Suggestions for North American routings

[NM]

The earning rate for AA Elite Qualification Points (EQP) is based on the fare basis of the ticket purchased. All AA flights booked in H, K, M, L, W, V fare class, including codeshares, earn 1 EQP for each mile flown, while the deep discount tickets (G, Q, N, O and S with some exceptions) earn EQP at 50% of miles flown.

But on the QF flight number, it could be 100% (H and K), 50% (M, V and L) or 25% (G, O and S) depending on the fare basis. It could even earn nothing if the wrong fare type is used (such as N).

Ask the travel agent what fare class it is booked under. You are looking for a single letter code such as those listed above. The best earning for AA EQP is on a QF B fare, where it earns 150% of miles flown and you are AA Plat when you get off the plan in LAX. But a B fare SYD-LAX-SYD is about $3000.

Remember you need 5000 EQP to complete the Gold challenge, and 10,000 EQP to complete the Platinum challenge, eall within 3 months of signing up for the challenge which must start on either the 1st or 16th of the month. It can make sense to undertake the Gold and Plat challenges concurrently, since on the qualifying flight for Gold, and for all subsequent flights until you qualify got Plat, you will earn 50% bonus miles into your AAdvantage account. If you will make Gold and Plat on the same flight then there is no benefit in joining both challenges concurrently.

Personally I would have tried for the QF107/108 flights LAX-JFK-LAX since you will get the standard 744 IFE system and better food service on the QF flight compared with the AA flight, and it is more likely to be lightly loaded meaning you may be able to spread out across 4 seats down the back rather than squashed between others on the AA flight. AA will have MRTC if a 767 or 777 aircraft so that is their only advantage on that route.

 

[arun]

Thanks NM for that detailed explanation.
My SYD/LAX/New York/LAX/SYD are all on Q class. So I believe I will get 50% for LAX/NEw York/LAX booked on AA. May not get any EQP for the QF flights. Does anyone know how many EQP it will be? It appears my chances are slim. (Also, do I get 50% of AA miles or do I get 100% AA miles?)

Also, I could not find any info on their website regarding the AA challenge. How do I register?

Regards
Arun

 

[Bob]

arun

Based on my experience, if you sign up now I would expect you to have the cards by the end of March.

There is a link and info about signing up for the Platinum challenge at this thread http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/dis...=0&postorder=asc&highlight=platinum+challenge

Bob

 

[QF WP]

arun, here is fewmiles' website on Platinum & Gold Challenge - the undocumented feature of AAdvantage (that's why you couldn't find it). They aren't about to shout it from the rooftops.

AA Mileage Page

QF Mileage Page

As you can see, the AA flights will earn 100% EQP's. The LAX/JFK/LAX AA flights might be enough for a Gold Challenge. According to the QF website, the distance LAX/JFK is 2,467 miles; so you are a whisker short of a Gold Challenge.

In the QF Mileage chart, you'll see that Q doesn't show anymore. Not sure whether it's purposely missing (ie. nil mileage, nil EQP's) or by mistake.

AmericaWest isn't a valid airline (unless there is an AA codeshare), so no help there.

When you join your wife and son to AA online, you'll be able to print out temporary cards. Real cards don't get printed until you have flown sectors that have credited to the account. But I printed out my cards and just made sure the AA number was in the booking, checked with the CSA upon checking in and again getting BP's (where they should show again).

As I said to Bob, don't ring AA SYD to link everybody to the AA Gold or Plat Challenge, as they have not been well trained about this. Take a minute longer to do it right the first time, by ringing the number that I gave Bob in the link he has shown (look at my first reply).

If the QF flights don't get you credit on the AA program, then look to give your QF number for them at check-in.

AAdvantage Gold (oneworld Ruby) benefits:

Priority check-in at Business Class desks (where available), regardless of the class of service flown that day
Preferred seating (where pre-reserved seats are offered)
Priority standby and wait listing

 

[arun]

Thanks guys for the details.
I have now printed the temporary cards for my wife and my son.
Regarding registering for the gold (and Platinum) challenge, is it better to do it after 1 April (I will be travelling on April 9)? I read something about registering after 1st or 15th - did not understand why.

Also, I have a 5 hour wait at LAX before proceeding to JFK. Do I have to clear customs in LAX? I would like to interline the baggage to JFK. If I do that it is likely that I will get both the BPs (Syd/LAX and LAX/JFK) in Sydney. So I will have to either use QF or AA ff card (or can I use different card for different segments at the same check-in?). In that case, am I better of keeping the BPs without showing the cards at the checkin and send them subsequently to the two airlines. Then I will have a problem if they require the original tickets (do they require originals or copies).

I am confused....

 

[QF WP]

arun, there are only two times a month that you can register for starting the Challenges, either on the 1st of the month or the 16th. It makes it easy for AA to count 3 months later to stop the Challenge...so I would plump for ringing AA at the end of March for starting it on 1 April.

