Adding paid US sectors into DONE

[rpmsol]

Hi All,

I'm starting a Business Class Round World trip in June, but have used up all 6 sectors in the US, including one trans-continental flight.

I now need to tack on a short visit to Washington on the way home, so will add a few days to my stay in LAX and book a return flight to IAD, as LAX - IAD counts as trans-continental (and extra segments - if permited - would cost AUD$500 each).

btw: I am QF Platinum + Partner Gold - so dont really need more status, but would like lifetime Gold eventually.

So for my questions:

If I buy on aa.com, should I use my AA number and clock up some miles, or should I use my QFF number?

Does QF status mean anything for domestic AA lounges and seating preferences?

Will I be recognized as OneWorld Emerald on such domestic routes, when booked directly with AA?

Will I have lounge access for self booked AA domestic flights?

Should I use some of my upcomming QF flights in AUS to bump up my AA status?

If I don't get lounge access, maybe I should redeem a First Class reward flight - and get access that way?

Thanks very much,
Paul.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

If you aren't going to switch to AAdvantage or have enough travel to earn status on both then I'd stick with crediting to QF (assuming eligible fare). Spreading points across multiple FFPs is wasteful and reduces value that you could otherwise obtain.

Assuming the RTW does not originate in US then can add extra north america segments to it, but still restricted in only one trans-continental, and still only 20 segments for the entire ticket. But from your post sounds like you will be buying as a separate ticket.

A QF WP has access to AA's Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club, when flying OW. It is only AA elite members that do not have access within US (except on international itineraries or with paid Admirals Club membership). Note a paid first (or business) class US domestic flight does not bring any lounge access (unless have relevant non-US OW status or paid AC membership).

 

[rpmsol]

Thanks Kiwi Flyer!

That is a relief - glad I'm OW Emerald with QF!.

So how I do book a flight on aa.com and quote my QFF number?

If I quote my number correctly, will it show as OW Emerald on my boarding pass?

Regards,
Paul.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

You can't online. Need to call to get it added, or else show your card at check in.

 

[serfty]

You might like to have a close look at the costs of either YUP or KUP faresLAX-WAS-LAX; they can be surprisingly inexpensive. You indeed book to travel in the pointy end and you get First SC's for the flights when you do so.

 

[Reggie]

So how I do book a flight on aa.com and quote my QFF number?
Regards,
Paul.

Unless you have a credit card with a US billing address, you will have problems paying for any online bookings with AA.

 

[rpmsol]

Unless you have a credit card with a US billing address, you will have problems paying for any online bookings with AA.

Sure am having problems!!

 

[Reggie]

Sure am having problems!!

I was in the US and couldn't book on line because of an aussie cc. So in the end I used a local TA that our US guys used, and they accepted my cc.

Goodluck, you will need it

 

[rpmsol]

I'm going to the airport this morning, so will try and pay at the airline's sales desk, and will use cash if I need to! If that doesn't work, I don't know what I'll do.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Unless you have a credit card with a US billing address, you will have problems paying for any online bookings with AA.

That depends on the fare. Fare less than US$1000 can normally be done online with Oz/NZ credit card (selecting US button, not other).

 

[Reggie]

That depends on the fare. Fare less than US$1000 can normally be done online with Oz/NZ credit card (selecting US button, not other).

Things must of changed then, I had some flights this time last year, around $700 and the website wouldn't take my aussie citibank card.

On the other hand Northwest took my card no probs

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Things must of changed then, I had some flights this time last year, around $700 and the website wouldn't take my aussie citibank card.

On the other hand Northwest took my card no probs

Which button did you select? US etc, UK etc, or other?

 

[Reggie]

Which button did you select? US etc, UK etc, or other?

US because I was accessing from a US connection

 

[Mal]

Tis a complicated process at times:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ge/arrgh-its-painful-buying-tickets-8415.html
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...tage/timeline-purchasing-aa-tickets-9473.html
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/american-airlines-advantage/whats-wrong-aa-india-9588.html
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/american-airlines-advantage/best-way-book-8702.html

 

[simongr]

Note a paid first (or business) class US domestic flight does not bring any lounge access (unless have relevant non-US OW status or paid AC membership).

I think that there has been (or will be) a slight change to that. If you are flying business/first on a transcon you can get access even if no status based on this link.

 

[NM]

I think that there has been (or will be) a slight change to that. If you are flying business/first on a transcon you can get access even if no status based on this link.

Its First class only, and only one full-fare paid tickets. So no upgrades, awards or discounted fares such as A class. No access for business class passengers.

The most recent changes removed P fare basis passengers from the list that can use the lounges. Now its only F or Z fare basis. Not sure exactly how AA sell Z fares, as they do explicitly limit access to full-fare paid tickets, so that would imply that awards and upgrades using Z are not admitted.

But no YUP/KUP type fares, sticket upgrades, EXP upgrades etc quality for lounge access. And access for Full Fare F passengers is only for non-stop trans-continental services such as LAX-JFK, SFO-JFK etc.

 

[simongr]

I could have sworn that I saw that with the new JFK Admirals club that they were giving business class access to the lounge on Transcons... I cant find the article now. Strange - very strange...

 

[NM]

I could have sworn that I saw that with the new JFK Admirals club that they were giving business class access to the lounge on Transcons... I cant find the article now. Strange - very strange...

Only if the passenger had met some other criteria for access, such as a same-day international connection on a OneWorld carrier, they have a paid AC or QC membership, they hold OneWorld Sapphire or Emerald status with a carrier other than AA.

 

[Dave Noble]

The most recent changes removed P fare basis passengers from the list that can use the lounges. Now its only F or Z fare basis. Not sure exactly how AA sell Z fares, as they do explicitly limit access to full-fare paid tickets, so that would imply that awards and upgrades using Z are not admitted.

1st awards book into Z and on a transcontinental trip , an award F passenger is permitted into the Flounge.

Upgrades book into A and so are not entitled to access

dave