The totally off-topic thread

[Nigelinoz]

Virgin America has come up with a gimmick to get people flying with them in the US.

passengers can take free "test-flights" of the new Chromebook ultralight laptop from Google -- plus, they'll get free wi-fi on board if they do. You'll pick up your loaner Chromebook, which Google is positioning (perhaps rather optimistically) as a "MacBook Air-killer", at a Chrome Zone kiosk near your departure gate, handing over your credit card for a holding deposit.
The promo images show the Samsung-made Chromebook, which is slightly larger than the Acer version. Samsung spruiks it as having 8.5 hours of battery life and a 12.1-inch display, while the smaller Acer has a 6-hour battery and an 11.6-inch display.
Either version should have more than enough battery for your flight.
When you get off the plane, Google staff will be waiting for you at the gate to receive the Chromebook back.

Virgin America passengers "test-fly" free Google Chromebook laptops - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Cheers
N'oz

 

[Flashback]

Here's an interesting question.. I may as well sign my partner up for an FFP for the flights we're doing to Aus. She often doesn't flow OW airlines (around Europe, there's not much point) so it'd be the LON-PER return and then maybe the odd trip here and there that I drag her on when I don't feel like flying FR

Should I just sign her up for QF (would need to use my .au address) or would there be any other program worth signing up for? The fare class is O for the flights (got them on a sale) so would be 'OK' for AA, but would be 0.5 miles earned.

Any suggestions?

 

[anat0l]

Here's an interesting question.. I may as well sign my partner up for an FFP for the flights we're doing to Aus. She often doesn't flow OW airlines (around Europe, there's not much point) so it'd be the LON-PER return and then maybe the odd trip here and there that I drag her on when I don't feel like flying FR

Should I just sign her up for QF (would need to use my .au address) or would there be any other program worth signing up for? The fare class is O for the flights (got them on a sale) so would be 'OK' for AA, but would be 0.5 miles earned.

Any suggestions?

If she's not concerned with status at all, I'd go with AA. Reasons:

• AA is definitely free. QF is not.
• AA and QF both have 18 month no-activity expiry on miles, but AA is easier to keep alive than QF. Also, buying AA miles at the odd occasion makes an easier and more practical way to accumulate a balance if she isn't doing constant flying.
• AA has lower points requirements for redemptions.

Any reason not to consider signing up for BA? You can get Tesco points swept into BA.

 

[Flashback]

If she's not concerned with status at all, I'd go with AA. Reasons:

• AA is definitely free. QF is not.
• AA and QF both have 18 month no-activity expiry on miles, but AA is easier to keep alive than QF. Also, buying AA miles at the odd occasion makes an easier and more practical way to accumulate a balance if she isn't doing constant flying.
• AA has lower points requirements for redemptions.

Any reason not to consider signing up for BA? You can get Tesco points swept into BA.

QF is free via EDR.. or has that changed?

She'd earn around 9,000 AA miles on the round trip, not too sure much could be done with those.

QF has easier transfer of points to someone else, AA doesn't IIRC.

She never shops at Tesco so wouldn't earn any extra BA points.

Hmm.. so back to square one!

 

[medhead]

If she's not concerned with status at all, I'd go with AA. Reasons:

• AA is definitely free. QF is not.
• AA and QF both have 18 month no-activity expiry on miles, but AA is easier to keep alive than QF.

Isn't QF still free for non-residents? If so, use the UK address to sign up.

My brother keeps his Qf account alive using IB. But then his in laws are in spain.

 

[Flashback]

[/LIST]
Isn't QF still free for non-residents? If so, use the UK address to sign up.

My brother keeps his Qf account alive using IB. But then his in laws are in spain.

If you sign up with a UK address, it won't let you. Directs you to BA.

 

[anat0l]

QF is free via EDR.. or has that changed?

She'd earn around 9,000 AA miles on the round trip, not too sure much could be done with those.

