DONE4 June 07

[v8Statesman]

Starting early this year (Have not even completed the last DONE4)

Just because I can, I want to maximise QFF SC's on this run. As such I will be crediting to QFF.

There is only one must for this trip and that is 25-28th June in MCO.

I _really_ want to fly D on a A380 on this trip, I also want to do QF107 all the way to JFK. (I think they are going to be incompatible wishes unless there is a LHR-SIN OW partner with an A380)

I know I will be burning 2 sectors to get from JFK-MCO

2 options I have are

Flight 1 of 2: FlightAmerican Airlines 4133FromNew York (JFK) NY US (JFK) Terminal 9Departure Time3:12 PM ToChicago (O'Hare) IL US (ORD) Terminal 3Arrival Time4:40 PM Duration2h28mMealF Aircraft TypeER4 Owned By:AA EAGLE Flight 2 of 2: FlightAmerican Airlines 1967FromChicago (O'Hare) IL US (ORD) Terminal 3Departure Time7:30 PM ToOrlando FL US (MCO) Terminal Arrival Time11:05PM Duration2h35mMealfml://local/HTML/magazine/meals.htm Aircraft TypeM80
or

Flight 1 of 2: FlightAmerican Airlines 903FromNew York (JFK) NY US (JFK) Terminal 8Departure Time12:05PM ToMiami FL US (MIA) Terminal Arrival Time3:05 PM Duration3h00mMealF Aircraft TypeAB6 Flight 2 of 2: FlightAmerican Airlines 1120FromMiami FL US (MIA) Terminal Departure Time4:25 PM ToOrlando FL US (MCO) Terminal Arrival Time5:25 PM Duration1h00mMealfml://local/HTML/magazine/meals.htm Aircraft Type738

I think the first will earn more SC's if I AA Eagle has "A" seats.

Have not worked out the rest of it. But I just want to travel as far as I can for the sake of it

What are peoples thoughts? Am I insane?

 

[bammac]

I have been toying with doing the same thing next year. Trying to maximise SC & points with Qantas.

Not really interested in AA Challenge, which probably does makes me crazy considering the obvious positive following of the challenge here.

Would be very interested to the response to your question as well!

 

[serfty]

... Have not worked out the rest of it. But I just want to travel as far as I can for the sake of it

What are peoples thoughts? Am I insane?

I reckon you are in pretty good company here, and, IMO you are not insane (then again, I don't believe I am either)

I don't believe thare are any A (or indeed, F) seats on American Eagle.

You can probably get some better info from the locals who 'inhabit' the FT OneWorld forum.

 

[garyjohn951]

Remember you can do 6 sectors in North America, so a side trip to Barbados with AA in F will get a good number of scs.

 

[v8Statesman]

Good idea,
Will look at that. I only did five this year and 1 was a 3 class plane

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Remember you can do 6 sectors in North America, so a side trip to Barbados with AA in F will get a good number of scs.

AFAIK the caribbean flights only have coach (economy) and business, no first.

Given Airbus delays with A380 I wouldn't be planning a RTW for 2007 to include an A380 sector.

Going via DFW will get better QFF SCs and will be F since AA mainline. 120 for NYC-DFW and 90 for DFW-MCO. Also saves using up the north america trans-continental so still have that long flight for more SCs.

 

[NM]

I would route JFK-DFW-MCO as each sector will be 2-class AA aircraft (all AE flights are Y only, but DONEx will book into Y class so at least will earn full economy SCs and not discount SCs are L).

However, ORD does have a Flagship Lounge which is nicer than the standard Admirals Club lounge. But its near the gates used for their 777 international departures (the end of the K concourse) and can be a long walk from the gates used for many domestic flights.

I would not be planning on QF having A380 operating by June. They certainly hope they will be and quite possibly will be, but no guarantees. I really doubt QF will have them operating the Kangaroo route by then as they will be starting trans-Pacific. No other OneWorld partner will be operating A380 by then.

Remember that you can make as many flight/date/time changes to the DONE4 as you like for no penalty. The only penalty comes if you change the routing. So why not do something like make original reservation for QF107 SYD-LAX followed by QF107 LAX-JFK. You may need to include an overnight stopover at LAX for the agent to book it that way, but you can then change the LAX-JFK departure date to the same as the SYD-LAX arrival date later for no cost. Then you can change to an A380 flight if and when it comes on line.

Of course I am assuming that the reason you want to do SYD-JFK on QF107 is to maximise the SCs earned on that flight and to get you to the USA east coast without using a NA continent sector or trans-continental segment, and my suggestion above breaks that process. So its a trade-off only you can decide.

 

[v8Statesman]

The only penalty comes if you change the routing.

Hmmm, Thankyou for all your advice there NM.

