Can someone help with trip to Carribean??

[Rolls]

Hi, Travelling to St Maartin (SXM) in the Carribean next March. I know nothing about the Carribean or how to get there!
Prefer to travel on One World airlines (am QF Plat.)(...just remembered thats WP!). Prefer long haul segments in business
What is the best route ? Places we should be seeing on the way, or while there
Thanks
R

 

[drron]

AA flies there from MIA or JFK.Mia would be the least time in the air but MIA immigration is probably worse than LAX.I would normally use JFK though next time I will be chancing MIA.

 

[Rolls]

AA flies there from MIA or JFK.Mia would be the least time in the air but MIA immigration is probably worse than LAX.I would normally use JFK though next time I will be chancing MIA.

What about SYD/DFW/MIA then we would miss the immigration?

 

[Boris spatsky]

But you will get it on the way back, wont you?

 

[Rolls]

But you will get it on the way back, wont you?

Yes forgot about that! Have you been to the Carribean? Any suggestions?

 

[haydensydney]

It will probably be an expensive exercise to get there direct in J.

Try to get a cheapie to LA (sale fare via Asia perhaps?) and then get a separate PNR through to SXM. Looks like everything goes through Miami.

You could also try a cruise? They usually stop for a full day in SXM?

Ps... you really want to do this don't you?

 

[Rolls]

It will probably be an expensive exercise to get there direct in J.

Try to get a cheapie to LA (sale fare via Asia perhaps?) and then get a separate PNR through to SXM. Looks like everything goes through Miami.

You could also try a cruise? They usually stop for a full day in SXM?

Ps... you really want to do this don't you?

Ha Ha it does look amazing!
Yes it would seem Miami is the connecting point. Is it worth a stop??

 

[TimB]

I'd recommend going via San Juan (SJU), just because there are ridiculously cheap YUPP fares there from various places, e.g. LAX. So QF (or CX, or JL) to LAX, and then AA to SJU in F/J. Then it's a 1 hour flight with JetBlue (or AA, or whoever) to SXM.


I don't know what immigration is like in MIA, but it was pretty simple in SJU coming back from SXM, and I'm sure much less busy than MIA would be.


And don't forget the discussion on plane spotting (and jet blast) at SXM here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/turbulence-1-woman-0-a-38431.html

 

[Rolls]

I'd recommend going via San Juan (SJU), just because there are ridiculously cheap YUPP fares there from various places, e.g. LAX. So QF (or CX, or JL) to LAX, and then AA to SJU in F/J. Then it's a 1 hour flight with JetBlue (or AA, or whoever) to SXM.


I don't know what immigration is like in MIA, but it was pretty simple in SJU coming back from SXM, and I'm sure much less busy than MIA would be.


And don't forget the discussion on plane spotting (and jet blast) at SXM here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/turbulence-1-woman-0-a-38431.html

That would be painful!
What is a YUPP fare please??

 

[haydensydney]

Yes it would seem Miami is the connecting point. Is it worth a stop??

Well, I've never been to Miami - but my impressions of Miami are of hip hop nightclubs, chico latinos and gay nudist beaches. Lol.

This website may offer a more accurate run down of what Miami has to offer haha... http://wikitravel.org/en/Miami

 

[Rolls]

I'd recommend going via San Juan (SJU), just because there are ridiculously cheap YUPP fares there from various places, e.g. LAX. So QF (or CX, or JL) to LAX, and then AA to SJU in F/J. Then it's a 1 hour flight with JetBlue (or AA, or whoever) to SXM.


I don't know what immigration is like in MIA, but it was pretty simple in SJU coming back from SXM, and I'm sure much less busy than MIA would be.


And don't forget the discussion on plane spotting (and jet blast) at SXM here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/turbulence-1-woman-0-a-38431.html

OK Just did some checking can go SYD/DFW/SJU/SXM
What is San Juan like ? Is it worth a stopover??
Thanks
R

 

[Rolls]

Well, I've never been to Miami - but my impressions of Miami are of hip hop nightclubs, chico latinos and gay nudist beaches. Lol.

This website may offer a more accurate run down of what Miami has to offer haha... Miami travel guide - Wikitravel

Hmmm well according to DRRON Miami is not the place to go thru immigration so maybe I should investigate San Juan further.

 

[Rolls]

TimB can you explain YUPP please?

 

[drron]

YUPPS are fares with AA that give an instant upgrade.So you buy a Y fare and it is UPPed.In the USA it is to F but to the Carribean it will be to J-same seats just called a different class if an international flight.
It would be all right to fly into MIA if you have a stopover there-it is just if you transfer to another flight it can be dicey.
As for MIA it depends what you want to do.We will be stopping off on our way to Barbados in November so mrsdrron can enjoy some outlet shopping at Sawgrass Mills.Plenty of other things to do-just depends on what you like.

 

[Alanslegal]

I've only been to Nassau, The Bahamas Stayed at The Atlantis Resort, if anyone's interested here's an oldie hotel review

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....eviews/the-atlantis-resort-bahamas-26635.html

 

[Rolls]

Thanks for the info.
Re the YUPP does that instant up just appear on the screen as i book it? I tried a dummy booking on the AA site but did not see anything.

 

[Rolls]

I'd recommend going via San Juan (SJU), just because there are ridiculously cheap YUPP fares there from various places, e.g. LAX. So QF (or CX, or JL) to LAX, and then AA to SJU in F/J. Then it's a 1 hour flight with JetBlue (or AA, or whoever) to SXM.


I don't know what immigration is like in MIA, but it was pretty simple in SJU coming back from SXM, and I'm sure much less busy than MIA would be.


And don't forget the discussion on plane spotting (and jet blast) at SXM here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/turbulence-1-woman-0-a-38431.html

Did you stop in SJU? If so would you recommend this?

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the info.
Re the YUPP does that instant up just appear on the screen as i book it? I tried a dummy booking on the AA site but did not see anything.

AA.com refers to them as "Instant Upgrade" fares.

Don't use the Oz site.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-program/aa-status-run-nice-little-34878.html

 

[drron]

You search using the Price and Schedule option when you use aa.com for bookings.
If on the Australian site you select Business + First on the class and it will come up with the instant upgrade option as well as the J or F options.

 

[Rolls]

Thanks to both of you, I will to try again
Anyone been to SJU??