new AA buy miles promotion

[Rugby]

Hi VAG newbie - Yes, but I couldn't get those bookings to come up for some reason.

 

[VAG newbie]

Hi VAG newbie - Yes, but I couldn't get those bookings to come up for some reason.

The other easy way is simply to call JAL. Give them your flight number, dates and full name, they'll be able to look it up for you.

I've heard stories where the booking was supposed to have ticketed, but by the time they turn up at check in was told the booking was never ticketed. It turned out to be just clerical error but I would always make sure the operating airlines has my booking before I travel.

 

[N860CR]

The other easy way is simply to call JAL. Give them your flight number, dates and full name, they'll be able to look it up for you.

I've heard stories where the booking was supposed to have ticketed, but by the time they turn up at check in was told the booking was never ticketed. It turned out to be just clerical error but I would always make sure the operating airlines has my booking before I travel.

There do seem to be some odd issues with ticketing. Mine is still showing "on request" 2 days after I made a small change to the booking. I'm hoping they haven't lost my seats by holding it for so long without ticketing

 

[Swan]

There do seem to be some odd issues with ticketing. Mine is still showing "on request" 2 days after I made a small change to the booking. I'm hoping they haven't lost my seats by holding it for so long without ticketing

I had an "on request" for 4 hours yesterday so I called to find out if there was a problem . The Agent checked it out and confirmed it was OK. Not long after I was ticketed. The agent informed me at times it can take 24 hours before ticketing but if not ticketed by then, you should call.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Mine have taken up to 3 - 4 business days at times (usually involving QF). Try calling them Monday evening or Tuesday when all the various desks/departments are open perhaps and ask what is happening- hopefully that way if in the unlikely event there is an issue the people that can sort it are working.
(Or just ring now, up to you!)

 

[Masonic Phantom]

I had an "on request" for 4 hours yesterday so I called to find out if there was a problem . The Agent checked it out and confirmed it was OK. Not long after I was ticketed. The agent informed me at times it can take 24 hours before ticketing but if not ticketed by then, you should call.

Also same with me, after departure time change.. rang and ticketed straight away, I would ring Australian number .

Australia

+61 02-9101-1948

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Just had an NZ/AU flight with 2 flight segments ticket in about 10 minutes (possibly circa 4 minutes, I have little idea) from payment to on request to ticketed.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

There has been some discussion around the wait period for new AA accounts to buy.

My AA account was created when they transferred USDM to AA. I just received a promotion email for the 100K + 60K

So looks like I may be in luck

 

[N860CR]

Mine have taken up to 3 - 4 business days at times (usually involving QF). Try calling them Monday evening or Tuesday when all the various desks/departments are open perhaps and ask what is happening- hopefully that way if in the unlikely event there is an issue the people that can sort it are working.
(Or just ring now, up to you!)

It came through this afternoon (so 4 days after a small change that I made). I did make a follow up call this morning

 

[deuteros]

Hi, new to AA and new to points redemption other than Qantas points. Also not used to acronyms so apologies.

Wondering if I should buy 100k points to get 160k points in total to bank for future use? Am aware of this thread -> "...a-couple-questions-aadvantage-newbie-59133.html" (sorry, silly sytem won't let me post links) but it's a 100+ page read.

I currently have approximately 150k points in AMEX which I believe I can transfer to AA via Starwood? Would the 150k AMEX points + 160k AA points be able to get me from PER to US (LAX or SFO for example) for 2 people in First or Business? What's the best way to use the points? Open to a 2 pax trip to US or Europe.

Bottom line, is AUD$4300 or so for these points worth it and can I get good long haul First/Business for two pax if I combine with existing 150k AMEX points transferred to AA (via Starwood) or am I better off using the AMEX points for Qantas flights?

Thanks.

 

[VAG newbie]

Hi, new to AA and new to points redemption other than Qantas points. Also not used to acronyms so apologies.

Wondering if I should buy 100k points to get 160k points in total to bank for future use? Am aware of this thread -> "...a-couple-questions-aadvantage-newbie-59133.html" (sorry, silly sytem won't let me post links) but it's a 100+ page read.