QF has easier transfer of points to someone else, AA doesn't IIRC.

She never shops at Tesco so wouldn't earn any extra BA points.

Hmm.. so back to square one!

Well yes you could sign up QFF through EDR, I guess I didn't see the point for the rigmarole.

18,000 QFF points would get her squat all unless in Australia - you don't want to redeem for a Y flight in Europe, because the fuel fines will just kill full stop. (That is, might as well buy the bl**dy ticket in cash!). At least the AA miles you could buy up a decent award, especially since the USA based FFPs have a reputation for having miles sales, particularly around the silly season(s).

Also consider credit cards and points earn there, unless she doesn't have one of those either.

 

[LiamR]

This is totally off topic...

The new Jetstar livery:

 

[oz_mark]

This is totally off topic...

The new Jetstar livery:

Is this a spot the difference type game?

 

[LiamR]

Is this a spot the difference type game?

Yes. They are outsourcing their pilots and aircraft to France.

The font Jetstar is written in, is different.

 

[straitman]

Does it have anything to do with the registration which is not Australian :?:

 

[oz_mark]

Yes. They are outsourcing their pilots and aircraft to France.

The font Jetstar is written in, is different.

View attachment 2842

Oh, they've played around with the grey, black and orange as well.

 

[drron]

QF is free via EDR.. or has that changed?

She'd earn around 9,000 AA miles on the round trip, not too sure much could be done with those.

QF has easier transfer of points to someone else, AA doesn't IIRC.

She never shops at Tesco so wouldn't earn any extra BA points.

Hmm.. so back to square one!

But an economy Aaward intra Europe is 10000 1 way,17500 for J.
Perth to NZ,fiji 1 way in J is 17500.
Even J LHR-aust is 60000 1 way.
Ability to upgrade on BA,IB and prob soon JAL using AA miles.
And yes you can buy AA miles

 

[LiamR]

Does it have anything to do with the registration which is not Australian :?:

No, they've stuck a French rego over the Australian one, this aircraft is brand new and is currently undergoing testing at Airbus HQ in France.

Once the aircraft is handed over to Jetstar, it will have an Aussie rego.

 

[Flashback]

But an economy Aaward intra Europe is 10000 1 way,17500 for J.
Perth to NZ,fiji 1 way in J is 17500.
Even J LHR-aust is 60000 1 way.
Ability to upgrade on BA,IB and prob soon JAL using AA miles.
And yes you can buy AA miles

Alright, so AA it is.

 

[Must...Fly!]

But an economy Aaward intra Europe is 10000 1 way,17500 for J.
Perth to NZ,fiji 1 way in J is 17500.
Even J LHR-aust is 60000 1 way.
Ability to upgrade on BA,IB and prob soon JAL using AA miles.
And yes you can buy AA miles

I thought Aus-Fiji would be considered a South Pacific award, so 30k in J?

 

[LiamR]

For anybody who is interested, there Cnet did an interview with some Qantas Execs about travelling habits:

Travel Tech Q&A: Qantas Frequent Flyer execs - Stay Connected

 

[drron]

I thought Aus-Fiji would be considered a South Pacific award, so 30k in J?

Yes Fiji is considered South Pacific(as is Easter Island) so it is 17500 in J one way-I booked my Aawards to NZ last week.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yes Fiji is considered South Pacific(as is Easter Island) so it is 17500 in J one way-I booked my Aawards to NZ last week.

I'm confused...the wholly within award is 17500 miles o/w for travel between Aus&NZ in J.

South Pacific award is for travel between Aus and Fiji, which is 30000 miles o/w in J.

Or am I incorrect :-|

 

[drron]

I'm confused...the wholly within award is 17500 miles o/w for travel between Aus&NZ in J.

South Pacific award is for travel between Aus and Fiji, which is 30000 miles o/w in J.

Or am I incorrect :-|

Sorry I was posting after a day with the grandkids and got country and zone mixed up.you are quite correct.