Booking on AA rather than QF

[Jasperoz]

Hi fellow FF's,

seems if I make my entire upcoming trip to the US on an AA ticket the price is about $200 cheaper than using a QF ticket.

Itinerary is MEL-SYD-DFW-MCO-JFK, BOS-ORD, LAX-MEL

Flights are on QF Aircraft MEL-SYD-DFW and LAX-MEL but code share with AA.

2 x 23kg bags each sector. All flights on the same fare basis.

The fare basis I was going to use on QF would have allowed me to try for an upgrade (only interested in SYD-DFW and LAX-MEL).

My questions are -

1. Does anyone see the downside in using an AA ticket rather than QF?
2. Has anyone done this and been able to request and upgrade?

Thanks,

Pete S.

 

[gwynne]

I've noticed the same thing looking at SYD-HNL-LIH-HNL-LAX

It seems to turn in AA's favor about 8 months before the flight. I assume it makes upgrades extremely difficult. The base fare is about $400 cheaper but the surcharge is about $200 more so if you want to use points, would appear cheaper to use QF. Apart from that, no harm in using AA.

 

[rickylee]

Before the QF-BA tiff from the EK alliance, I often found it cheaper to book on BA for codeshare flights on QF metal. On several occasions, booking SYD-LHR return in F on BA (exclusively on QF metal) was cheaper than booking it in J on QF.

I expect that with the 1/7 changes to QFF, you would earn less points and SCs on a flight marketed by AA, even if it is on QF metal (can someone confirm if this is right)?

 

[NM]

I have flown AA flight numbers on QF trans-Pacific many times. You cannot upgrade those QF operated flights if booked on the AA flight number.

 

[Traveller1955]

I confirmed with QF call centre that post 1/7/14 OW earning SC rate is halved.

 

[legroom]

I confirmed with QF call centre that post 1/7/14 OW earning SC rate is halved.

That statement needs to be qualified.

AFAIK, it will be reduced but depending on the sector mileage, it may not be all at a uniform 50% reduction.

 

[rickylee]

I confirmed with QF call centre that post 1/7/14 OW earning SC rate is halved.

I am not sure that it is a fixed formula like that.

 

[NM]

I confirmed with QF call centre that post 1/7/14 OW earning SC rate is halved.

All the more reason to book the AA flight numbers .... and credit to AAdvantage of course

 

[juddles]

I am not up to date with AA earn on QFF, but I recall that years ago I did a BNE-LAX leg on QF metal but ticketed as AA - earnt ZERO points/SC. The earn on discount economy used to be nil - has this changed?

 

[Mwenenzi]

With OW the marketing carrier (flight number) determines miles earning. Were you on QF flight number? An AA flight always earns miles

I am not up to date with AA earn on QFF, but I recall that years ago I did a BNE-LAX leg on QF metal but ticketed as AA - earnt ZERO points/SC. The earn on discount economy used to be nil - has this changed?

Yes it has changed, for the better, for flights flown on/after August 1, 2013. Now only QF E class is nil earning on AAdvantage ffp (and other OW ffp's)
AA Qantas miles earning

 

[zainman]

Looking to book MEL-LAX on AA marketed (AA ticket) but QF operated flights. Booking class is "S". Will this earn 50% miles on AA as it is a QF operated flight or 100% as it is marketed by AA and also has AA flight numbers?

 

[serfty]

AA flight number in S earns 100% RDM and 50% EQP's with AAdvantage.

 

[zainman]

AA flight number in S earns 100% RDM and 50% EQP's with AAdvantage.

Thank you sensei serfty.