QF Frequent Flyer Award on AA question

[Darren K]

Hi all and thanks in advance for any help.

My wife and I are booked on QF to HNL in November - used flight credits for this. I am now looking at using QFFF points to book AA from HNL to CHS. There is a flight that leaves HNL 3 and a half hours after arrival. Plenty of time if the QF flight is on time. My question is am I stuffed if the QF flight is delayed and I don't make the AA flights - I ask as these will be separate bookings ?

Ta muchly

 

[justinbrett]

Hi all and thanks in advance for any help.

My wife and I are booked on QF to HNL in November - used flight credits for this. I am now looking at using QFFF points to book AA from HNL to CHS. There is a flight that leaves HNL 3 and a half hours after arrival. Plenty of time if the QF flight is on time. My question is am I stuffed if the QF flight is delayed and I don't make the AA flights - I ask as these will be separate bookings ?

Ta muchly

Pretty much, though possibly more options than a cash fare should you miss the connection.

I just did a HNL transit last month, I wouldn't say 3.5 hours is plenty of time, considering QF is usually late, and immigration can take well over an hour when it's busy. Then you have TSA at the other end.

It should be fine, but it's far from guaranteed. You need to accept the risk your AA flights will be forfeited and you'll have to stump up for new tickets. Otherwise, I'd look for a longer layover.

 

[Darren K]

Pretty much, though possibly more options than a cash fare should you miss the connection.

I just did a HNL transit last month, I wouldn't say 3.5 hours is plenty of time, considering QF is usually late, and immigration can take well over an hour when it's busy. Then you have TSA at the other end.

It should be fine, but it's far from guaranteed. You need to accept the risk your AA flights will be forfeited and you'll have to stump up for new tickets. Otherwise, I'd look for a longer layover.

I did SYD-SJC via HNL last year with a 4 hour layover. Had lots of time up my sleeve despite QF leaving SYD an hour late. Difference was I was on one booking so had some coverage if things went wrong. It is the separate booking that is the concern. Guess my question is if Qantas linked the bookings would that make a difference ?

There are later flights that night so it isn't a massive problem - just means a day in Waikiki. That would be very good except we're spending a few days there on the way back

 

[Seat0B]

I don't think QF linking the flights would give you the cover you want for this in case of delays.

 

[justinbrett]

I did SYD-SJC via HNL last year with a 4 hour layover. Had lots of time up my sleeve despite QF leaving SYD an hour late. Difference was I was on one booking so had some coverage if things went wrong. It is the separate booking that is the concern. Guess my question is if Qantas linked the bookings would that make a difference ?

There are later flights that night so it isn't a massive problem - just means a day in Waikiki. That would be very good except we're spending a few days there on the way back

But that's the whole point. The risk of not making the flight is low, but it's not zero.

No, QF linking the flights will have no impact. They won't connect bags either. However if you book a later flight on AA, you might have luck in getting an earlier flight once you get to check in at HNL.

You'll be spending a lot more time in Waikiki if you miss your connection From what I can see you'll be doing another redeye to get to the east coast anyway, so not entirely sure what the rush is. Just take a later flight and enjoy a few extra hours in HNL. I took an Uber to Waikiki on my layover last month - it was nice.

 

[Darren K]

But that's the whole point. The risk of not making the flight is low, but it's not zero.

No, QF linking the flights will have no impact. They won't connect bags either. However if you book a later flight on AA, you might have luck in getting an earlier flight once you get to check in at HNL.

You'll be spending a lot more time in Waikiki if you miss your connection From what I can see you'll be doing another redeye to get to the east coast anyway, so not entirely sure what the rush is. Just take a later flight and enjoy a few extra hours in HNL. I took an Uber to Waikiki on my layover last month - it was nice.

My guess was linking flights wouldn't make a difference but thought I'd ask.

Spending the day in Waikiki won't kill me but I would have booked it to go 'straight' through if it was sensible given I will be returning there a few weeks later for a few nights.

Anyway, just booked a 9.30pm flight so that gives me 12 hours from landing until departure. If I miss that one I'm just straight out of luck.

Thanks for replying !

Post automatically merged: Jul 9, 2023

I don't think QF linking the flights would give you the cover you want for this in case of delays.

Cheers - kind of thought that but worth asking.