A couple of questions from an AAdvantage newbie

[k974]

HI

I'm trying to use up the last of my AA miles bought back in 2013 when time were good. I am currently travelling to London monthly with EK. I used to use KVS before to find availability, apologies for a repetitive question (I have spent 3 hrs this morning reading 100pages to hopefully avoid it ) what is the easiest way to search for availability for technology challenged people?

any airline site easy to use? I've been on QF QR and BA and i'm struggling

is it worth downloading KVS again?

Thanks

 

[diningdecadence]

HI

I'm trying to use up the last of my AA miles bought back in 2013 when time were good. I am currently travelling to London monthly with EK. I used to use KVS before to find availability, apologies for a repetitive question (I have spent 3 hrs this morning reading 100pages to hopefully avoid it ) what is the easiest way to search for availability for technology challenged people?

any airline site easy to use? I've been on QF QR and BA and i'm struggling

is it worth downloading KVS again?

Thanks

where's your departure city?

i find the BA search tool easier than QF once you've narrowed down the timeframe, personally. AA itself isn't terrible either.

 

[k974]

Hi

I'm trying to get a flight ex bne to Dublin cork or London , last couple of times I got a connection with QF to Syd /mel to get on the QF flight to London . Few yes previous I went in first in Thai when they were still in star alliance .

I tried Qatar but QR Site kept saying I had no miles , I would like to try CX or QR.

Wonder is purchasing Kvs the easiest thing to do?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi

I'm trying to get a flight ex bne to Dublin cork or London , last couple of times I got a connection with QF to Syd /mel to get on the QF flight to London . Few yes previous I went in first in Thai when they were still in star alliance .

I tried Qatar but QR Site kept saying I had no miles , I would like to try CX or QR.

Wonder is purchasing Kvs the easiest thing to do?

You can sign up to the BA tool and search for Qatar and Cathay. You can use the Qantas site to search for Cathay, just search sector by sector... sone BNE-HKG and then HKG-LHR.

You can also just call the QF call centre and ask them to find you availability, then go on line to book it yourself with the dates they give you. If you can book it on line you may need to get the call centre to assist you, and they may be willing to waive the call centre assistance fee.

TG is still in star alliance. You can buy miles through the Lifemiles program (the FF program of avianca) if you want TG F. Although search before you buy miles.

 

[Danger]

I see Guam is part of the South Pacific group, along with Australia. But JAL is the only airline that flies there, out of Tokyo.

I don't suppose it's possible to fly Australia-Tokyo-Guam for the cost of a South Pacific-South Pacific award?

If not, how does one go about getting there from Australia?

 

[grussellt]

Very unlikely. Probably safer to try a trip to Tahiti (via AKL) - fewer missiles.

 

[Danger]

Very unlikely. Probably safer to try a trip to Tahiti (via AKL) - fewer missiles.

There was a trip report on The Points Guy last week that painted it in an exceptionally good light. Plus the Hyatt looks very nice.

 

[appaz]

I see Guam is part of the South Pacific group, along with Australia. But JAL is the only airline that flies there, out of Tokyo.

I don't suppose it's possible to fly Australia-Tokyo-Guam for the cost of a South Pacific-South Pacific award?

If not, how does one go about getting there from Australia?

I've done it twice once to Saipan when USDM was still *A

The second time I booked was to Guam on OW in the period of transition when agents were still a bit confused about all the rules - both times I stayed much longer in Japan (when they allowed a stopover!) then either of GUM/SPN

 

[appaz]

Very unlikely. Probably safer to try a trip to Tahiti (via AKL) - fewer missiles.

I've noticed Tahiti Nui is an AA partner but one of the rules of travelling to PPT is it cannot be via Aus/NZ - but doesn't state if that includes starting in Aus/NZ

It might be worth a call to an agent, because for 30k points in J it seems like exceptional value.

Especially for those of us in Perth
PER-AKL QF A330
AKL-PPT TN A340

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't suppose it's possible to fly Australia-Tokyo-Guam for the cost of a South Pacific-South Pacific award?

It depends if JL has a published fare SYD-GUM via Tokyo. If they do, you should be able to book it as an award.

