First trip to US

[Vee711]

I've been a QFF member for some time now but am still quite new to this as I've never used my QFF points before. I've only just rediscovered AFF despite being a member for a while and am getting lost in the wealth of information available. Hopefully someone will be able to point me in the right direction or provide me with travel tips.

My partner and I are planning to travel to the US in Sept 2020 for approx 2 weeks. We want to fly into Chicago and visit DC, Boston and NYC. We're still trying to figure out the order of things but its most likely we'll fly BNE-ORD and JFK-BNE (unless there is a more efficient way of flying).

Details:

• Status: I'm Bronze and my partner is Gold;
• Points: I have 500k and my partner has approx 200k (not sure of actual amount);
• If possible we want to fly business for the big trips (i.e. between AU and US);
• We want to spend a couple days in Chicago, about a week in NYC and a couple days in DC and Boston each.

Questions:

1. is it more value for money to buy business with points outright or buy economy and opt for classic rewards upgrade?
2. any tips on how to fly in US domestically between Chicago, DC, Boston and NYC?
3. generally, recommendations on utilising points. I'm still figuring out how best to spend our points but would appreciate it if someone can point out whether using points for this trip or with QF is worthwhile. I haven't explored in great detail point conversion when buying other airline fares.

There was a QF sale recently for $1,300 to Chicago but we missed out on it because we weren't organised...

Many thanks in advance

 

[justinbrett]

I've been a QFF member for some time now but am still quite new to this as I've never used my QFF points before. I've only just rediscovered AFF despite being a member for a while and am getting lost in the wealth of information available. Hopefully someone will be able to point me in the right direction or provide me with travel tips.

My partner and I are planning to travel to the US in Sept 2020 for approx 2 weeks. We want to fly into Chicago and visit DC, Boston and NYC. We're still trying to figure out the order of things but its most likely we'll fly BNE-ORD and JFK-BNE (unless there is a more efficient way of flying).

Details:

• Status: I'm Bronze and my partner is Gold;
• Points: I have 500k and my partner has approx 200k (not sure of actual amount);
• If possible we want to fly business for the big trips (i.e. between AU and US);
• We want to spend a couple days in Chicago, about a week in NYC and a couple days in DC and Boston each.

Questions:

1. is it more value for money to buy business with points outright or buy economy and opt for classic rewards upgrade?
2. any tips on how to fly in US domestically between Chicago, DC, Boston and NYC?
3. generally, recommendations on utilising points. I'm still figuring out how best to spend our points but would appreciate it if someone can point out whether using points for this trip or with QF is worthwhile. I haven't explored in great detail point conversion when buying other airline fares. I wouldn’t bother with AA domestic awards.

There was a QF sale recently for $1,300 to Chicago but we missed out on it because we weren't organised...

Many thanks in advance

1. Better value to book outright and you are locked in. You’re not guaranteed the points upgrade and you won’t know until the day before. Much better to book outright if you can. I imagine BNE-ORD will be difficult, so don’t rule out flying via LAX.

2. AA has a large hub in ORD and smaller hubs in LGA and DCA. You should find direct flights between the four cities you mentioned (LGA not JFK). All of these flights are pretty inexpensive (similar to QF DOM prices) and you can book First (J) for not much more if you’re after SCs.

3. In my opinion long haul J points such as Aus/US is the best value, followed by upgrades.

 

[kevrosmith]

A few dot point comments to help guide you:

• You're a bit late (as reward seats are available for Gold members 353 days in advance), though there's still some Business (J) and First (F) Classic Reward seats available on flights from East Coast Australia (BNE, SYD or MEL) to USA destinations - LAX, DFW or ORD (Chicago)
• E.g. in a quick search, I found F for 2 pax Fri 28-Aug SYD-LAX or SYD-DFW in F on 10-Sep with returns from JFK-ORD-BNE in Business later in September (JFK-ORD on AA)
• To find some reward seats that might work for you, start by searching all the known direct flights QF have from Australia to USA with the Classic Reward search option from the main screen: BNE-LAX, BNE-ORD, SYD-DFW, SYD-LAX, MEL-LAX etc. and vice versa. Tick on the option for Flexible on dates under the date filter. You're looking for dates that show Business or First reward seats (or Premium Economy, if that's acceptable)
• You'll be best to search using your partner's logon, as Gold shows more reward availability than Bronze. You can transfer your points to your partner and book under their account
• Once you find something that works, and if it's not from BNE direct, then use the Multi-city search option with Classic Rewards option ticked on to search for connections to meet that flight. E.g. BNE-SYD and then SYD-DFW on 10-Sep.
• Then add a connection in the Multi-city search from your USA arrival port to your final Destination (e.g. DFW-ORD) and reward seats available on AA may come up. By keeping it all in the one booking, you'll be protected for delayed connections etc.
• Note some of the direct searches (e.g. SYD-LAX) may result in options on MU via PVG. Your choice if you want to take up those options.
• 700K points should be enough for Business return for 2 people, and/or mixed First/Business reward booking

For domestic flights within USA, if you want to stick with OneWorld, and if you have enough points left over, you can search Qantas website for Class Reward seat on USA destinations, which will search AA reward seat availability (pretty limited, but you might be surprised) and this will use your Qantas points. Otherwise, purchase a seat direct through the aa.com wesbsite (I usually change to the USA version if it lands on an Australian version of the website).

