Syd-Lon 28/8/13 - need help with award routing

[knasty]

Hi all,

Looking to get from Syd to Lon on AA redemption in Business, preferably avoiding BA because of the additional fuel fines/fees and not the biggest fan of Club World. At the moment I have flights held CX100 SYD-HKG on the 28th, then CX253 HKG-LHR leaving at 14:40 on the 29th. Whilst I can fill in time in HK on the morning of 29th I would prefer to connect to London on the evening of the 28th, but the only option is BA with additional $300. The agent checked other non-BA options via HKG, SIN & NRT but couldn't come up with anything. Does anyone have any creative ideas for options I haven't already canvassed. Thanks in advance.

 

[Danger]

Maybe Finnair from Singapore or Bangkok (I think they fly to both) to HEL then a quick trip from their to LHR?

 

[knasty]

Thanks Danger. After a bit more work and finding no Oneworld availability it does look like there's availability on Etihad under Partner category. This may be the way to go...

 

[Kangol]

How about going via LAX?

 

[grussellt]

How about going via LAX?

Unfortunately that would become 2 awards. South Pacific to Europe cannot transit US. I did ask AA to change this when they asked for suggestions on to how to improve AAdavantage but no luck yet.

 

[knasty]

Thanks for the replies. I've booked the Cathay flights but due to the generous date/routing change rules I only just discovered I will keep my eye on availability for better options up to departure date.

 

[grussellt]

Thanks for the replies. I've booked the Cathay flights but due to the generous date/routing change rules I only just discovered I will keep my eye on availability for better options up to departure date.

I meant to mention that possibility but remember that you should try and keep your changes more than 21 days from departure to avoid a change fee (although it's not too onerous).

 

[knasty]

Need some more help. I just found a connection leaving evening of the 28th CX261 via CDG. Trouble is since the booked flight is HKG-LHR AA are saying it will be a $150 change fee because a segment has been added... Is that correct? The transit in CDG is just 3 hours before onward BA connection to LHR. Thanks.

(After 3 attempts I spoke to a lovely agent Kimberley who actually got it and processed it with just taxes differential. Certainly does pay to be persistent).

 

[grussellt]

Need some more help. I just found a connection leaving evening of the 28th CX261 via CDG. Trouble is since the booked flight is HKG-LHR AA are saying it will be a $150 change fee because a segment has been added... Is that correct? The transit in CDG is just 3 hours before onward BA connection to LHR. Thanks.

(After 3 attempts I spoke to a lovely agent Kimberley who actually got it and processed it with just taxes differential. Certainly does pay to be persistent).

Well done. When in doubt call again!

 

[kempvet]

I suggest with AA that you always should ask at least three different people when booking these tricky options. Yesterday I had to get a last minute flight out of SEA-LAX for close to 400 one way, the first two operators quoted the 400 price while the third came up with the idea SEA-LAS stopping in LAX for only 210 same flight number SEA-LAX also let me stop to refresh in the T4 Flagship Lounge for about an hour to shower and refresh with the LAS boarding pass and then went on my way into the city, simply didn't take the flight to LAS. Point is, that you eventually tend to get an agent who REALLY knows all the short cuts.