I currently have approximately 150k points in AMEX which I believe I can transfer to AA via Starwood? Would the 150k AMEX points + 160k AA points be able to get me from PER to US (LAX or SFO for example) for 2 people in First or Business? What's the best way to use the points? Open to a 2 pax trip to US or Europe.

Bottom line, is AUD$4300 or so for these points worth it and can I get good long haul First/Business for two pax if I combine with existing 150k AMEX points transferred to AA (via Starwood) or am I better off using the AMEX points for Qantas flights?

Thanks.

Firstly, you need to be aware that trying to find a first/business seat between AUS and USA on QF flights is like trying to find needle in the haystack. QF only release a very limited amount of seats, and QFF members (and Asia Miles members AFAIK) have access to those seats before AA have access. By the time AA get to have access to the inventory (like 1month later), almost all award seats are taken. It will be very hard for you to find 2 seats. You can go search on aa.com and have a look yourself. You would be lucky to even find one business class seat on QF per month.

The other one that seem to have more seats is Hawaiian airlines. But its business class is the old recliner, which is only about as good as a premium economy seat.

Forget about CX or JL or any other Asian airlines. AA won't allow you to transit in Asia going to US, so you will need to have 2 redemptions, which unfortunately 160k won't be enough.

I won't recommend you to transfer that 150k Amex points to AA points via SPG, as the transfer rate is 2:1 so you virtually end up only 75k SPG points.

What you can do however, is transfer your 150k Amex to Asia miles, then use it to redeem PER to HKG on CX. Then use the purchased AA miles for HKG to LAX/SFO in either first or business.

Whatever you do, don't transfer those valuable MR points to Qantas. If flying Qantas is your preference, then transfer it to Asia Miles. It has access to the same inventory as QFF but at much cheaper redemption rate. Eg SYD-LAX on QF business/First is only 120k/180k return with Asia Miles, with QFF, it's 192k/288k respectively. As the transfer ratio from MR to both Asia Miles and QFF is the same, it's a no brainer.

 

[anat0l]

I currently have approximately 150k points in AMEX which I believe I can transfer to AA via Starwood?

That would work like this:

• Transfer your 150k Amex points to Starwood at a rate of 2 Amex : 1 Starwood. Result: 75k Starwood points (Starpoints).
• Transfer Starpoints to your American AAdvantage account, where blocks of 20,000 points attract a transfer bonus of 5,000 extra miles. Transferring 60,000 Starpoints thus gives you 75,000 AAdvantage miles, leaving you with 15,000 Starpoints remaining in your Starwood account.
• You can transfer the remaining 15,000 Starpoints for 15,000 AAdvantage points, too, however since it is not 20,000 Starpoints, no transfer bonus applies. End result: 90,000 AAdvantage miles.

To get to the US from Perth (South Pacific zone), you would need 125k AAdvantage miles per passenger (return) in Business or 145k AAdvantage miles per passenger (return) in First. For Europe, the costs would be 120k AAdvantage miles return in Business and 160k AAdvantage miles return in First.

Basically, purchasing the maximum allowed now (assuming both of you have AAdvantage accounts which can qualify for this bonus) will give you access to any of those tickets. Using your account alone, 160k + 90k = 250k, so that's enough for Business return tickets to Europe or the USA; not enough in either for First tickets.

Keep in mind that with AAdvantage's free third transit zone restrictions, you will have a bit of an uphill battle finding suitable availability for both of you travelling together particularly for the USA. In order to keep the cost at 125k Business and 145k First, the only routing allowed from Perth would be:

• Perth to East Coast Australia (Business), followed by
• East Coast Australia to Los Angeles (Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane - Business only), Dallas Fort Worth (Sydney only) or New York JFK (Sydney only)

...and the reverse on the way back. Any different routing (e.g. via Asia) and you'll be up for more points in cost.

As is well known, availability on the Trans-Pacific market on Qantas Business and First class seats is notoriously difficult, even for single travellers.

On the other hand for Europe awards from Perth, you can go via Asia (e.g. Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific) or Doha (with Qatar) for your routing options. More options to choose from, some slight freedom on top of it (you could do something like Perth - Kuala Lumpur - Singapore - London if that floats your boat, etc.), and availability - whilst still not cakewalk territory - is a better bet than the direct Trans-Pacific US market, even on a good day for the latter.

