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

 

[Pushka]

Like others I can highly recommend the train from DC to NYC. It’s quite fun. The conductors are fabulous and quite the prankster. Locals who work between Boston and NYC don’t fly but drive or take a train. We did NYC to DC and back in a day. Long train trip and as we only had a few days in NYC couldn’t spare any more time. DC is fabulous.

Yes, on departure from Australia you will be asked about the purpose of your travel. In Sydney this is done if transiting from Domestic to International before you get on the bus. It’s just about asking itinerary. just know it will happen and don’t get stressed by it.

 

[jase05]

These are some great tips guys.
We too are heading to the US for the first time in October and despite being quite well versed in travel to many other places I’m not sure what to expect from the whole US process and formalities.

 

[jase05]

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.

Oh, are QF really that bad?
I don’t travel much internationally with them but had some points to burn and there was good availability on the A380 in J and F for the dates I’m after. I haven’t narrowed it down yet and we have a heap of options both paid or with points so I’m going to have to seriously think about the best way to go about it

 

[kevrosmith]

if you’re looking at J and F, there are airlines available that are streets ahead of QF, depending on the route and aircraft etc. But QF still gives good honest Aussie service too. But of course, many of these things are individual and very subjective. YMMV

And @Vernon Tng, don’t wait too long to research and book.... Premium reward seats don’t hang around forever.

 

[kevrosmith]

I did a similar trip a few years ago (never did finish that trip report... sorry folks). Flew to ORD, drove to Indianapolis for Football and then drove on to Buffalo for Niagara Falls. Then flew to Boston via JFK, back to DCA and then to JFK for the tennis in September. I flew each time - always First, and didn’t bother with the trains. I never had any trouble getting through security.... similar times to peak hour in SYD domestic in the non-Priortiy Queue. The lines mostly seem to move fairly quickly. Flights were always fast and on time (as far as I can remember). No major weather delays in September for me... unlike winter storms which can interrupt the northeast something nasty.

USA Immigration is fairly intense... flying from YYZ to JAX last year and the pre-clearance guy behind the desk felt like his eyes could pierce right through your soul. I figure as long as you are honest and have nothing to hide, there’s no problem in giving honest answers and allow them to do their job as they need to.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As for questions, no tips on YouTube or Google.
Seems people who have (done the trip to the US and have) been questioned as sworn to secrecy.
Seems that too that there are no common questions, so it varuees between airlines.
Then in arrival, at least YouTube dies show how to ensure quick get through US immi.

 

[ayebee]

As for questions, no tips on YouTube or Google.
Seems people who have (done the trip to the US and have) been questioned as sworn to secrecy.
Seems that too that there are no common questions, so it varuees between airlines.
Then in arrival, at least YouTube dies show how to ensure quick get through US immi.

From our various us trips, the most intense pre-boarding questions we

As for questions, no tips on YouTube or Google.
Seems people who have (done the trip to the US and have) been questioned as sworn to secrecy.
Seems that too that there are no common questions, so it varuees between airlines.
Then in arrival, at least YouTube dies show how to ensure quick get through US immi.

We had some fairly intense pre-boarding questioning on a flight from Lisbon, which was a side trip and separate ticket to our Melb-JFK return. They wanted the booking reference to check we actually had booking to leave the US.

Other than that, as a grey haired couple we have always had pleasant welcomes at the immigration desks.
Can't say the same for our daughter, who as a young female travelling alone has been held up several times, and missing connections as a result. Most recent occasion they took her phone away for a couple of hours, presumably to look for emails relating to possible work or maybe social media. No other searches & everyone was polite and professional.
At our recent LAX arrival we were pretty well last in the queue off the A380, and still made it through before our bags arrived on the carousel.

 

[justinbrett]

In no particular order, JL, EK, QR or CX to the US to be far better in every way to QF.

So you’d rather fly ~38 hours via the gulf to the West Coast or ~31 to the East Coast - when Qantas can get you there in 14 / 21 hours respectively? Thats the most ridiculous statement I’ve heard in a long time. Each to their own I guess.

 

[jase05]

So you’d rather fly ~38 hours via the gulf to the West Coast or ~31 to the East Coast - when Qantas can get you there in 14 / 21 hours respectively? Thats the most ridiculous statement I’ve heard in a long time. Each to their own I guess.

Plenty do it. We don’t have any real time constraints so it’s definitely something I’ve been investigating

 

[Matt_01]

So you’d rather fly ~38 hours via the gulf to the West Coast or ~31 to the East Coast - when Qantas can get you there in 14 / 21 hours respectively? Thats the most ridiculous statement I’ve heard in a long time. Each to their own I guess.

I don't think I suggested travelling to the west coast via the middle east. In the context of this thread, the OP is looking for J rewards to the east coast, I would not dismiss, EK or QR if rewards were available. In the past we have flown QR combination of F and J to BOS and EK F to JFK, it may have not been our first choice however the rewards were available for when we wanted to travel.

 

[Matt_01]

Oh, are QF really that bad?
I don’t travel much internationally with them but had some points to burn and there was good availability on the A380 in J and F for the dates I’m after. I haven’t narrowed it down yet and we have a heap of options both paid or with points so I’m going to have to seriously think about the best way to go about it

It is just personal choice and I still use QF on a regular basis. I have found that the food on QF has gone south compared to a couple of years back and the QF a380 is a tired, which is currently being fixed. By the time you travel in Oct there should be a good chance that you will travel on the refurbished plane. When booking rewards I look at some of the other carriers first and use QF as the fall back. If the reward seats are there when you want to travel I would just take them.

