Instant Upgrade Fare Planning Challenge Dec10

[chrisbris]

Hi All,

Don't know if its possible but putting it out there....

Need 580 Status Credits by end of the year to retain Gold (Did all our OS trips this year by Emirates), have two blocks of time free in the USA at the end of the year and want the best instant upgrade (YUP) ideas around.

Constraints:

Can leave SFO on/after the 18th Dec but need to be in NYC by the 22nd Dec
Can leave NYC on/after the 29th Dec but need to be back in SFO by the 1st Jan

I know its a busy time of the year and have struggled to find decent fares on the aa.com site but would love to tap your collective genius on the subject and see if there is a bargain to be had!

Also .... (and I think this may be impossible) if there is a way to make platinum (would need 1380SC) then maybe I might just go for it!

Let me know!

Thanks!

(Mods - I know there have been some similar threads about so feel free to merge this one into another thread if you feel appropriate)

 

[Aussie_flyer]

If you need that many status credits, you obviously don't fly Oneworld very much, at all! Have you flown 4 qualifying QF flights?

I wonder whether it's worth it for you as you are not a frequent QF flyer it seems.

Anyway, if you do think its worthwhile, look at fares to the Carribbean from most places in the US. Port-Au-prince, Haiti is the cheapest, and Bridgetown is the most reasonable when you factor in the actual destination.

 

[BensAdventures]

I got a good deal from Chicago to Key West for December 2010, I can't remember the exact price (It's in the office somewhere) but it was almost half the price of flying direct to Miami and this fare routes through Miami. The only issue is that Miami to Key West is still economy, as there is no first class available.

 

[chrisbris]

Thanks Dazz81 and BensAdventures,

Yes its been a very light year on oneworld mainly because of all the international flights being emirates and a move for work.

Thanks for the info re: Carribbean will see what I find and post the results back here.

Chris

 

[straitman]

Thanks Dazz81 and BensAdventures,

Yes its been a very light year on oneworld mainly because of all the international flights being emirates and a move for work.

Thanks for the info re: Carribbean will see what I find and post the results back here.

Chris

The important question I still see from dazz81's post is whether you have flown the qualifying 4 Qantas flights this year?

 

[chrisbris]

Hi,

Have flown 2 already and will fly the other to 2 next week (and yes I forgot will get another 20sc of the total needed (BNE-SYD-BNE))

Chris

 

[Dave Noble]

If 580 short of renewing gold ( ie have only earned 20 this year ) , if wanting to buy status why not wait till january and do the flights then. Get 700 SCs in Jan and will have Gold for 2011 plus be renewed until end of 2012

 

[Worldtraveller8888]

If 580 short of renewing gold ( ie have only earned 20 this year ) , if wanting to buy status why not wait till january and do the flights then. Get 700 SCs in Jan and will have Gold for 2011 plus be renewed until end of 2012

Excellent idea...