Best use of AA points in Aus

[Smithy789]

Fellow Frequent Flyers,

My better half and I have both finished a AA platinum challenge each and accrued a healthy 24,000 odd points each. Thanks AA!

I understand that for 20,000 each we can take an internal return flight from Melbourne within Aus or even make it to New Zealand and back.

I want to make best use of my new points by going somewhere small, fun, hot and far away - like Broome or Hamilton Island - this winter. Am I going to be able to make it there. Whilst I am Platinum with AA, I am only Bronze with QF. I haven't made a FF booking before, so it's new turf for me. Any thoughts?

Smithy789

 

[Dave Noble]

20,000 points is enough for an economy award to anywhere in AU/NZ so if you want to go to Broome or Hamilton Island , you do have enough points

If you log into your QFF account and search for availability for flights to where you want to go, when you have found suitable flights, give AA in the US a call and reserve them and pay for them ( since u are PLT they can take ur australian credit card )

Dave

 

[serfty]

Note those 20K AAdvantage miles are good for anything available from, say, CBR-SYD return to PER-AKL return.

 

[Mal]

May have to investigate a BNE-BME trip on AA points. From Brisbane, this would be one of the most expensive trips (paid fare wise) available within Australia.

 

[futaris]

If you log into your QFF account and search for availability for flights to where you want to go, when you have found suitable flights, give AA in the US a call and reserve them and pay for them ( since u are PLT they can take ur australian credit card )

I'm gold and looking to redeem 2 seats using my AA miles. Is there any particular number that I need to call? I didn't realise that you need to

BME-ZQN I think would be the most expensive (and probably the furthest) redemption that one could redeem for 20k AA miles.

 

[NM]

May have to investigate a BNE-BME trip on AA points. From Brisbane, this would be one of the most expensive trips (paid fare wise) available within Australia.

And no fuel fines to be paid when using AA miles!

 

[Dave Noble]

I'm gold and looking to redeem 2 seats using my AA miles. Is there any particular number that I need to call? I didn't realise that you need to

BME-ZQN I think would be the most expensive (and probably the furthest) redemption that one could redeem for 20k AA miles.

Just phone the regular US reservations number on +1 800 843 3000 or phone the UK on +44 207 365 0777 and they will be able to help

Dave

 

[v8Statesman]

And no fuel fines to be paid when using AA miles!

And don't forget indirect routing for those last minute bookings. I just did PER-MEL-BNE then BNE-MEL-ADL-PER in U for 30K.

 

[openseat]

Is there any limit to the number of segments?

 

[Keith009]

Not really. Though if itinerary is too 'unorthodox' they might knock it back. I attempted to do MEL-xSYD-xSIN-HKG-xBKK-xSYD-MEL on All Partners, the aagent okayed it and all the relevant rules were followed but I got a note from yield management requesting for a more direct route to be taken. This is even though I've not gone out of either regions.

 

[NM]

And don't forget indirect routing for those last minute bookings. I just did PER-MEL-BNE then BNE-MEL-ADL-PER in U for 30K.

Wouldn't that be 35K miles for AAdvantage award?

 

[v8Statesman]

Wouldn't that be 35K miles for AAdvantage award?

I am not sure.

Went to check but...

AA.com is currently undergoing maintenance to improve your experience. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please try back later or refer to the following numbers for assistance.

 

[Smithy789]

Thanks fellow FFs - you've givem me some good ideas...
Are stopovers allowed en route - either within Aus or to NZ? (That would be too good to be true I'm guessing)

 

[futaris]

Wouldn't that be 35K miles for AAdvantage award?

Yes. 35K for Business in "Wholly Within Listed Countries"

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks fellow FFs - you've givem me some good ideas...
Are stopovers allowed en route - either within Aus or to NZ? (That would be too good to be true I'm guessing)

No stopovers permitted

Dave

 

[futaris]

You can do an openjaw though. e.g. PER-AKL, ZQN-PER. Then make use of your QF points and book at the reduced rate (saving 4000 points/booking on NZ domestic).