Tricky Itin ! need help

[Poguemahone]

Hi Guy's

I need to go to Madrid on the 25/26 of June for 2 days. I then need to go to LAX untill the 9th July.

issues..

1. I am travelling with a Qantas 76 driver (Syd-Madrid return) who will use staff travel to match my flights to be on the same.

2. We need as much Qantas flying as possible.

3. We are open to HK ,Singapore, London or ???

4. What is the best way to do this flight?

5. I am Gold and can use points but don't mind paying.

6. Upgrade possibilities on the LAX-Syd leg..

any thoughts?? anyone done a similar trip??.


Thanks in advance!!!

Pog..

 

[Keith009]

Is the reason why you need to be on QF as much as possible your friend's staff travel? I'd have thought she'd get industry discounts on many other airlines as well (albeit it could be on standby). Because if your friend is matching your flights, the transatlantic portion to LA would have to be non-QF unless you're willing to backtrack all the way to SYD and fly QF to LAX transpacific. :shock:

The oneworld explorer product would suit you and you'd need a 4 continents explorer (xONE4). These can be booked in A, D or L, and if booked in L ur fare will depend on whether it's low or high season. For a surcharge you can fly the BA long haul segments in World Traveler's Plus which is heaps comfier than Economy.

The only possible routes to MAD using QF as much as possible are SYD-FRA via SIN or SYD-LHR via BKK/SIN. You will then need to connect at FRA or LHR to a partner airline, ie BA or IB to continue to MAD. From MAD you'd be able to fly across to the US on another oneworld airline (IB, AA or BA via LHR come to mind), and finally do LAX-SYD on QF.

The OWE product is also a great way to mileage run but I note you're traveling with a friend on staff travel so that might be an obstacle for MRing.

More details about the oneworld explorer here: oneworld - oneworld Explorer

Full fare rules:
http://www.oneworld.com/content/library/oneworld_explorer_15may2007.pdf

Or if you've got enough points to cover the entire journey - I'm sure someone here would be able to advise you on how to burn QF points for a RTW trip. This thread might be a good starting point: RTW flights utilising FF points
Too close for comfort for any decent availability though...

 

[Poguemahone]

Thanks Mate.

The Madrid leg is with the QF staffer, then I am on my own to LAX.

The problem seems that flight avail up to those dates is darn near impossible..

The Paris option is interesting I will check this out.

Thanks to date

Pog

 

[Poguemahone]

I looked into Syd - Paris via Singapore and it puts me on a Air france 777 to Paris which is fine!!

Is this considered One World?

any help like usual is appreciated!.

Isnt it crazy when you need to do the leg work for some Agents!..blah, anyone who can recommend a good agent that is savvy then please put them up!!!

Thanks

Pog

 

[littl_flier]

I looked into Syd - Paris via Singapore and it puts me on a Air france 777 to Paris which is fine!!

Is this considered One World?

any help like usual is appreciated!.

Isnt it crazy when you need to do the leg work for some Agents!..blah, anyone who can recommend a good agent that is savvy then please put them up!!!

Thanks

Pog

Air France is not considered oneworld although there is the QF codeshare which you would earn points on.

As for travel agents, depends where you are. I know a great one in Brizzy.

 

[Keith009]

I looked into Syd - Paris via Singapore and it puts me on a Air france 777 to Paris which is fine!!

Is this considered One World?

any help like usual is appreciated!.

Isnt it crazy when you need to do the leg work for some Agents!..blah, anyone who can recommend a good agent that is savvy then please put them up!!!

Thanks

Pog

Try these people - Trailfinders - The Travel Experts ;they're usually pretty good. I built up a good relationship with a TA at their MEL branch which was useful for info, but he's since left to become a corporate TA.

However I wouldn't get RTW products from TAs as the fare would be identical to what you can get directly from an airline, especially for an OWE. You might also get dinged with service fees by TAs. Any oneworld airline can book and issue a OWE. I recommend American Airlines as their surcharges seem to be the lowest. Their awesome ATW desk in the US can be contacted at +1800 247 3247. You'll then need to contact AA Sydney at 1800 673 486 to purchase and issue your ticket. They might try to get you on to the AA codeshare on the QF flight from LAX-SYD as this gets them the revenue on that sector - but insist on being booked on the QF code if you are intending to use points to upgrade. You do not need any AA content for AA to issue your OWE if that's what you're concerned about.

If you're simply connecting at CDG - beware that it's not the best of airports to connect at. Even worse than LHR if that's even possible.

AF isn't oneworld but if you're booked on the QF code, then for all intents and purposes of QFF you're on a QF flight that will earn points, SCs and count towards the 'min 4 QF segments' rule. However if you're intending to purchase a OWE, the codeshare on AF cannot be included. Your flights need to be both oneworld-operated and marketed for a OWE.