Intra North America Flight Advice

[Durin's Bane]

Good evening all,

I was seeking some advice - at the end of 2024 (Xmas + New Year) I had the following proposed itinerary for my daughters and I within North America:

New York – Toronto – Houston – Phoenix – Los Angeles

I am flying into JFK from Japan, and flying out of LAX back to Japan (these are already booked). Some questions:

1. As a QF Platinum I was going to purchase an American Airlines multi-city itinerary, however note that some non-OW airlines (Air Canada) are cheaper once you start adding checked luggage etc. For some of these flights the flying time is short so happy to purchase individual point to point flights on other cheaper airlines. Any thoughts on this, in particular around purchasing non-refundable tickets in North America?

2. I remember a decade ago purchasing AA airpasses in the USA, however I can’t seem to find this anymore on the website, have they been discontinued?

3. I can rearrange my sequence for the middle three destinations (Toronto – Houston – Phoenix) if it helps, although I think this is the most optimal routing by distance. Does rearranging sequence help with cost in anyway?

4. Would I be allowed access into AA Admirals Club lounges with two kids…? I am Qantas FF Platinum, with daughters 13 and 12 years old. All flights will be in economy class. If I can get AA lounge access this could sway my decision to use AA over another airline.

5. I haven’t used a travel agent in 20 years but could they secure cheaper pricing than what is online at AA.com etc? I do note the AA USA site is cheaper than the Australian site by about 20% when I do dummy itineraries!

6. Happy to hear any other suggestions from the AFF members on the cheapest way to travel around the USA / Canada on my itinerary.

Looking forward to everyone’s feedback – thank you.

DB

 

[justinbrett]

A multi city fare is probably not going to be cheapest. Have a play at booking one way fares or combining a couple of one way fares (but not all). Alternatively use google flights multi city and see what comes up.

As OWE you’ll get checked luggage for free on AA.

Dont forget Alaska is now oneworld too, so you’re not limited to AA.

Children count as guests and you only get one, but you could try. There’s also day passes for the second child if you’re willing to pay.

Use the US AA site, it’s often cheaper.

 

[RooFlyer]

5. I haven’t used a travel agent in 20 years but could they secure cheaper pricing than what is online at AA.com etc? I do note the AA USA site is cheaper than the Australian site by about 20% when I do dummy itineraries!

I won't suggest answers to your questions in general, sorry, as I haven't traveled around the US for some years, but my advice would always be to use a Travel Agent (not and on-line one). They can process various options and combinations infinitely faster than you might be able to, see deals and add-ons that the public can't, maybe combine your international ticket with your new sectors and so on.

Really depends how you value your time.

 

[danielc]

I suggest you try Google Flights and the Southwest Airlines website to find flights that work for you.

Using Google Flights specify One-Way and type in the city pairs and date to search for flights. It will allow you to also see what fares are for dates around that same date. By changing a day or two you might greatly reduce your price. Google Flights does not show Southwest prices so you need to use the Southwest website for those flights. If you type in New York (instead of JFK, EWR, LGA) it will show flights from all the NYC airports.

Note that Southwest does not serve Canada so they aren't in the picture for two of your flights. I like SW because they don't charge to check bags and are very flexible about changing flights. No frills point-to-point travel.

New York (various airports) has nonstops to Toronto with Air Canada, American, Delta and United.

Toronto has nonstops to Houston with Air Canada and United, one-stops with American and Delta.

Last March I travelled PER-SIN-SFO and return on SQ. Booked separate US segments as follows:
SFO-EWR UA
NYC - DC Amtrak
DCA-MDW SW
ORD-SFO UA

Last Jun/Sep booked separate tickets as follows:
PER-MRU-CDG MK
CDG-TLS AF
TLS-CDG AF
CDG-MRU-PER MK

In May/June travelling as follows:
PER-SIN-SFO SQ/UA
SFO-LHR VS
LHR-SFO VS
SFO-SIN-PER UA/SQ

Need to be in SF at both ends of travel so booked as two separate tickets. The AU/US flights were booked through UA website and the VS flights through AF website as codeshares.

I prefer to book flights directly with an airline so I use Google Flights to identify the flight I want and then use the airline website to make the booking. I ignore QF these days. (Not bashing, just my preference)

Happy Searching!

 

[Durin's Bane]

A multi city fare is probably not going to be cheapest. Have a play at booking one way fares or combining a couple of one way fares (but not all). Alternatively use google flights multi city and see what comes up.

As OWE you’ll get checked luggage for free on AA.

Dont forget Alaska is now oneworld too, so you’re not limited to AA.

Children count as guests and you only get one, but you could try. There’s also day passes for the second child if you’re willing to pay.

Use the US AA site, it’s often cheaper.

Thanks mate, I have started using google, very quick and easy to use tool - never used it before for flights if you can believe! If I catch AA will have to try my luck with the lounge dragons!

 

[Durin's Bane]

I suggest you try Google Flights and the Southwest Airlines website to find flights that work for you.

Using Google Flights specify One-Way and type in the city pairs and date to search for flights. It will allow you to also see what fares are for dates around that same date. By changing a day or two you might greatly reduce your price. Google Flights does not show Southwest prices so you need to use the Southwest website for those flights. If you type in New York (instead of JFK, EWR, LGA) it will show flights from all the NYC airports.

Note that Southwest does not serve Canada so they aren't in the picture for two of your flights. I like SW because they don't charge to check bags and are very flexible about changing flights. No frills point-to-point travel.

New York (various airports) has nonstops to Toronto with Air Canada, American, Delta and United.

Toronto has nonstops to Houston with Air Canada and United, one-stops with American and Delta.

Last March I travelled PER-SIN-SFO and return on SQ. Booked separate US segments as follows:
SFO-EWR UA
NYC - DC Amtrak
DCA-MDW SW
ORD-SFO UA

Last Jun/Sep booked separate tickets as follows:
PER-MRU-CDG MK
CDG-TLS AF
TLS-CDG AF
CDG-MRU-PER MK

In May/June travelling as follows:
PER-SIN-SFO SQ/UA
SFO-LHR VS
LHR-SFO VS
SFO-SIN-PER UA/SQ

Need to be in SF at both ends of travel so booked as two separate tickets. The AU/US flights were booked through UA website and the VS flights through AF website as codeshares.

I prefer to book flights directly with an airline so I use Google Flights to identify the flight I want and then use the airline website to make the booking. I ignore QF these days. (Not bashing, just my preference)

Happy Searching!

danielc - really appreciate the detailed post... I was wondering why Southwest wasn't showing on google! I've used them before and they were excellent on every occasion (basic, no frills, perfect for short trips with checked luggage). I'm currently too far out to use their booking tool but I can lock in the flights in and out of Toronto using another airline in the mean time. Thanks again.