Best strategy for SYD to US West Coast in J/F

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gpl007

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Nov 6, 2012
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Hi all,

Apologies if this is an oft-asked question, but I'm having trouble finding info to help my folks get to the US and back in J or F next year.

They are keen to fly QF as they like the A380, and they have the points to fly J or F, but finding availability for 2 is difficult as I'm sure you'll know. If it were possible to book one way awards he'd book the outbound flight as soon as they become available and then do the same with the inbound flights (about a month later). However, as that isn't possible in USDM we're struggling to come up with a strategy.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to achieve this? Or, any suggestions on alternate airlines/routes with good J/F products?

Thanks in advance!
 
Have you looked at Fiji booked as SYD NAN one booking, NAN-LAX return one booking and then NAN SYD as one booking, similar to redemption costs in $$$ but also earns QFF points and SCs, albeit at a lower level after July 1 this year. The screenshot below is old.
3,821.00 FJD=2,207.56 AUD

FJ.jpg
 
Just to be sure I understand correctly, you're talking about paying for this outright not a redemtpion?

What is Fiji Air's J product like? My only experience with Fiji (or Air Pacific as it was known then) was very poor.

Without sounding too snobby, I suspect the oldies would rather stick with QF.
 
Just to be sure I understand correctly, you're talking about paying for this outright not a redemtpion?

What is Fiji Air's J product like? My only experience with Fiji (or Air Pacific as it was known then) was very poor.

Without sounding too snobby, I suspect the oldies would rather stick with QF.

FJ are using the A330 product with angled beds, same as the VA330s and SQ A330s, see http://www.australianfrequentflyer....questions/what-catch-fiji-airway-j-57795.html

Trip report

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....s/trip-report-conference-las-vegas-59195.html
 
Without sounding too snobby, I suspect the oldies would rather stick with QF.

It's almost impossible to get 2 award J/F seats direct to USA with Qantas. I find it almost impossible using QF's points as it is :(
 
It's almost impossible to get 2 award J/F seats direct to USA with Qantas. I find it almost impossible using QF's points as it is :(

Yep for sure, although if you're on the ball you can be lucky and grab them on the day they become available. Problem is, you can't book your return seats because they're not available yet! With AAdvantage or QFF that isn't a problem as you can book one way, but USDM doesn't allow for that.

I wondered if it was possible to put outbound seats on hold (the day they become available in the system), then call back to complete the booking with seats on an inbound flight a couple of days later. Wait until the inbound flight you actually want to come back on becomes available, call back, and pay the change fee to move to that flight.

Alternatively, is there a good routing through Asia (or elesewhere) to the US which might have better availability than QF?
 
The FJ A330 J is a pretty solid product (still with a new plane smell) and unbeatable for the price. The timing also means you can break up the journey with two full-ish days in Fiji on the way back (Depart LAX in the evening, arrive sunrise-ish in Fiji, depart the next day in the afternoon). I wouldn't hesitate to use it. It might be easier to use some of those QF points for the SYD-NAN J legs (I haven't looked)....
 
Yep for sure, although if you're on the ball you can be lucky and grab them on the day they become available. Problem is, you can't book your return seats because they're not available yet! With AAdvantage or QFF that isn't a problem as you can book one way, but USDM doesn't allow for that.

I wondered if it was possible to put outbound seats on hold (the day they become available in the system), then call back to complete the booking with seats on an inbound flight a couple of days later. Wait until the inbound flight you actually want to come back on becomes available, call back, and pay the change fee to move to that flight.

Alternatively, is there a good routing through Asia (or elesewhere) to the US which might have better availability than QF?

Even trying to book at 330 days out they are unlikely to be available. This question has been asked and answered many times. SYD-LAX is without question the hardest QF route to get J and F award seats on. Im sure your parents would love to fly direct on an A380 for about the same price as economy. Unfortunately 10 million QFFers also want to do this and have a 30 day head start on the seats you are after.

You scenario about holding then changing should work but be aware its will be difficult to find the seats you want even at 330 days out.

I would go either CX or JL via HKG or NRT respectively.
 
I managed to find 1 seat SYD-LAX about 325+ days out after looking for days and very very frequently. I haven't seen any others since. Getting 2 is near to impossible.
 
My advice is to grab the outbound the moment they become available with a dummy return date.

When the inbound becomes available, pay the $150 fee per pax.

Need flexibility here on USDM !
 
Thanks all for the advice.

They might just have to be a bit more flexible on airline or route.
 
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