I have made a routing change to my 001 issued paper DONE4 that I have in suspention at the moment. It is now a 001 E-ticket. I was not charged a thing.

WAS SIN-HKG-AKL//ZQN-BNE-MEL-ADL-PER it is now SIN-HKG-NRT-BNE-MEL-ADL-PER

 

[simongr]

Just in relation to the DONE4 - am I correct in assuming that I can add a few sectors within Australia. Is there a restriction on this - for example if I say do a SYD-LAX-JFK-LHR-HKG-SYD can I add say SYD-PER-SYD? Is there a time restiction on this? could I also book a couple of DONE4s for different trips. I have potentially a SYD-JFK-SYD trip before Xmas and a SYD-Orlando-SYD in March and potentially a SYD-Amsterdam-SYD next July.

I would most likely do all of those as DONE4s as its cheaper than a Business class return - I am just wondering if this will then give me a stock pile of J class flights around Oz that I could take in the next 12 months? It would mean that I could in theory fly on business in business domestically or even take a flight to Uluru with mrs sim in J - and save on the award points I would have to use

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Yes intra-australia sectors are restricted.

1) Only 4 in total (at start or end or mixture).
2) Only 1 trans-continental (basically east coast to PER, BME or DRW is trans-continental), unless using the south africa exception.
3) Last flight must be within 12 months of start of the RTW.

Also once you return to Australia (country of origin) you cannot leave it again (so no trips to NZ at the end - can solve this by starting in NZ instead).

Yup you can have multiple xONEx's live at any one point. Just make sure to finish them off within the 12 month validity, and keep track of rule changes (since each one will be subject to the rules as at the time of issuing).

 

[simongr]

Hmm - I just did a quick test on the mileage monkey and I dont think I can do something like this:

SYD-LAX-JFK-LHR-HKG-SYD-MEL-SYD

Hmm - I guess I have to find some way to fly back to SYD and then fly from SYD?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

SYD-LAX-JFK-LHR-HKG-SYD-MEL-SYD

That routing looks fine to me. You could even do a second round trip SYD-MEL-SYD. Oh I forgot before that only 2 stopovers in continent of origin.

 

[NM]

Hmmm, Thankyou for all your advice there NM.

I have made a routing change to my 001 issued paper DONE4 that I have in suspention at the moment. It is now a 001 E-ticket. I was not charged a thing.

WAS SIN-HKG-AKL//ZQN-BNE-MEL-ADL-PER it is now SIN-HKG-NRT-BNE-MEL-ADL-PER

There is no penalty (fee) if the change is made before the first international sector has been flown. After the first international sector has been flown there is a US$125 fee for re-issuing the ticket and a routing change requires the ticket to be re-issued.

 

[NM]

Hmm - I just did a quick test on the mileage monkey and I dont think I can do something like this:

SYD-LAX-JFK-LHR-HKG-SYD-MEL-SYD

Hmm - I guess I have to find some way to fly back to SYD and then fly from SYD?

The only thing wrong with this for a OneWorld Explorer routing is that you have wasted a perfectly good miles/points/SC earning opportunity .

With OneWorld Explorer you can continue the journey after returning to your point of origin, so long as you (assuming you are starting in Australia):

• don't exceed 20 sectors in total
• don't exceed 4 sectors for SWP region
• don't exceed 2 stopovers for continent of origin
• don't depart Australia more than once in the entire journey.
• don't have more than one "trans-continental" sector as defined in the rules (such as SYD/MEL/BNE-PER)

 

[v8Statesman]

There is no penalty (fee) if the change is made before the first international sector has been flown. After the first international sector has been flown there is a US$125 fee for re-issuing the ticket and a routing change requires the ticket to be re-issued.

I wonder who paid it then? I have done most of the trip already.

 

[simongr]

The only thing wrong with this for a OneWorld Explorer routing is that you have wasted a perfectly good miles/points/SC earning opportunity .

The problem I have at the moment is that I am short of time on these trips - I have had more than the anticipated level of travel and to better use the points earning (I am AA now so no SCs )routings I would have to spend more time away - which wouldnt be popular. If my two US trips happen next year I certainly might be a bit more creative - see if I can easily stretch out the 26K journey into 36K - two of those in J would put me into exec platinum

Just so I understand terminology - 4 sectors in SWP would be four flights - two return journeys. I am guessing that I could actually have those at the front or the back of the trip - i.e. SYD-BNE-SYD-LAX-JFK-LHR-HKG-SYD-ADL-SYD ?

These DONE4s look great value when done like that - I just have to wonder if my business would mind if the extra segments were personal

 

[NM]

I wonder who paid it then? I have done most of the trip already.

