American Visitng Australia

[justinn]

I will be visiting Australia in early 2016 for 26 days. I will do the JFK-SYD R/T and 8 In country flights and am willing to book with Quantas. Am I better off getting into the American Airlines program or the Quants program to get the most value?

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF justinn

First thing to learn is that it's 'Qantas' (Originally Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Service)

I'd suggest that if you continue flying domestically in the USA, then the AA program would be better, mostly because I think belonging in one's local program is better than one in a foreign country. Usually earier to earn via your credit card and other promotions, too

If you do join AA, then you might want to try to get AA flight numbers (ie code-share) on the QF flights to qualify under the '4 flights' for AA criteria (I think that's the requirement).

Unless you are flying J, then you'd probably want to get an AA month pass for lounge access - good for Qantas or AA lounges.

 

[jackthomas]

At the base level I would recommend you sign up with American airlines... You can still get your credits and points credited to American Airlines but it will be more beneficial to be with AA back home in the states.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I will be visiting Australia in early 2016 for 26 days. I will do the JFK-SYD R/T and 8 In country flights and am willing to book with Quantas. Am I better off getting into the American Airlines program or the Quants program to get the most value?

Go AA. 2016 is a long way off and you won't be ticketed until Feb 2015. But look good to look ahead.

What are you doing once you hit the ground?

 

[v8Statesman]

Also a round trip like that in N class or higher is enough to complete a platinum challenge if on AA codeshare flights. Just a thought.

 

[justinn]

This has all be very helpful, In the US Im Platinum IHG and Have the Jetblue card so I enjoy those perks but does not really carry International, did not see much selection for IHG in Australia. Is it worth booking accomodations and cars to get the extra points from AA? If I fly a Jetstar flight will I get points on AA?

These are my city pairs

JFK-SYD SYD-HBA HBA-MEL MEL-PER PER-DRW Gahn ASP-CNS CNS-BNE BNE-JFK

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm not a Jetstar (aka death star, one of our LCCs ) flyer but I think unless you buy a business max fare there is no chance of points of any variety. But others may correct me.

Frankly if you aren't flying Qantas, my suggestion would be to fly Virgin Australia (VA code), forego the points and save some $ on generally good flights. But if you are connecting at SYD with your HBA flight, I'd make sure it was a Qantas one, so you can get checked through. Booking ahead and being flexible with flight times, you can often get a decent price in Qantas too.

HBA is my town. If you need accom recommendations, get back to me.

 

[justinn]

I was going to spend 3 Days in SYD, I intended to hire a car in all cities but am seeing No for SYD and MEL, any recommendation either way would be helpful. When I travel I'm more of the a hotel is for sleeping and showering but still want something comfortable, I use IHG here in the US but cant seem to find a lot in AUS. A recommendation of a chain or some places would be apprecaited.

 

[samh004]

If I fly a Jetstar flight will I get points on AA?

No, they're not a partner with anyone but Qantas in Australia, unless they drastically change their business by 2016!

This goes further such that if you had OneWorld Sapphire (OWS) status (for lounge access) and flew Jetstar, you wouldn't gain access, only Qantas Gold (equivalent level to AA Platinum/ OWS) do as they're owned by them. So I'd be very careful

I was going to spend 3 Days in SYD, I intended to hire a car in all cities but am seeing No for SYD and MEL, any recommendation either way would be helpful. When I travel I'm more of the a hotel is for sleeping and showering but still want something comfortable, I use IHG here in the US but cant seem to find a lot in AUS. A recommendation of a chain or some places would be apprecaited.

Hilton, Starwood... Accor *shudder*

 

[dk4]

I intended to hire a car in all cities but am seeing No for SYD and MEL...

IMO - a car in Sydney or Melbourne would be a hindrance, both cities have extensive public transport networks (including push bikes in Melbourne). If you do not know these cities, driving in the CBD (downtown) would be difficult and unpleasant (especially if you are not use to their regulations and signs, let alone driving on the other side of the road), and parking expensive. In many cases it would be quicker and easier to use public transport.

IMO - a car in Hobart, Cairns & Darwin is a necessity, as these towns do not have extensive public transport networks, and many of the sights that you will want to see are out of town. Their relatively small size makes driving in them fairly easy, but ensure that your accommodation provides overnight parking spaces, as all three of them have parking restrictions in their CBD areas.

IMO - a car in Brisbane & Perth is dependent on what you want to see and do. Our 3rd and 4th most populous cities do have reasonable public transport options, but nowhere near as ubiquitous as our two largest cities. Plan what you want to do, and if it fits within the confines of the city's transport options that's great. You might also want to consider hiring a car for just a day in these places, to get out and see the more outlying attractions, or coastal areas. That way you do not need to find somewhere to park it at night if you are stating in the CBD.

 

[justinn]

No, they're not a partner with anyone but Qantas in Australia, unless they drastically change their business by 2016!

This goes further such that if you had OneWorld Sapphire (OWS) status (for lounge access) and flew Jetstar, you wouldn't gain access, only Qantas Gold (equivalent level to AA Platinum/ OWS) do as they're owned by them. So I'd be very careful



Hilton, Starwood... Accor *shudder*

I am getting a 30 day membership from AA for their lounge and that carries over to Qantas, can I use my AA membership in a Qantas lounge if taking a jetstar flight? And I believe the 30 day AA membership allows me a +1 for Qantas lounges?

