Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC's

[Pushka]

Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

I have an F flight LAX-YVR AA code on AS booked within the last month. Multiple options shown on AA.com. Mine was booked via my TA. I don't know if this is an anomaly to the reverse trip. That has been booked with AA via PHX.

Maybe they've caught on to Qantas' fairer and simpler! I will search again today as just have those flights on hold. Phoenix is a better option anyway but need to make sure the Honolulu flight works so we don't have a midnight/early morning arrival.

When are you off to Vancouver?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I have YVR-PHX-SFO in January all on AA metal. J to PHX and then F to SFO.

You going Skiing Fi? We are at Whistler for 10 days in January. First time for SWMBO and the kids skiing.

Yes we are

 

[Pushka]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I booked our flights today. Very happy with the timings, earn rate and price. But what is up with the Australian aa site? I did a price check and does anyone really pay that price when the US is so much cheaper?

 

[DC3]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

There are one or two here who recommend checking the Australian site, in that they have seen some cheaper prices. However, I no longer bother with that site, as I have never seen cheaper prices, and just go straight to AA.com.

And it's all worked out well for you.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I booked our flights today. Very happy with the timings, earn rate and price. But what is up with the Australian aa site? I did a price check and does anyone really pay that price when the US is so much cheaper?

Hopefully not !!!
A TA can sometimes be useful for these bookings as well.

 

[CaviAck]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I booked our flights today. Very happy with the timings, earn rate and price. But what is up with the Australian aa site? I did a price check and does anyone really pay that price when the US is so much cheaper?

Region restricted pricing is most likely at play here. Noticed it with LA flights, booking through their EU portal was cheaper than the AU portal for MAD-FRA flights.

 

[Pushka]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Region restricted pricing is most likely at play here. Noticed it with LA flights, booking through their EU portal was cheaper than the AU portal for MAD-FRA flights.

Well thank goodness they let us 'play' in the US space and not restrict our access - and redirect to Aus - which is what cruise lines do.

 

[wandering_fred]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Well thank goodness they let us 'play' in the US space and not restrict our access - and redirect to Aus - which is what cruise lines do.

There are some online TAs that sell cruise packages especially from Singapore

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[blueythecat]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Yes we are

Very jealous! Enjoy!

 

[Pushka]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

There are some online TAs that sell cruise packages especially from Singapore

Happy wandering

Fred

Sure. And Vacationstogo is excellent. But even they cant sell Princess cruises to Aussies because of geographical restrictions.

Lets hope aa doesn't read this forum.

 

[Travelqueen]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I am assuming you need to stopover at these places? Do you have some dates?

This is a dummy one I just did (USD) http://goo.gl/flights/CtW1

The point is to fly domestic First (equivalent to our business) as it gets points for QFF as though it is Discount First Class, ie. most legs are 90 SC. If you have time, never pick a direct route. eg LAX-ORD, choose LAX-DFW-ORD for 180SC instead of 150SC and generally only few dollars more. FYI. LAX-DFW-ORD in domestic first is the same SC as BNE-LAX in Business.

Hi Moindart,

thanks so much for your help.
Im now set on dates, so this is it
Lax to ORD Jan 4th
MKE to JAC Jan 10th

Ive had a look and can see this for about $1065 in first, via matrix site.

Now I'm just not sure how or where to book.
Im Qantas gold, so use Qantas number or AA?

Really appreciate your help,

TQ

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Hi All

Will be in LAX in middle March next year and looking for best fare and SC's I can earn either to maintain Gold 420 Sc's required or more to go towards platinum...budget though is around $1K or so...have looked at PTY and SJU but I don't seem to be able to maximise the routing for the best SC earn. Any help appreciated. We are there for a month so happy to put aside a week to do this. Had to cancel a trip 18 mnths ago due to family illness that incorporated Washington/Nashville and Dallas so not sure if there are good runs to include those cities ? Can leave from LAX or LV to commence...

 

[drron]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Well I still check the au site because there are times that it is cheaper than the US site.This is particularly when the AUD drops and they are slow to adjust the AUD price.

 

[Anna]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I couldn't work out how to specifically search for YUPP fares any more so I have booked non-refundable first for Aug. The conditions in the small print said "may be an instant upgrade fare" which wasn't terribly helpful. Ticketed in P. The fares and SC earn were good value compared to what we would pay in Aust for similar flight distances.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I had to ring AA to get it ticketed. There was a delay because aa.com (US) did not like that my booking was in USD but my cc was Australian. The CSA had to manually change the booking into AUD before the system would issue the ticket. It seemed to be a system glitch rather than a deliberate attempt to stop Aussies booking on aa.com

 

[blackcat20]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I couldn't work out how to specifically search for YUPP fares any more so I have booked non-refundable first for Aug. The conditions in the small print said "may be an instant upgrade fare" which wasn't terribly helpful. Ticketed in P. The fares and SC earn were good value compared to what we would pay in Aust for similar flight distances.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I had to ring AA to get it ticketed. There was a delay because aa.com (US) did not like that my booking was in USD but my cc was Australian. The CSA had to manually change the booking into AUD before the system would issue the ticket. It seemed to be a system glitch rather than a deliberate attempt to stop Aussies booking on aa.com

From memory, P is the instant upgrade fare. So if you end up with a plane sub like we did, you end up back in economy with no refund.

 

[Anna]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

From memory, P is the instant upgrade fare. So if you end up with a plane sub like we did, you end up back in economy with no refund.

I'll still be claiming my ORC for my 810 SCs though right?

Yes I'm aware there's a risk of Y with YUPP fares. All part of the fun

My travel companion put the routing to a TA who was horrified at all the connections and asked several times "why Phoenix?" lol. And then came up with a direct flight itinerary that cost $300 more :shock:

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I'll still be claiming my ORC for my 810 SCs though right?

Yes I'm aware there's a risk of Y with YUPP fares. All part of the fun

My travel companion put the routing to a TA who was horrified at all the connections and asked several times "why Phoenix?" lol. And then came up with a direct flight itinerary that cost $300 more :shock:

why not, PHX!

 

[Anna]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Of course PHX weather in August is going to be something rather special

Found this explanation of AA fare codes:

P = Premium transcontinental Flagship service. Domestic first class on 3-class flights. KUP- fares (formerly YUPP).

A = Discounted fare. YUP- fares, RTW fares, SWU and Award Upgrades.

F = Full fare first class

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

I couldn't work out how to specifically search for YUPP fares any more so I have booked non-refundable first for Aug. The conditions in the small print said "may be an instant upgrade fare" which wasn't terribly helpful. Ticketed in P. The fares and SC earn were good value compared to what we would pay in Aust for similar flight distances.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I had to ring AA to get it ticketed. There was a delay because aa.com (US) did not like that my booking was in USD but my cc was Australian. The CSA had to manually change the booking into AUD before the system would issue the ticket. It seemed to be a system glitch rather than a deliberate attempt to stop Aussies booking on aa.com

Yes, has happened to me before with QF F Award booking paid online. I got lucky as the agent charged me the outstanding amount in AUD at 1:1 conversion rate :mrgreen:

 

[drewbles]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

From memory, P is the instant upgrade fare. So if you end up with a plane sub like we did, you end up back in economy with no refund.

Slight edit, you *could* end up in economy. I've found mostly AA are more than willing to move flights around for you and even re-route, to ensure you're in F.

Then, a simple ORC to Qantas saying you were re-routed and it's problem solved.

I've taken may YUPP/KUPP's in my time and not once landed back in whY, despite a/c going tech, weather misconnects and delayed/cxl'd flights.