Hmmm, I've never flown straight through to JFK (always stop in LAX to re-adjust body clock, see friends, work, etc). My understanding is that you will clear customs at JFK as you are in transit. But I'm always ready to be corrected... :roll:

As for baggage, definitely check in for both your flights at SYD and you'll get issued your BP's for SYD/LAX and LAX/JFK. It will be tagged QF SYD/LAX and AA LAX/JFK (interlined) with te relevant flight numbers. Nw hopefully the Baggage HAndlers haven't had a big night and re-direct yours to a different destination...

I have used both my cards for concurrent segments numerous times, but it hasn't always worked (at least you're not flying BA - don't start me :x ). Clearly explain to the CSA at SYD that you want each card to be inputted for that relevant segment only. Do one segment at a time. Be prepared for them to stuff up, but by keeping your BP's and ticket (or e-ticket); you'll be able to prove that the correct FF program was in the system for each flight. They don't need the original ticket, just a legible photocopy (they mainly need to see the ticket number as tha's how they trace the booking!) That is what I have done and they have been reversed and re-credited correctly. Believe me, it is well worth the hassle...

 

[Bob]

arun,

Normally your bags will be checked through to your final destination but you will have to clear them through customs at LAX, regardless of being in transit. You then recheck them at a special transfer area just after you leave the customs area.

Re the Platinum challenge, based on my experience, you can ring up now and register, but nominate a start date of 1st April.

Bob

 

[NM]

Bob is correct. Even though it may be the same flight number and aircraft (QF107 SYD-LAX-JFK), all passengers must clear immigration and customs at LAX. It is just like you are connecting to an AA flight at T4. As you depart the customs hall, there is a luggage x-ray machine and you leave your freshly collect bags there for a fresh x-ray before they are put back on board the same aircraft. Then pop upstairs and enjoy the T4 Admirals Club or Flagship Lounge depending on what you are able to access.

 

[arun]

Thanks guys. I will check with AA in Sydney if Q fare in QF is eligible for points / EQPs. If they are worth nothing, then I will use the QF cards at the check in.

 

[arun]

The Sydney AA lady said that she could not see Q fare in QF is not listed to get any points. She must be reading the stuff from the website.

What is best option for telephone and mobile. I know hotel phones will be a rip off. I have telstra telecard. My mobile is triband phone. I will check with Optus on roaming. (I do that in Asia but not sure about US). When I am in Asia, I normaly get a local pre-paid SIM card and use that to take outgoing local calls. Can we get SIMs in US. If so, how and where can I get it. Any info will be appreciated.

 

[NM]

What is best option for telephone and mobile. I know hotel phones will be a rip off. I have telstra telecard. My mobile is triband phone. I will check with Optus on roaming. (I do that in Asia but not sure about US). When I am in Asia, I normaly get a local pre-paid SIM card and use that to take outgoing local calls. Can we get SIMs in US. If so, how and where can I get it. Any info will be appreciated.

Use your Telstra Telecard for calls back to Australia. For local calls within USA, buy a local phone card. Roaming on GSM phones to USA is very expensive. I normally set my triband mobile phone to divert all calls to voicemail and then when someone calls and leaves a message I still receive the SMS message to let me know I have a message. Then I use a calling card (Optus in my case) to call my voice mail and then call the person back using the calling card. It is a much cheaper way to do it.

I still remember one time when travelling to USA I had my home office phone diverted to my mobile phone (as I often do), and that phone number is one digit different to our local Bunnings store. I get about one call a week wanting to order timber! Well, this guy could not understand that he had the wrong number, and even when I gave him the right number he just kept calling my number. I receive about 5 calls while driving along I30 in Fort Worth from him, and it all showed as international roaming calls on my mobile phone account. That is when I decided to divert all calls to voice mail!

 

[arun]

Thanks NM.
When you said

For local calls within USA, buy a local phone card.

did you mean a local SIM card or the conventional phone card. When I went to India last time, I bought a prepaid SIM (only) and slotted into my mobile. It was really cheap for local landline and mobile calls. It also allowed me to be mobile and keep in contact with my friends while I was out of my hotel. Are there any GSM providers in New York, LA and Edmonton, where I can get prepaid SIM cards?

 

[NM]

Thanks NM.
When you said

For local calls within USA, buy a local phone card.

did you mean a local SIM card or the conventional phone card. When I went to India last time, I bought a prepaid SIM (only) and slotted into my mobile. It was really cheap for local landline and mobile calls. It also allowed me to be mobile and keep in contact with my friends while I was out of my hotel. Are there any GSM providers in New York, LA and Edmonton, where I can get prepaid SIM cards?

A local cardboard phonecard that can be purchased from most supermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores etc. Be careful because there are lot and lots of them available, some optimised for local calls, some of long distance USA calls, and some for international calls (and these can be very specific to certain destinations). Look around and check them out. Don't assume the person behind the counter really knows which is best for you - sometimes they are just ignorant and sometimes try to sell the one with the biggest commission.

If you really want to use your mobile phone, Pre-paid GSM SIM cards are much harder to find than they are in Australia or Europe. Not really sure why. They are available but often not at very good rates, and not from all carriers. Try T-Mobile. Most GSM services in the USA have the phone locked to a specific carrier's network and they often don't want to support unlocked phones since they assume you are not going to be a repeat customer.