Consider buying AA First fares for your flights within USA... First is the domestic equivalent of QF Domestic Business class, they are relatively cost-effective compared to QF domestic business class fares. I find domestic travel in USA rather more stressful and coughbersome compared to Australian domestic flights, so find the additional benefits of First handy. e.g. Priority check-in, priority security, priority boarding, luggage included. Though some of these benefits will be available seeing your partner is QF Gold.

Let me know if any of that is not clear, and happy to help further.

 

[kevrosmith]

Note that if you buy a Sale fare, it will most likely NOT be eligible for an upgrade using points.

 

[kevrosmith]

For example, this search:



Gave these possibilities in Business:

 

[RooFlyer]

Excellent advice from @kevrosmith .

If you use points, book ASAP. be flexible as to timing and departure port. Using points for long haul business is a good use of points, although you'll still be stung with 'taxes and carrier charges'.

Remember that you'll need to clear immigration, customs and then security again after you arrive in the USA, plus allow for possible delays in the arrival of the flight from Australia. Allow no less than 3 hours connection if your onwards flight is on the same ticket, no less than 4 hours if on separate tickets. You may not need all this time, but better than being stressed and maybe stuck for a while if you miss your flight. If the flights are on the one ticket, you will be 'protected' by being booked on a following flight, but this may not be the 'next flight'.

To take the stress out of getting a points booking, at least get a quote from AFF affiliate Award Flight Assist Award Flight Assist - Frequent Flyer Solutions

 

[kevrosmith]

Or if you want to get adventurous, you could fly the other way around the world on EK....

I got this result by searching in Multi-City tool, BNE-DXB and then DXB-ORD.

 

[Matt_01]

Also if you are not wedded to QF also look at at the OW and QF partners, however this will require a few more points. If you have not yet worked out the order of travel within the US, some OW or QF partner airlines may have better availability and fly into various cities that you are travelling too. I have not looked into any searches however from experience just using QF points:

• JL fly to most of the city's you mentioned, not sure about DC
• CX fly to all the city's you mentioned
• QR fly to all the city's you mentioned
• EK fly to all the city's you mentioned
• MU fly to JFK

Sure it is a bit more buggering around however the availability may be better and if using points you can book the long haul outbound and inbound on different carries. l also agree with @kevrosmith internal travel within the US is cost effective.

 

[Gremlin]

I’d also consider Amtrak from DC to NYC. Door to door it might very well be faster, cheaper and a far more pleasant experience. YMMV...

 

[Franky]

I’d also consider Amtrak from DC to NYC. Door to door it might very well be faster, cheaper and a far more pleasant experience. YMMV...

Did the same in February, much more relaxed...

 

[Matt_01]

I’d also consider Amtrak from DC to NYC. Door to door it might very well be faster, cheaper and a far more pleasant experience. YMMV...

Agree, same could be said Boston-NYC or vice-versa, whenever practical/ possible I prefer to travel on trains over planes.

 

[Franky]

Just checked my trip, the coach fare was $172 for the two of us. There are many trains PD, we left just after 1200 so it was a relaxed morning getting to the Station. I can confirm that the Donald got it right about Baltimore, the first part of the trip travels thru the back blocks of that city, and it was dreary. That said, so were a few other cities we passed thru as well.

 

[Vee711]

• To find some reward seats that might work for you, start by searching all the known direct flights QF have from Australia to USA with the Classic Reward search option from the main screen: BNE-LAX, BNE-ORD, SYD-DFW, SYD-LAX, MEL-LAX etc. and vice versa. Tick on the option for Flexible on dates under the date filter. You're looking for dates that show Business or First reward seats (or Premium Economy, if that's acceptable)
• You'll be best to search using your partner's logon, as Gold shows more reward availability than Bronze. You can transfer your points to your partner and book under their account
• Once you find something that works, and if it's not from BNE direct, then use the Multi-city search option with Classic Rewards option ticked on to search for connections to meet that flight. E.g. BNE-SYD and then SYD-DFW on 10-Sep.
• Then add a connection in the Multi-city search from your USA arrival port to your final Destination (e.g. DFW-ORD) and reward seats available on AA may come up. By keeping it all in the one booking, you'll be protected for delayed connections etc.
• Note some of the direct searches (e.g. SYD-LAX) may result in options on MU via PVG. Your choice if you want to take up those options.
• 700K points should be enough for Business return for 2 people, and/or mixed First/Business reward booking

Thank you @kevrosmith (and everyone else)! This is all very valuable information!

Looks like my partner and I will have to do a lot of research this Christmas!

Is September considered peak-travel period? We were kinda hoping that it's in-between peak since it's not June/July or Dec/Jan.

To take the stress out of getting a points booking, at least get a quote from AFF affiliate Award Flight Assist Award Flight Assist - Frequent Flyer Solutions

That's a neat service! I might give it a crack myself first because I do want to be more familiar with maximising efficiency when using points.