 

[justinn]

IMO - a car in Sydney or Melbourne would be a hindrance, both cities have extensive public transport networks (including push bikes in Melbourne). If you do not know these cities, driving in the CBD (downtown) would be difficult and unpleasant (especially if you are not use to their regulations and signs, let alone driving on the other side of the road), and parking expensive. In many cases it would be quicker and easier to use public transport.

IMO - a car in Hobart, Cairns & Darwin is a necessity, as these towns do not have extensive public transport networks, and many of the sights that you will want to see are out of town. Their relatively small size makes driving in them fairly easy, but ensure that your accommodation provides overnight parking spaces, as all three of them have parking restrictions in their CBD areas.

IMO - a car in Brisbane & Perth is dependent on what you want to see and do. Our 3rd and 4th most populous cities do have reasonable public transport options, but nowhere near as ubiquitous as our two largest cities. Plan what you want to do, and if it fits within the confines of the city's transport options that's great. You might also want to consider hiring a car for just a day in these places, to get out and see the more outlying attractions, or coastal areas. That way you do not need to find somewhere to park it at night if you are stating in the CBD.

I have driven on the left before and am used to it, to go to saw the blue mountains a day rental would be the best bet?

 

[dk4]

I have driven on the left before and am used to it, to go to saw the blue mountains a day rental would be the best bet?

Depends on you as a person, and how you like to travel.

I would recommend an all inclusive day tour, with CBD hotel pick ups and drop offs, so that you can just enjoy the tour and not have the hassle of driving.

For a little more independence, I would suggest catching a train from the CBD to the mountains, and then use the hop-on-hop-off bus service to see the sights, this gives you more control over how long you want to spend seeing what. Blue Mountains Explorer Bus - Home

If you are totally opposed to travelling around with groups, then yes - a hire car for a day gives the most amount of independence to do and see what you want (but with long, tiring drives at the start and end of the day).

 

[samh004]

I am getting a 30 day membership from AA for their lounge and that carries over to Qantas, can I use my AA membership in a Qantas lounge if taking a jetstar flight? And I believe the 30 day AA membership allows me a +1 for Qantas lounges?

The only way to access a QF lounge while flying on JQ in Australia is with QF status/Qantas Club membership.

AA does not partner with JQ, nor are JQ a part of OneWorld (in a benefits sense), regardless of who owns them.

Your best bet is to book with Qantas if you want to use the benefits of the 30-day membership

 

[justinn]

The only way to access a QF lounge while flying on JQ in Australia is with QF status/Qantas Club membership.

AA does not partner with JQ, nor are JQ a part of OneWorld (in a benefits sense), regardless of who owns them.

Your best bet is to book with Qantas if you want to use the benefits of the 30-day membership

I have never flown jet star but I seem to be getting a bad vibe, are they as bad as say a Ryan air? For Qantas all domestics flights come with a checked luggage including economy?

 

[serfty]

I am getting a 30 day membership from AA for their lounge and that carries over to Qantas, can I use my AA membership in a Qantas lounge if taking a jetstar flight? And I believe the 30 day AA membership allows me a +1 for Qantas lounges?

The $99 product is a membership for thirty days and provides access to Qantas operated lounges and Admirals Clubs before Qantas or AA marketed (and operated?) flights with up to 1 or two guests depending on location/itinerary.

Flying on Jetstar does not qualify an Admirals Club member for admittance to a Qantas lounge.

 

[samh004]

I have never flown jet star but I seem to be getting a bad vibe, are they as bad as say a Ryan air? For Qantas all domestics flights come with a checked luggage including economy?

serfty more eloquently worded the lounge issue.

I don't think they're as bad as Ryanair, but for your intended use (lounge access), you'd encounter difficulties. They're also a little more inflexible (in the way only an LCC can be) I'd say, compared to a full service carrier. If you were looking for the lowest priced/reputation carrier in Australia, that's Tiger

As for luggage, you are correct.

 

[RooFlyer]

I was going to spend 3 Days in SYD, I intended to hire a car in all cities but am seeing No for SYD and MEL, any recommendation either way would be helpful. When I travel I'm more of the a hotel is for sleeping and showering but still want something comfortable, I use IHG here in the US but cant seem to find a lot in AUS. A recommendation of a chain or some places would be apprecaited.

Definitely a car in Hobart; but book ahead as Jan/Feb is prime tourist time (like you ). Parking downtown is easy, public transport is poor and things are spread out a bit. Must visit Museum of Old and New Art (MONA); summit of Mt Wellington; Richmond village out of time (and wineries around it); Salamanca Markets (Saturday, on the Hobart docks).

Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Europe Car - all are here, with their lots right opposite the terminal building (its small )

The waterfront is the place to be. Grand Chancellor right on the docks is "Hilton-like" (ie pretty good, dependable quality and service). Nearby is the more boutique-y (and expensive) Henry Jones Art Hotel. The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel is a cheaper alternative close to both of those. Lenna is good, over-looking the waterfront in historic Battery Point.

The Islington is consistently rated the best hotel in town, but its in the suburbs. Not bad if you just want to sleep and shower, and drive off, but staying downtown gets you some very nice walks around the waterfront.

Wrest Point Casino is on the water, but in the suburbs too. You'd probably call it a resort hotel; many stay there; I wouldn't.

 

[justinn]

Is the Qantas Walkabout pass worth it? I try to do the muti flight search but it gives me an error.

 

[BAM1748]

I have driven on the left before and am used to it, to go to saw the blue mountains a day rental would be the best bet?

Hire a car, like the US it's the most convenient way to get around and see what you want when you want and driving in a foreign land can be every entertaining in itself.

If I was staying in NYC and wanted to visit the Hamptons I'd be driving.

Matt