The great SC chase

[JohnSydney2000]

Back to visit a popular old topic with friends.
From the Big Apple to Waikiki , I saw that AA wanted $2k for a single ticket in coach. Hmmm.
Why go direct if you have time and need SC's. So Just U might buy first ticket (3 segments, $390 ) to a Caribbean Commonwealth.
Then you might buy your second ticket to your beach destination. ( Last time I looked, $770 brought a 4 segment busy day to your travel inbox.)
All up, it worked out better "value" for me than a $2k coach ticket. Note - all fares quoted are in $US.
Happy Travels, John.

 

[serfty]

I was looking to do something similar for June this year.

The Caribbean connection was indeed the bomb but for me being time poor, making tracks to eagleville or flying to Dolphinland were less lucrative but more practical options.

 

[Grooba]

I'm about to lock in something similar fro next June also. Actually looking to run it twice back to back as some routes are quite attractive atm. Just weighing up if I can take double the punishment!

 

[Coley]

Hi All,

I'm looking at a trip from Brisbane to LA, LA to New York and New York (via LA maybe) back to Brisbane around May/June 2004 staying for about 4 weeks. I currently only have 100k QFF points.
Just wanted to check if anyone had seen any good internal US SC runs or good flight deals pop up in their searches that would tie into my itinerary above. Any heads up or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

 

[BrentH]

Hi All,

I'm looking at a trip from Brisbane to LA, LA to New York and New York (via LA maybe) back to Brisbane around May/June 2004 staying for about 4 weeks. I currently only have 100k QFF points.
Just wanted to check if anyone had seen any good internal US SC runs or good flight deals pop up in their searches that would tie into my itinerary above. Any heads up or pointers would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

There are runs that start at airports near LAX, route via NYC and end in the Caribbean. Stopovers might be an issue though.

LAX and NYC can be ridiculously expensive to fly out/in.

While I was there, I hopped from LAX to LAS on a cheap YUPP to F ($60 more than Y) - then did a 4-flight hop to an airport in Caribbean with no immigration for US flights and back.

When I got to LAS I hopped on a whim to EWR using a hidden city flight fare that ended at a railway station in Philadelphia. It was $180.45 in Y on UA, not the standard $600 for LAX to NYC.

To get back to LAX, I booked a LM flight in UA F (costing $402 incl taxes. F being $1300 normally).

 

[legroom]

What's a LM flight ?

Thanks

PS: no SC with UA !

To get back to LAX, I booked a LM flight in UA F (costing $402 incl taxes. F being $1300 normally).

 

[BrentH]

What's a LM flight ?

Lifemiles.

PS: no SC with UA !

Correct. That wasn't the reason for flying with them though. It was to fit NYC in after a status run, without completely undoing any savings i made on the status run.

I think you're in a situation where you want specific routing/destinations, low price, and high status earning - and you will probably only be able to get two of these.

 

[Coley]

There are runs that start at airports near LAX, route via NYC and end in the Caribbean. Stopovers might be an issue though..............

I have done some investigating and managed to find what I believe is an ok deal, which also loosely follows my itinerary requirements. Using my limited knowledge on calculating SCs (Qantas FF), I believe it earns me 490 SC's for around 914USD, so $1.87 USD / SC. This doesn't seem all that attractive compared with some of the posts in this thread however it does loosely follow my required itinerary which is a positive.

Without knowing the history of fares in the US, does this sound like an ok deal or am I likely to find a better one if I keep hunting?

 

[serfty]

...
Without knowing the history of fares in the US, does this sound like an ok deal or am I likely to find a better one if I keep hunting?

Seems a very good deal!

IMHO, anything under $4 per SC that get you where you want to go is good value.

Anything under $2 that loosely get your there is better value.

Anything under $1.50 is great value and normally indicative of exhaustive but rewarding travel.

 

[BrentH]

Without knowing the history of fares in the US, does this sound like an ok deal or am I likely to find a better one if I keep hunting?

I agree with Serfty. Great work!

