Alaska Air vs. AA flight number

[Peter78]

Hi guys,

we have been able to snare two mASAs for Australia - LAX in J next year. We want to continue to Anchorage but connecting flights on Alaska Air weren't bookable at the time and I was scared that the long-haul seats would sell out by the time the LAX-ANC seats are released. They are available for purchase soon and instead of booking a Frequent flyer redemption, spending US$204 sounds better than using QFF 20,000 points. With a buffer of five hours, we should also be safe to make the connection at LAX.

I have searched for this topic on the forum a bit and most questions are answered already, however we have the choice of booking the flight as either a AS flight number, or under AA's code. Would someone please be so kind to confirm the following:

1. frequent flyer earn - AS code "only" earns points, whereas AA earns points and SCs even though the flight is operated by Alaskan.
2. checked baggage allowance - when flying with AA, oneworld elites enjoy complimentary bags. Does this also apply for AS-operated flights? From AA's website, it does for AA's own elites but I am not sure about our QF status meaning anything.
3. lounge access at LAX - no chance.

Thanks for your help, guys!

 

[serfty]

1: AA code = both points and SC's if in an eligible fare bucket.
2: With the US DoT exception to IATA 302 it's the AA allowance that counts - and AA do grant oneworld equivalents free additional baggage. However AA are unlikely to have filed additional allowance for Elites with APTCO, so it may be just the basic allowance. YMMV.
3: There is always a chance, but since oneworld access does require both oneworld marketing and oneworld operating carriers the chance is slim. Do you have Priority Pass? That would get you AS "Boardroom Access" at both LAX and ANC.

 

[CaviAck]

You probably won't have much chance on getting into the boardroom on QF status. The staff there are clued in about the arrangement they have with QF and the sign out front clearly says "Qantas members welcome when traveling on Qantas or Alaskan Airlines".

Similar arrangement with Delta and Priority Pass and Club Card members are allowed in. Otherwise there's a day pass for $45. There's an agreement with AAdmirals club for access into the lounge in ANC for travel on AA IIRC.

 

[Hvr]

Can you get a cheap YUPP fare on an AA code? The SCs would be much better in First class and you get access to the Board Room at both ends flying in F booking class.

 

[serfty]

Looking at Mid April, it's USD761 one-way direct in First LAX-ANC on AS. Same flight on the AA codeshare is USD1631 (flexible).

 

[Peter78]

Just an update this: we have made the booking for the flight from LAX to ANC and we have indeed chosen, based on the feedback received here - THANK YOU for this, the AA code. We might not be able to access the boardroom, but entering our QFF SG numbers when booking, we got excellent seats allocated (first row in economy) and bags are complimentary as well, according to this relatively straight-forward part of the confirmation email:

Baggage charges for your itinerary will be governed by American Airlines BAG ALLOWANCE -LAXANC-02 Pieces/ American Airlines /UP TO 50 LB/23 KG AND UP TO 62 LINEAR IN/158 LINEAR CM 1STCHECKED BAG FEE-LAXANC-USD0.00/ American Airlines /UP TO 50 LB/23 KG AND UP TO 62 LINEAR IN/158 LINEAR CM 2NDCHECKED BAG FEE-LAXANC-USD0.00/ American Airlines /UP TO 50 LB/23 KG AND UP TO 62 LINEAR IN/158 LINEAR CM ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES AND/OR DISCOUNTS MAY APPLY

We only booked Economy as the price difference (US$761 vs. US$204) was too much for me to justify. If YUPP/KUPP fares had been available, I might have attempted to convince SWMBO (she must never read that I call her that) but down the back will be fine. Thanks again for the input provided, pretty happy with earning SCs and not paying for checked bags by doing it this way.