I hope that gives you a better idea.


Another idea is to buy a cheap ticket to Asia then start an award from there. The costs going from Asia (most of it, e.g. Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong and other SE Asia ports) in points to USA or Europe is obviously cheaper than South Pacific start, with slightly more options and availability to go with it. However, you do need to factor in your costs to get from Perth to Asia (cash or another form of points)... plus once you are in Asia, sometimes the cash Business or First class fares you can get from there to Europe or the US start to become competitive relative to buying the points and burning them.


Finally, 150k Amex points to Qantas... well, I don't know what the going rate for transfers are, but let's assume 1:1, so 150k Qantas Points. Keep in mind that:

• Perth to East Coast Australia on Qantas Business, return: 35k AAdvantage miles per passenger, 72k Qantas Points per passenger
• Australia to Europe, one-way (guesses based on East Coast origin): 128k Qantas Points per passenger in Business; 192k Qantas Points per passenger in First
• Australia to USA, one-way (guesses based on East Coast origin): 96k Qantas Points per passenger in Business; 144k Qantas Points per passenger in First
• Higher points costs apply for the previously quoted if flying a carrier other than Qantas, American Airlines or Emirates
• Qantas will pass on the cost of fuel surcharges for almost all carriers onto you when you pay for an award. AAdvantage will not pass on any fuel surcharges onto you, except for those flight sectors operated by British Airways or Iberia.

Overall, probably not a good idea to transfer to Qantas unless you had a specific use in mind.

Ultimately, it will come down to what you want to do, when and where you want to exactly go. Do a dummy search and compare it with paying for the same fare using cash (e.g. bought from the airline's website) and see if you can convince yourself to hand over that kind of money (keep in mind that buying a cash fare is easy as you just give the money and you have a ticket for when you want; with awards, you need to buy the points and then find two available award seats for all the flights that you want, for a routing that fits within the price and that you are both comfortable with.....)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

anat0l - I'm not sure if you can route PER-Europe on DOH as a single award. I think the single award with QR only applies as far as Asia, not Australia. Australia to Europe allows a transit in Asia 1 and 2 as far as I'm aware (happy to be corrected).

 

[anat0l]

anat0l - I'm not sure if you can route PER-Europe on DOH as a single award. I think the single award with QR only applies as far as Asia, not Australia. Australia to Europe allows a transit in Asia 1 and 2 as far as I'm aware (happy to be corrected).

Beats me, too. There are rumours going around the traps that QR transits via DOH are free transits in many cases. The main thing, however, is that you must arrive and depart DOH on QR only.

Also happy to be corrected here. I have no experience in this area with AA...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Beats me, too. There are rumours going around the traps that QR transits via DOH are free transits in many cases. The main thing, however, is that you must arrive and depart DOH on QR only.

Also happy to be corrected here. I have no experience in this area with AA...

unfortunately I think from what I've read the QR/QR connection exception only applies as far as Asia - so you could fly USA or Europe, via Doha to one of those places, but not Australia

I've just found this courtesy of Lucky at onemileatatime - a nice chart listing everything fairly 'clearly' (cough): http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/04/12/how-to-redeem-american-aadvantage-miles/

worth noting that not all Asia 1 and 2 connections will be valid either - there must be an underlying fare by the major operating carrier. So CX should be ok, as should BA/JL. Others might not be possible.

 

[deuteros]

Thanks to VAG Newbie, Anat01 and MEL_traveller for giving me ideas. Didn't mean to hijack this thread.

It sounds like a big risk spending $4300 on the expectation that I can book award flights to US or Europe departing PER. However, I don't mind paying a short leg (eg PER-SIN) if it means I can get an award flight from SIN towards Europe. or even domestic PER-SYD then award from SYD-LAX or DFW.

I guess that would work? With the only issue being whether I can find 2 award seats on the same flight.

Why do people buy AA point then? Is it worth to pay for economy then use the points to upgrade to business/first?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks to VAG Newbie, Anat01 and MEL_traveller for giving me ideas. Didn't mean to hijack this thread.

