Multi choice transit options JFK-EDI; need advice

[smckay]

We (Mrs smckay + me) are rocking into JFK on QF (August this year) and then are flying straight on to Edinburgh to spend some time there before returning to NYC.

My dilemma is:

• Do I risk booking a night flight (say about 11pm which appears to be latest) the same day we land which will see us in EDI around late arvo the next day?
  • Issues here are extremely long time on a plane. Whilst SYD-JFK is Y+, NYC-LHR may be Y+ but LHR-EDI will be Y. Do you think this is too much down time on a plane?
  • QF107 lobs ~1725; is 5+ hours sufficient to transit? Clearing Customs into US is done, how long is getting out the the US taking these days? Will we be able to shower/refresh in AA/BA lounge?
  • If the plane inwards is delayed we may miss flights. Will be booking full rate (or cheapest refundable) to cope with this
  • This option saves us a day
  • We lob in EDI early enough to eat and then sleep off the travel, refreshed the next day
• Do I stay overnight @ JFK area for about ~$200 and catch the (only?) am flight the next day which arrives late PM next night?
  • Issues here are losing a day
  • Possible lack of sleep that night due to Mrs being go-getter and will require early start to see all the sights
  • AA lounge ask you to pay for food (the miserable so and so's) so breakfast will either be ugly or expensive or both (I do enjoy a nice breakfast BTW)
  • Positives are we get a (hopefully) quality nights sleep in a bed

So my concern is mainly what would folks do if they had to choose, or what have you done in similar? The money issue is not a factor we're talking 200 bucks for the bed and maybe a slightly cheaper flight so we can dismiss that.

 

[Boris spatsky]

What's the dilemma? Short connection time? If so, What time do you land in JFK?

 

[drron]

What I would do(but then I always like travelling up the front)would be to buy AA miles and get awards.You can buy 55000 miles for $US1512.50).You will get 15000 bonus miles.This would then be enough miles for a J Aaward JFK-LHR-EDI-but yes the LHR-EDI will be in Y.That would cost 50000 miles.Coming back EDI-LHR-JFK costs 20000 miles for a Y Aaward.You can join Aadvantage for free online.
So you have a nice comfortable seat for potentially the most grueling flight of your itinerary and the Y flight when you will be breaking at NYC.
Unfortunately you could not buy quite enough for a F Aaward which is 62500 and have enough left over to get an Aaward back.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Which airline are you flying JFK-LHR? AA or BA?

 

[smckay]

drron; I like travelling up the front too, but never happens. I will investigate your advice.
John; Which ever has the cheapest price when I book. I think only BA does the morning flight, BA/AA both do night flights.

 

[smckay]

What I would do(but then I always like travelling up the front)would be to buy AA miles and get awards.You can buy 55000 miles for $US1512.50).You will get 15000 bonus miles.This would then be enough miles for a J Aaward JFK-LHR-EDI-but yes the LHR-EDI will be in Y.That would cost 50000 miles.Coming back EDI-LHR-JFK costs 20000 miles for a Y Aaward.You can join Aadvantage for free online.
So you have a nice comfortable seat for potentially the most grueling flight of your itinerary and the Y flight when you will be breaking at NYC.
Unfortunately you could not buy quite enough for a F Aaward which is 62500 and have enough left over to get an Aaward back.

Not really cost-effective for us. Need 80,000 miles + 950USD cash each pax. The award flight timing doesn't suit coming back. Might look at mixing and matching airlines but.

 

[smckay]

What I would do(but then I always like travelling up the front)would be to buy AA miles and get awards.You can buy 55000 miles for $US1512.50).You will get 15000 bonus miles.This would then be enough miles for a J Aaward JFK-LHR-EDI-but yes the LHR-EDI will be in Y.That would cost 50000 miles.Coming back EDI-LHR-JFK costs 20000 miles for a Y Aaward.You can join Aadvantage for free online.
So you have a nice comfortable seat for potentially the most grueling flight of your itinerary and the Y flight when you will be breaking at NYC.
Unfortunately you could not buy quite enough for a F Aaward which is 62500 and have enough left over to get an Aaward back.

I been researching and I can only see 50K miles out and 30K miles back. Appears to be on BA flights and I have read that BA are pricy.
Are the numbers you quote accurate and if so could you steer me to where they are?
The other issue is that there is a hefty cash price to pay so I just wonder if it's worth it?

We've since changed plans and will be JFK-EDI then MAN-JFK. BA do this trip in Y+/Y through LHR and AA go Man - JFK direct which is tempting.