Around the world - any suggestions?

[Kiwi Flyer]

How is he calculating 29,003 miles? If its from GCM or similar, note that each airline uses its own figures and so could vary +/- up to about 20 miles. Also there are tricks to shave a few miles off - eg using LON instead of LHR.

 

[beardoc]

To try and get Platinum status in the quickest time, book
AA 7348 PER-SYD
AA 7363 SYD-LAX
This will earn 9529 of the 10,000 points needed for Platinum status

If 1 QF sector can be fitted in somewhere before this journey starts (booked in anything other than N class), then SYD-LAX would complete the challenge and would earn a 7488 mileage bonus

Do make sure that the AA codeshares are booked and not the QF flight numbers. If he took the same flights but as QF574/QF11 then only 4765 points would be earned

How do you book a domestic economy QF sector on an AA codeshare? Do you have to book it via the AA booking service, or through a travel agent, or is there something online that will allow you to do it? I just tried booking SYD-BNE on AA.com and it wouldn't let me.

Do all QF flights have AA codeshares, or only certain flights, and if so, how would you know?

I'm looking forward to doing the platinum challenge on my next journey...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

You cant book the codeshare by itself. Need to have other flights on AA. Eg a RTW, or a round trip including AA sectors in americas/transatlantic, etc

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Not every QF flight will have an AA codeshare. I'd expect the transpacific flights to all have AA codeshare, and some connecting flights to/from main cities.

Codeshares can be found on aa's timetable, or by use of search tool (eg KVS, itn).

 

[Jobu]

Here is his current itinerary:

Air NZ | NZ176 | Depart Perth | Arrive Auckland
Air NZ | NZ006 | Depert Auckland | Arrive Los Angeles
United | UA336 | Depart Los Angeles | Arrive Denver
United | UA498 | Depart Denver | Arrive Cleveland
United | UA143 | Depart Cleveland | Arrive Chicago O Hare
United | UA1463 | Depart Chicago O Hare | Arrive Las Vegas
United | UA1481 | Depart Las Vegas | Arrive Los Angeles
United | UA934 | Depart Los Angeles | Arrive London Heathrow
Lufthansa | LH4691 | Depart Amsterdam | Arrive Munich
Lufthansa | LH3392 | Depart Munich | Arrive Athens
Singapore | SQ347 | Depart Athens | Arrive Signapore
Singapore | SQ223 | Depart Singapore | Arrive Perth

Total miles: 29,018.

Needs to shave 18 miles. Apparently the TA has spoken to my brother and has managed to shave 15 miles (not sure how).

Any suggestions? Also, is there any benefit using different *A airlines for any legs of the trip?

Thanks again folks - really appreciate it!

JOBU and Bros.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Easiest way is to visit Las Vegas before Cleveland. Will shave plenty.

 

[Jobu]

Easiest way is to visit Las Vegas before Cleveland. Will shave plenty.

Unfortunately he has a wedding to attend in Cleveland so is time-restricted, plus after wedding is getting together with people to go to Las Vegas.

So essentially he needs to go to Cleveland first and then Las Vegas.

Cheers,

JOBU

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I would change Los Angeles to London to Air NZ if it has availability. 34" pitch (very good for economy) and AVOD so plenty to keep entertained. Downside is need to change terminals at Los Angeles - will need to allow 2 hours for this.

Alternatively, assuming have to visit Las Vegas after Cleveland, change routing to go to London via Denver (takes a few hundred miles off).

 

[Jobu]

I would change Los Angeles to London to Air NZ if it has availability. 34" pitch (very good for economy) and AVOD so plenty to keep entertained. Downside is need to change terminals at Los Angeles - will need to allow 2 hours for this.

Alternatively, assuming have to visit Las Vegas after Cleveland, change routing to go to London via Denver (takes a few hundred miles off).

Thanks Kiwi Flyer, you're a legend!

Will give that a go (any idea if Air NZ flies to London from Denver?)

Also - given my brother is not a FF, any suggestion which *A program he should join? Presumably either Singapore or Air NZ?

Cheers mate,

JOBU

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

No Air NZ only flies from LAX to LHR.

Apart from backtracking to and from LAS the routing is fairly minimised. If you really want to fly NZ (which currently is over mileage) you could look into the price of ticket for Denver to Cleveland return or Chicago to Cleveland return and do that as a side trip.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

As mentioned there are several options which would earn *Silver status. However the best status benefits are at *Gold level, which is not able to be earned on this trip.

If your brother is likely to fly internationally on *A within 12 months of starting this trip then it may be worthwhile going for a programe where *Gold may be attainable.

If not, then probably best to just look at maximising the use of miles earned. On United Mileage Plus it will be enough for economy anywhere within south pacific (australia/nz/islands), and maybe just enough for business class.

On Air NZ Airpoints it would earn enough for round trip from Perth to NZ (but probably not the islands).

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I wouldnt join SQ Kris Flyer. That's best for upgrades on SQ and intra-asia awards.

 

[Jobu]

Thanks Kiwi Flyer!



JOBU and Bros

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

You're welcome