It sounds like a big risk spending $4300 on the expectation that I can book award flights to US or Europe departing PER. However, I don't mind paying a short leg (eg PER-SIN) if it means I can get an award flight from SIN towards Europe. or even domestic PER-SYD then award from SYD-LAX or DFW.

I guess that would work? With the only issue being whether I can find 2 award seats on the same flight.

Why do people buy AA point then? Is it worth to pay for economy then use the points to upgrade to business/first?

I can't see that it's worth buying a coach fare and upgrading.

If you have a look at the award chart for AA, and let's assume a departure from Asia 1 (Tokyo), you'll see a business class saver award is 60,000 miles one way. To upgrade from economy would be 25,000 miles and a copay of USD300 (plus you original fare). There may be a marginal benefit but I suspect it would be easier to buy the premium seat outright. (plus, of course, you can only upgrade AA flights... buying the full miles allows you to fly on any oneworld airline).

 

[sergeyvzn]

Thanks to VAG Newbie, Anat01 and MEL_traveller for giving me ideas. Didn't mean to hijack this thread.

It sounds like a big risk spending $4300 on the expectation that I can book award flights to US or Europe departing PER. However, I don't mind paying a short leg (eg PER-SIN) if it means I can get an award flight from SIN towards Europe. or even domestic PER-SYD then award from SYD-LAX or DFW.

I guess that would work? With the only issue being whether I can find 2 award seats on the same flight.

Why do people buy AA point then? Is it worth to pay for economy then use the points to upgrade to business/first?

People buy AA points for many reasons.

I personally buy them for three main reasons:

1) very cheap J fares on QF in Australia and NZ. Try getting a cash J fare SYD-PER-SYD for $630...that what it used to be when the AUD was near parity but even now it's about $830 as it's only 35K AAdvantage miles return. Perth to Auckland return is even better. Australia and NZ are the same one zone

2) very easy to get J/F fares to London and further to Europe on QF/BA. There are lots of dates when 2 seats in J and F are available on QF9/10. I'm going on one of these in F in two weeks time ...looking forward to caviar

3) Etihad J/F fares pretty much anywhere. Etihad has a very good availability and you can experience its super awesome F apartments on their new A380 out of Sydney very soon. My next redemption is going to be on Etihad, something like Sydney to Maldives in F/J for only 120AA miles return

I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons

 

[MEL_Traveller]

2) very easy to get J/F fares to London and further to Europe on QF/BA. There are lots of dates when 2 seats in J and F are available on QF9/10. I'm going on one of these in F in two weeks time ...looking forward to caviar

I have to admit I can't find anything! I just did a search on the QF website, starting from next week, for two seats MEL-LHR, and got as far as the end of september finding only one say (Sept 21) where two business class seats available.

Everything else was for economy, and even then, there were lots of blank days (sometimes for well over a week) where nothing at all was showing.

I know booking right at the 330 or 365 day window there can be some ok availability, but not everyone can make plans to book that far in advance.

 

[VAG newbie]

I have to admit I can't find anything! I just did a search on the QF website, starting from next week, for two seats MEL-LHR, and got as far as the end of september finding only one say (Sept 21) where two business class seats available.

Everything else was for economy, and even then, there were lots of blank days (sometimes for well over a week) where nothing at all was showing.

I know booking right at the 330 or 365 day window there can be some ok availability, but not everyone can make plans to book that far in advance.

This has been my dilemma too. In fact you can't book at 365 days in advance with AA. The window opens at 331 days. This makes AA pretty useless for travel to the US as they only allow direct trans-pacific flights to be booked as one award (ie. QANTAS!). By 331 days, all QF seats have been snatched by QFF, Avios and Asia Miles members who have access to it at 365 days.

I am still lingering, now that AUD have reached a 3 week high, 160K miles costs just above $4100, but it is still a big amount to pay. Unfortunately my trip plan in the coming year will be USA bound so it may not be as useful to me. I am not sure if I should stock pile the miles as I still have a whole pile of Lifemiles to burn! But AUD may fall further yet it is also possible that AA may devalue their award chart if I don't have immediate use. Ugh...decisions decisions decisions.....