So, what are you burning your AA miles on?

[lovestotravel]

Having signed up for an AA account, I have been searching LAX-MEL/SYD seats in J/F and haven't seen any availability for any days at all

 

[NM]

Having signed up for an AA account, I have been searching LAX-MEL/SYD seats in J/F and haven't seen any availability for any days at all

Availability for premium cabins using QF between Aus and USA is always difficult and no different than if using a QFF account (except 330 days window instead of 353 days).

 

[lovestotravel]

Availability for premium cabins using QF between Aus and USA is always difficult and no different than if using a QFF account (except 330 days window instead of 353 days).

Thanks

But in those 23 days, J/F award seats are snapped up by QF customers! Generally I see J/F award seats for about a week, sometimes two before they are gone, so it makes the AA program almost worthless for AUS-USA J/F seating

 

[Paddy55]

Isn't South Africa the 'new' CMB when it comes to the most economical cities to start a DONE4?

You may be right.
I've awhile before I plan/book the next one

 

[NM]

Thanks

But in those 23 days, J/F award seats are snapped up by QF customers! Generally I see J/F award seats for about a week, sometimes two before they are gone, so it makes the AA program almost worthless for AUS-USA J/F seating

That is certainly one of the downsides if you have the ability to plan that far ahead. Outside that window its the same.

 

[lovestotravel]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts!

 

[anat0l]

AUS-USA J/F seating

I think you'll find this is basketcase difficult to find on almost any airline that operates that route (without using a middle ground, e.g. Asia).

I'd only postulate that VA or DL may be the easiest to find J availability on this route, simply due to the inability of other programmes to redeem on their metal (DL is notable, but other programmes paired with VA are not so easy).

 

[lovestotravel]

VA is very easy to get a discount J reward seat, even a few months out
Qantas as long as you can book at 350 days out, is easy as well

Was hoping that the AA program would be a cheap way to purchase a J/F seat

 

[grussellt]

You can always try FJ via NAN to LAX. At least they will have the new A330's by then, but hardly the same as A380.

 

[gphamor]

Isn't South Africa the 'new' CMB when it comes to the most economical cities to start a DONE4?

What is a DONE4? Sorry to be an ignoramus but some of the terminology and abbreviations leave me in the dark...
Where can I get a handle on all this?

 

[Danger]

What is a DONE4? Sorry to be an ignoramus but some of the terminology and abbreviations leave me in the dark...
Where can I get a handle on all this?

A DONE4 is a oneworld Explorer four continent round the world fare in Business class.

Here's a list of the abbreviations commonly used.

 

[casanovawa]

So with the AA miles booking F to Europe, its pretty much SYD/MEL-DXB-LHR-??? as you can't redeem it with EK... The only other options are to use BA to/from DXB with (associated fuel fines) and avoid the large APD on the return first leg by starting your return redemption with either Finnair/AB/BA from Europe somewhere to LHR, or to fly AB/Finnair/IB down to DXB (probably only in J) and then QF A380 back to SYD/MEL?

I suppose there is BA F via HKG-OZ to QF F with fuel fines, or CX Europe-HKG-OZ...

 

[anat0l]

So with the AA miles booking F to Europe, its pretty much SYD/MEL-DXB-LHR-??? as you can't redeem it with EK... The only other options are to use BA to/from DXB with (associated fuel fines) and avoid the large APD on the return first leg by starting your return redemption with either Finnair/AB/BA from Europe somewhere to LHR, or to fly AB/Finnair/IB down to DXB (probably only in J) and then QF A380 back to SYD/MEL?

I suppose there is BA F via HKG-OZ to QF F with fuel fines, or CX Europe-HKG-OZ...

CX probably is the next obvious that comes to mind.

AA is a partner with EY so if that tickles your fancy...

 

[EuroFlyer]

Doing DUB-LHR (J) then LHR-SIN-SYD (F) then SYD-MEL in (J)
looking forward to checking out the concorde room in T5 and also the new F cabin on BA

All thanks to this forum

 

[k3nnis]

How many AA miles did you need to do this trip? And was it easy to get availability on BA flights? Is the inventory the same for AA miles redemptions compared to Avios BA redemptions?

Doing DUB-LHR (J) then LHR-SIN-SYD (F) then SYD-MEL in (J)
looking forward to checking out the concorde room in T5 and also the new F cabin on BA

All thanks to this forum

 

[get me outta here]

What is Avios plse?

 

[k3nnis]

BA frequent flyer miles.

What is Avios plse?

 

[EuroFlyer]

How many AA miles did you need to do this trip? And was it easy to get availability on BA flights? Is the inventory the same for AA miles redemptions compared to Avios BA redemptions?

It cost 80K AA miles, don't know about the Avios redemption as not a member.
The availability was ok but none of the flights are weekends, they are mid week flights.

 

[k3nnis]

Ok thanks. So will be 160000 return. Not bad.

It cost 80K AA miles, don't know about the Avios redemption as not a member.
The availability was ok but none of the flights are weekends, they are mid week flights.

 

[EuroFlyer]

Ok thanks. So will be 160000 return. Not bad.

yep thats the one, only had enough to go one way myself