ADL > ORD via Asia?

[neon_crossing]

Hi there,

I'm looking at possibly booking a trip to chicago in October.

Just checking with the new AAdvantage rules for Award Travel.

From Australia to USA is it still possible to route via asia (have done this previously with OW using USDM points before the full merger).

Or if I am booking 2 months in advance is AUS<>USA pretty much a lost cause now with availability over the pacific being so scarce?

Thanks in advance.

 

[smit0847]

You can route via asia but youll be charged as two separate awards so much more expensive. If you want to go via pacific youll be lucky to get Y 2 months out.

 

[neon_crossing]

Cheers for the quick reply.
That really sucks.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Keep looking though Neon - you never know when something will open up. I found a J redemption to NYC just by idly checking routes at work one day for 5 weeks out, so they do exist but are obviously extremely rare .

 

[Limewood]

Also consider an AA award, ADL/ORD/LAX/ADL (via MEL/BNE/SYD), think this would be 3 sectors not four.

 

[grussellt]

AA.COM shows J availability via HNL but it requires a few stops. Y availability looks pretty good on about 14 days in October. Again some via HNL but also DFW and LAX.

 

[smit0847]

AA.COM shows J availability via HNL but it requires a few stops. Y availability looks pretty good on about 14 days in October. Again some via HNL but also DFW and LAX.

HA J is not J.

 

[Limewood]

Find QF award flights to say HNL return call them, if Ok go to mainland from there, not cheapest alternative for your short time month booking. Think QF go to HNL Wed/Fri only rest is JQ J (=PE).

 

[dajop]

You can route via asia but youll be charged as two separate awards so much more expensive. If you want to go via pacific youll be lucky to get Y 2 months out.

Or buy a cheap JQ fare to DPS (closest point in Asia to ADL) and do award from there !!!

 

[Limewood]

or AirAsia in J to KUL and go from there.

 

[neon_crossing]

Cheers for the suggestions guys.
For reference the dates I am looking at is around 19/20th Oct ADL <> ORD return around 26/27th Oct.
I have approx 500k Velocity. 300k Qantas and 300k AAdvantage.
I can get PE on VA for 141k + $200 taxes SYD<>LAX and pay the rest myself on TT/JQ ADL<>SYD and WN LAX<>MDW
I wouldn't mind that if VA feature the new PE but I don't think it will be installed by then.
The cheap Y flight to asia could be a clever ploy to jump on a cheap J redemption across the pond.
I haven't had to long haul in Y since 2010 and the previous Dividend Miles promos have certainly spoiled me!

UPDATE:
ADL <>DPS $129 each way in Y for those dates... that is basically the same price as ADL<>SYD basically. Could be an option.

 

[grussellt]

On the 20th October you could go on EK in Y/J or F for ADL-DXB-ORD ( I think I would find F very tempting at 192k points) but I wouldn't wait too long. However you may have to slum it on the way back unless a call to QF/Star Alliance can offer you something. CX may offer options via HKG/BKK over the next month.