US Trip Help

[tech]

Hi Guys

Been lurking here for awhile and have a bit of a quandry where I could do with some help.

Mrs Tech and Myself are both SG, with an anniversary date of 30 June.

We have business in Washington DC, Philadelphia and NYC in July. (The sort of business where I have to pay for our own tickets....)

My preference is to fly Y+ to LAX and YUP/P domestically in the US. The YUP/P appears for not only the status credits but for the 5 hour flight NOT in AA economy.

Is there anyway to get these flights on the same "ticket" to remove the "no making your international connection risk".

I got bumbed for 24 hours in MSY last year - which fortunately was all on the same ticket - as a bonus (and because I was last in the VERY long queue) got a First upgrade for Mrs Tech and myself (which was nice)

I could just book Y+ all the way through, but the LAX-IAD leg is AA and appears to be Y.

Any other options here? (say BNE-LAX-JFK Y+ Is this QF metal? so Y+ is still Y+ LAX-JFK)

I've also noticed that the YUP/P between JFK-IAD is actually via Miami - so almost as much as some of the cheaper HNL-JFK-Caribean YUP/P fares?

Is it even worth trying to fly? or should we just leave a day early and drive down from NYC to DC? I have to drive back as there are a couple of meetings on the way back.

Without sending Mrs Tech mad - can we use this to help set us up for a status run later in the year?

Any help/Your thoughts appreciated.

Thanks
Tech

 

[samh004]

Welcome to AFF tech!

Without sending Mrs Tech mad - can we use this to help set us up for a status run later in the year?

For this question in particular, If your year ends in June and you’re travelling in July then it’ll most definitely work in your favour. You’ll still need to take 4 flights with QF/JQ though to get status before next June.

 

[N860CR]

Any other options here? (say BNE-LAX-JFK Y+ Is this QF metal? so Y+ is still Y+ LAX-JFK)

This is far from my area of expertise, however note that when the QF LAX-JFK-LAX flight is downgraded from the 744 to the A332, Y+ and F will no longer be available on this route. I dare say a Y+ BNE-LAX-JFK will book into Y for the final leg (which still beats AA).

If time allows, I'd overnight in LAX before booking seperate AA tickets. I think that's going to only way to book a cost effective YUP as I don't believe they can be combined with your ex Australia flights.

 

[Dave Noble]

You might also want to consider Jetstar Starclass to Hawaii and then an AA 1st ticket to washington and philadelphia and new york and back to Hawaii

There is a nice 767 service from Hawaii to Chicago which is v pleasant in 1st and then a connection onto the end. Starclass may well be cheaper than Y+ on QF

JQ Starclass r/t is $2555 exc taxes to Hawaii vs $4000 exc taxes for QF in Y+ to LAX

HNL-DCA r/t in 1st is $3665 plus tax on AA. A nicer option might be CO who have a fare of $2996 plus tax ( and generally ime a nicer product )
Even cheaper seems to be AS at $1805

For LAX-DCA r/t in premium cabin on US is $1352 , DL at $1727 and AA at $2236

I would be inclined to travel on JQ and AS ( subject to availability ) for lowest price for comfort and not much more expensive than just the QF Y+ fare to LAX

If there is availability and wanting to use AAthen the lowest AA HNL-DCA fare is $883 plus tax. To upgrade costs 30,000 points plus $300 . to buy the miles needed will cost $825 plus taxes. Total would be $2008 plus taxes which is a $1600 saving over buying a 1st ticket

JQ+AA would be $4558 plus taxes

 

[tech]

JQ+AA would be $4558 plus taxes

(Hope this doesn't sound too newbie...)

And how would you go ahead and book this Dave?

 

[HardieBoys]

Booking discounted AA Y fares is likely to garner no SC or points: the main advantage is preferential boarding and use of the lounge, if your status permits. Having arrived back this morning from NY, I'd advise flying QF all the way, if the dates suit.

Once in NY, consider using the Acela train service to DC (it's not cheap, however), and definitely use the train service to Philly, as even the local trains take only 75 minutes from Midtown. NY - Philly is very easy on the train, and Philly - DC is very comfortable as well. Allow three hours door-to-door for Manhattan - DC. I was lucky with my flights this trip, but friends' planes were cancelled and AA staff weren't particularly helpful.

 

[Dave Noble]

(Hope this doesn't sound too newbie...)

And how would you go ahead and book this Dave?

Do you have any specific dates when you wish to travel; you may need some flexibility for upgrades and need to see whether the cheapest seats are available for those dates and whether upgrades are available.

If finding that upgrades are available and fares are good, the steps are to

open an AA Aadvntage account on AA.com
On the website , go to purchase miles and purchase the necessary miles; takes a cpl of days for miles to credit
book flight on AA.com for HNL-DCA . Then phone AA and getthe upgrades issued

The starclass flight can just be booked on jetstar.com

The Alaska Air option of USD16000 rt inc taxes is , I suggest a better option since it will give you full flexibility to make changes et al , much easier availability and costs USD1600 inc taxes. Should be able to just look on the website and find availabilty very easily . You need to use the multi city search on website to find 1st class fares. You may need to phone AS to get it ticketed depending on whether they accept australian credit cards over the phone

USD1600 is AUD1924
Jetstar including taxes is coming up at AUD2126

Using a mix of Alaska and Jetstar comes to $4050 inc taxes and gives you fully flexible tickets

Alaska Air is not a bad airline and , if wanting to collect to QF scheme, you would even earn Qantas FF miles with the 50% bonus for 1st class. Note , you wouldnt earn Status Credits but you indicated that you went worried about those anyway.

Just then need to get to/from New York.

Dave

 

[Dave Noble]

Booking discounted AA Y fares is likely to garner no SC or points: the main advantage is preferential boarding and use of the lounge, if your status permits. Having arrived back this morning from NY, I'd advise flying QF all the way, if the dates suit.
.

You are missing the most important aspect ; the seat ! . The AA or AS or CO etc 1st class service is a lot nicer than economy class plus that QF are ceasing to fly aeroplanes with Pemium economy seating to New York plus that the QF Premium Economy fare to new York costs $5862 which is $1500 more expensive ( and would only offer economy seating on the 5 hour flight between LAX and JFK ). There is no way I would be booking that option

FF miles are not the be all and end all of travel

 

[serfty]

Booking discounted AA Y fares is likely to garner no SC or points: the main advantage is preferential boarding and use of the lounge, if your status permits. Having arrived back this morning from NY, I'd advise flying QF all the way, if the dates suit. ...

N and S classes earn points on QF for AA discounted Y travel. One has to be selective (at least it's simple to find the booking class unlike Qantas).