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Value also depends on your enjoyment for the trip. If it runs you into the ground then I will avoid it generally. Let's call this a non-financial factor

 

[penegal]

Value also depends on your enjoyment for the trip. If it runs you into the ground then I will avoid it generally. Let's call this a non-financial factor

That is why most of my "runs" are in First and Business class


In fact, as much of my flying as possible is in "premium" cabins

 

[JohnSydney2000]

Just updating a short run for those occaisonally in New York. Like moi.

Out Feb 13th, back Feb 14th. Overnight in the often discussed Isla Verde international, US$891, 6 segments, 420 status credits. It is a long two days, but there are many worse status runs, and I know the origin suits many AFF'ers.

Happy travels. John.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Just updating a short run for those occaisonally in New York. Like moi.

Out Feb 13th, back Feb 14th. Overnight in the often discussed Isla Verde international, US$891, 6 segments, 420 status credits. It is a long two days, but there are many worse status runs, and I know the origin suits many AFF'ers.

Happy travels. John.

Wonder if I can persuade the family that we are going on a little detour

 

[JohnSydney2000]

And also Newark is quite close to the Big Apple, as all our friends know. Now, if you have a slightly larger budget, and you might be interested in an engineering marvel...well....soon...the expanded Panama Canal will have a huge impact on world trade flows. (Speaking as an economist)


So if I departed Feb 13th, returned Feb 17th, I would be up for US$1091 for an I fare return. (much better than a KUP). Each transit can be for under 24 hours, not under 4 hours, 1 free stopover is permitted, and 1 extra stopover is permitted for $125.

Hmm, I free stopover..take the kids to the Smithsonian in DCA, or Walt Disney World in MCO, or the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi in STL.....or if single, a week of serious coughtail testing at South Beach, flouting my Aussie accent.....


Oh, and 8 segments (at least) likely to harvest 700 SC's (but no Mr Squiggles!)


Please note - there are no word puzzles this time!!


Happy Travels. John.

 

[JohnSydney2000]

$1.28

Ok Ok friends keep asking.
So I have not done this origin, but I have done this destination.
And yes, lets have an easy puzzle this time.

I do not recommend this destination for a family jaunt!!!


You should harvest 7 segments at least, 610 SC's , 1 free stopover, 1 extra stopover for $125. But, fare rules can change very quickly.


If you are a Cupertino fan boy, this is not for you, you have to find the Space Needle to start.

And your destino is the former Las Mercedes airport.

This is an MPM ticket, and you get an extra 750 miles allowance if you travel via LAX,DFW, or MIA.
I checked this for Feb 13th out , Feb 17th back on ITA.
I checked the fare on AA.com which gave a 6 segment fare easily, prior to "working" on the fare with the AAngels in DFW.


It is currently an I fare which is good, is $688 ish, and gives under US$1.30 per SC, but no Mr Squiggles.

 

[Grooba]

There's an easy one for all the players at home.

From what I read a couple of years ago the destination port for a same day turnaround is not recommended!

 

[penegal]

Shhhhh

I liked the cryptic crosswords... once I worked out how to understand them

 

[penegal]

Just updating a short run for those occaisonally in New York. Like moi.

Out Feb 13th, back Feb 14th. Overnight in the often discussed Isla Verde international, US$891, 6 segments, 420 status credits. It is a long two days, but there are many worse status runs, and I know the origin suits many AFF'ers.

Happy travels. John.

I did this exact run about 14 months ago - it was fairly pleasant compared to some of the more crazy runs out there.

Leaving the assassinated president airport I saw a fare of $326USD one way available in both directions. This was at a time of near dollar parity . This run yielded 60+90+60= 210SCs (one way). I flew F on a regional Jet and the good old Eisenhower F sold as J). $1.55 per SC.

The beauty of this run is that it makes it very easy to do several other [much better] runs in the opposite direction to usual including the original "JohnSydney2000 run" and the Pineapple variant, both of which can be around the magic $1 per SC with a good FX rate and booking at the right time.

 

[penegal]

$1.28

Ok Ok friends keep asking.
So I have not done this origin, but I have done this destination.
And yes, lets have an easy puzzle this time.

I do not recommend this destination for a family jaunt!!!

I assume the destination airport shares its "name" with it's neighbour to the west?

I have been to the western neighbour numerous times, but never across the border.

I think it could be fun to visit now that the 'new' big man is a former bus driver... And yes, I agree - best to leave the kids at home