A challenge

[holidayer]

Hi there

I am looking at a one way flight SYD-LHR via MIA in November/ December. I want to do this in business (or at a minimum Jetstar star class, which is not really business but whatever!), and also I would like to get as many one world status credits as possible (have to get 70 by end Dec to stay Silver, and 470 to get Gold, but will be doing a little domestic stuff in that time). Will be stopping in MIA for about 10 days and may also do another stop (possibly via Honolulu) but also will not be in a great rush, so if there are small things I can do to get status/ points up am happy to do them. Willing to do longer routes to get a better value fare.

Any suggestions as to routes/ airlines/ costs? QANTAS looks v exxy!

Cheers

 

[NM]

The cheapest option is probably to buy Jetstar Star Class SYD-HNL. The buy an AA YUP/KUP fare to MIA for seating in AA domestic First Class and earning first class Status Credits for QF FF. Then buy a one-way MIA-LHR business class on either AA or BA. Since you are looking for stopovers in each of those locations, there is no need for it to all be on one ticket.

 

[Travel Guru]

NM's suggestion is going to be the cheapest way to do it in "business" class and get J level SC's by a mile.

The fare is going to be roughly:

SYD-HNL-SYD JQ - StarClass $2736.78
HNL-MIA-HNL AA - P Class $2244.80 inc tax
MIA-LHR-MIA BA - I Class $3404.90 inc tax

A total fare of $8386.48 - Pretty good value given what you're doing.

TG

 

[NM]

NM's suggestion is going to be the cheapest way to do it in "business" class and get J level SC's by a mile.

The fare is going to be roughly:

SYD-HNL-SYD JQ - StarClass $2736.78
HNL-MIA-HNL AA - P Class $2244.80 inc tax
MIA-LHR-MIA BA - I Class $3404.90 inc tax

A total fare of $8386.48 - Pretty good value given what you're doing.

holidayer was wanting one-way options, so should be even cheaper than that return fare. Just may not be able to get the BA I class fare as a one-way????

 

[MelUser]

Is the connection time between the incoming JQ flight from SYD into HNL enough to make the AA flight to DFW? From memory it is only 2 hours.

Does anyone know if AA will reaccommodate on a later flight if JQ is late?

I presume the cheapest way to get the first class flight from HNL to DFW (if DFW is the end destination) is to use AA.com and select the cheapest, most restricted First class option on the booking engine?

 

[NM]

Is the connection time between the incoming JQ flight from SYD into HNL enough to make the AA flight to DFW? From memory it is only 2 hours.

holidayer said he/she was interested in a stopover in HNL, so the connection time is not an issue.

Does anyone know if AA will reaccommodate on a later flight if JQ is late?

They are not obliged to do so, but in my experience and from reading other people's experience's AA seem to be quite good at such accommodations. Of course they can only do so if there are seats available on later flights.

I presume the cheapest way to get the first class flight from HNL to DFW (if DFW is the end destination) is to use AA.com and select the cheapest, most restricted First class option on the booking engine?

You need to look for the "instant upgrade" fares, also known as YUP and KUP. They can be found by searching for First Class with Restrictions. As holidayer is heading for MIA, there are lots of options, including HNL-LAX-MIA, HNL-LAX-DFW-MIA, HNL-SFO-DFW-MIA, HNL-ORD-MIA. Personally I would be looking for 767 operated flights and avoiding the red-eyes.

 

[drron]

Searching aa.com using their price and schedule search usually gives you the upgradeable fares as well.

 

[Danger]

Is the connection time between the incoming JQ flight from SYD into HNL enough to make the AA flight to DFW? From memory it is only 2 hours.

Does anyone know if AA will reaccommodate on a later flight if JQ is late?

MCT for an incoming international flight to an outgoing domestic flight is two hours. When I last flew SYD-HNL on JQ the scheduled arrival time was 6.45am. My connecting AA flight was scheduled to depart at 8.30am. Prior to the trip the AAgent suggested I shouldn't really have a problem. Well, not if things had gone to plan. Boarding was delayed in SYD due to a thunder storm shutting down ground activity. We arrived into HNL at 7.45am. No chance to make my connection but when I phoned AA the very helpful agent said something along the lines of "Oh dear, that's no good. Let's see what we can do for you here, honey." I booked on a restricted first class fare which may have helped but I was easily moved to another flight without any dramas.

 

[MelUser]

Sorry, I had meant to ask (a general question) if flying into HNL on JQ and then on to somewhere in US on cheap first class AA, what would one recommend as the minimum connection time to clear immigration and customs and re check for the AAA flight - I take it that JQ would not agree to check luggage through on AA the way QF would.

 

[serfty]

Sorry, I had meant to ask (a general question) if flying into HNL on JQ and then on to somewhere in US on cheap first class AA, what would one recommend as the minimum connection time to clear immigration and customs and re check for the AAA flight - I take it that JQ would not agree to check luggage through on AA the way QF would.

4 Hours!

• You arrive the the terminal
• Walk up to a funny looking "bus"
• and wait for it to fill.
• It takes you to the immigration building
• Where you queue until processed
• (Last time it took about an hour)
• collect bags
• clear customs
• you then find AA checkin
• and check-in bags
• go through security
• walk the 15 minutes to the QP/AC
• arrange a shower at the desk
• they call you far your shower
• have shower
• exit shower refreshed
• (June last year all this took about 2½ hours - no checked bags)
• use the remaining time to check FT, emails etc., perhaps souvenir shop

 

[Danger]

Sorry, I had meant to ask (a general question) if flying into HNL on JQ and then on to somewhere in US on cheap first class AA, what would one recommend as the minimum connection time to clear immigration and customs and re check for the AAA flight - I take it that JQ would not agree to check luggage through on AA the way QF would.

I believe it would still be two hours MCT. If weather isn't a problem and you take off okay, 1.75 hours should also be doable. But as I said above, the AAgents were very helpful when I missed my connection.

And, no, no bag transfer between JQ and AA.

 

[MelUser]

I would have checked luggage - those large Australian style trolley cases - probably not quite 2 per person in travelling party but close so probably best to allow a tad more time.

 

[Dave Noble]

Sorry, I had meant to ask (a general question) if flying into HNL on JQ and then on to somewhere in US on cheap first class AA, what would one recommend as the minimum connection time to clear immigration and customs and re check for the AAA flight - I take it that JQ would not agree to check luggage through on AA the way QF would.

There is no minimum connecting time since it is not a connection

When making 2 discrete bookings, need to allow for delays et al , since if you miss the ongoing flight, AA has no responsibility to you. With a KUP fare, they are changeable , so you probably can rebook without penalty if you are late however it would be subject to booking availability rather than something that is required by the airline

2 hours would do the trick if the JQ flight is on time ; you would need to decide what additional level of protection you feel that you need

I try and avoid separate tickets where I can due to the risks. There is one notable exception where I do them, but that is where I know that it will be the same aircraft

Dave

 

[holidayer]

Thanks guys for suggestions - comments about connection times duly noted! Hopefully it will be a good trip!

I assume that first class domestic US is just like business elsewhere? Sorry - have not done much US domestic stuff, and has all been at the back of the plane!

H

 

[Evan]

I assume that first class domestic US is just like business elsewhere? Sorry - have not done much US domestic stuff, and has all been at the back of the plane!

H

Yes, although i would say from my small expereince that i prefer QF domestic J than AA domestic F. First by name only... apparently these days your lucky if you even get a drink or a bite to eat in F on a lot of flights.

E