Optimising SCs MEL-LHR

[amaroo]

Ahh OK - so for BNE-MEL-SYD you searched and booked BNE-MEL and MEL-SYD as separate legs under one PNR? And therefore the points cost was 40k - 24k for BNE-MEL and 16k for MEL-SYD? I thought you meant you got BNE-MEL-SYD for only the cost of BNE-SYD (16k)!



Thanks, that's a good tip if I do the same as you. I assume you had no trouble with your checked luggage making it to your destination and then back home? With all the domestic connections I'd be a little worried about the luggage going AWOL somewhere, especially on the outbound leg of the trip!

Yes correct.

HLO for the second point.....In hindsight I can see that I didn't make that clear!

 

[serfty]

...

You mean a JASA that costs more than a Classic Award would, I assume? As all the "cheap" JASAs book into U?

Sometimes a JASA routing with a non U segment may not be that much more expensive.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Thanks for the extra info Chris, appreciated. Re the discounted J upgrades, just to be clear:

1) If booked under a code other than BA they are not available at all.
2) If booked under a BA code but not through BA's own website then they only become available at T-24.
3) If booked under a BA code and through BA's own website then they're available straight away (assuming allowed by yield management.

Is that correct?

1) Correct.
2) Correct, provided that there is availability in the I fare bucket at the time of the request.
3) Correct, provided that there is availability in the I fare bucket at the time of the request.

To check I availability, just use ExpertFlyer (or there are some free alternatives that have been mentioned around the place, though if you don't have EF and can't be bothered finding them, just let me know and I can check specific flights for you if you'd like).

 

[wafliron]

Yes correct.

HLO for the second point.....In hindsight I can see that I didn't make that clear!

Sometimes a JASA routing with a non U segment may not be that much more expensive.

Righto - thanks for clarifying guys.

1) Correct.
2) Correct, provided that there is availability in the I fare bucket at the time of the request.
3) Correct, provided that there is availability in the I fare bucket at the time of the request.

To check I availability, just use ExpertFlyer (or there are some free alternatives that have been mentioned around the place, though if you don't have EF and can't be bothered finding them, just let me know and I can check specific flights for you if you'd like).

Thanks. I've got an EF subscription (almost due for second year renewal actually - definitely $99 well spent!) so if I go down this path I'll check for for I availability before I book anything. On a similar note - a little OT but not worth starting another thread for - what fare code am I searching for if I want a J award seat on BA metal?