefully appreciated. (I was told Ghiradelli was not too bad a brand, but I'm sure there are better.)
9. You should have access to all Priority security lines etc. Going through security, best advice is just to basically do the most extreme of what you can think: remove shoes, belts, major jewelry, empty pockets completely (even hankies/tissues etc.). Pull out all LAGS items (in single plastic bag of course.. zip lock bags are great), laptops... the amount of times I saw people walking back and forth removing items. If you think you should remove it, just do it to get through quicker. Be polite and let the people do their job. It must suck for them just as much as it does for us. I noticed you also had to push your items along the conveyor into the x-ray machine as the security staff didn't do this - again different to what I usually experience here in Australia.
10. I checked-in online and also saved my boarding passes to PDF and then also emailed them back to myself to have on my phone. This also was my back-up in case things were changed, and I had to do an "original routing credit" (ORC).

Enjoy! Are you overnighting in the SJU Airport Hotel?

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Thanks so much for all that info, I will definitley do as much as I can. SJU we are at the Double Tree by Hilton - one night only and then after the cruise we fly back to SJU and have 2 nights so hoping to see some of the old town and have been sent some good walking tours and I think it was Turtle Michael who suggested a good art gallery and restauarant too. Unfortunately no access to lounges and decided not to buy the passes for AC as times between flights are only about 1.5 hours

 

[dfcatch]

Drink chits are used to get yourself a complimentary premium spirit. Basic well spirits are complimentary.

In the not too distant past - drinks were all purchasable - but QF members got the chits so you didn't have to pay.

 

[serfty]

Drink chits are used to get yourself a complimentary premium spirit. Basic well spirits are complimentary.
....

Chits can also be used for "premium" beer ... Also basic wine is available without chits.

 

[dfcatch]

Chits can also be used for "premium" beer ... Also basic wine is available without chits.

Ahh yes - I'm solely focused on my Tanqueray when in the lounge. Not a big beer drinker and not a huge fan of basic American wines.

But yes - beer/wine/spirits - same same

 

[serfty]

...
But yes - beer/wine/spirits - same same

Commonly referred to in the USA as "Well" drinks.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Hi All

on our last few days in Hawaii but have gone from bronze to gold on our first ever status run HNL to SJU we are absolutely thrilled. All flights on time and no luggage issues. Will endeavour to do a trip and cruise report Allure of the Seas. once we get back but wanted to say thanks to all that helped me out and if I can assist anyone else with our experience happy to do so. All points and sc's posted within days but unfortunately not the Jetstar flight from Melbourne yet.

 

[kevrosmith]

Hi All

on our last few days in Hawaii but have gone from bronze to gold on our first ever status run HNL to SJU we are absolutely thrilled. All flights on time and no luggage issues. Will endeavour to do a trip and cruise report Allure of the Seas. once we get back but wanted to say thanks to all that helped me out and if I can assist anyone else with our experience happy to do so. All points and sc's posted within days but unfortunately not the Jetstar flight from Melbourne yet.

Great to hear the luggage made it all the way through with you. I take it by this that you did not end up doing only carry-on?

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Great to hear the luggage made it all the way through with you. I take it by this that you did not end up doing only carry-on?

Ended up with all the essentials in hand luggage but took a case in a case for shopping which I have filled very nicely in Fort Lauderdale and now Hawaii. Amazing what the other AA travellers take on as hand luggage though. Would never pass in Australia