Confusing International Business Class Pricing

[simongr]

When did you do your last challenge? You can not use it to requalify for platinum (i.e. challenge in 2007 and 2008) but you can I think use it to qualify from a lower level i.e.:

2005 Challenge to Platinum through Feb 2007
July 2007 Challenge to Platinum through Feb 2009

I think that works - I havent frequented the acerbic FT AA forum recently to see if that has changed...

 

[serfty]

AFAIK, this has not changed.

OT:

... I think that works - I havent frequented the acerbic FT AA forum recently to see if that has changed...

I think a few suspensions here and there have mellowed that forum somewhat.

These days, it is almost Civil.

 

[chrisb]

When did you do your last challenge? You can not use it to requalify for platinum (i.e. challenge in 2007 and 2008) but you can I think use it to qualify from a lower level i.e.:

2005, so it expired 2007 and I'll drop from Gold to cardboard in Feb this year.

I'm not sure what the deal is - all I've seen in the forum so far is they're becoming tougher on the challenges.

Hey, it's worth a try - this is a holiday not a MR, so I have nothing to lose.

Chrisb.

 

[serfty]

There more information of AAdvantage Chellenges on this FT (AA) Wiki:

• Challenge (AA) - FlyerGuide Wiki

 

[simongr]

I think the toughness on challenges is mostly around the AA flight numbers.

 

[tuapekastar]

2005, so it expired 2007 and I'll drop from Gold to cardboard in Feb this year.

I'm not sure what the deal is - all I've seen in the forum so far is they're becoming tougher on the challenges.

Hey, it's worth a try - this is a holiday not a MR, so I have nothing to lose.

Chrisb.

I'm in the same boat as you as far as AA status goes (successful Plat Challenge 2005, back to 'cardboard' status end of Feb 2008). I haven't looked into it for a while but I was under the impression I could Plat Challenge again this year should I wish to. The main (probably only, unless I've missed something) change is of course having to do it on AA flight numbers. Good luck if you decide to do it, and let us know how you get on.

 

[HardieBoys]

For me the choice was obvious in May 2007. I had to be in LA for work, and the options were $13335 SYD-LAX-SYD, or $7029 SYD-HKG-LAX-SYD. As I had to pick up my partner who was living in HK at the time, the second option was ideal. And more points as well.

This year, the options are more difficult. I have a work trip to Washington DC, and whilst I can do a circle pacific, it's a lot more expensive due to mileage. The alternative is to RTW, stopping in London and BKK to visit friends along the way. A lot more flying, and a hideous experience at LHR (topped off by the vile muck the British call 'food'), but lots more points.

 

[simongr]

Setting aside the racial slur against my countrymen's cuisine (although I would comment that burning meat on a gas powered BBQ is not really a serious cooking technique) - when are you planning to go through LHR?

If it is the end of the year even the SYD flights out of LHR will move to T5 - and that should be a great experience.

 

[Hawkeye]

If it is the end of the year even the SYD flights out of LHR will move to T5 - and that should be a great experience.

I confess that I have not been monitoring the new arrangements at LHR closely, but I thought BA flights to SYD were departing from T3 (along with the oneworld partners).

 

[chrisb]

Well i have a Booking, but i've had to change from NRT-SIN(JL) SIN-PER(QF) due to D0 on the SIN-PER flight. I've waitlisted - What are the chances of it clearing? Is there any way to encourage it? It's currently showing J9 - Travel is in June and the booking is through AA.

Unfortunately they can't book the NRT-SIN leg until SIN-PER clears, so knowing my luck that'll run out of D seats too

I'm currently on CX from NRT-HKG-PER which is ok.

AA couldn't quote taxes on the DCIRC22, but they 'estimated' about AUD$440. I was hoping it would be less than this through AA. Does it sound right?

Routing is PER-SYD-LAX-LAS-LAS-NRT-HKG-PER. The only QF coded flight is the domestic PER-SYD.

 

[simongr]

I confess that I have not been monitoring the new arrangements at LHR closely, but I thought BA flights to SYD were departing from T3 (along with the oneworld partners).

You are correct - some of the information I had indicated that the HKG/SYD fligths were in fact moving to T5.

Apologies for that - at least I can enjoy T5 when I go to LCA in July (but not when I go to LCA in March )

 

[HardieBoys]

Not sure if this works for your itinerary, but I spoke to someone at Finnair's Sydney office in late 2007. Finnair offer a Business Europe J fare which takes you around the world. You can use oneworld carriers, but must use Finnair for at least one long haul flight, and must travel via Helsinki. There are Finnair flights from Helsinki to BKK, HKG and other Chinese ports, and then you can connect to a CX or QF flight. The price was under $7.5K not inclusive of taxes. The intra-European leg is on economy, rather than J.

 

[chrisb]

Well this is annoying. I've noticed using KVS that if I use a US based POS, I get J9D0. If i use a UK based POS I see J9D6. Obvious AA is US based.

Oh well... Still waiting on the QF waitlist.

Chrisb.