Booking AA flight with QF flight number

[bPeteb]

As per the QF website there's apparently 130 domestic AA flights that can be booked with a QF flight number. We've searched for possibly way too long trying to find out how to do this. Is this actually true? Is there anywhere that we can see what routes the 130 flights cover. Or is this just a mirage?

 

[defurax]

You can only book QF codeshare on AA if the ticket includes flights to/from Australia.
You can use ExpertFlyer to find which AA routes have QF marketed flights operated by AA.

 

[RichardMEL]

Exactly.

Plenty of flights with QF codes connecting into the hubs like SFO/LAX and DFW but you can't book them separately without a connecting QF metal flight so... it's only really relevant in tems of tix to/from Oz

 

[bPeteb]

Thanks team. I kind of that's how this would work but the QF site is (surprise) a little misleading. Nowhere does it say 'in conjunction with a ticket to the US 130 domestic flights can be booked for your onward travel...'

Thank you for confirming. I'll let my crazed partner know

 

[equus]

You can only book QF codeshare on AA if the ticket includes flights to/from Australia

It's actually more restrictive than that. QF codeshares on AA flights can only be booked if the next or previous segment on the ticket is a QF code as well (prime or codeshare). It is not enough to simply have a ticket to/from Australia.

So if you are going from a QF flight to somewhere with a QF codeshare available - good to go. If the next domestic US destination has no QF codeshare, and you use an AA prime, then the subsequent destination can only use a QF code if the sector after that is QF code as well.

We wanted to do SYD-DFW-CLT-JFK-LAX-HNL. Could do SYD-DFW on QF7, use the QF codeshare for DFW-CLT, but then had to use AA for CLT-JFK as there was no codeshare on that route. This then means no ability to use QF9 (or any codeshares on AA flights) for JFK-LAX even though they exist because the subsequent LAX-HNL as no QF codes available.

 

[Himeno]

It's actually more restrictive than that. QF codeshares on AA flights can only be booked if the next or previous segment on the ticket is a QF code as well (prime or codeshare). It is not enough to simply have a ticket to/from Australia.

In my experience, that depends on which agent you are talking to and what the current interpretation of the DoT cabotage rules is.

 

[justinbrett]

Just upgrade to first and watch the SCs roll in... who cares if it's an AA flight number!

I was amazed by how little it costs to upgrade.

 

[bPeteb]

Just upgrade to first and watch the SCs roll in... who cares if it's an AA flight number!

I was amazed by how little it costs to upgrade.

That's what we're looking at!

 

[fifo]

I was amazed by how little it costs to upgrade.

As in just buy an AA first/J ticket? or a cash upgrade somehow?

 

[justinbrett]

As in just buy an AA first/J ticket? or a cash upgrade somehow?

Just an outright AA First ticket. Although, if you buy a AA Y ticket, AA will let you upgrade to first with no fees, you just pay the fare difference. For some of the routes it might be as little as $100 more, yet you're earning 80 SCs vs 10. It obviously depends on the route and date/time. I booked all my flights in Y and ended upgraded all but one to first afterwards.

 

[fifo]

Ah I see, yes I mostly buy J or first fares in the USA just for the SC earn. Only a few routes where its not worth it usually, such as MIA to BZE (which is annoying as I lived there all of 2016!, BZE that is).

I've never seen the option to upgrade for fare difference, is this a call in and ask thing or a online thing they offer?

I ask as I am going to be in and out and around the USA 3 months of next year a LOT. This would be a great option to get a guaranteed seat for flights then pay the difference later for biz once im 100% sure of the dates.

 

[justinbrett]

Ah I see, yes I mostly buy J or first fares in the USA just for the SC earn. Only a few routes where its not worth it usually, such as MIA to BZE (which is annoying as I lived there all of 2016!, BZE that is).

I've never seen the option to upgrade for fare difference, is this a call in and ask thing or a online thing they offer?

I ask as I am going to be in and out and around the USA 3 months of next year a LOT. This would be a great option to get a guaranteed seat for flights then pay the difference later for biz once im 100% sure of the dates.

Having done this several times in the last few weeks, I can confirm two options.

First is to call - however if you purchased in AUD it's best to call the Australian office during business hours. I called the US office using Skype, and they can do it, but it takes them a lot longer.

Second option, and preferred option, is to use twitter. Send them a DM with your record locator and ask for a quote to upgrade to first (note, you don't have to do it for the entire ticket, you can do it leg by leg). They'll come back to you with a quote and ask you for your credit card security code and expiry (you have to use the card you booked the flight with - otherwise you have to call). Once you send them this, they make the changes, charge your card and change the ticket. It's really quite easy, it takes slightly longer than phoning but you don't have to wait.

I booked all my flights directly with AA - I imagine if you booked with a TA or even QF this might not work.

I think you are supposed to be able to do this online but none of my bookings gave me that option - I'm guessing because I purchased in AUD? Not sure.

 

[fifo]

Super helpful, thanks!
I always book with my US credit card so in USD. Never had the option to pay for an upgrade on a booking info screen, so assume calling or via twitter is the only way.

Have you ever checked the price online for a 1st/J booking prior to or as you are calling? to see if they are being honest with you on the day of requesting the upgrade?

 

[justinbrett]

Super helpful, thanks!
I always book with my US credit card so in USD. Never had the option to pay for an upgrade on a booking info screen, so assume calling or via twitter is the only way.

Have you ever checked the price online for a 1st/J booking prior to or as you are calling? to see if they are being honest with you on the day of requesting the upgrade?

Yep - it was always exactly the same, to the cent. So they definitely don't add fees or jack the prices up.

I guess the only drawback to doing it this way, is that you might be bound to the Y fare conditions when it comes to changes/refunds. I didn't really ask as I am on leisure travel and won't be changing my flights so it's not a problem. I'm pretty sure QF works this way - otherwise you could just upgrade a cheap flight and then cancel it.