Booking via AA or Qantas?

[$CJ]

Hi,

I'm looking at flying to East coast USA in October or November and I'm considering booking directly with AA online. I may or may not utilise stopovers.

Is there any difference or anything I should be aware of, in terms of

1) Lounge access (I have QP Bronze)
2) Point earn (Can I earn QFF points? Or are AA points better value anyway?)
3) Seating (Any difference to allocation and/or online allocation??)
4) Check-in (Can I still use the QP queue at Sydney?)
5) Booking class

Also, Qantas fares to JFK are currently on sale for $1999 in Nov and Dec. When this sale ends, are the AA prices likely to change or are they completely independent?

I assume the "direct" flight SYD - JFK has a stopover. Where and how long?

My other option is to get to Hawaii with Jetstar, then use AA to hop around. This DOES appear much cheaper. Is there anything I need to consider other than having to re-check baggage? How would I go using QP flying Jetstar?

Thanks SO MUCH for answering any of these many questions...

CJ

P.S. Yes I have searched for much of these questions, but mainly found unclear or possibly-outdated info.

 

[serfty]

1) Lounge access (I have QP Bronze)

You have Admirals Club access when you onward flight is with AA (/QF/BA/JQ)

2) Point earn (Can I earn QFF points? Or are AA points better value anyway?)

Depends on the booking class; for more see Dave Noble's excellent thread: AA Platinum Challenge and mileage earning/burning 2007

3) Seating (Any difference to allocation and/or online allocation??)

Depends on your status within QFF or AAdvantage.

4) Check-in (Can I still use the QP queue at Sydney?)

Yes.

5) Booking class

Varies, with QF the sale you mention below generally books into Q class.

Also, Qantas fares to JFK are currently on sale for $1999 in Nov and Dec. When this sale ends, are the AA prices likely to change or are they completely independent?

IME, AA don't tend to match Ex OZ sales. However, they do sometime ex US. For a guide to ex US pricing look at the Qantas US website

I assume the "direct" flight SYD - JFK has a stopover. Where and how long?

At LAX for 100mins.

My other option is to get to Hawaii with Jetstar, then use AA to hop around. This DOES appear much cheaper. Is there anything I need to consider other than having to re-check baggage? How would I go using QP flying Jetstar?

No problems.

Thanks SO MUCH for answering any of these many questions...

No worries.

 

[$CJ]

Thanks Serfty!!

Could you clarify using QP pass on AA (and indeed on flights booked directly through AA with no QFF number on the booking)? I've noticed the QP website says simply that you're entitled to enter "Qantas Clubs" when flying onward with Qantas or BA (unless I've missed something).

Also what premium should I expect to pay for a V class fare over the phone compared to the cheap N class I'm offered online? I'm looking to maximise a platinum challenge.

At this stage I'm looking at flying ADL - MIA - ORL - SYD in Nov and getting prices from AA and Qantas online for a whisker over $2k.

 

[NM]

Thanks Serfty!!

Could you clarify using QP pass on AA (and indeed on flights booked directly through AA with no QFF number on the booking)? I've noticed the QP website says simply that you're entitled to enter "Qantas Clubs" when flying onward with Qantas or BA (unless I've missed something).

Qantas Club membership gives you access to Qantas, BA and AA lounges when you are departing on a flight with the respective airline.

So if using an AA flight number on a QF trans-Pacific flight, AA use the Qantas Club lounges in Australia so you will have access to the Qantas Club lounge. It makes no difference who you purchase the ticket from, just the fight number on the ticket. Having your QFF number in the booking is not a requirement for lounge access.

 

[$CJ]

Qantas Club membership gives you access to Qantas, BA and AA lounges when you are departing on a flight with the respective airline.

So if using an AA flight number on a QF trans-Pacific flight, AA use the Qantas Club lounges in Australia so you will have access to the Qantas Club lounge. It makes no difference who you purchase the ticket from, just the fight number on the ticket. Having your QFF number in the booking is not a requirement for lounge access.

...so if I purchase a domestic US flight from AA I can flash my QP card and enter the AA lounge?

Thx

 

[NM]

...so if I purchase a domestic US flight from AA I can flash my QP card and enter the AA lounge?

Thx

Yes, so long its an AA flight number. US Airways is no longer a Qantas Club partner.

 

[Alan in CBR]

...so if I purchase a domestic US flight from AA I can flash my QP card and enter the AA lounge?

Thx

As NM noted, yes. Also note that as a QP member you are entitled to drink vouchers at Admirals Clubs. Domestic Admirals Clubs charge for alcoholic drinks, but the vouchers let you get them for free. They will give you either one or two vouchers on entry to the club (you may have to remind them), but according to the arrangement between AA and QF you are entitled to go back for more if required. Your success in doing so may vary.

Even if you use vouchers for drinks, you are still expected to tip US$1 per drink. It's not compulsory, but when in Rome ...

 

[Dave Noble]

It's not compulsory, but when in Rome ...

Feed the Americans to the lions?

Dave

 

[straitman]

Feed the Americans to the lions?

Dave

Wishful thinking.

 

[NM]

But I don't tip in Rome ...

 

[Alan in CBR]

Bloody literalists!