new member QF LAX J advice

[daysoff]

Hi, i joined only a few days ago and have read many threads...I find it astonishing that there is so much to learn its a science! I need a copy of the abbreviations post just to understand so bear with me

I have so many questions although will start with a 1 and background. I dropped off flying for a while but I am now back in the swing SYD/MEL each week and SYD/LAX each month through to Dallas and NYC and return - all Y.

I have been a QF member since 95. I have flown 95% domestic economy and was WP for a few years but now down to PS although will be SG in a month or so - I have also recently qualified LTS - (does it mean anything)

I am sick of Y to SYD/LAX so was thinking for 1/2 the price of J direct I may be able to go via Nandi my next trip is Sept 20th - I am now with a small company thats growing but cant justify 15k airfares yet - is it worth it in terms of $$ ,comfort and SCs or is there a better way?

 

[moa999]

LTS - A good achievment but no great benefit (apart from ability to use business class check-in for life on oneworld airlines)

For helping you get to WP (would help with upgrade chances on the LAX legs) would recommend seeing if you can book YUP/KUP fares when in the US on AA
These are essentially discounted fares that are upgraded to First Class.

 

[Worldtraveller8888]

IMO, the Air Pacific J product is a bit ordinary. Nothing like what you get (but pay for commensurately for) on a QF A380.

The Air Pacific option would be worthwhile from a SC point of view, but would also increase your total journey time.

Are you allowed to travel Premium Economy on QF? That earns SC's at full Economy rates.

WT

 

[daysoff]

Thanks, firstly I didn't realise it wasn't QF I just checked on webjet and it was the cheapest QF flight to LAX - secondly on the PE, maybe , depends on $$

 

[TimB]

Thanks, firstly I didn't realise it wasn't QF I just checked on webjet and it was the cheapest QF flight to LAX - secondly on the PE, maybe , depends on $$

Since you're flying SYD-LAX every month, you shouldn't be buying SYD-LAX-SYD tickets, but LAX-SYD-LAX tickets. So for the first trip, go one way to LAX, and have a return LAX-SYD-LAX ticket to get home, and then get you to the US on your next trip. (Make sure you already have this flight back from the US booked before you leave or they won't let you in to the US.)

Why? SYD-LAX-SYD in PE is $4454 for the random dates I picked in September. But LAX-SYD-LAX in PE is about $2828 (at current exchange rates), a 35% saving.

And once you move up to SG and eventually WP, your chances of getting upgraded PE->J will increase. (I was successful getting that upgrade on my last three flights MEL-LAX or vv.) Even if you don't get it, PE is a lot better experience than Y.

Hang around these forums for a while and you'll pick up tricks like this from the experts as I've done.

 

[MelUser]

I hope that you are putting in points upgrade requests for all your QF international flights!

 

[cove]

Can you grab the business BAS payment and stuff it thru your credit card each month?
That will get you into J cheapest available on points at the lowest cost of about $1700 return if you use AMEX 1.5 points/dollar card.

 

[daysoff]

Thanks - a few tricks already!

 

[cove]

If you are able to change brands this forum has disclosed J flights on Delta with a four in the thousands part so United and VA have to compete with that.
QF offer a 21 day ahead I fare for J for a six in the thousands part as my partner bought three of them for one flight a few months ago.
It is often cheaper coming the other way so you could use points to get to LAX to start your ticketing.It is 96000 points in classic or a bit more for an "any time" JASA which gets you status credits and points to your frequent flyer account and you go in J.

 

[daysoff]

Hi back again thanks for the tips so here I am 2 months later doing SYD/LAX/DFW/JFK/LAX/SYD all Y on Wednesday 3rd back on the 23rd which should (I think) leave me needing 300 SCs on the next trip to get back to WP.

I need do the same run around December 7th ish again SYD/LA/DFW/JFK/LAX/SYD so if its all QF and AA on economy then how do I maximize SCs via NZ? I have been able to justify a couple of premium economy legs one to HK last week and another on the last SYD/LAX leg 2 weeks ago as recommended in a previous answer and upgraded so thanks thats helped but its a little pricey for us over the next 2 months for PE...I am likely to do the same run SYD/LAX/DFW/NYC/LAX/SYD again in Jan (may have to go to brazil too) . Anyway as everyone who joins as a newbe says its a real science any suggestions would be appreciated, tks

BTW I upgraded on a Canberra /Melb leg last week for 5000 points and received 20SCs - is that normal?

 

[samh004]

BTW I upgraded on a Canberra /Melb leg last week for 5000 points and received 20SCs - is that normal?

If you only upgraded for 5000 then you were likely booked into a full Y fare, so 20SC’s should be what you were expecting. If you’re asking why you didn’t get 40SC’s, it’s because you upgraded, you’re not entitled to the J earning SC’s for upgrading, only the class booked.

 

[daysoff]

If you are able to change brands this forum has disclosed J flights on Delta with a four in the thousands part so United and VA have to compete with that.
QF offer a 21 day ahead I fare for J for a six in the thousands part as my partner bought three of them for one flight a few months ago.
It is often cheaper coming the other way so you could use points to get to LAX to start your ticketing.It is 96000 points in classic or a bit more for an "any time" JASA which gets you status credits and points to your frequent flyer account and you go in J.

Thanks for your reply - sorry not sure what four in the thousands part means? (newbe)

 

[notzac]

Thanks for your reply - sorry not sure what four in the thousands part means? (newbe)

The numeral 4 in the thousands column -- i.e., something that costs $4000 - $4999.

 

[daysoff]

The numeral 4 in the thousands column -- i.e., something that costs $4000 - $4999.

Ok tks , sorry

 

[notzac]

Ok tks , sorry

No charge

 

[daysoff]

If you only upgraded for 5000 then you were likely booked into a full Y fare, so 20SC’s should be what you were expecting. If you’re asking why you didn’t get 40SC’s, it’s because you upgraded, you’re not entitled to the J earning SC’s for upgrading, only the class booked.

Yeah I get it now thanks - it just shows how much quicker the SCs accrue when you pay full econ or J - you get what you pay for I guess

 

[cove]

I run into folks travelling to LAX from Australia in J who have paid up to $14,000 for the ticket.
A guy from Perth had managed to pay $20,000 to go thru to New York City in J and it was being paid by an oil company I had invested in.
No wonder that company doesnt report any real profits.

 

[daysoff]

I run into folks travelling to LAX from Australia in J who have paid up to $14,000 for the ticket.
A guy from Perth had managed to pay $20,000 to go thru to New York City in J and it was being paid by an oil company I had invested in.
No wonder that company doesnt report any real profits.

yes it makes you wonder - I guess its all relative. In my position I just cant justify that kind of cash for a trip that can be covered for well under 2k -

 

[cove]

If you can put the business BAS on your credit card you can go in QF J for under $2,000.
I use AMEX ULTIMATE and/or CITI SELECT.
196,000 times .0065 plus booking fees on CITI SELECT so that is $1274 plus booking fees.The Tax Office fee is 65 cents a point.
AMEX ULTIMATE is 83 cents a point and you get the points quicker.