Edited - see post below by grussellt - this would likely breach the 'no third region' rule.

 

[grussellt]

I think it would fail by "passing through a third region not permitted" and MPM+25%.

 

[appaz]

It depends if JL has a published fare SYD-GUM via Tokyo. If they do, you should be able to book it as an award.

Honestly without being able to have proper stop over in Tokyo - Guam isn't worth it. Unless you just really want to try the JAL suites for less miles?!

Most of the hotels are pretty run down, the place feels stuck in the 90's tbh. Saipan is nicer and even that's nothing special

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think it would fail by "passing through a third region not permitted" and MPM+25%.

Actually that would be the answer - third region. The MPM may not have been an issue if JL publishes a fare for the route.

 

[Danger]

I phoned AA's Fiji call centre last night to enquire. After pointing out to the agent that HKG isn't in South Pacific, she quoted me 40k in J PER-xMEL-xNRT-GUM.

It depends if JL has a published fare SYD-GUM via Tokyo. If they do, you should be able to book it as an award.

Edited - see post below by grussellt - this would likely breach the 'no third region' rule.

JAL has no published fare SYD-GUM unfortunately.

I think it would fail by "passing through a third region not permitted" and MPM+25%.

Yes, there's definitely no third region exception.

Actually that would be the answer - third region. The MPM may not have been an issue if JL publishes a fare for the route.

I asked the question on FlyerTalk and the reply was it would be 80k as I'd be travelling on two award, SP-A1 and A1-SP. Technically, that makes sense as that's exactly what's happening.

 

[drron]

I've noticed Tahiti Nui is an AA partner but one of the rules of travelling to PPT is it cannot be via Aus/NZ - but doesn't state if that includes starting in Aus/NZ

It might be worth a call to an agent, because for 30k points in J it seems like exceptional value.

Especially for those of us in Perth
PER-AKL QF A330
AKL-PPT TN A340

I've travelled to PPT on Tahiti Nui and went via AKL where they allowed a stopover.Though at the time I was EXP.
Was from SYD.On AA award.

 

[knasty]

Lodged a mileage upgrade request earlier in the week for AA72 tomorrow. Today on checkin I was prompted to upgrade to J for USD720. When you factor in a ~1550 flight cost for the Economy return ticket that's a pretty good deal I thought?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Lodged a mileage upgrade request earlier in the week for AA72 tomorrow. Today on checkin I was prompted to upgrade to J for USD720. When you factor in a ~1550 flight cost for the Economy return ticket that's a pretty good deal I thought?

awesome deal!!

 

[chrisbris]

Hey Brains Trust,

On an Australian to the UK redemption itinerary is it possible to transit both Asia and Doha? Points hacks indicates it’s okay but I’m am being quoted approx 140,000 pts for MEL-SIN-DOH-HEL-LHR

Using DOH-HEL-LHR to avoid fees on BA DOH-LHR.

All connections under 24 hours.

Wondering if it’s the 2 x transits or if I’m exceeding MPM that pushing it up from 85,000 pts.

Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hey Brains Trust,

On an Australian to the UK redemption itinerary is it possible to transit both Asia and Doha? Points hacks indicates it’s okay but I’m am being quoted approx 140,000 pts for MEL-SIN-DOH-HEL-LHR

Using DOH-HEL-LHR to avoid fees on BA DOH-LHR.

All connections under 24 hours.

Wondering if it’s the 2 x transits or if I’m exceeding MPM that pushing it up from 85,000 pts.

Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks!

For the DOH exception you must fly in and out of DOH on QR. Additionally there must be a published fare for the route you want to fly. Does QR or any of the other airlines publish a fare for the route you want?

Would seem the itinerary is being broken in to two to fit within AA's rules.

 

[chrisbris]

Thanks Mate, Yeah in and out of Doha on Qatar flights. I will try just HEL or just LHR as a destination and see if that helps.

For the DOH exception you must fly in and out of DOH on QR. Additionally there must be a published fare for the route you want to fly. Does QR or any of the other airlines publish a fare for the route you want?

Would seem the itinerary is being broken in to two to fit within AA's rules.