A few years back I had BA re-issue a DONE4 for me and not charge me for it. The fee back then was US$75. So sometimes an agent will do it for free, but I believe that situation is not a common as it used to be.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Just so I understand terminology - 4 sectors in SWP would be four flights - two return journeys. I am guessing that I could actually have those at the front or the back of the trip - i.e. SYD-BNE-SYD-LAX-JFK-LHR-HKG-SYD-ADL-SYD ?

Yes that would be fine too (subject to no more than 2 stopovers in south west pacific).

 

[v8Statesman]

Here is an alpha of my DONE4 for next year. For some reason it claims I am travelling through 5 continents. Can anyone see my error, or is it an error in the system (glitch in the matrix)?

Can any see any problems with is (ignore all the dates for now.)

TIA

Round the World Planner Itinerary Details - DONE407
12/10/2006 Through 13/07/2007
------------------------------------------------------------
Total City Count: 19
Total Sector Count: 20
Total Region Count: 5
------------------------------------------------------------
City: Colombo, Sri Lanka (Bandaranayake)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: CMB - Colombo, Sri Lanka (Bandaranayake)
Arrive: HKG - Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Leg 1:
Depart: CMB 12:35a 12/10/2006
Arrive: HKG 12:00p 12/10/2006
Flight: CX 710 - Cathay Pacific Airways
773 - Boeing 777-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Total Duration: 8 hours 55 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: HKG - Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Arrive: JFK - New York, United States (John F. Kennedy)
Leg 1:
Depart: HKG 3:00p 13/10/2006
Arrive: JFK 9:20p 13/10/2006 Terminal: 7
Flight: AA 6124 - American Airlines
744 - Boeing 747-400 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Total Duration: 18 hours 20 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: New York, United States (John F. Kennedy)
Sectors: 2
Flight details
Depart: JFK - New York, United States (John F. Kennedy)
Arrive: MCO - Orlando, United States (Orlando)
Via: MIA - Miami, United States (Miami)
Leg 1:
Depart: JFK 12:10p 14/10/2006 Terminal: 8
Arrive: MIA 3:10p 14/10/2006
Flight: AA 903 - American Airlines
AB6 - Airbus Industrie A300-600 Passenger
Operating Carrier: American Airlines
Connecting flight leaves in 1 hours 5 minutes
Leg 2:
Depart: MIA 4:15p 14/10/2006
Arrive: MCO 5:15p 14/10/2006
Flight: AA 1219 - American Airlines
738 - Boeing 737-800 Passenger
Operating Carrier: American Airlines
Total Duration: 5 hours 5 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Orlando, United States (Orlando)
Sectors: 2
Flight details
Depart: MCO - Orlando, United States (Orlando)
Arrive: ANC - Anchorage, United States (Anchorage)
Via: DFW - Dallas, United States (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
Leg 1:
Depart: MCO 11:40a 1/07/2007
Arrive: DFW 1:40p 1/07/2007
Flight: AA 1813 - American Airlines
M80 - Boeing (Douglas) MD-80
Operating Carrier: American Airlines
Connecting flight leaves in 2 hours 50 minutes
Leg 2:
Depart: DFW 4:30p 1/07/2007
Arrive: ANC 8:15p 1/07/2007 Terminal: S
Flight: AA 278 - American Airlines
757 - Boeing 757 Passenger
Operating Carrier: American Airlines
Total Duration: 12 hours 35 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Anchorage, United States (Anchorage)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: ANC - Anchorage, United States (Anchorage)
Arrive: DFW - Dallas, United States (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
Leg 1:
Depart: ANC 9:30p 2/07/2007 Terminal: S
Arrive: DFW 6:45a 3/07/2007
Flight: AA 279 - American Airlines
757 - Boeing 757 Passenger
Operating Carrier: American Airlines
Total Duration: 6 hours 15 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Dallas, United States (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: DFW - Dallas, United States (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
Arrive: LAX - Los Angeles, United States (Los Angeles)
Leg 1:
Depart: DFW 7:10p 3/07/2007 Terminal: C
Arrive: LAX 8:20p 3/07/2007 Terminal: 4
Flight: AA 2477 - American Airlines
757 - Boeing 757 Passenger
Operating Carrier: American Airlines
Total Duration: 3 hours 10 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Los Angeles, United States (Los Angeles)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: LAX - Los Angeles, United States (Los Angeles)
Arrive: LHR - London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Leg 1:
Depart: LAX 9:20p 4/07/2007 Terminal: B
Arrive: LHR 3:25p 5/07/2007 Terminal: 1
Flight: BA 268 - British Airways
747 - Boeing 747 Passenger
Operating Carrier: British Airways
Total Duration: 10 hours 5 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: LHR - London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Arrive: DXB - Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
Leg 1:
Depart: LHR 9:40p 5/07/2007 Terminal: 4
Arrive: DXB 7:30a 6/07/2007 Terminal: 1
Flight: BA 109 - British Airways