 

[maia200]

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

.
[/QUOTE]
Was in SFO end November and 3 hours was the minimum. More like 5 so don't book a connecting flight that day because Customs make no allowances for connecting flights. If you get through in 2 hours or less you will have the afternoon in San Francisco. However this is an example I have heard Dallas is shorter and have had no waits over 2hrs in LAX.

 

[maia200]

Also if you are going to be buying a J seat try madrooster. He is a travel agent that is clued up on SC's and has access to the best deals. Look him up in the member search engine.

 

[Maca44]

During the Australian school holidays in September, a lot of pax travel to west coast to do the Disneyland/LA thing, so consider BNE-HKG-ORD or one of the other Asian carriers. Two years ago, used QF points on CX SYD-HKG-ORD and as many are aware CX are great, and from memory the TSA at ORD were quite pleasant and didn't treat you like a criminal on entering. Before boarding any flight to the USA you will have secondary security, but they are quick and painless. Just ensure you apply for your ESTA well before you leave. I have done many trains in the US, and as mentioned by Hvr above, the train from Boston to Penn Station in NY is very pleasant, no need to be at the airport an hour beforehand, no TSA and you alight in the centre of the city.

 

[justinbrett]

I don't think I suggested travelling to the west coast via the middle east. In the context of this thread, the OP is looking for J rewards to the east coast, I would not dismiss, EK or QR if rewards were available. In the past we have flown QR combination of F and J to BOS and EK F to JFK, it may have not been our first choice however the rewards were available for when we wanted to travel.

It’s just that you said travel to the US with EK and QR “is far better in every way” to Qantas. Product aside (I’m not actually a fan of the Gulf carriers so would dispute it), even with the best service in the world I’m not sure I’d like to add those kind of hours to my journey - giving me less time away.

 

[BD1959]

My last trip to the US included a late upgrade from J to F - I'm thinking this triggered the dreaded "SSSS" on the BP due to "last minute ticketing". Fairly laid-back questions from the team pre-transfer bus at Sydney Dom but secondary at the Gate at Sydney T1 including the obligatory bag search. Boarding generally was pure chaos and - for QF's home port - anything but a "premium experience'.

Immigration at DFW simply could not comprehend why anyone would contemplate less that 24hrs in Dallas nor the concept of flying via the US to Europe simply for the SCs. Pprobably took 10 mins of questions before I was allowed through ... so much for being completely transparent with authorities. Contrast with previous work/leisure visits which had all been fairly painless from an immigration perspective.

Regards,

BD

 

[RichardMEL]

I've done 3 US trips in 2019. Two via AKL and one MEL-SFO. There was ZERO extra questions or BS for MEL-SFO. Nada. At least nothing for me. Out of AKL just a couple of minutes of questions. Really the people trained to ask them are seeming to look for consistency in a story and what makes sense - to me very similar to the sort of questions a CBR official would ask(but often don't when you have regular entry history to the US). Frankly IMO it's really not a big deal either way.. so you answer a few questions about where you're going, why etc.. honestly I think those asking the questions care less about the detail of the answer but HOW you answer.. pauses etc.. the common questioning techniques to try and spot lies or things that don't add up. I never felt like an interrogation or anything. Sure, it can mean getting to the gate earlier absolutely but well that's life I guess. I am not worried about it at all.

re train WAS-NYC... it's brilliant.. and many moons ago I had one of the best experiences in the US when on a train to/through NYC when I had a US Marine sit next to me (and I thought oh boy) but I was so surprised by this guy.. when he heard my accen he asked some really insightful questions and we had a great conversation(while his buddy was trying to pawn his watch to get enough money to go see his gf.. lol). turns out they were part of the elite Presidential guard (and you have to be the best of the best to get into that) and this guy was no "grunt" - it was a brilliant experience and fun (and seeing all the scenery and pax watching too was great too).

 

[drron]

Good advice RichardMEL.If you happen to be in the vicinity of an american servicema/woman have a chat.They are usually quite talkative,interesting and respectful.
We visited the Texas state Fair one year and the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps were performing.A marine Lieutenant similiarly heard our accents and then stood beside us for the whole performance telling us what was happening and answering our questions.

Also up thread it was suggested to consider flying AA first around the USA.Think about it as QFF have upped their points and SCs for this and it would be very easy to get to gold that way.But remember the AFF motto-why fly direct when you connect.For example we are flying MIA-LAX next year and mrsdrron still posts to QFF.
If we took the direct AA flight she would get 80SCs for their first class-it books now into J so only Business SCs.
However flying MIA-DFW-LAX she will get 120SCs.

 

[mrsterryn]

If you can do some of the Amtrak long distance trains they are great.

Side note I have had the SSSS going to....Hawaii I think it was .
I am an middle aged fat white female travelling alone . In the room with me were a few other middle aged white females. We appeared to have been the target , so to speak , for some reason

 

[drron]

And mrsdrron on our US trip in 2002 got the SSSS on all our flights.
Worst experience was JFK.Frisked entering the terminal,bags Xrayed before checkin,Questioned at checkin,frisked again going through security and frisked again at the gate.
The next terrorist was apparently going to be a grandparent.