AA First Award Availability SFO-SYD and LAX-SYD

[Chris_Leo]

Hi

I was wondering whether anyone could share their experiences with the availability of First award redemptions on AA flying from SFO/LAX to SYD.

Would the availability mimic what Qantas disclose on their award booking database? Are there less awards because AA is a oneworld partner?

Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[NM]

Would the availability mimic what Qantas disclose on their award booking database? Are there less awards because AA is a oneworld partner?

Yes, the F award availability for QF flights should be the same between QFF and AAdvantage (and all OneWorld FF programs). So the result is that F availability on the QF flight is likely to be low to both programs. You might find better availability using CX.

 

[moa999]

Yes. It should mimic QF.

FYI A/D awards disappear very quickly on the Pacific Routes, and A appears almost totally unavailable on the new A380.

 

[Chris_Leo]

Thanks for the prompt responses.

A follow-up question, if I were to use a Cathay award flight, wouldn't I have to go LAX-HKG-SYD? Wouldn't that also consume substantially more AA points?

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks for the prompt responses.

A follow-up question, if I were to use a Cathay award flight, wouldn't I have to go LAX-HKG-SYD? Wouldn't that also consume substantially more AA points?

It does cost a bit more.

J on a non stop costs 125k or 145k in First
J via HKG will cost 130k using a One World award which allows max 20,000 miles or 180k in 1st

It is 35k extra for the F OW award but will boost options

Dave

 

[Chris_Leo]

Interesting...i had no idea that Cathay had a direct service from LAX to SYD. Even more reason to consider switching more of my mileage credits from QFF to AA.

Chris

 

[Dave Noble]

Interesting...i had no idea that Cathay had a direct service from LAX to SYD. Even more reason to consider switching more of my mileage credits from QFF to AA.

Chris

No non-stop service; you would have to connect via Hong Kong. It does improve your choices though plus can have a stopover in HKG if desired

Dave

 

[simongr]

There is no F though on CX SYD-HKG.

The reason that you might see less availability as an AA Frflyer is that QF release awards on day 355 whereas AA only can book flight 330 days ahead so many people have snapped up the QF awards using their QF account.