777 - Boeing 777 Passenger
Operating Carrier: British Airways
Total Duration: 6 hours 50 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: DXB - Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
Arrive: LHR - London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Leg 1:
Depart: DXB 1:20a 6/07/2007 Terminal: 1
Arrive: LHR 5:55a 6/07/2007 Terminal: 4
Flight: BA 106 - British Airways
777 - Boeing 777 Passenger
Operating Carrier: British Airways
Total Duration: 7 hours 35 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: LHR - London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Arrive: TIP - Tripoli, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Tripoli)
Leg 1:
Depart: LHR 9:30a 7/07/2007 Terminal: 1
Arrive: TIP 2:00p 7/07/2007
Flight: BA 898 - British Airways
32S - Airbus Industrie A318/319/320/321
Operating Carrier: British Airways
Total Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Tripoli, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Tripoli)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: TIP - Tripoli, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Tripoli)
Arrive: LHR - London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Leg 1:
Depart: TIP 3:00p 8/07/2007
Arrive: LHR 5:40p 8/07/2007 Terminal: 1
Flight: BA 899 - British Airways
32S - Airbus Industrie A318/319/320/321
Operating Carrier: British Airways
Total Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: LHR - London, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Arrive: SIN - Singapore, Singapore (Changi)
Leg 1:
Depart: LHR 12:15p 8/07/2007 Terminal: 4
Arrive: SIN 8:00a 9/07/2007 Terminal: 1
Flight: QF 32 - Qantas Airways
744 - Boeing 747-400 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Qantas Airways
Total Duration: 12 hours 45 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Singapore, Singapore (Changi)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: SIN - Singapore, Singapore (Changi)
Arrive: MEL - Melbourne, Australia (Tullamarine)
Leg 1:
Depart: SIN 7:45p 9/07/2007 Terminal: 1
Arrive: MEL 4:45a 10/07/2007 Terminal: 2
Flight: QF 10 - Qantas Airways
744 - Boeing 747-400 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Qantas Airways
Total Duration: 7 hours 0 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Melbourne, Australia (Tullamarine)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: MEL - Melbourne, Australia (Tullamarine)
Arrive: AKL - Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland)
Leg 1:
Depart: MEL 10:55a 10/07/2007 Terminal: 2
Arrive: AKL 4:15p 10/07/2007 Terminal: I
Flight: QF 25 - Qantas Airways
744 - Boeing 747-400 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Qantas Airways
Total Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: AKL - Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland)
Arrive: BNE - Brisbane, Australia (Brisbane)
Leg 1:
Depart: AKL 6:30a 11/07/2007 Terminal: I
Arrive: BNE 8:05a 11/07/2007 Terminal: I
Flight: QF 116 - Qantas Airways
763 - Boeing 767-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Qantas Airways
Total Duration: 3 hours 35 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Brisbane, Australia (Brisbane)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: BNE - Brisbane, Australia (Brisbane)
Arrive: PER - Perth, Australia (Perth)
Leg 1:
Depart: BNE 8:35a 12/07/2007 Terminal: D
Arrive: PER 12:00p 12/07/2007 Terminal: 2
Flight: QF 589 - Qantas Airways
763 - Boeing 767-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Qantas Airways
Total Duration: 5 hours 25 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Perth, Australia (Perth)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: PER - Perth, Australia (Perth)
Arrive: HKG - Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Leg 1:
Depart: PER 12:50p 12/07/2007
Arrive: HKG 8:35p 12/07/2007
Flight: CX 170 - Cathay Pacific Airways
330 - Airbus Industrie A330
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Total Duration: 7 hours 45 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Sectors: 1
Flight details
Depart: HKG - Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Arrive: CMB - Colombo, Sri Lanka (Bandaranayake)
Leg 1:
Depart: HKG 2:15p 13/07/2007
Arrive: CMB 8:10p 13/07/2007
Flight: CX 735 - Cathay Pacific Airways
773 - Boeing 777-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Total Duration: 8 hours 25 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
City: Colombo, Sri Lanka (Bandaranayake)
Sectors: 0

------------------------------------------------------------
Warnings
1. Flight date (8/07/2007) is on the same date as previous flight (8/07/2007)
2. Flight date (12/07/2007) is on the same date as previous flight (12/07/2007)
3. Region (Europe and the Middle East) has been re-entered
4. Region (Asia) has been re-entered

 

[NM]

Can any see any problems with is (ignore all the dates for now.)

Definately 4 regions. I think it has counted Asia twice due to the routing order. THe routing LHR-SIN-MEL must be <24 hours in SIN for the routing to be legal.