AA Newbie Question

[Ben6]

Firstly, I apologise if this should be easily found. I have read a heap of threads but thought some more experienced AA users might take pity on me.

I am trying to organise a trip to the USA next year. We are a family of 4 and I would like to fly J but I am almost ready to give up on that dream on the way over at least, so will take Y if needed.

Our first trip is MEL-IAH (Houston). When I search on the AA site, unsurprisingly there is no availability in J but Y is showing for 37,500 per person, all the way to IAH and essentially no taxes. Apart from the horror that would be a long haul Y flight with 2 children and no status on QFF or AA, that seems like a very good deal. Am I missing something?

Secondly, is there any prospect of 4 J flights being available at a certain time? My dates don't open up for about 2 weeks and I would be prepared to be up at any time of the day to secure J at 62,500 pp one way.

I am open to any other suggestions or ideas that anyone may have.

Finally, am I right that I can transfer MR points into my HHonors account, then across to AA at 1:1?

Thanks in advance

 

[andye]

Im pretty sure HH transfers at 100:15. You'd be better off going via SPG-effectively 0.625 AA pts/MR

 

[Ben6]

I knew it was to easy. So those 37,500 point Y seats turn into 57,692 points pp. Given that I can get VA at 62,500 maybe I should stick with them as I am WP, so would get lounge and priority queues all the way.

How does everyone here get AA points?

 

[Hvr]

I purchase my AA points and as a single traveller with flexible dates am happy with what I get. J and F travel in the period I require.

However, it does take a bit of effort and for popular destinations being on line at the exact hour is essential.

Have you considered looking for two seats on consecutive days?

 

[andye]

How does everyone here get AA points?

Fly OneWorld and a few others notably EY
Buy points (regular promotions)-but almost certainly would not make sense for Y especially with current AUD:USD
Via SPG transfer (Stay/Amex/Diners)
e-rewards

 

[andye]

I knew it was to easy. So those 37,500 point Y seats turn into 57,692 points pp. Given that I can get VA at 62,500 maybe I should stick with them as I am WP, so would get lounge and priority queues all the way.

You'd probably be able to time your MR:VA to a 15% promo to make it cheaper too

 

[Nizar]

How does everyone here get AA points?

I buy them. But only during promos. There should be a buy promo starting in the next few weeks (as the share promo will end in the coming days).
Aussie dollar isn't as strong as it's been over the last couple of years but still a good deal to fly return J to the US for ~A$4k per person.

Four people on the one flight will be impossible but maybe you can leave a day apart (even this will be tough) or from different departure points, eg. two of you from BNE the other two from MEL, etc.

Also consider the new flight into SFO which brings more options. DFW also more of a goer than LAX.

Generally from what I know and what I have seen.

SFO is the easiest to get seats.
Then BNE to LAX.
Then SYD to DFW.

MEL and SYD to LAX very very difficult for two unless you are flying solo or unless you are WP and can get seats released.

 

[Alanslegal]

I am trying to organise a trip to the USA next year. We are a family of 4 and I would like to fly J but I am almost ready to give up on that dream on the way over at least, so will take Y if needed.

If I could put actual odds of getting premium award seats direct to USA:-

4 seats @ 10,000 to 1
2 seats @ 1,000 to 1
1 seat @ 50 to 1

 

[andye]

Fly OneWorld and a few others notably EY
Buy points (regular promotions)-but almost certainly would not make sense for Y especially with current AUD:USD
Via SPG transfer (Stay/Amex/Diners)
e-rewards

I'd add the hotel aggregators: rocketmiles, kaligo and pointshound. Not used to book hotels myself but seem to also have periodic offers to maximise miles to a variety of airlines including AA

 

[Croupier]

Firstly, I apologise if this should be easily found. I have read a heap of threads but thought some more experienced AA users might take pity on me.

I am trying to organise a trip to the USA next year. We are a family of 4 and I would like to fly J but I am almost ready to give up on that dream on the way over at least, so will take Y if needed.

Our first trip is MEL-IAH (Houston). When I search on the AA site, unsurprisingly there is no availability in J but Y is showing for 37,500 per person, all the way to IAH and essentially no taxes. Apart from the horror that would be a long haul Y flight with 2 children and no status on QFF or AA, that seems like a very good deal. Am I missing something?

Secondly, is there any prospect of 4 J flights being available at a certain time? My dates don't open up for about 2 weeks and I would be prepared to be up at any time of the day to secure J at 62,500 pp one way.

I am open to any other suggestions or ideas that anyone may have.

Finally, am I right that I can transfer MR points into my HHonors account, then across to AA at 1:1?

Thanks in advance

I can find 4 x J awards to LAX in September not direct though?

 

[Limewood]

I can find 4 x J awards to LAX in September not direct though?

I'll take guess via NAN?.

 

[Croupier]

Yep, about the only option really seeing as QF is so tight with award seats.

 

[Limewood]

Via HNL might be an option.

 

[Nizar]

Yep, about the only option really seeing as QF is so tight with award seats.

4 J seats on the same flight are just about impossible with most carriers ??

 

[Limewood]

4 J seats on the same flight are just about impossible with most carriers ??

right on, its becoming a bad joke zillions of members and points/mile yet so few J/F award seats to be found unless one books near a year out.

I just booked 2 x J to SEA via HNL as I gave up on going direct to mainland, our return is via DFW which is perfect for us.

 

[Croupier]

Fiji airways 11 months out is your only hope to get across the pacific with 4 pax in J