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

 

[Vic]

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.

Doesn't match my experience. The pre-board questions are not secret, and are not even that intense. Very mundane.
Also i've had zero issues with arrival...
You haven't been to the USA, right?

 

[RichardMEL]

Yes I find it odd people commenting on things they have zero experience with....

on SSSS - if one gets it ex-AU it's honestly nothing. a wanding, or a quick bag check at the gate. I've had a few times and it's painless. In the US well.. the TSA lovin' can be special, but.. we live.

As for on arrival questions in ANY country they can be nothing or put you through the wringer. Heavens I had a surly bloke at ZRH one time who I was convinced did not want to let me in to Switzerland for no obvious reason. Sometimes(but not for a long time to be fair) I've had a fair degree from Aus on returning home. The US most of the time is painless. one or two questions like "What are you here for? How long are you staying?" and that's it. Sure, a first timer may get a little more.. but maybe not. At any rate ANY questions from border officials ... they are doing their jobs. I have nothing to hide or worry about so they can ask whatever they like. Even if I have a "poor" experience (like ZRH) I don't then hold it against the entire country.

IMO

 

[Himeno]

As for on arrival questions in ANY country they can be nothing or put you through the wringer. Heavens I had a surly bloke at ZRH one time who I was convinced did not want to let me in to Switzerland for no obvious reason. Sometimes(but not for a long time to be fair) I've had a fair degree from Aus on returning home. The US most of the time is painless. one or two questions like "What are you here for? How long are you staying?" and that's it. Sure, a first timer may get a little more.. but maybe not. At any rate ANY questions from border officials ... they are doing their jobs. I have nothing to hide or worry about so they can ask whatever they like. Even if I have a "poor" experience (like ZRH) I don't then hold it against the entire country.

Some immigration agents are just... idiots and are incapable of understanding the answers to their questions. Others are quite nice and understand that most travelers are not a threat in any way and wave them through.

The most moronic immigration agents I've dealt with have been at BOS and LHR.

The pre departure US bound "security" questions used to just be in Europe. They were extended everywhere early last year (though I didn't get any departing NRT for LA a few weeks ago). The questions can be done by airline staff or a security company and happen anywhere from check in, screening checkpoint, a transfer point (eg SYD D-I bus waiting area), the lounge or the gate before boarding. They can be painless ("we all know these are pointless, but we have to do it") to extremely annoying ("everyone trying to fly to the US is a criminal. We're here to get our catch"). Depends entirely on who is asking the questions and what airline/airport it is.

 

[justinbrett]

on SSSS - if one gets it ex-AU it's honestly nothing. a wanding, or a quick bag check at the gate. I've had a few times and it's painless. In the US well.. the TSA lovin' can be special, but.. we live.

You haven’t lived until you get a false positive through the TSA body scanner right over your groin...

 

[Hvr]

You haven’t lived until you get a false positive through the TSA body scanner right over your groin...

In the early nineties I went through MNL security and the security person left nothing untouched.

 

[Vee711]

So the plan is BNE > SFO > NYC > ORD

There aren't any classic reward seats available from BNE to SFO so will have to pay for that one.

But I found a classic reward seat from Chicago (ORD) to BNE. But to redeem it, it takes me to the US QF site where the extra cost is at $191USD, is there anyway to stay on the AU site when booking this? Booking this separately to the BNE > SFO flight as we're still unsure of dates right now but we definitely know when our return trip will be.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

QF one way from the US will always but you to the QF US website.
Its the starting point of the QF flight.
If you see J availability for award redemption on the QF US website, I would jump onto it asap.

 

[Dr Ralph]

, is there anyway to stay on the AU site when booking this?

No. Can't be done.

 

[Ktan89]

QF will charge in the currency of your departure port. Since you are doing separate bookings and your departure is USA, it will make you pay in USD.
Example bookings:
BNE - SFO - JFK - BNE (charge in aud)
JFK - BNE (charge USD)
SIN - SFO (charge SGD)
HKG - SYD (charge HKD)

 

[justinbrett]

I’m assuming you’ve already priced it but otherwise keep in mind, the price of a one way fare is usually much higher than half a return fare (between Australia and the US - excluding HNL)

 

[Vee711]

Thanks everyone! I've booked the first leg and last leg of the trip. Managed to redeem classic rewards Business class for my partner and I for the ORD to BNE trip.

Will sort out the domestic US trips in due course whilst referring to the useful tips in this thread