I’d also consider Amtrak from DC to NYC. Door to door it might very well be faster, cheaper and a far more pleasant experience. YMMV...

How much faster would this be? We did consider taking the bus or maybe driving...but I think (from a conversation with a colleague) that it would take longer than plane? Just mindful of the time that we have to visit 4 cities.

I have heard about the chaos at domestic airports and that we'll probably need 3 hours to go through security..

I'm gonna do some research and have a chat with my partner tomorrow. May come back with more questions. But thank you everyone for assisting! Appreciate it.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have heard about the chaos at domestic airports and that we'll probably need 3 hours to go through security..

Don't now about 3 hours, but it can be very long and very tedious - which makes the rail option attractive for the shorter sectors.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I have not ever dared to visit the US, some on here have many times.
I travel to NZ a lot, and sometimes at SYD int airport, the flights to the US and the flights t NZ go next gate to gate.
Have seen them pull a lot of screens, out of no where, and then make the (what do you call that rope thing), and make a zigzag, and then people are moved out of the gate zone, then they start asking passengers questions, this is by the airline staff, have read that there is a basic questionnaire, this is not Aust immi or Aust customs, but airline staff.
Not mentioned by the others, but at the least just that you know.
They can also also be tough, on arrival, for people first time visiting the US.
Get an ESTA too for the both of you, use the official website, Usd$14.
I would say too, get the train, as the US dom airports, have the TSA, that can make life hard, having to show id just to get through security for eg, (yes, I did read you are time constrained some what).
As others have mentioned, try to get award seats in J at booking, upgrade go by status, and even though your partner is QF SG, there are still the other upper 3 tiers that get first dibs at upgrades.
Best of luck.

 

[Himeno]

The time it takes to get through TSA varies a great deal depending on airport, which checkpoint at said airport, time of day, busy travel period, precheck access and airline status/class.

On my last trip, I went through TSA at PHL, ATL, LGA, MIA, SLC, LAX and SEA. Longest time to get through was around 30 minutes, and that was at SEA where they treated a medically unable to use body scanners (which is meant to be through metal detector and ETD swab on hands) as a full pat down opt out (full body pat down, swab of agents gloves), which then had an alarm on the glove swab, so another pat down in the private room with full swab of carry ons.

Amtrak can be... slow. Most of their trains are late to some degree, though the trains in the NE Corridor (Boston-NY-Philly-Baltimore-DC) have the best on time performance. They have "high speed" Acela and regular service "Northeast Regional" trains on the line.
Boston South Station to NY Penn Station on Acela is about 3.5 hours.
NY Penn Station to DC Union Station on Acela is about 2.7 hours.

Flights for both are about an hour for the flight itself and are about the same as the train once you factor in travel to/from airport, TSA nonsense, etc.

If you are going to fly, JFK is better then LGA for NY and DCA is better then IAD for DC.

 

[Maisy33]

We used Amtrak both US visits. NY to Boston (then flew JetBlue to Philadelphia) and NY to DC. It was easy peasy. Tipped the porter who took our luggage and had us seated before others. Free wifi, look out the window, time to relax.

 

[Matt_01]

Is September considered peak-travel period?

Not really it is the fall, however Sep/ OCT in AU is school holidays and QF knows this, dates between the states is different and this is why I suggested looking at OW or Partner airline. Based on service, food, seats QF is my last choice airline when booking flights. In no particular order, JL, EK, QR or CX to the US to be far better in every way to QF.

How much faster would this be? We did consider taking the bus or maybe driving...but I think (from a conversation with a colleague) that it would take longer than plane? Just mindful of the time that we have to visit 4 cities.

The train is quicker than the bus. IMO if you are worried about the time to visit 4 cities, drop one off and make the most of the other 3. I am sure there are others on this site that would agree that trying to shove too much in a single trip may end up in disappointment.

 

[justinbrett]

If you are going to fly, JFK is better then LGA for NY and DCA is better then IAD for DC.

Assuming you are flying AA, you are far better off flying from LGA than JFK for these short routes (BOS/DCA) - in fact they have their own brand - AA Shuttle. Yes you lose the flagship lounge but much higher frequencies for these routes. The admirals club at LGA is fine. Also I like being within Uber distance of Manhattan and the traffic is better than going all the way to JFK. But each to their own.

As for the train vs plane argument, very similar situation to SYD-CBR. I have work colleagues who prefer to drive it as it is roughly the same time as flying, but I find relaxing in a lounge with a glass of wine at the end of the trip far better than sitting in a car (or worse, a train) for 3 hours. The flight itself is so quick it almost doesn’t count - just the time waiting in the airports. For the US routes, they’re a Good way to get cheap SCs if you book first.

 

[Hvr]

How much faster would this be?

Not just faster but a lot less stressful.

The train departs from South Station in Boston, the trolley bus passes through it on the way to the airport.

The train arrives(departs) in New York from Penn Station.

The train arrives in DC at Union Station where you can connect to suburban trains.

No worrying about TSA etc. Do seriously consider the train and enjoy the sights en route.