Cheap Y/UP runs vanishing?

[notzac]

Hi,

I've been helping my flatmate find some cheap QFF-status-earning AA flights - it seems all of the old favourites out of ONT have dried up (they're still there, just much more expensive now).

Has anyone else noticed this? Have AA decided to start making money on these routes now?

 

[serfty]

I have noticed this too - one I did in March ONT-DFW-MIA-TPA vv is not even showing up online as a cheapie! (DFW-TPA is).

I think it's more the case that the Airlines [Plural] have decided to try to make money.

 

[drron]

I think that the yield management is a lot sharper.I have a ORD-MSP sector in 2 weeks time.Was a very high price but seat selection showed no seats selected in F so i waited.This weekend the YUPP price halved so i booked.
Another interesting comparison between the US and Aussie websites.The small print says they were using an exchange rate of 0.75 for the aussie dollar but my calculation was an effective rate of just over 0.85.However the cost of tax went from ~$US10 to ~$A46.Then found the fine print that this incorporated a $A30 fee.However the total $A represented the quoted $US price at a rate of 0.81.
And I could use my DC :shock:

 

[Evan]

If crediting to QF whats the current $/SC using K/YUPP's approx ?
Wonder how it compared to a DONEx for earning these days. I wanted to do a couple of flights in USA later in year or next year just so i make PG again.

 

[notzac]

If crediting to QF whats the current $/SC using K/YUPP's approx ?
Wonder how it compared to a DONEx for earning these days. I wanted to do a couple of flights in USA later in year or next year just so i make PG again.

Given the cost of doing a DONEx from just about anywhere has risen significantly, it's still probably better value doing Y/UP runs (if far less enjoyable than a DONEx fare). I'm still seeing AUD $3-ish per SC being achievable.

 

[Mal]

I noticed a trend about a month ago that they were disappearing. Even the routing rules are being modified to make some of the very good ones disappear.

Yield Mgmt is getting smarter, plus there is reduced F seats due to flight cancellations. So putting all that together means less advantages.

I havn't spent too much time analysing it further - am now concentrating on ex-EU stuff for investigation, but should I plan to head to the US later this year will investigate the KUPP status then.

 

[serfty]

The HNL/BOS vv runs are still ok with a basic 780 SC's for USD2280 (~AUD2830) - these do fluctuate - some weeks they're around USD1900.

In any case, that's $2.92/sc and nearly 25,000 QFF points for a WP.

Of course the SFO-LAX-DFW vv has a return as well being USD775 (~AUD960) for 240 SC's [$4/sc]. (Also SFO/LAX vv for USD330 [~AUD410] @ $3.42/sc)

 

[dajop]

The HNL/BOS vv runs are still ok with a basic 780 SC's for USD2280 (~Of course the SFO-LAX-DFW vv has a return as well being USD775 (~AUD960) for 240 SC's [$4/sc]. (Also SFO/LAX vv for USD330 [~AUD410] @ $3.42/sc)

Not an AA run, but CX do have an I class special avail SIN-BKK-SIN for $499 SGD (120 SC)s, ~$3.40 AUD/SC. Comparable.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I havn't spent too much time analysing it further - am now concentrating on ex-EU stuff for investigation.

I have noticed a nice cheap fare LGW-AMS on BA in business for [FONT=ARIAL,]£[/FONT]102, that should be 40SCs :?: exact time and date I need, I am wondering whether I should book it, is BA happy with Australian credit cards.

Not an AA run, but CX do have an I class special avail SIN-BKK-SIN for $499 SGD (120 SC)s, ~$3.40 AUD/SC. Comparable.

I think Anat0l might be interested in that one. :idea:

I am sure Serfty will find a cheap KUP fare if one comes along.

 

[JohnK]

Has anyone else noticed this? Have AA decided to start making money on these routes now?

Nothing lasts forever and given that these YUPP/KUPP airfares are plastered all over the internet on travel related forums I am not surprised. Yes it is disappointing but not much one can do about it.

 

[Danger]

It's only a short one but it got me what I needed: LGA-ORD-ATL, 180 SCs, currently AUD580.

 

[anat0l]

Not an AA run, but CX do have an I class special avail SIN-BKK-SIN for $499 SGD (120 SC)s, ~$3.40 AUD/SC. Comparable.

I think anat0l might be interested in that one. :idea:

Very comparable and interesting - closer to home, a bit easier, better than the Star Class sales right now. Not as many points in the mix, but ah well. I'll look into it.

I have noticed a nice cheap fare LGW-AMS on BA in business for [FONT=ARIAL,]£[/FONT]102, that should be 40SCs :?: exact time and date I need, I am wondering whether I should book it, is BA happy with Australian credit cards.

40 SCs it is - only 227 miles.

If that is GBP 102 one-way, then at a rate of AUD 5.1 / SC (using current exchange rate as of this post) that is merely satisfactory (slightly worse than a domestic SC run but probably balances out by means of logistics). If that price is a return fare, then a killer SC rate (i.e. I want in! )

 

[Bundy Bear]

40 SCs it is - only 227 miles.

If that is GBP 102 one-way, then at a rate of AUD 5.1 / SC (using current exchange rate as of this post) that is merely satisfactory (slightly worse than a domestic SC run but probably balances out by means of logistics). If that price is a return fare, then a killer SC rate (i.e. I want in! )

One way only; exactly what I need; who said I was paying for it, well I am but why pay tax on all the money I am making, where is the yeah sure smiley when you need it.

 

[file51]

It is almost as though things are changing on a daily basis.

I have 3 trips to the states prior to my FF anniversary date (end Jan '10) and without doing anything crazy will end up with almost 1,900SC's.

Trying to find some convenient and price effective routes to get an additional 200SC's for PG is proving to be a lot tougher than finding good flights 6 months ago.

There are always the SFO-LAX-LAS flights, but since the price jump they are not as attractive.

I am glad I got my US$399 LAX-DFW-CMH (210SC's) when I did, they have already gone up by $45 each way in the past few weeks.

 

[serfty]

... these do fluctuate ... (Also SFO/LAX vv for USD330 [~AUD410] @ $3.42/sc)

It is almost as though things are changing on a daily basis. ...

That SFO/LAX fare was USD440 return all up last week, so if you are into these things it pays to keep your eye out for changes.

 

[file51]

That SFO/LAX fare was USD440 return all up last week, so if you are into these things it pays to keep your eye out for changes.

Exactly

SFO/LAX return all up is currently USD$327 incl (USD$153 each way ++ is a great deal IMO especially if you have to do that sector, some economy fares are starting at USD$103).

And with the dollar going up it gets better for us

Major pity the LAX-LAS fares are and have always been over priced for 1st Class seats

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Can someone please suggest some good runs in the USA please on AA. l'm looking at booking a RTW and will probably be stopping in the USA for about 4-5 days in December.
My anniversary with QF is Nov 30th. So, l'll be starting my RTW on December 1st. I've got QP membership till 10/11 and am silver at the moment, which will most probably go back to Bronze on 1st of december this year as l'm short of SC's. Just looking to get to QF Gold, if it's cheap.
So far l've got, PER, LAX /break/ , LHR, BUD /break/, LHR, BKK /break/, PER. All for $2200 including taxes on QF & BA metal.
Any tips would be great.
Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[Evan]

My guess is that with frequency reduction on routes that there is simply also less F seats to fill domestically and they have enough people to pay the premium so no need to discount.
At the rates i am seeing for SC's on these fares now AUD $5/SC its not all that different than a cheaper DONE3/4 if you can still find one of them.

 

[serfty]

That SFO/LAX fare was USD440 return all up last week, so if you are into these things it pays to keep your eye out for changes.

SFO/LAX vv is currently USD330 (~AUD400)

Also, look from US to central America/Carribean vv.

 

[drron]

Can someone please suggest some good runs in the USA please on AA. l'm looking at booking a RTW and will probably be stopping in the USA for about 4-5 days in December.
My anniversary with QF is Nov 30th. So, l'll be starting my RTW on December 1st. I've got QP membership till 10/11 and am silver at the moment, which will most probably go back to Bronze on 1st of december this year as l'm short of SC's. Just looking to get to QF Gold, if it's cheap.
So far l've got, PER, LAX /break/ , LHR, BUD /break/, LHR, BKK /break/, PER. All for $2200 including taxes on QF & BA metal.
Any tips would be great.
Thanks in advance everyone.

Unfortunately on a LONE4 you will not earn mega SCs for your US sectors.The real payoff is for those on a DONE4 where the US sectors are in A(first) so great SC earners.I like the LAX-DFW sector as it is just over 1200 miles with a lot of frequency.So LAX-DFW-LAX-DFW-LAX-DFW-LAX on a DONE4 will earn you 720SCs but on a LONE4 just 120.